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Cagliari lies on the south coast of Sardinia on the wide Gulf of Cagliari. The city's large marinas are located in the harbour of Cagliari: in the harbour basin of Su Siccu below the Basilica of Bonaria and at Molo Dogana directly in front of Via Roma. Here you can read how to reach the marinas in Cagliari for the start of your trip, which marina is where, where to shop, what wind to expect, which sailing destinations are nearby and what skippers should know when entering.
The essentials at a glance
- Cagliari-Elmas Airport is around eight kilometres from the harbour. The regional train runs in a few minutes from the airport station to the main station at Piazza Matteotti; taxis are available at the airport.
- From the station it is around 500 metres to Marina Portus Karalis and around two kilometres to the marinas in Su Siccu.
- In the Gulf of Cagliari the maestrale from the northwest and, in summer, an almost daily sea breeze determine sailing conditions.
- The first sailing destinations are Villasimius at Capo Carbonara to the east and the bays of Chia and Capo Spartivento to the southwest, both easily reached in a day.
Which marinas are there in Cagliari?
In Cagliari, berths for visiting yachts are located in two places within the city's large harbour. In the eastern harbour basin of Su Siccu, opposite the Basilica of Bonaria, lie Marina di Bonaria and, immediately to the east, Marina di Sant'Elmo, only around 300 metres apart. Nearly a kilometre and a half further west lies Marina Portus Karalis at Molo Dogana, right in the old harbour in front of Via Roma and the Marina district.
Map from OpenStreetMap. When the map is displayed, data is transmitted to the provider.
More InformationBetween Marina di Bonaria and Marina di Sant'Elmo, in Su Siccu, there is also the smaller Marina del Sole. On the western breakwater of the harbour lie Motomar Sarda and Marina di Cagliari. Marina Piccola is not in the harbour, but at Poetto on the other side of Capo Sant'Elia.
| Feature | Marina di Bonaria | Marina di Sant'Elmo | Marina Portus Karalis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Su Siccu, Viale Colombo 135, opposite the Basilica | Su Siccu, Calata dei Mercedari | Molo Dogana on Via Roma |
| Berths | 302 | around 300 on four floating pontoons | 118, for yachts up to 90 m |
| Distance to main railway station (as the crow flies) | around 2 km | around 2 km | around 500 m |
| Showers | yes | yes, in the clubhouse, with washing machine and dryer | yes, with laundry service |
| Technology | crane up to 2.5 tonnes, slipway, engine, hull and sail repairs | yard space for boats up to 30 tonnes | yard for repairs |
Information correct as at: October 2026.
Arriving in Cagliari for trip departure
Airport, railway station, ferry port and marinas are close together in Cagliari. For the last leg it depends on whether your marina is in Su Siccu or at Molo Dogana.
From Cagliari-Elmas Airport to the marinas
Cagliari-Elmas Airport (CAG) lies north-west of the city, around eight kilometres from the harbour. The most convenient option is a taxi directly to the marina; taxis wait outside the terminal. You can also hire a car at the airport.
The train is cheaper. Regional trains towards Cagliari stop at Elmas Aeroporto airport station and reach the main railway station at Piazza Matteotti a few minutes later. From there it's around 500 metres' walk to Marina Portus Karalis at Molo Dogana. To the marinas in Su Siccu it's around two kilometres as the crow flies along the harbour front from the station. With luggage, a taxi from the station is the easier choice.
By ferry, car or bus
Cagliari is connected daily to the mainland by ferry, with Civitavecchia near Rome, with Naples and with Palermo. The ferries arrive at the port of Cagliari, which adjoins Via Roma and the city centre directly. Those arriving by car therefore drive straight from the ferry into the city. The main railway station and the terminus stops for city and intercity buses are also on Via Roma, right by the harbour.
Which marina is mine?
If you're travelling as crew: which marina and which pontoon are detailed in your trip documents. What matters is whether the marina is in Su Siccu or at Molo Dogana. Marina di Bonaria, Marina del Sole and Marina di Sant'Elmo lie close together in Su Siccu, below the Basilica of Bonaria. Marina Portus Karalis lies in the old harbour opposite Via Roma, near the railway station. So tell the taxi driver the full name and the district, for example "Marina di Sant'Elmo, Su Siccu" or "Portus Karalis, Molo Dogana".
Showers and sanitary facilities
All three marinas have showers. Marina di Sant'Elmo also has changing rooms, washing machines and tumble dryers in the clubhouse; Marina Portus Karalis has a laundry.
Shopping for the trip
For fresh food, the municipal market San Benedetto is the first port of call in Cagliari. The old market hall has been demolished and a new building is planned (as of October 2026). Until then the market operates in a temporary building on Piazza Nazzari: around 170 stalls selling meat, fish, fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread, delicatessen and wine. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 7am to 2pm and Saturday until 3pm; closed on Sundays. Take city bus line M to the stop "via Bacaredda – mercato civico".
Around Marina Portus Karalis lies the Marina quarter with shops, cafés under the arcades of Via Roma and restaurants. At Marina di Sant'Elmo there's a bar with restaurant and a terrace overlooking the harbour.
distress call
These numbers apply in Cagliari:
- 112: unified emergency number for ambulance, police and fire brigade
- 1530: Coast Guard emergency number for emergencies at sea, free
- At sea: VHF channel 16
- Coast Guard control centre (Capitaneria di porto) Cagliari: +39 070 60517240
Where are the marinas in Su Siccu?
Su Siccu is the eastern harbour basin of Cagliari, sheltered by the Molo di Levante. Behind the waterfront road rises the Bonaria hill with the basilica.
Marina di Bonaria
Marina di Bonaria lies in the western part of Su Siccu on Viale Colombo, directly opposite the basilica. It has 302 berths. The pontoons have water and electricity. There are also showers, a car park, a slipway, a fixed crane up to 2.5 tonnes and an open-air storage area. Engine, hull and sail repairs can be carried out here. The marina does not have its own fuel berth.
Marina di Sant'Elmo
Marina di Sant'Elmo lies to the east on Calata dei Mercedari. Its roughly 300 berths are spread across four floating pontoons and one long quay. The clubhouse has changing rooms, showers, washing machines and tumble dryers, plus a bar with restaurant, a terrace overlooking the harbour and Wi-Fi. The site is fenced and monitored by CCTV. An open area of around 10,000 square metres is used for storing, servicing and repairing boats up to 30 tonnes. Staff are trained in the use of a defibrillator.
Where is Marina Portus Karalis?
Marina Portus Karalis lies on Molo Dogana in the old harbour, directly in front of Via Roma and around 500 metres from the main railway station. From here you can reach the old town, shops and restaurants on foot in a few minutes.
With 118 berths it is smaller than the marinas in Su Siccu, but it also accommodates large yachts up to 90 metres in length. Water depth is 8 to 10 metres. The pontoons have water, electricity and lighting, plus Wi-Fi, showers, a laundry, security and a yard for repairs. Marineros assist with berthing and departure.
What's the weather like in Cagliari for sailing?
The prevailing wind in Sardinia is the maestrale from the northwest, also known as the mistral. In the Gulf of Cagliari it comes from the land. If it persists, lying in the harbour becomes uncomfortable.
In summer a thermal sea breeze sets in almost every day in the gulf, on the western side of the gulf usually with 13 to 22 knots. Scirocco from the southeast, levante from the east and libeccio from the southwest blow onshore towards the Poetto. With southerly winds around 30 knots there's about two metres of swell there.
The official meteorological service issues storm warnings from force 7 onwards. An overview of maestrale, scirocco and libeccio is given in our article on most important winds in the Mediterranean.
Which sailing destinations lie near Cagliari?
From Cagliari you sail either east towards Capo Carbonara or southwest around Capo Pula and Capo Spartivento. Both directions make good day passages; for the islands to the southwest you need several days.
The distances are rounded nautical miles over water on the usual course from Su Siccu; for precise planning refer to the chart.
- Marina di Capitana near Quartu Sant'Elemo: around 9 nm, round the headland of Sant'Elia along the Poetto
- Perd'e Sali near Sarroch, on the western side of the gulf: around 11 nm
- Villasimius at Capo Carbonara: around 20 nm
- Chia and Capo Spartivento: around 25 nm, past Capo Pula
- Porto di Teulada: around 30 nm
- Carloforte on the Isola di San Pietro: around 60 nm, past Capo Teulada and the island of Sant'Antioco
For a week's sailing the southwest coast is a good choice: via Chia and Teulada to Sant'Antioco and Carloforte and back. Shorter is a trip east with Villasimius and the bays at Capo Carbonara. The northeast of the island with the Gulf of Olbia is described in our portrait of Marina di Olbia.
What can you do on a harbour day in Cagliari?
Old town, basilica and waterfront promenade are all within walking distance from all three marinas; for the Poetto and Molentargius Park you're better off taking a bus, taxi or bicycle.
- Bastione di Saint Remy: The bastion on Piazza Costituzione was built between 1899 and 1902 on the old Spanish fortress walls. From its two terraces you look out over the Marina and Stampace districts, the harbour and as far as Poetto. You can reach it by a long staircase or by panoramic lift. It's about 600 metres as the crow flies from Marina Portus Karalis.
- Basilica of Bonaria: Sardinia's most important Marian shrine stands on the hill directly above Su Siccu. Next to it stands the 14th-century church, built when the Aragonese established their fortified town here. The park behind the basilica is a popular viewpoint.
- Marina district: Between Via Roma and the old town you'll find cafés beneath arcades, restaurants and small shops. It begins directly opposite Marina Portus Karalis.
- Poetto and Sella del Diavolo: The city beach Poetto stretches about twelve kilometres along the gulf with its promenade. Above it rises the Sella del Diavolo, a headland with hiking trails from Marina Piccola or Calamosca beach. At the top stand the remains of a Punic temple and a Spanish watchtower; on clear days you can see as far as Capo Carbonara.
- Molentargius Park: This wetland area of around 1,600 hectares lies between Cagliari, Quartu Sant'Elena and Poetto. Hundreds of flamingos often stand in the shallow salt pans. Admission is free; an information point with binocular hire is located on Via La Palma.
For skippers: Berthing and marine weather in Cagliari
You can reach Marina Portus Karalis and the marinas on the west mole by VHF before entering, and the marinas in Su Siccu by telephone.
Registration and Berthing
Marina Portus Karalis takes bookings through its website. Report your arrival by phone, email or on VHF channel 9; marineros assist with berthing and departure. Marina di Bonaria can be reached on +39 070 370380 or +39 070 300240, Marina di Sant'Elmo on +39 070 344169 or +39 328 9781391. Motomar Sarda and Marina di Cagliari on the west mole can be reached on VHF channel 74; reservations are not possible at Motomar Sarda.
Fuel is available at the Motomar Sarda fuel berth on the west mole, in season from 8 to 13 and from 14:30 to 17:30.
Harbour rules
- Approach to Marina di Bonaria: 3 knots maximum.
- Anchoring and fishing are prohibited in the harbour area.
Approach
The harbour lies in the north of the Gulf of Cagliari, between Capo Carbonara to the east and Capo Pula to the west. The Capo Sant'Elia headland with Sella del Diavolo serves as a landmark, about two nautical miles east-south-east of the harbour entrance. By day head towards the headland and then turn towards the entrance. At night leave the lit buoy at Molo di Levante to starboard and steer north towards the light at the head of Molo di Ponente. The green buoy light is hard to pick out against the city lights. Su Siccu lies in the eastern part of the harbour, Molo Dogana further in before Via Roma.
Which marine weather forecast applies in Cagliari?
For Italian waters the weather service of the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) issues the official marine weather forecast. It is updated every six hours and broadcast by the Coastguard over the radio.
Gale warnings (Avvisi di burrasca) are issued by the weather service from force 7, in Italian and English, updated every three hours and additionally as required, for example during thunderstorms. The sea state chart and warnings can be found on the marine weather page of the weather service. With a NAVTEX receiver on board you can receive the La Maddalena station in the north of the island. It transmits weather reports in English (identifier R, 518 kHz) at 06:50 and 18:50 UTC and in Italian (identifier I, 490 kHz) at 09:20 and 21:20 UTC — in summer two hours later local time.
Trips from Cagliari on Törnfinder
In October 2026 there are 21 trip dates on Törnfinder over the next twelve months departing from or arriving in Cagliari. Most depart in June, October and May; a typical duration is 8 days.
Trips around the island can be found under cabin charter in Sardinia, offers throughout the country under Sailing in Italy. All current dates are listed in the trip overview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Cagliari airport to the marinas?
Most easily by taxi; the harbour is about eight kilometres from the airport. More economical is the regional train, which reaches the main station in a few minutes. From there it's about 500 metres to Marina Portus Karalis and about two kilometres to Su Siccu.
Which marina is closest to the station and old town?
Marina Portus Karalis on Molo Dogana. It's about 500 metres from the main station; the Marina district with shops and restaurants begins directly opposite on Via Roma.
Are there showers in the marinas in Cagliari?
Yes, Marina di Bonaria, Marina di Sant'Elmo and Marina Portus Karalis all have showers. At Sant'Elmo and Portus Karalis you can also do laundry.
What wind should I expect around Cagliari?
Chiefly the maestrale from the north-west, which comes off the land in the gulf, and in summer a daily sea breeze. Scirocco, levante and libeccio blow onshore and bring swell onto Poetto.
How far is it from Cagliari to Villasimius?
About 20 nautical miles over the water, round Capo Sant'Elia and across the gulf to Capo Carbonara. That's a good day's sail.
