Things to do in Capoterra

Capoterra is a town of about 23,000 people south-west of Cagliari, around twenty minutes away, squeezed between the Gulf of Cagliari, the Santa Gilla lagoon and the Monte Arcosu mountains. Within a few kilometres you'll find long, easy beaches, a lagoon full of flamingos and one of Sardinia's largest nature reserves. It's ideal for families, nature lovers and anyone wanting a handy base near the capital.

What to see in Capoterra

The churches

In town stands the parish church of Sant'Efisio, the patron saint. In the hills is the Romanesque church of Santa Barbara de Montes: legend says the saint was beheaded nearby, and where her head fell the sa Scabizzada spring burst forth.

Archaeology

The area holds the Monti Arrubiu nuraghe and other Nuragic remains, the Neolithic site of Cuccuru Ibba (a flint workshop and round huts) on the lagoon's edge, the Punic settlement of Su Loi (5th–4th century BC) with its coastal tower, and the Punic necropolis of Sant'Antonio.

Casa Spadaccino and Poggio dei Pini

In town, Casa Spadaccino is a museum and cultural space. The hillside district of Poggio dei Pini has an astronomical observatory and the remains of Second World War gun batteries and tunnels.

Things to do in Capoterra

The must-do is the Monte Arcosu WWF reserve: thousands of hectares of holm oak, cork oak and scrub with streams and waterfalls, home to the Sardinian deer. On the other side, the Capoterra lagoon, part of the Cagliari wetlands, is one of Europe's key sites for waterbirds: from the hides you can watch pink flamingos and black-winged stilts. At the beach you can rent pedal boats and boats, windsurf or dive off Torre degli Ulivi. Discover the excursions and activities offered by local operators below.

Beaches of Capoterra

The coastline runs along the SS 195 toward Pula, with a string of beaches facing the Gulf of Cagliari.

• La Maddalena Spiaggia: cream-coloured sand with shell fragments, child-friendly, with pedal boat and boat hire and access for people with disabilities.
• Frutti d'Oro: a sandy stretch by the residential areas, easy for a beach day.
• Torre degli Ulivi: rocky seabed with small patches of coarse sand and gravel; popular with windsurfers and divers.

History

The name comes from Latin Caput terrae; in Roman times a settlement, perhaps an oppidum, stood by the lagoon. In 1107 the land was donated to the Genoese church of San Lorenzo, returning to the Giudicato of Cagliari in 1120. In 1324, during the Aragonese conquest, the battle of Lucocisterna was fought nearby. Around 1353 the village was destroyed and lay empty for about three centuries, until Baron Girolamo Torrellas repopulated it in 1655 as Villa Sant'Efisio.

What to eat and buy

The food is that of the Cagliari Campidano: culurgiones (filled pasta), malloreddus (small gnocchi), fish from the lagoon and gulf, cheeses, oil and southern Sardinian wines, plus almond sweets like amaretti and pabassinas.

Festivals and traditions

• Sant'Efisio, patron saint: town feast in mid-January. On 1 May the great Sant'Efisio procession to Nora also travels along Capoterra's coast.

Nearby

• Cagliari, with the Castello quarter and the Tuvixeddu necropolis.
• The Conti Vecchi saltworks on the lagoon's edge.
• Gutturu Mannu Park and the Monte Nieddu forest.
• Sarroch, with Villa d'Orri and the Antigori nuraghe.
• Pula and the ancient city of Nora.

Getting there and when to go

Cagliari-Elmas airport and Cagliari port are about 20–25 minutes away on the SS 195 Sulcitana. The sea is at its best from June to September; spring and autumn are perfect for Monte Arcosu and birdwatching, with flamingos present much of the year.

FAQ

What are the best beaches in Capoterra?

La Maddalena Spiaggia for families, Torre degli Ulivi for windsurfing and diving.

Is Capoterra good for families?

Yes: sandy beaches with services, easy-to-reach nature and Cagliari close by.

Can you see flamingos?

Yes, from the hides on the Capoterra lagoon, especially in spring and autumn.