The National Museums of Cagliari including the Archaeological Museum, the National Gallery, the San Pancrazio area, the Ex Regio Museo and Porta Cristina, are in the highest part of Cagliari, in the historical Castello district. The museums buildings are part of the “Giovanni Lilliu Museum Citadel” complex along with the “S. Cardu” Siamese Art Museum, the “L. Cocco” Ethnographic Museum and the “C. Susini” Anatomical Wax Model Museum.
Airport
It takes just a few minutes to travel by train from Elmas airport to the centre of Cagliari. A covered route with a moving walkway leads from the airport to the railway station. For further information, see the official airport website and the Trenitalia website (for information about trains).
Port
The port is in the centre of Cagliari. From the nearby Piazza Matteotti, take the number 8 bus towards “Policlinico” and get off at the 6th stop (“Buoncamino”) after approximately 8 minutes. At the bus stop, turn right towards the gate known as “Porta Cristina”. Go past the gate and on your left you will find the entrance to the “Giovanni Lilliu Museum Citadel”. For further information about public transport in the city, see the CTM website.
Bus
The railway and bus stations are near Piazza Giacomo Matteotti. From there, take the number 8 bus towards “Policlinico” and get off at the 6th stop (“Buoncamino”) after approximately 8 minutes. At the bus stop, turn right towards the gate known as “Porta Cristina”. Go past the gate and on your left you will find the entrance to the “Giovanni Lilliu Museum Citadel”. The Archaeology Museum is inside the complex, right opposite the main door. See the CTM website.
From Viale Regina Margherita: take the number 6 towards “Andorra” and get off at Viale Regina Elena (Terrapieno) stop.
From Piazza Yenne: take the number 7 towards “Yenne” and get off at Piazza Indipendenza (Torre San Pancrazio) stop.
From Piazza Repubblica (via Pessina – Palazzo di Giustizia): take the number 10 towards “Sant’Ignazio da Laconi” and get off at “Viale Buoncamino (Polizia)” stop.
For further information about public transport in the city, see the CTM website.
On foot
From Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, follow Via Roma and then turn onto Largo Carlo Felice. Continue through Piazza Yenne and at the roundabout on the square carry on along the main road towards the Santa Chiara market and the church of Santa Chiara. Near the church, either go up in the lift or climb the steps on the right. At the top of the steps, keep climbing up the hill towards the University of Cagliari and the gate known as the “Porta dell’Elefante”. Go through the gate and continue along Via Santa Croce. Go straight on at the crossroads with Via Genovesi and up the steps on Vicolo Pietro Martini. When you come to Via Alberto Lamarmora, turn left and climb up the hill to Piazza Indipendenza, near the “Tower of San Pancrazio”. Go through the archway in Palazzo delle Seziate and you will be facing the “Giovanni Lilliu Museum Citadel” complex. Total walking time for this route: 25-40 minutes.
Car
From Piazza Matteotti, take Via Roma and at the traffic lights turn onto Largo Carlo Felice, then proceed onto Via Santa Margherita. After Via Santa Margherita, continue along Via Giovanni Porcella and then Via Fiume towards Piazza Arsenale.
Car park
In the area near the museum, there are parking spaces for motorcycles and two spaces for disabled people. The parking spaces in nearby Piazza Indipendenza are for residents only. Some spaces are available on Viale Buoncamino. There is an underground car park on Viale Regina Elena. From there, you can either take the lift up to Piazza Palazzo or walk up Via Ubaldo Badas.
For further information about the city and its wealth of cultural attractions, we recommend the Cagliari Turismo website.
