Cagliari Old Town & Flamingos Tour: Molentargius Park Combo

Summary

Guided Segway Tour: Castello District & Pink Flamingos in Cagliari

See wild flamingos up close at Molentargius Park and glide through Cagliari’s medieval streets by Segway. This tour blends nature with local history—and plenty of real-life moments you’d miss on your own.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we rolled out from the Marina was the salty breeze—kind of sharp, mixed with a whiff of espresso from a nearby café. Our guide, Paolo, waved us onto the new bike path that snakes through the city. It’s surprisingly quiet for a city route, just the soft hum of our Segways and the distant chatter from a street vendor selling fresh pardulas (those sweet ricotta pastries locals love).

Molentargius Park came up fast—a patchwork of water and reeds right inside Cagliari. We stopped near a shallow basin where a cluster of pink flamingos stood on one leg, barely flinching as we snapped photos. Paolo explained how these birds have made this place their home year-round, thanks to the mix of salt and freshwater. The air here is different—briny and still, with cicadas buzzing somewhere in the grass.

Back in town, we zigzagged through Villanova’s narrow lanes—past laundry flapping above our heads and walls painted every shade you can imagine. There’s this little competition here: “Cagliari balcony flowered.” You’ll spot geraniums everywhere, even in December. The climb up to Castello is no joke on foot, but on Segway it’s just fun. We paused at the old city gates before heading up to see those two massive Ficus trees in the public gardens—honestly, they look like something out of a storybook.

Castello itself feels like stepping into another century. The Pisan towers loom overhead; Paolo pointed out tiny details—like grooves where soldiers once sharpened swords. The Cathedral of Santa Maria sits quietly at the top; inside it smells faintly of wax and old stone. We had our coffee break here—a quick shot of strong local espresso at a tucked-away bar where everyone seemed to know each other.

The Roman Amphitheatre surprised me—it’s carved right into the hillside and bigger than I expected. You can almost hear echoes if you stand still long enough. Before looping back down toward Marina district (where you’ll want to come back later for seafood), we took in one last view over rooftops tiled in sun-faded reds and oranges.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Cagliari and Flamingo Park

• Gateway from Villanova to Castello fortifications
• Walk through Old Town streets and views
• Visit highest point built by Pisans
• See Giovanni Capula's Tower
• Explore colorful district with flowered balconies
• Visit main Castello monument
• Tour Roman Amphitheatre
• Discover Marina district and local cuisine
• Visit Molentargius Flamingo Park
• See Catalan Gothic church and Basilica

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for beginners or people who’ve never used a Segway?

Yes! Most guests are first-timers. Our guide gives clear instructions before we start, so you’ll get comfortable quickly—even if you’ve never tried it before.

Will we have time to take photos during the tour?

Definitely—we make several stops at scenic spots like Molentargius Park and Castello hilltop so you can snap pictures or just soak it all in.

What should I wear or bring along?

Comfortable shoes are best since you’ll be standing on the Segway for a while. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen—the Sardinian sun can be strong even outside summer months.

What’s included

Your guided Segway ride covers all main sights plus entry to Molentargius Park. There’s also a coffee break included up in Castello district—perfect for recharging before exploring more.