Cagliari Shore Excursion: Nora and Nuraghe Archaeological Tour

Walk through 3,000 years of Sardinian history without leaving your cruise schedule

This five-hour shore excursion from Cagliari takes cruise passengers to two archaeological sites: the Nora Archaeological Area, a Roman and Phoenician city now partly submerged in the Mediterranean, and Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu, a Nuraghe megalithic tower built in the 15th century BCE. A guide meets you at the passenger terminal, drives you 40 minutes to Nora for a two-hour walk through thermal baths, the Temple of Tanit and the island's only theater, then spends an hour at the Nuraghe site before returning you to the port on schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Nora ruins and Nuraghe site

• Meet guide at Cagliari cruise terminal
• Drive 40 minutes to Nora ruins
• Tour ancient Phoenician city of Nora
• See thermal baths and cobbled street
• Visit Piazza del Foro and Temple of Tanit
• Explore aqueduct, necropolis, and nobleman's house
• View the ancient theater of Nora
• Drive to Nuraghe archaeological site
• Explore Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu Nuraghe site

The experience

Your guide meets you at the Cagliari passenger terminal and drives you 40 minutes south to Nora, where you spend two hours walking the archaeological zone. You'll see the thermal baths, the cobbled street leading to Piazza del Foro, and the Temple of Tanit: a Carthaginian goddess shrine. The theater, lined with marble in its day and still capable of seating 1,000 on its 20 terraces, is the only one in Sardinia. It now hosts the La Notte dei Poeti festival. The site was uncovered in 1889 after a storm revealed the Phoenician Tophet, a cemetery for children, and excavations have since exposed an aqueduct, necropolis, and a nobleman's house from the third century with rooms lined in mosaics. Much of Nora remains unexcavated, and the southern part of Sardinia is sinking into the Mediterranean, which means a significant portion of the former town is already submerged.

After Nora, you move to Sa Domu 'e s'Orcu ("Ogre's House" in the local Campidanese language), a Nuraghe megalithic tower built in the 15th century BCE and inhabited until the 6th century. You have approximately one hour to explore this site. The real function of the Nuraghe is still unknown. It could have been a fortress, a religious place, or a refuge. Your guide stays with you throughout to explain what you're seeing at both locations.

The excursion is timed to your ship's docking and re-boarding schedule, so you provide your ship name, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when you book. If the tour starts late or encounters delays, it will be shortened to get you back to the port on time. Bottled water is included, and the experience is private to your group.

What’s included

• Pickup at the Cagliari cruise passenger terminal.
• a 40-minute drive to Nora.
• guided two-hour walk through the Nora Archaeological Area.
• one hour at the Nuraghe site.
• bottled water.
• return transport to the cruise port timed to your re-boarding schedule.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Bitan Daily Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Portuguese, Italian, or French, so you choose the language that works for your group. The five-hour window is built around your ship's schedule, not the other way around.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, Italian and Portuguese.

What is the Nora Archaeological Area and why is part of it underwater?

Nora is a Roman and pre-Roman city founded by the Phoenicians, dating back approximately 3,000 years. The southern part of Sardinia is sinking into the Mediterranean Sea, which has submerged a significant portion of the former town. Much of the site remains unexcavated despite excavations that began in 1889.

Can I see the theater at Nora, and is it still used?

Yes, the theater is the only one in Sardinia and still stands today with its original 20 terraces and marble lining intact. It now hosts the La Notte dei Poeti festival. During those celebrations, the theater is covered to protect the ruins.

How long do I spend at each archaeological site?

You spend approximately two hours at Nora walking through the thermal baths, Piazza del Foro, the Temple of Tanit, and other ruins, then approximately one hour exploring the Nuraghe site before returning to the cruise port.

Will the tour get me back to my ship on time?

Yes, the excursion is scheduled around your ship's docking and re-boarding times, which you provide at booking. If the tour encounters delays, it will be shortened to ensure you return to the port by your scheduled re-boarding time.