Quartu Sant'Elena Car Hire

Guide of Quartu Sant'Elena

Geography

Quartu Sant’Elena is located four miles east of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia. The city boasts a long and shallow coastline that stretches tens of kilometres along the eastern section of the Golfo degli Angeli. The town itself sits between the Campidano plain, the mountains and woods of Oasis Sette Fratelli, and the Molentargius nature reserve, which is home to colourful flamingos and Sultan roosters.

Climate in Quartu Sant'Elena

Quartu Sant’Elena enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and cooler winters. The warmest month in Quartu Sant’Elena is August, with sizzling high temperatures of 32°C and lows of 20°C. The coldest month in Quartu Sant’Elena is January. Temperatures reach average highs of 14°C and average low temperatures of 6°C.

It’s warm enough for the beach from May to October, but you might want to avoid July and August when temperatures can be stifling. Winter and spring might not always offer endless days of sunshine, but the countryside comes alive with colourful wildflowers. The region is renowned for its autumnal festivals too.

Culture

Sardinia has only been an Italian island since 1861. While the first language of the island is Italian, many still speak the Sardinian language – Sardo. This dialect varies from village to village and incorporates Latin, Arabic, Spanish and Catalan influences. As a result, Sardinia still retains a very distinctive cultural identity. At the end of the 20th century, local authorities invested in the construction and expansion of the town’s districts, and the number of inhabitants doubled. Today, more than 70,000 people live in Quartu Sant’Elena. While it might be a relatively modern town, it still prizes its deeply-rooted artisan traditions. The town is famous for its gold filigree handmade jewellery, as well as homemade pastries like candelaus,pabassinas and piricchitus.

Things To Do in Quartu Sant'Elena

Visit the beautiful Basilica di Sant’Elena Imperatrice

The Basilica di Sant’Elena Imperatrice is the main place of worship in Quartu Sant’Elena. It is one of the few frescoed churches on the island. The church is built on the same site as an older 12th-century church dedicated to Saint Helena, mother of the Emporer Constantine the Great.

Go sightseeing in Cagliari

Quartu Sant’Elena is so close to Cagliari that many perceive it more as a suburb. Spend the day exploring elegant palazzi, ancient Roman ruins, museums crammed with art and artefacts, and the spectacular cathedral. For a local insight into authentic streetfoods and delicacies, you could book onto a foodie tour of the city while you’re at it.

Hit the beach

The 8-km Poetto Beach, located halfway between Cagliari and Quartu Sant’Elena is one of the region’s most beautiful beaches. Clean and well-maintained, the waters are clear and calm and the sand is silky soft. Is Mortorius is popular with young families thanks to its shallow and sheltered waters, while the Baia Azzurra (blue bay) is perfect for a secluded and romantic swim along caves and talc-white sand.

Get back to nature

Just one km from the city centre is the Molentargius-Saline Natural Park, regarded as one of the most interesting wetlands in Europe. It’s home to several species of unusual aquatic birds, including pink flamingos. Further afield is the Sette Fratelli (Seven Brothers), a 10-hectare forest and nature reserve where you can get up close to deers, wild boards and golden eagles.

Eating Out in Quartu Sant'Elena

Like the rest of Sardinia, Quartu Sant’Elena is a town that takes pride in its local delicacies and dishes. There are twice as many sheep as people on the island too, so you’ll find pecorino (a mild sheep’s cheese) sprinkled onto most dishes. There are more than 400 regional varieties of bread and salsiccia sarda (Sardinian sausage) in Sardinia, many of which you’ll find plated up in Quartu Sant’Elena’s best restaurants. The region is renowned for its outstanding wineries too, many of which are open to the public during the week.

Most restaurants serve up freshly-caught seafood and farmyard fresh meats, like suckling pigs. There are dozens of trattorias to choose from in Quartu Sant’Elena, but Sa Ide e s’Ollia is a real crowd-pleaser. The menu changes monthly and combines classic Sardinian cuisine with innovative new flavours, all served alongside a basket of freshly baked bread. Or, for a truly unforgettable experience book a table at Dal Corsaro. The Michelin-starred restaurant is a stone’s throw from Cagliari’s port and offers three tasting menus featuring refined meat and fish dishes.

Transport

Airport

The nearest airport to Quartu Sant’Elema is Cagliari Elmas Airport, which is around 10.6 miles (17.1 km) away. That’s a 21-minute drive or a 36-minute bus journey away. Cagliari Airport is a major international airport that connects destinations across the world directly to the island.

Getting Around Quartu Sant'Elena

Quartu Sant’Elena isn’t exactly a small town, but it is perfectly possible to whisk yourself around the main sights on foot. You could also hire a bicycle from a local rental company or check whether your hotel offers bicycle hire for a small fee. However, if you’re looking to travel outside of the town, we recommend hiring a car. Navigating the complex local transportation network is a minefield and services can be both irregular and infrequent.