Ancient Beauty

Ancient Beauty: Sardinia

Situated on a hillside, the Castello quarter of Cagliari is the place to go for sweeping views of the Sardinian city and this apartment on the top floor of the building offers you that little bit more elevation. As such, you're treated to a gorgeous vista from the balcony of rooftops and the Mediterranean Sea beyond.

The building itself dates back to the 18th century and you get a sense of this history with the high ceilings, period fireplace and pieces of decorative plasterwork. Otherwise, much of the interior has been refurbished to contemporary standards, with stark white walls, smart patterned tiling and a minimalist kitchen with sleek surfaces. This mix of heritage and modernity will please those with a taste for eclectic design.

When you want to get acquainted with the city, some of the major landmarks sit within easy walking distance, including Cagliari Cathedral just under five minutes away and the National Archaeological Museum even closer. On sunny afternoons, you'll also find a great range of beaches nearby too, including Spiaggia della Diga an eleven-minute drive away.

Home truths:
*The apartment sits on the second floor of a building with no elevator
*Your host can provide a travel cot, high chair and baby bath for free upon request
*There's free parking available on the premises and on the street, although cars are only permitted to enter the walled Castello quarter between 9am and midnight – there's a public parking lot on Viale Regina Margherita if you need somewhere to park outside of these hours