PARCO NATURALE MOLENTARGIUS-SALINE

Close to the city center of Cagliari, between the pinkish water and the remains of ancient salt flats, the natural park of Molentargius-Saline is a pleasant place to walk.

The salt works are located behind the Poetto beach. The cultivation of salt was for a long time one of the essential resources of the town, until the saltworks were closed in 1985. On foot or by bicycle (available for rent on site), you can cross the salt flats following different paths and observe the birds. The lagoon is an ornithological paradise where you can admire the famous pink flamingos(fenicotteri in Italian), but also the Italian redshanks and herons. A playground for photographers with a good zoom lens, the park of Molentargius-Saline is also a pleasant walk that makes you forget the nearby city.

The pond (stagno di Molentargius), located between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena, was transformed into a protected ecological area when in 1993 a colony of pink flamingos took up residence there. Until then, these wading birds had not been observed in Sardinia, so their arrival came as a surprise, especially since thousands of births soon followed. Its status of regional natural park, obtained in 1999, allowed the establishment of facilities to ensure the tranquility of the birds, especially during the breeding season. The flamingos were then imitated by avocets, gulls, cormorants and herons.

At the entrance of the park, you will find an information point. Various guided tours are offered.