A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Cagliari vs. Trento for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cagliari or Trento?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cagliari and Trento can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cagliari

Cagliari is a under-rated, laid back, and relaxed city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Trento

Trento is a youthful, high energy, and dynamic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Cagliari and Trento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cagliari or Trento?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cagliari than Trento. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cagliari is very popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and big city activities, while Trento attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Cagliari is famous for its medieval quarter, beautiful hilltop setting, and impressive beaches. It is also well known for Castello. Trento is famous for its beautiful mountain scenery and its historical buildings.

How is Cagliari different from Trento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Trento and Cagliari. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cagliari or Trento?

Cagliari is great for its historical sights. Also, Trento is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Cagliari specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The Castello district is filled with ancient buildings including Bastione San Remy and the Duomo. Also make sure you check out the Archeology Museum.

Trento offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Perhaps one of the most popular sights is Castello del Buonconsiglio. The Museum of Science is also fun for kids and adults alike and the Duomo is beautiful.

Is the Food Better in Cagliari or Trento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cagliari and Trento can be difficult as they are each very good in their own way.

Cagliari has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The cuisine mixes the island's sea and mountain settings. You'll find many local pastas, breads, seafood dishes, and cheeses. There's a wealth of diversity in the food and you should definitely step away from the more traditional Italian flavors and try something uniquely Sardinian.

Dining out in Trento is an experience not to be missed. The food in the region is influenced by nearby countries such as Austria. Carne salada, which is like corned beef, has a long history in the area. Schüttelbrot is a local flatbread and meraner wurst is a bit like a hot dog. You'll also find salamis and various cheeses.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Nightlife?

Cagliari is great for nightlife. However, Trento is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Cagliari for the nightlife scene. There's a thriving nightlife scene that is mostly centered around tourists. You'll find a number of the best bars in the Castello district and the atmosphere is usually relaxed and laid back, like the town itself.

Most people don't head to Trento specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Despite the large student population, there aren't a lot of bars and clubs around town. Most parties are held in private residences, so visitors may find the nightlife scene a bit slow.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Beaches?

Cagliari is great for its beaches. However, Trento is not a beach destination.

Cagliari is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. While you'll find some nice beaches in town, if you're willing to head to the surrounding areas just outside of town, you'll be rewarded with amazing beaches. The beaches are enjoyable any time of the year.

Trento is not a beach destination.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for its Old Town?

Cagliari is great for its historic old town. However, Trento does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Cagliari. The Castello district is the city's old town. It's filled with narrow alleys, historic castles, and a truly unique atmosphere.

Trento does not have a historic old town.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Hiking?

Trento is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Cagliari is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Trento. The surrounding countryside has many beautiful hikes and stunning viewpoints that make for a great outing outside of town.

Cagliari is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cagliari or Trento?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cagliari and Trento.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cagliari. Head to the Marina district for some of the city's best shopping opportunities. There are a number of shopping malls to choose from. For souvenirs and other handicrafts, the port area has a few shops.

Many visitors go to Trento to go shopping. Head to the main shopping street, Via Balenzani for boutique shopping. You'll also find artisan shops and other unique vendors around town.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Families?

Cagliari is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Trento is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Cagliari is a very family-friendly destination. There are a number of activities for kids to enjoy in the areas surrounding the city. If you're willing to get about an hour out of town, you can check out the Water Park of Pula. In town, there's a little train that young kids will enjoy. And, of course, there are the beaches!

Trento is a family-friendly place to visit. Outside of town you'll find plenty of outdoor adventures that the kids will enjoy. In town, there's history and fun kid-friendly museums.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Couples?

Cagliari is great for romance. Also, Trento is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Cagliari is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The waterfront setting and nice beaches make this a great place for couples. There's also the Castello district, which is fun to wander through, and many parks and outdoor walking areas.

Trento makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town mixes old and new in a beautiful setting that makes for a great romantic getaway. Nearby there are outdoor adventures and in town there's a beautiful atmosphere and great restaurants.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cagliari and Trento are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Cagliari is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel or two in the area that offer accommodation that backpackers will appreciate.

It's common for backpackers to visit Trento. There aren't many hostels in town, but there are some fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Students?

Trento is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Cagliari is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Trento. It's a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of interesting places to explore in the area.

Cagliari is popular with students. There are some study abroad opportunities in town, and with the nearby beaches and wonderful weather, many international students enjoy their time here.

Is Cagliari or Trento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cagliari and Trento.

Cagliari has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around town relatively efficiently.

You'll find some public transit in Trento, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has a number of bus lines through town.

Is Cagliari or Trento a more walkable city?

Cagliari and Trento are very good when it comes to walkability.

Cagliari is a very walkable city. While the city is very walkable, it is built on a large hill so come prepared for some steep climbs.

Trento is a very walkable destination. Much of the city can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cagliari Worth Visiting? and Is Trento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Trento or Cagliari?

How long in Cagliari or Trento?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cagliari and Trento. In our opinion, Cagliari has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cagliari than Trento. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Cagliari than Trento. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cagliari, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cagliari than Trento. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cagliari that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cagliari than Trento if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cagliari.

One day in Cagliari or Trento?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Cagliari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

The beautiful city of Trento offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Cagliari or Trento?

Cagliari is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Trento is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Trento, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Cagliari or Trento?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cagliari. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Trento is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Cagliari or Trento?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Cagliari. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Trento is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Cagliari and Trento, we can see that Trento is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cagliari Expensive? and Is Trento Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cagliari or Trento?

Cagliari has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Trento. When comparing the sizes of Cagliari and Trento, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cagliari or Trento?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cagliari or Trento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cagliari and Trento. The summer months attract visitors to Cagliari because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Trento this time of year.

In July, Cagliari is generally around the same temperature as Trento. Daily temperatures in Cagliari average around 24°C (75°F), and Trento fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Trento this time of the year. In Cagliari, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cagliari usually receives more sunshine than Trento during summer. Cagliari gets 337 hours of sunny skies, while Trento receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cagliari usually receives less rain than Trento. Cagliari gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Trento receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cagliari or Trento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cagliari as well as Trento. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cagliari this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trento for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cagliari is a little warmer than Trento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cagliari averages around 18°C (65°F) in October, and Trento fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Cagliari often gets more sunshine than Trento. Cagliari gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trento receives 137 hours of full sun.

Cagliari usually gets less rain in October than Trento. Cagliari gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Trento receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cagliari or Trento in the Winter?

Both Trento and Cagliari are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cagliari for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Trento in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Trento can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cagliari is much warmer than Trento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cagliari in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Trento averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Cagliari usually receives more sunshine than Trento during winter. Cagliari gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Trento receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cagliari usually receives less rain than Trento. Cagliari gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Trento receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cagliari or Trento in the Spring?

Both Trento and Cagliari during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cagliari in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Trento for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Cagliari is generally around the same temperature as Trento. Daily temperatures in Cagliari average around 14°C (57°F), and Trento fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Cagliari. In the spring, Cagliari often gets more sunshine than Trento. Cagliari gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trento receives 169 hours of full sun.

Cagliari usually gets less rain in April than Trento. Cagliari gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Trento receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trento and Cagliari