Located just inland from the Sardinian coast between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena, the 4,000-acre (1,600-hectare) area was recognized by the Ramsar Convention in 1977 as a vital wetland, and has been the Regional Park of Molentargius-Saline since 1999. Today, the coastal lowland is divided between the freshwater basins of Bellarosa Minore and Perdalonga, and the saltwater basin of Bellarosa Maggiore. Among the birds you may spot here are slender-billed gulls, pink flamingos, and kingfishers. Native amphibians include the green toad, green whip snake, and marsh turtle.
The park is just outside Cagliari, so it’s an easy excursion if visiting the city as part of a walking tour or tuk-tuk tour. To explore the park, you can take advantage of the bike rental service at the park entrance, hop on one of the park’s electric minibuses, take a boat trip through the canals, or simply follow the area’s walking paths.
This regional park is a bird-watching paradise, so bring binoculars and a birding guide.
A tour of Molentargius is a fun break for kids who like to be outdoors.
Wear weather-appropriate clothing and sun protection.
Many of the park paths are accessible to wheelchair users. To join a boat or minibus tour with a wheelchair, contact the park in advance.
Molentargius - Saline Regional Park (Parco Naturale Regionale Molentargius - Saline) is between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena, just inland from the Poetto beach. The park entrance on Via La Palma, and there is no public transportation to the park.
Molentargius is open daily year-round. The best time to spot birds in the park is early spring and late fall, when the seasonal migrations bring a host of species to rest and feed in the wetlands.
Until 1985, Molentargius was the most important basin for extracting sea salt on Sardinia. The area’s name comes fromsu molenti, meaning “donkey” in the local dialect—a nod to the historical means of transporting the precious loads of salt.