Civic Market of San Benedetto — Attraction in Cagliari

San Benedetto Market is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of Cagliari. This bustling indoor market offers a world of culinary treasures spread across two floors, providing visitors with a captivating and unforgettable experience.

The first thing that strikes you upon entering the market is the vibrant atmosphere. The air buzzes with excitement as you make your way through the seemingly endless rows of stalls. Each one is brimming with the finest products and a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and scents that are a feast for your senses.

The lower floor is dedicated to the seafood market, where you'll find an exceptional array of fresh fish and shellfish, displayed with utmost care and attention to detail. The freshness of the seafood is undeniable, as the selection is constantly replenished to ensure the highest quality possible. You'll find yourself captivated by the sheer variety, from the glistening salmon to the iridescent squid and the succulent prawns.

Venturing to the upper floor, you're greeted with a cornucopia of produce, meats, cheeses, and baked goods. The fruits and vegetables are ripe and bursting with flavor, while the expertly butchered meats and the finest cheeses beckon you to indulge in their rich, savory goodness. The irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread wafts through the air, drawing you towards the lovingly crafted pastries and breads.

What truly sets San Benedetto Market apart, however, is the warmth and passion of the vendors. They are not only friendly and welcoming but also incredibly knowledgeable about their products. Their enthusiasm for their craft is infectious, and they are more than happy to share their expertise and provide recommendations tailored to your tastes.

The prices at San Benedetto Market are refreshingly reasonable, making it a perfect destination for food lovers on any budget. The quality of the products is consistently excellent, ensuring that every visit is a feast for the senses.

The San Benedetto Market is a culinary paradise that should be at the top of every food lover's list. With its amazing variety, exceptional quality, and friendly atmosphere, it's no wonder that we can't wait to return and explore this gastronomic wonderland in even...

The original San Benedetto Market building was closed on March 1, 2025, primarily because it had become structurally outdated and no longer met modern safety and hygiene standards.

Specifically, it required a complete overhaul, including updates to plumbing, electrical systems, ventilation, accessibility, and overall market layout. Plans include upgrading the internal infrastructure to better support vendors and improve shopper experience.

To allow the renovation, about 180 vendors were relocated to a new modular, covered market structure in Piazza Amedeo Nazzari (near Teatro Lirico). This opened on March 18, 2025, and will remain operational until the renovation is complete (likely 2027).

The structure occupies a 4,000 m² metal modular pavilion, with about 2,700 m² dedicated to roughly 170 stalls including fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, bakery items, and cheeses. There are also several public restrooms, a bar and even veterinary services — all of which are under roof and fully accessible, including for people with disabilities.

🛍️ Market Hours • Weekdays: 07:00 – 14:00 • Saturday: 07:00 –...

A must on any tourist itinerary for anyone with a passing interest in food. Nearly all local produce in a mouth watering array with meat, fruit and veg upstairs and fish downstairs. Everything so fresh it tends to walk off. It remains authentically local with a lot of Sardish and little English spoken, though the municipality seem to be wanting to get it on the tourist map with a duet of Is Launeddas players (local pipes) wandering about. Apparantely you can also get mountain shepherds playing bagpipes at other times. You can taste most things if you ask, and they will vacuum pack usually, so it's great for stocking up on some fantastic local food that you won't find anywhere else, before you go home. We managed to source some smoked goat ricotta we had at a Sardinian restaurant the night before. Talking to the locals, you pay the marked price rather than haggle (a relief for me). You can get a coffee and buy snacks of produce from the market. This was definitely an highlight of our short trip...