Sardinia: Hotspot in Cagliari - La Sella del Diavolo

The devil’s saddle is one of Cagliari’s most distinctive landmarks, a limestone promontory that marks the eastern edge of the Golfo degli Angeli and rises above the Poetto beachfront. Known in Italian as La Sella del Diavolo, it takes its name from its profile: a ridge that dips in the middle, resembling a saddle.

The legend behind the name

Local tradition holds that the promontory was formed during a struggle between God and the devil for possession of Sardinia. The devil, circling the island in search of a place to land, was confronted and defeated. As he fled, his horse reared and left the imprint of its saddle on the rock, giving the headland its shape and its name.

A short climb with wide views

The promontory sits at the southern end of Poetto, Cagliari’s long city beach, and can be reached on foot from the beach itself. A walking route leads up towards the summit, passing the ruins of the old Spanish watchtower, the Torre del Poetto, along the way.

From the top, the view takes in the Gulf of Cagliari, the Poetto shoreline, the salt flats of Molentargius behind the beach, and on clear days the mountains of the Sarrabus further along the coast. The limestone slopes also support a range of Mediterranean vegetation, including sea fennel and other plants adapted to the coastal wind and salt.

Practical notes

The walk is manageable for most visitors, though the path is uneven in places and sturdy footwear helps. There is little shade on the route, so early morning or late afternoon is more comfortable in summer. The promontory can also be viewed from the water on boat trips departing from Cagliari’s port, which offer a different perspective on the saddle’s outline.

For anyone spending time in Cagliari, the headland is an easy half-day outing that combines a modest climb with one of the best vantage points over the city and its coast.