An urban lagoon turned pink by flamingos
Right behind the beach of the Poetto, between Cagliari and Quartu Sant'Elena, lies one of the most surprising natural areas in Europe: the Molentargius-Saline Regional Natural Park, a system of lagoons, ponds and old salt pans covering about 1,600 hectares, surrounded on all sides by the city. Until 1985 the salt pans produced salt; since their closure the area has become a protected wetland of international importance.
Its stars are the pink flamingos: Molentargius is one of the few places in Europe where they nest regularly, and every year thousands of them breed here, in colonies that can number over ten thousand pairs, building their mud nests on the islands of the ponds. It is a unique sight to see them feeding in the shallow water, with the buildings of the city and the cars on the roads in the background. The park is also home to herons, egrets, avocets, black-winged stilts, cormorants and many other birds. Paths and cycle routes cross the park, starting from the Casa del Parco, the visitor centre, and lead to observation points along the embankments of the old salt pans; it is also possible to go on guided tours by electric boat or bicycle.
Tip: the best time to see the flamingos in large numbers is from spring to autumn; bring binoculars and visit at sunrise or sunset.
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