The University of Cagliari's botanical garden, founded in 1865, occupies five hectares at the foot of the Castello hill below the Roman amphitheatre. The garden specialises in Mediterranean and tropical flora, with a strong focus on the endemic plants of Sardinia — species found nowhere else, adapted to the island's unusual combination of climate, geology, and ecological history.
The garden is a peaceful retreat from the city centre, shaded by mature trees and threaded by paths through sections representing different plant communities. The glasshouses contain carnivorous plants and tropical species. The adjacent ruins of a Roman cistern and aqueduct give the garden an archaeological dimension unusual for a botanical institution. Open daily except Sunday afternoons.