Cagliari, the capital of the island of Sardinia, climbs a hillside overlooking the Gulf of Angels. Cagliari is one of the greenest Italian cities — it has 87.5 square meters of public gardens and parks per citizen! An array of subtropical plants call Cagliari home thanks to its mild climate, and plenty of examples can be found in Via Roma and the University Botanic Gardens. Traces of ancient settlements are found all over the island, with architecture dating back to the Middle Ages. In the old Castello Quarter, the streets are narrow and shaded and the buildings are old, but the beaches of Sardinia are wide and expansive, basking in the Mediterranean sun.