Sardinia is not especially known for its nightlife; most travelers go here for the golden beaches. But visitors will still find plenty of after-work diversions in its lively capital of Cagliari.

The steep walls of its historic bastions create terraces where bars quickly fill with locals enjoying an aperitif. For drinks and views across the city to the blue waters of Golfo degli Angeli (Gulf of Angels), ascend to chic Caffe Libarium Nostrum on the terrace of Bastião da Santa Cruz, in the central Castello district.

On another lofty perch, opt for the Cielo Rooftop Experience atop Hotel Palazzo Tirso at the Marina. Sip the hotel’s signature cocktail, the gin-based Mystic River, as you savor the sunset with a full 360-degree view of the bay and city. Unlike places in the old Castello district, the rooftop is wheelchair accessible.

For drinks in a more intimate setting in the historic Marina neighborhood, relax on comfortable sofas and listen to 1980s music at Spirits Boutique Cagliari, where mixologists craft cocktails from an extensive collection of spirits from around the world. Complimentary snacks and a convivial atmosphere make this a social hub where locals and travelers mix easily.

Ring the doorbell to enter American Bar Biffi for a 1920s vibe and a mix of old and new music that doesn’t drown out small-group conversations. Cocktails are inventive (think whisky martinis). At the small, intimate SORSIFICIO, you can sample wines and spirits produced in Sardinia.

Hit the premier live music scene at b-flat Jazz Club, a chic club where local and international bands and vocalists mix it up with Latin, Italian, rock and more. If your preference in music runs to classical, opera or ballet, Cagliari’s Teatro Lyrica boasts a full schedule of performances and frequently hosts international soloists and groups in addition to concerts by its own symphony orchestra and chorus.

In summer, nightlife migrates to Poeta, Cagliari’s long beach, where bars and cafés line the shore road. Fico d’India, a gay nightclub and bar facing the beach, caters to the LGBTQIA+ community year-round with DJs, drag shows, dancing and an easy vibe. On Via Torino and convenient to shopping streets, LGBTQIA+-friendly Rainbow City’s warm and open atmosphere attracts a wide community to its bar and bistro.

When it’s time for more than bar nibbles, sample the local cuisine at the small, neighborhood ChiaroScuro, or for local seafood, reserve a table at Mari Mannu on Corso Vittorio Emanuele.

Just because it’s after 5 p.m., you don’t need to forgo a little sightseeing. Stroll through the old Castello streets to admire the Baroque interior of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria, open until 8 p.m. every day.