It is the longest beach in Sardinia and the main coastal resort for the cagliaritani. It stretches for around 8km. During the summer months it's at its best and caters for many needs. It's not short of restaurants, pizzerias, cafés and bars. On the beach itself, the crowds are incredibly variable and many people love to go to a certain part of it but absolutely not one kilometre further back or further on.
There are however some features which remain the same all along Poetto beach. The sea of course, which can be blissfully crystal-clear when the much awaited north-westerly mistral wind is blowing. Access to the beach is free of cost, although scattered along its whole length there are footbridges across the sand leading to designated areas where you can hire pedal boats, beach-beds, deck-chairs and sun-umbrellas, have showers and so on.
Another element of pride and pleasure, as well as an absolute must for locals, are the beach kiosks (chioschi), which are located along the seafront. Every café-kiosk is different, but without exceptions they all serve coffees, soft drinks, beers, sandwiches and pastries; in the summer months, they are all open seven days a week till late at night.
Poetto is also very popular with sport lovers, for running and cycling, kite- and wind-surfing, sailing, swimming and so on, which effectively makes the entire beach area a huge open-air gym.
There's an increased bus service during the summer months, which takes thousands of people back and forth to the beach (take any bus line bearing a “P”). At night however, you're better off if you have a car, take a taxi or else be prepared for a one-hour walk back to the city centre.