Sardinia - Cagliari

[Todayissunny]

Has anyone stayed in or close to Cagliari?
What is it like? Where would you stay?
Are the beaches nice. Are there any recommendations for where to go for activities for teenage boys - windsurfing etc.

It’s a very attractive city built on several hills so you get some breathtaking views.
It’s very clean, the people are charming, the food and hospitaly are fantastic but it’s very pricey (although we did find some good value pizzas).
The beaches are beautiful and the water is shallow, clean and clear. However, for those not wanting to spend all the time on the beach there is not a great deal to see and do that doesn’t involve long drives along winding coast or mountain roads which, though spectacular, can be very tiring.

We stayed at the Hotel Regina Margherita & it was good.
It's primarily a business hotel, so standard of service was first-class.
However, it was 2018.

I don't know when above poster went, but we didn't think the food was very expensive. Keep away from the seafront - as in every other seaside town.
There is a Michelin * restaurant that also has an adjacent cheapish resto - same kitchen so food was as good but less fancy.

We are not "beach" people, but there is good public transport to interesting places.
We looked at guided tours, & negotiated the services of a driver/guide for a day & he took us all over the place for a good price (it was off-season).

WE liked Cagliari so much we went to Sardinia again, but to Alghero. That was a very touristy town.

Thank you very much for the replies.
Were your hotels right on the beach?