Check in to the Mediterranean version of Chongqing and experience magical realism in Cagliari's Old Town

They say Sardinia is Italy's hidden paradise, and its capital Cagliari is built on hills facing the sea (just 12 km from France's Corsica!). Sounds beautiful, right? But when I reached the Old Town, I realized this place is basically the "Mediterranean version of Chongqing" – maps? Forget about them! I thought a small town would take just an hour to explore. Boy, was I wrong! The winding stone alleys, sudden staircases going up and down—it's a total maze! I wandered for three whole hours and still couldn't find my way. Above me were ancient walls and towers (the famous Elephant Tower gate looked impressively sturdy), underfoot were steep slopes—every step felt like walking through centuries of history, though this history was a real leg workout. So much for a "leisurely stroll"—this was a full-on hiking challenge! The terrain is the wildest part! One moment you're walking, the next—bam!—the path drops 10-20 meters out of nowhere. Just as you're questioning your life choices, boom! A sightseeing elevator magically appears by the roadside, like a checkpoint in a video game—total lifesaver! This surreal setup is pure mountain-city charm: ancient stone maze meets modern elevator comfort. So in Cagliari's Old Town, never trust your map or your sense of direction. This place is meant for getting lost—folded spaces, vertical drops, every step could be a surprise (or a shock). But then again, maybe this up-and-down, disorienting experience is the city's unique way of saying "welcome"? Maybe getting lost is the right way to understand it? Next time, I’m definitely setting aside half a day... and packing good sneakers!