Sakaide is located in north-center Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, facing the Seto Inland Sea to the north.

Kagawa Prefecture Sakaide has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light snowfall.

During the Edo Period, the area was part of the holdings of Takamatsu Domain, and once flourished as a center for salt production.

Sakaide has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 20 members.

In terms of national politics, the city is part of Kagawa 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.