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 Asuka period the fortress of Kiyama was constructed to guard against the possibility of invasion from Tang dynasty China.

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.