Holidays to Calabria

Catch the early light at Tropea’s Santa Maria dell'Isola, when the cliffside sanctuary offers Tyrrhenian Sea views. Two fifth-century BC statues, the Riace Bronzes, are the pride of the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio — book ahead to skip the queues. For a break from the coast, explore Sila National Park’s hiking trails through alpine-style villages and dense chestnut forests.

Heavenly golden sands line the ‘Costa degli Dei’ (Coast of the Gods) along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Tropea’s turquoise waters and clifftop houses are a favourite with seaside holidaymakers. And Capo Vaticano’s clear waters are a go-to spot for snorkelling and diving. Heading to the Ionian coast? The Costa degli Aranci promises white sands around Spiaggia Caminia.

Beyond Calabria’s glorious beaches, you’ll discover a rugged landscape of hills, mountains and forests. Explore Pollino National Park, Italy’s largest national park. And venture out onto pristine lakes like Lake Cecita and Lake Ampollino in Sila National Park. For some of the region’s prettiest hikes, head to Aspromonte National Park, with its rocky gorges, alpine meadows and ancient forests.

Calabrian cuisine is packed with flavour, thanks to fresh produce and spices like ‘peperoncino calabrese’ chilli peppers. Fire up your tastebuds with bruschetta, pizza and pasta topped with ‘’nduja’, a spicy spreadable sausage. And look out for ‘stocco alla mammolese’ (fish stew) at seaside restaurants in Calabria. Down for something sweet? Try ‘tartufo di Pizzo’, a chocolate and hazelnut ice cream dessert.

The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria is one of the best museums in Calabria for fans of ancient history. And for art, visit the Museo Civico Di Taverna. Of all Calabria’s historic sites, Santuario di Santa Maria dell'Isola di Tropea is one of the most scenic. Admire wide, sweeping views from this stunning monastery perched on a promontory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In seaside towns like Soverato, sunset aperitivi stretch into late-night DJ sets, while Reggio Calabria offers a good choice of bars along Corso Garibaldi and the waterfront. For quieter nightlife in Calabria, head to hilltop towns like Gerace, where historic stone courtyards offer the perfect setting for a glass of wine under the stars.

Buses: Regional buses connect most towns and villages, with companies like Autolinee Romano and Ferrovie della Calabria offering reliable coverage. Long-distance coaches like FlixBus are also available, connecting Calabria with major Italian cities like Rome and Naples.

Trains: Trenitalia runs regular services along the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts, with intercity trains connecting Reggio Calabria, Lamezia Terme and Cosenza to the rest of Italy.

Boats: Passenger ferries run from Reggio Calabria and Villa San Giovanni to Sicily, while summer routes connect coastal towns to the Aeolian Islands.

Calabria is served by three main airports — Lamezia Terme, Reggio Calabria and Crotone. While international routes are limited, domestic flights connect the region to major Italian cities like Rome, Milan and Bologna. Lamezia Terme Airport offers the most frequent services and is the best hub for reaching destinations across Calabria.

Driving in Calabria is one of the best ways to explore the region. The A2 Autostrada del Mediterraneo runs the length of the region and is toll-free, offering dramatic views of mountains and coastline along the way. Roads are generally well maintained, but routes through rural areas can be narrow and winding, so take it slow and stay alert for sharp turns.