Filled with pristine beaches, wondrous landscapes and a winning charm, the region of Calabria in southern Italy easily earns its nickname as the Caribbean of Europe. Some say it’s even better than the real Caribbean though. After all, it’s much closer to home! You can gorge on scrumptious Italian cuisine and the charming medieval villages will quickly send you head over heels. The place is surrounded by the oh-so-inviting Ionian Sea on one side and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the other. There is plenty to see and explore, yet somehow Calabria isn’t much of a mainstream tourist spot, at least not in the same way as Tuscany. This means you can enjoy it without being shoulder to shoulder with other tourists. If you pick Calabria for your next break away, here are four towns that you should make time to visit.
Tropea
Tropea is probably the best-known jewel in Calabria’s crown. It literally sparkles, or rather the sea does. The sea is the focal point here and the welcoming turquoise tones can be seen wherever you walk in Tropea. In the summer the town is full of life and exudes an atmosphere that’s easy to fall in love with. The white sand of the stunning beach helps with that too. Built right on the cliff edge with the sprawling sands below, it could easily earn the title as Italy’s prettiest town.
Amantea
Another stunner, although not quite as popular as Tropea, the small town of Amantea is found around 90km up the coast. It boasts a very picturesque centre and also a long history with many Bronze and Iron Age artifacts having been uncovered at the mouth of the River Savuto over the years. The historical portion of the city is spread across the hill overlooking the new portion of the city, where the main boulevard is lined with a myriad of shops, restaurants and piazzas and of course very friendly locals. The beach, backed by a promenade, is colourful and bustling with activity in the summer months. How long you spend here is really up to you, but it suits all time limits.
Pizzo
Pizzo Calabro or Pizzo for short enjoys a fantastic panoramic position and a lovely old town area. During your time here, you can visit San Giorgio Collegiate which dates to 1632 and preserves many important statues, a number of other churches and of course the 15th century Castle which is near to the marina. Be sure to wander the old cobbled streets with a tasty ice cream in hand.
Reggio Calabria
Nestled at the foot of the Aspromonte mountain range, Reggio Calabria is a busy and attractive port town and is not to be confused with Reggio Emilia which is found in Northern Italy. The town was almost completely destroyed after an earthquake in 1908 but was beautifully rebuilt and is now a thriving area to visit. The seafront, with a long, wide promenade is arguably its greatest offering and near here you can also see the ruins of Roman baths and a stretch of Greek wall.
Have you ever visited Calabria? Which towns and other places did you visit? Share your thoughts with us.
Your suggestions sound fantastic, thanks for sharing Marco!
That’s a great summary of the region of Calabria. If you are visiting you must also visit Capo Vaticano which is close to Tropea. The beaches here are amazing and the water very clear. Pizzo is another town worth a visit, it has its historical castle and palazzo overlooking the sea. For a more historical trip visiting Gerace on the East coast is wonderful as it is a beautiful medieval town carved into the rock. Thanks for your article Kerri. Ciao!