Calabria- the southernmost region of Italy, the “toe” of the Italian boot. From the west it is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, from the east by the Ionian Sea. A narrow strait separates Calabria and the island of Sicily located to the southwest of it. It was here, in the Strait of Messina, that the ancient monsters lived - Scylla and Charybdis. Now Scilla is a small, very beautiful town in Calabria (Scilla, Scilla) with an ancient fortress on a rock.

Industry in the region is poorly developed, mainly engaged in agriculture, so Calabria is distinguished by almost untouched nature and a very clean, transparent sea of ​​amazing blue-green color. A warm climate, beautiful iridescent colors of sea water, alternating sandy beaches and rocky shores, clean and unpolluted nature, rich and natural taste of local cuisine and numerous historical and cultural monuments - all this awaits you in Calabria.

Until recently, tourists traveled to Southern Calabria mainly in search of untouched nature, mountains and sea. But in the 1980s, on the coast of Riace, fishermen discovered two bronze statues believed to depict slaves and dating back to the Hellenic period. News of the discovery quickly spread and a stream of tourists began to visit the National Greek Museum in Reggio Calabria to admire the marvelous "Bronzi di Riace" and, as a consequence, the historical significance of the region finally became known throughout the world, as did its natural beauties .

Calabria's 800 kilometers of coastline offer a wide range of stunning beaches, including Capo Vaticano in the province of Vibo Valentia, which is considered one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world: a wide beach of white sand surrounded by ancient trees and washed by crystal clear waters. You can choose from many charming towns along the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts.

The section of coast between Pizzo Calabro and Nicotera is called Costa degli Dei - translated as “Coast of the Gods”. Kilometers of bays, capes, snow-white beaches, bordered by rocky shores with medieval castles and a clear azure sea.

Main cities, resorts and beaches of Calabria - province of Vibo Valentia:

Tropea

Tropea is a small town perched on a tuff rock directly above the sea. It is considered one of the pearls of the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria. A long time ago the city was founded by the Greeks.

The historical center of Tropea consists of buildings from the 17th-18th centuries, but according to some sources, at that time they were only restored, and their actual age is even older. Ancient houses, beautiful churches, narrow streets and steep staircases descending directly to the sea and white sand beach... On the streets and squares of the city there are many cafes, restaurants, pizzerias, pastry shops, as well as souvenir shops and shops, there is even a small outlet You can leisurely walk around the entire old part of the city in a couple of hours.

Co observation deck There is a stunning view of the absolutely extraordinary colored Tyrrhenian Sea, the Stromboli volcano and the main attraction of the city, the Church of Santa Maria del Isola, located on the rock. Another symbol of Tropea and a staple of Calabrian cuisine is the red sweet onion. It is sold in all forms - fresh, pickled, etc., as well as a variety of souvenirs with this symbolism in any souvenir shop on the coast.

In summer the city is full of tourists - Tropea is very popular among Italians and Europeans themselves as an elite seaside resort.

Pizzo Calabro stands on top of a cliff jutting out into the sea. From the observation deck of the city there is a beautiful view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Aeolian Islands and the Stromboli volcano. The city arose in the Middle Ages and consists of ancient houses and narrow streets running down to the sea and connected to the lower part of the city by ancient stone stairs. In the old part of the city, on main square rises Castello castle Murat (clearly visible in the central photograph), built by order of Ferdinand I of Aragon in 1468. In this castle, Napoleonic Marshal Joachim Murat was convicted and executed for treason in October 1815. Now the castle houses a museum.

Another attraction worth visiting is the small church La Chiesa di Piedigrotta, built in a grotto by sailors who escaped from a shipwreck. In the 17th century, a sailing ship with a crew from Naples with cargo on board returned home to the port. A strong storm broke out, the sailing ship was overloaded... The skipper, in whose cabin there was an icon of the Madonna di Piedigrotta, together with the crew vowed to the Virgin Mary in the event of rescue, to build a chapel. The sailing ship was wrecked, the cargo was lost, but the crew, led by the skipper, managed to get ashore. The church is active, entrance for tourists is paid.

The center of Pizzo is the Republic Square (La Piazza Repubblica, in the central photo to the right of the castle), there are numerous restaurants, bars and ice cream parlours, each of which serves delicious Tartuffo di Pizzo ice cream.

This famous local ice cream was invented in 1943 to honor the visit of Prince Umberto I of Savoy. Ice cream got its name because of its resemblance to truffles. Each cafe in the city prepares Tartuffo according to its own special recipe, passed down from generation to generation. Creamy ice cream of irregular hemispherical shape with the addition of hazelnuts and chocolate, with a core of molten chocolate, sprinkled with cocoa powder. When preparing ice cream, only natural ingredients are used, without the use of hydrogenated vegetable fats, milk powder, preservatives or dyes.

A small town with a population of 6,778 inhabitants, Nicotera is located 70 km south of Lamezia Terme airport, on Tyrrhenian coast Calabria (36 km from Pizzo, 30 km from Tropea). The historical part of the city is located on a rocky cliff, mainly buildings of the 17th-18th centuries, ancient houses, narrow steep streets. Down on the shore is the modern Nicotera Marina with wide sandy beaches, campsites, hotels and villas.

What to see - Castello dei Ruffo (17th century), which is famous for its library, now it houses the city archaeological museum.

resort in the province of Vibo Valentia with a population of 4,106 people, located at the mouth of the Murri River, between the port of Zambrone and the port of Vibo Marina, on the Costa degli Dei of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Briatico was founded, according to legend, by the ancient Italians during their migration to Hipponion. The first records and documents date back to the 12th century, when Roger Norman proclaimed the founding of the diocese of Miletus and announced the name small town Euriatikon (currently Briatico).

Attractions:

The old center of Briatico, located on a hill on the right bank of the Murri River, was destroyed by the earthquake of 1783. Currently, only the ruins of a medieval castle, the ruins of a village and traces of two of the five Saracen towers remain: the Rocchetta and the Tower of Hagia Irene, built during the Spanish Viceroyalty;
- Remains of prehistoric times that prove the existence of a settlement dating back to the Copper Age, a Roman necropolis and a building complex (probably thermal baths).

This is a small town-village 9 km from Vibo Valentia, located on a hillside in the shade of olive trees with beautiful views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Stromboli volcano. Quiet and quiet place, where you can experience the rural charm of old Italy. The beach offers various activities (sailing, diving, boating, excursions to the Stromboli volcano, etc.), and in the surrounding area there are many restaurants serving traditional Calabrian cuisine.

Visa

Calabria is a region in Italy located at the very toe of the Italian boot.

The enchanting land of this region reveals all its charm to travelers.

After all, Calabria is not only countless kilometers of turquoise coasts, but also historical settlements of the Normans, Greeks and Byzantines, and unique local cuisine, and original folk festivals of hospitable and generous local residents.

The area of ​​the Calabria region is 15,080 km2; on a map of Italy you will find it in the southern part of the Apennine Peninsula.

This region of Italy is divided into 5 provinces:

• Catanzaro;
• Crotone;
• Reggio Calabria;
• Vibo Valentia.

The capital of Calabria is Catanzaro (previously the capital functions were performed by Reggio Calabria, where the council is still located today).

About 100 thousand people live in the city on the hills.

You need to visit Catanzaro to:

• See one of the longest single-span Morandi bridges in Europe;
• Having risen to the highest point of the city, look around and see two seas at once - the Tyrrhenian and Ionian;
• Resort towns in Calabria are the seaside towns of Scalea, Praia a Mare, Soverato, Tropea and Capo Vaticano.

You will learn more about the cities of the Calabria region from the video:

Regional climate and weather in Calabria

The Region has three climatic zones:

• Mountain, where there is intense snowfall in winter, and in summer temperatures are significantly lower than on the coast;
• Ionian sea, where the summer is hot and sunny, and where there are more hot days a year than in other zones;
• Tyrrhenian sea, with moderately cool winters, hot summers with little rain.

Therefore, beach lovers can go to any coast of Calabria in the summer, but fans of excursions should wait until the off-season.

From the beginning of October to the end of November in Calabria the rainy season

There is also a so-called rainy season in the region - from early October to late November. Short rains occur literally every day at this time, so you should take an umbrella.

How to get to Calabria?

A modern extensive transport system allows you to get to the region without much effort.
All you have to do is choose a convenient mode of transport:

Beaches

The picturesque coasts of Calabria, washed by crystal clear waters, stretch for almost 800 km. Moreover, the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts are strikingly different from each other: the first is famous for its endless white sandy beaches, alternating with secluded cliffs, and the second for its rocky bays, ideal for diving.

The 3-kilometer sandy beach of Gioia Tauro is well suited for families with children. The water here is warm and clean, a light, refreshing breeze always blows, but moving around barefoot is not entirely comfortable - there is a small amount of pebbles.

Beautiful beaches of Calabria

The Bova Marina beach near Reggio Calabria, as well as the Amantea beach, are also suitable for children.

The sea here is not only clean, but also with a sloping shore.

Another beach filled with sand and pebbles is Palmi. It is protected from the wind mountain range, so it gets very hot here in the summer. However, the beach is always filled with vacationers, and there are so many of them that the parking lot cannot accommodate all the vacationers’ cars.

The pearl of the province of Vibo Valentia is the “Coast of the Gods”. Here, in the coastal settlements, there is a beach - the snow-white sand of Capo Vaticano.

In 2004, it was included in the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Since then, the beach has been considered elite and is always popular among vacationers.

Here you can swim, sunbathe, and rent pedal boats to explore hidden caves and sea life.

For lovers of a more secluded and relaxing holiday in Calabria, the beaches are more suitable Soverano(located next to the village of the same name) and Arco Magno(between Scalea and Praia a Mare).

The best beaches in Calabria are equipped with showers, there are cafes and restaurants, and in the distance you can find secluded recreation areas.

So, get on wild beach Arco Magno can only be reached by following a narrow and dangerous path through the rocks.

There is a special beach in Calabria - Costa Viola. Tourists try to get there before sunset. At this time, both the water and the sky acquire a purple hue.

Sights of the region and the city of Reggio Calabria

A tour to Italian Calabria usually lasts 1.5-2 weeks, but even during this time it is impossible to see all the sights of the region. We will not list those that are located in any specific town of Calabria (you can read about them in a separate article), we will only focus on the natural attractions and attractions of the oldest town in the Reggio Calabria region.

Natural attractions of Calabria

More than 13% of the region's area is occupied by national parks.
The park received its name in honor of the mountain range that occupies the territory of the provinces of Matera, Potenza and Cosenza. Bosnian pine grows here, the same one from which Papa Carlo made Pinocchio. Frequent guests of the park are rafting enthusiasts, including beginners who want to get the most out of their ride down the Lao River.

Polino National Park in Calabria

National Park "Strength". 80% of the park is occupied by forests, including the “giants of Fallistro” - 500-year-old pines and plane trees, as well as Bosnian pine.

About 150 deer live in the Goliath Corvo Nature Reserve.

This place is also interesting because several ancient picturesque villages have been preserved here and there is the Orme nel Parco eco-park, which offers a number of eco-sensory routes, mountain biking and other entertainment.

Even ordinary ones hiking will be good for your health, because the local air is considered the cleanest in Europe.

The Aspromonte and Serra parks, as well as the Valli CUPE valley in the province of Catanzano, boast real natural rarities and lush vegetation. In addition to giant ferns and ancient ash trees, here you can see the Campanaro and Cascata delle Rupe waterfalls, impressive in their height and beauty.

Another amazing place Calabria - the Stromboli volcano, which is still active and spews lava to a height of 150 m.

Volcano Stromboli is especially beautiful at night

Excursions to the “lighthouse of the Mediterranean” (as the volcano is popularly called) are usually organized at night so that tourists can fully enjoy the spectacular explosions.

Sights of Reggio Calabria

Reggio Calabria- the oldest town in the region, founded in the 8th century. BC.

Outwardly, it does not look like any other Italian city, because... it has a rectangular layout.

City embankment Gabriele d'Annunzio (Italian writer and politician) considered “the most beautiful kilometer of Italy”; its decoration is a promenade lined with fruit trees and exotic plants.

Vacationers strolling along the embankment don’t even need to order additional excursions, because right here are the ruins of ancient Greek walls and Roman baths.

In clear weather you can even see the outlines of Sicily and Mount Etna.

Only from the side of Reggio Calabria in the Gulf of Messina can you see the unusual mirage of Fata Morgana. Scientists believe that the mirror image of a city floating above the sea is created by air flows of different temperatures and densities.

Another unique attraction of this town is the small bitter taste that grows only here. yellow orange called bergamot.

And about one more peculiar feature of this town. It is known that Reggio Calabria is a stronghold of the Calabrian mafia, which is called the 'Ndrangheta.

This criminal group controls both illegal businesses (drug trafficking and trade in nuclear materials) and legal businesses (restaurant business and construction).

And although it is known to ordinary people much less than Cosa Nostra and Camorra, its annual income is comparable to the income of a large international corporation - 53 billion euros per year.

Where to stay in Reggio Calabria

In Reggio Calabria you can stay in premium hotels (Grand Hotel Excelsior Reggio Calabria, Albanuova Hotel Reggio Calabria) or in hostels or apartments (Best Season, Una Dimora Di Charme, ATTICO).

Those who want to enjoy their holiday in a homely atmosphere should consider a rental option in this Calabrian town. Most private apartments and apartments are rented out for a week, 15 days or a month in the summer.

Cuisine of Calabria

Every Italian is an artist at heart, so even simple dishes prepared by the hands of the hospitable residents of Calabria are culinary masterpieces.
First courses are no exception.

Here they prepare the Calabrian onion soup licurdia, adding bread for thickness, pecorino cheese for taste and hot peppers for spiciness, as well as vegetable millecosedde, which means soup from “a thousand things” - legumes, pasta and various vegetables.

Locals treat meat with great love, especially pork. They use every part of it in preparing dishes: they make a smoked capocollo roll from the pork neck, a delicious salted pancetta from the ham, and asagne piene lasagna with mozzarella, mushrooms, eggs and green peas from the minced pork.

A separate topic for conversation is sausages. If you can eat several salsicce pork sausages as a separate dish, then you can eat just a little of the famous ngugghia liver sausage.

It is prepared in the Spiling area by adding great amount chili pepper.

It is used as a spread on bread or as a seasoning for unleavened dishes.

Calabrians living near the coast prefer fish to meat. Like the Lucanians, they often prepare Pesce stocco alla calabres - dried cod in the Calabrian style (first they dry it, then soak it and only then fry it). Also popular are sea bream, octopus, clams, sea bass and swordfish. The latter is stuffed with mushrooms, grilled and fried. Fried sardines are also eaten in breadcrumbs sarde a scapece, as well as alici anchovies fried in oil.

Like all southerners, Calabrians love sweets. Be sure to enjoy Mostaccioli cookies, Bagnara nougat, Le Pitte Nkuse (baskets with wheat grains and cottage cheese), fragrant Kodzupa gingerbread and Tartuffo ice cream.

The region is also famous for its bakery products: Cerchiara di Calabria bread, Nardodipace pizzata (flat bread with hot peppers), fennel seed bread and jermana rye bread are served at the table.
At the end of the meal (to improve digestion) in Calabria they serve liquore cedro - a liqueur made from oranges or tangerines and citron.

Calabria, of course, cannot be called a paradise for shopping lovers, but if you wish, you can also buy clothes and perfumes from famous brands at good discounts.

So, in any town in the region there is a shopping center where you can buy middle-class clothes. In large cities, the center of trade is the main street.

In Cosenza it is the 2-kilometer pedestrian street Corso Mazzini, on which there are outlets of famous world brands (Armazem and Kontatto), and the Metropoli shopping center, the number of stores in which exceeds 100.

Every town in the region has a shopping center

In Lamezia Terme Those who want to bring something from Italy can visit the Due Mari shopping center, offering a wide selection of Italian brands of clothing, interior items and cosmetics, as well as the outlet in Calabria “Hanger” - Diffusione Tessile, where items from the brands Marella, Max & Co., MaxMara, Marina Rinaldi can be purchased with a 50% discount.

There are several good multi-brand stores in the town of Vibo Valentia on Vittorio Emanuele Street. There is also an Outlet grandi firme, selling clothes and shoes from the brands ROBERTO CAVALLI, TOMMY HILFIGHER, CALVIN KLEIN, SERGIO ROSSI, ROBERTO BOTTICELLI, etc.

Keep in mind that the official days of summer and winter sales start in Calabria on July 6 and January 5, respectively. Their duration is 60 days.

As for markets, they are organized in the region once a week: in Catanzaro, Tropea and Soverato - on Saturday, in Cosenza - on Friday. Fairs are usually announced a month in advance and last from one to three days. Local producers and visiting traders bring everything from food to antiques to the fair. The beauty of them is that the price can be halved, or even buy a worthwhile item for 1 euro.

Holidays and festivals in Calabria

All public events taking place in Calabria can be divided into categories. These include religious celebrations, food festivals and fairs, as well as art, music and film festivals.
Let's list just a few of them:

• Trebisacca Orange Festival;
• strawberry festival in Acconia;
• smoked ricotta festival in Mammole;
• festival of culture of peasant products in Monterosso;
• beer festival in Marina di Gioisa;
• the great bread festival in Almonte;
• red onion festival in Trope;
• great swordfish festival;
• festival of 'nduja - traditional sausage of Calabria;
• feast of sausages and sausages in Acre;
• Ferruzzano's donut festival in Reggio Calabria;
• Festival of Contemporary Drama in Castrovillar;
• festival of cabaret, theater, fine arts in Altona;
• Magna Graecia Film Festival in Soverato;
• "Intersections" - a celebration of art in the archaeological park of Scolacium;
• Rochella jazz;
• a jazz festival under the symbol of pepperoncino - red Calabrian pepper;
• Polino Carnival;
• Jewish holiday "The Judgment of Christ" in Laino Borgo;
• Vatienti religious procession with self-flagellation ritual in Nocera Terinese;
• the Good Friday procession in Cantazaro;
• crucifixion parade in Cutro;
• Feast of Our Lady of Carmine in Campo Calabro.

There are many holidays and festivals in Calabria

Calabria is a paradise for tourists.

The nature and air of Calabria are considered one of the cleanest (since there are no industrial giants in this region of Italy), the beaches surprise with clear water and snow-white sand, and the hotels of Calabria delight with their comfort and coziness.

Calabria, the toe of the Italian "boot", belongs to southern Italy. In the north it borders with Basilicata, in the south the region is separated from Sicily by the Strait of Messina. From the east, Calabria is washed by the Ionian Sea, and from the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In contact with

Calabria is characterized by varied landscapes, as here the mountains meet the sea. Even being in the depths of the region, you can always find a place from which a strip of sea is visible. It won't take much time to get there either. It will take no more than an hour's drive to move from one shore, whose height is 300 m, to the other, which already rises 1000 m above sea level. This feature, as well as a host of other advantages, including a significant number of hotels, make Calabria a desirable holiday destination for many tourists.

The climate throughout almost the entire territory is Mediterranean. It is drier on the Ionian coast and softer on the Tyrrhenian coast. average temperature never falls below 10 degrees and never rises above 40 degrees. The maximum temperature in summer can reach 42-44 degrees. Along the Apennines and in the interior (mountains Pollino, Sila and Aspromonto) the climate is mountainous Apennine. Winters are cold and snowy, summers are warm with frequent thunderstorms. The main cities of the region are Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro, Lamezia Terme, Cosenza and Crotone.

Tourism

Calabria - the ancient and glorious Magna Graecia, the cradle of Italian civilization, has inherited a magnificent historical, cultural and ethnic heritage, which it generously shares with inquisitive tourists. In addition, Calabria is home to magnificent nature, art, adventure, folklore, gastronomy and a thousand-year-old tradition of hospitality. Unique and diverse opportunities, hardly comparable to any other region.

Throughout its long history, Calabria has been a place of attraction and interaction for many peoples of the Mediterranean and newcomers from beyond the Alps. In view of this, this exceptional multicultural polyphony, the creative dialectic of tradition and innovation, was born here.

Talking about material and intangible cultural heritage Calabria, one cannot fail to mention first of all the “Warriors from Riace” and the paintings of Mattia Preti, major archaeological excavations, works by Umberto Boccioni and Mimmo Rotella, the picturesque historical centers of its cities, artistic ceramics and bronzes, wooden sculpture, historical parades and magnificent religious processions.

The archaeological sites of Calabria deserve special mention. They talk about its many-thousand-year history, about the interaction of different civilizations. Some finds are located in four large archaeological parks: in Locri, Capo Colonna, Roccelletta di Borgia and Sibari. No less interesting are the excavations in Ciro Marina, Monsterace Marina and many others scattered throughout the region.

Small towns that have retained their medieval appearance are called “borgs” by the Italians. Here they are in the mountains, climbing their steep slopes. It's worth going through them historical centers, look into craft shops, ancient residences, examine masterpieces of secular and church architecture, breathe in the air of the past in their magical squares.

But the main magnet for tourists and the main resource of Calabria is, of course, the sea. Longest coastline The region borders three seas at once (Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Messina Straits)! Their waters contain rich marine fauna, and sandy beaches alternate with rocks and reefs. Gabriele d'Annunzio called the seafront of Reggio Calabria "the most beautiful kilometer of Italy." Not far from it there are many archaeological sites (Reggio, Locri, Taureana, Crotone, Sibari, Scolacium and many others). In addition to the coastal zone, Calabria invites you to visit its inland lands, no less rich in historical monuments, traditions, art and culture. Talking about cultural centers, first of all, it means Cosenza, which since 2008 has been considered the “city of art” and even has the nickname “Calabrian Athens”. Fortresses, churches, necropolises, forests and oases of flora and fauna are the main elements that characterize the interior of the provinces of Reggio, Cosenza, Catanzaro, Crotone and Vibo Valentia.

Tourism is developing in the Sila and Aspromonte mountains, which have been given the status National parks. In winter you can ride here alpine skiing(in Camigliatello, Lorica and Gambaria) or simply enjoy communion with nature.

Food and wine

Calabrian cuisine is simple and based on local products. The list of traditional food products of Italy includes 269 products from Calabria. The cuisine widely uses greens and vegetables that grow abundantly on its territory: eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions, asparagus, chicory, broccoli, turnips... When cooking, they are generously seasoned with local oregano and wild fennel, bay leaves and basil, parsley and hot pepper.

Olive oil is produced in all communes of the province of Calabria. Several varieties of olives are common, some of which produce a milder-tasting oil, while others produce a more tart oil. The abundance of olive oil and the need to store vegetables for the winter shaped the Calabrian tradition of vegetable preservation. Local canned vegetables are considered one of the best in Italy.

Winter - best time for preparing sausages and cased meat products. The main Calabrian meat delicacies are capocollo, pancetta, salsiccia and sopressata. They have been awarded the prestigious DOP (Protected Product of Origin) category. No less famous is the local soft salami “Nduja di Spilinga”.
Bread takes central place in local cuisine. It is baked from durum wheat. In the mountains, pasta is always accompanied by beef stew; in Aspromonte, goat meat is used instead of beef, and in Sila, game meat is used. A dish such as roast goat is common throughout the territory; in some places you can try boiled goat meat.

In coastal areas they eat freshly caught fish: tuna, swordfish, anchovies, sardines. Canned fish is also popular. and Cheeses: caciocavallo from Sila, butirro and Calabrian pecorino.

Among fruits, figs occupied a special place in the diet of ordinary peasants. It was eaten fresh and dried, and was also added to many dishes. Due to the features local climate local legumes are highly valued. Calabria is the only region of Italy where bergamot and cedar grow. Local clementines are classified as IGP. Wild cherries, blackthorn berries, rose hips, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and rowan are collected in the forests, from which excellent jam is made.

Potatoes from Sila have been a cornerstone of local cuisine for over two centuries; Chestnuts are highly valued because they are very sweet. Almost every year in the Sila Mountains you can pick mushrooms: porcini, saffron milk caps, boletus, chanterelles, morels and many others. Liquorice is valued not only for its original taste, but also for its healing properties.

Despite its long history of colonization, Calabria is considered a young region in terms of wine production. The climate and geography contribute to the diversity of varieties grown here. Common red grape varieties include galoppo, nerello mascalese, nerello cappuccia and nero greco (black Greek). White grapes are much less common, being 90% Greco Bianco (white Greek), followed by Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca, Mantonico and Guarnaccia.

How to get there
By plane:
There are three civil airfields in Campania: Reggio Calabria Airport www.sogas.it, Lamezia Terme Airport: www.sacal.it, Crotone Airport www.orariovoli.com

By car:
The A3 motorway Salerno - Reggio Calabria leads to Calabria. A3 – free motorway. Also leading to Calabria is highway No. 18, which runs along the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea, as well as highway No. 106, which runs along the Ionian coast.

By train:
There are 850 km in Calabria railways, and there are 115 stations. Let's take a closer look at its railway network: Tyrrhenian line: Rome - Naples - Praia - Paola - Lamezia Terme - Reggio Calabria. Using this line you can not only move around Campania and go to the north of Italy, but also continue your journey to the south. The train crosses the Strait of Messina on a special ferry at Villa San Giovanni station; Line "Eccellente-Rosarno", via Tropea. Used for local travel as it runs along the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea; The Rosarno – Gioia Tauro line connects the port of Gioia Tauro with the Italian railway system.

By sea:
Ports and maritime connections: Port of Gioia Tauro; Port of Reggio Calabria – communication with Messina and the Aeolian Islands, Malta; Port of Sibari (Kassano Ionino area); Port of Vibo Valentia – communication with the Ionian Islands; Port of Villa San Giovanni – communication with Sicily; Reggio Calabria - Aeolian Islands (USTICA hydrofoils operate annually, two trips per day in winter); Reggio Calabria - Sicily: Caronte ferries; Port of Vico Equense.

Do you want to have an inexpensive holiday in Italy? Calabria is waiting for you!

In the south of the Apennine Peninsula, on the very toe of the Italian "boot" perched Italian region with the capital Catanzaro, washed by two seas - the Ionian in the east and the Mediterranean (Tyrrhenian) in the west. Calabria is made up of five provinces with a population of almost two million people. A little southwest across the Strait of Messina lies the famous Sicily. Italians love to come here to relax from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the sea air and the beautiful, crystal blue sea.

Benefits of holidays in Calabria

In the south of Italy, especially in Calabria, you can see Italy as it really is. The fact is that this part of the country has never developed at the same pace as other parts of Italy and even Europe. And this state of affairs has its advantages. Firstly, economic: in southern Italy the best housing prices in terms of price-location-quality. Due to the low rate of development, most beaches of Calabria have not yet been damaged or built up. The absence of mass development helps to find housing a stone's throw from the sea at good prices.

Beach holidays are just beginning to actively develop, there are not many tourists, the sea is still perfectly clean, so you should definitely take the opportunity to relax here.
Another advantage of the region is the quality of life. There is no so-called “micro-crime” in Calabria. This is one of the few regions where you don’t have to lock your house doors at all. Young people can safely walk along city streets at any time. Unfortunately, most European cities cannot boast of this.

Beaches of Calabria

Since the sea surrounds the region on almost all sides, beaches are plentiful. IN Reggio Calabria is located more than .

The tourist season in Calabria lasts from early June to early September. Weather all year round moderately warm, and hot in summer. From the beginning of June, the water temperature warms up from +20°C to +25°C, in July it is already +25...+26°C, in August it sometimes reaches +28°C. The hottest months in Calabria are July and August, the same months being the high season.

The best beaches of Calabria stretch along the coast between towns Tropea And Capo Vaticano.

Coast of the Gods or Costa degli Dei

Here, the smallest mountain range Calabria – Capo Vaticano(Capo-Vaticano). The beach (Grotticelle) is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful on the Coast of the Gods - a long coastline to suit every taste: small pebbles, sand and stones closer to the rocks. You can pay for a sun lounger with an umbrella or sunbathe on your own towel - there is enough space for everyone.

Of course it is beautiful, but quite crowded. But there is an opportunity from Grotticelli beach to get to secluded, secluded cove beaches with clear water and white sand. Just take a catamaran for 1.5 - 2 hours and enjoy magnificent views of the coast and swimming in clear azure water.

In the evening, many Capo Vaticano vacationers go to the lighthouse to enjoy the peaceful view of the sunset. From this place there is a beautiful panoramic view of the coast, the Aeolian Islands, Groticelle beach, and the Scoglio Mantineo cliff. The setting sun dips into the sea just behind the island of Stromboli.

From Capo Vaticano there are excursions several times a week. Eolian Islands (Isole Eolie). The excursion to the islands of Stromboli-Panarea-Lipari-Vulcano lasts all day, there is even night excursion to the volcano. We recommend going, because these islands are included in the list world heritage UNESCO, and the Stromboli volcano is still active.

Tropea

Tropea- one of the most beautiful cities Calabria, which is often called the pearl of the Tyrrhenian coast.

Its history began during the Roman Republic. They say that the battle between Pompey and Octavian took place along this coastline. Octavian Augustus liked the picturesque and convenient harbor, and he built a trading port here.

But if you believe other legends, then the founder of the cities was Hercules. Returning from Spain, he stopped on the coast of the Gods, and this is how Tropea appeared - one of the ports of Hercules.

Life is always in full swing here: people sit in cafes and restaurants, go shopping, swim on city beaches, seaport excursion ships sail to the Aeolian Islands.

In the Old Town on Piazza Ercole there is a Tourist Information Center, there you can get a city map, free booklets and use wi-fi.

Scalea

Another great option for a beach holiday on the Tyrrhenian coast is the city Scalea(Scalea) – 8 km of wide beach strip. The water on the Ionian coast is, of course, warmer than on the Tyrrhenian coast, but in summer this does not matter much.

Amantea

And if you decide to spend your holiday here in high season, it is advisable to take care of accommodation in advance, since there are more vacationers here than in other parts of Calabria. But if the beaches, where the apples have nowhere to fall, irritate you, to put it mildly, then go south, closer to the capital, to the town (Amantea). There are significantly fewer tourists there and the local beaches are excellent for families with small children.

Soverato

If you prefer the Ionian coast, where there is much less rainfall and cloudy days, then pay attention to the beaches of the town (Soverato). Picturesque rocks, in some places very close to the water, fine white sand and good infrastructure - here you have everything you need for a great holiday. Moreover, it is possible to get here by bus directly from the airport.

Transport Calabria

There are three airports in Calabria:

• Aeroporto di Lamezia Terme– The central airport is in the city of Lamezia Terme, 20 km from the capital of the region, Catanzaro. Flights operate here from major cities Italy, as well as from France, Germany, Great Britain.
• Aeroporto dello Stretto– airport 5 km from Reggio Calabria. It only serves domestic flights, including those that connect the mainland with Sicily.
• Airport of Santa Anna– airport in the city of Crotone, provides seasonal flights to Rome and Milan.

The nearest airport outside the region is in Naples. The distance to the center of Calabria is considerable, but if necessary, you can get here by train: the journey will take 4 hours with one transfer, and a ticket will cost at least 41 euros.

Ferry services are also well developed in Calabria. Main ports:

• Reggio di Calabria,
• Vibo Marina
• Sibari is located in the north of the region, on the Ionian coast.

There are also several small ports serving mainly summer tourist routes.

Tourists without a car travel between cities by train. The trains are small, only 2 cars.
The main railway junction is the city Reggio Calabria(Reggio di Calabria), from which two branches leave - one west coast, towards Naples, second along east coast to Taranto in Apulia.

Some parts of the region can only be reached by car, so those who enjoy an active holiday may want to consider renting a car upon arrival in Calabria.

The history of Calabria is very, very ancient - from the rock paintings found, one can judge that people lived here back in the 9th millennium BC. And eight thousand years later, Greek colonists came here for a long time, displacing the tribes that lived before them. Then Calabria was successively captured by the French, Aragonese, and Spaniards...

Pyrrhus, Hannibal, and Spartacus passed through it. And only in 1861 the region became part of the United Italy.

But, despite the difficult history and natural disasters, the region was able to maintain a spirit full of harmony and beauty. Here, like no other place, the features of Byzantine, Albanian, Greek, Spanish and French culture are combined.

But it was the period of Greek colonization that left the most tangible mark on the history of the region. By the way, the word “sybarite” also “comes” from Calabria - this was the name given to the inhabitants of the city of Sybaris, known for their luxurious living conditions.

So what can you see and visit in Calabria?

In almost every town you can find several remarkable ancient buildings, and it’s also interesting to simply wander the streets of small towns that have absorbed the history of two thousand years!
A little warning: when going sightseeing, remember the siesta - during the day most places are closed to the public!

Aragonese castle in Pizzo it was built at the beginning of the 11th century by the Normans, but became famous thanks to the tragic fate of Joachim Murat, who was Napoleon’s marshal and married to his sister Caroline.
To this day, the walls of the castle are so strong that they remained undamaged during the devastating earthquake of the early 20th century, which destroyed many buildings.

Piedigrotta(Chiesetta di Piedigrotta) is a very unique church carved into the rock in the town of Pizzo. The church halls, located in the thickness of the rock, house many statues of saints and entire compositions on religious themes in an “antique” manner. Although they were actually made in the 19th and 20th centuries, they fit very organically into the gloomy color of the room. A very unusual place.

Pizzo is also famous for its truffle ice cream Tartufo(tartufo).

The ice cream was first made in 1943 especially for the visit of Prince Umberto I of Savoy. Tartufo is a small ball of ice cream with filling inside. According to the classic recipe, tartufo is made from nut ice cream, then the ball is rolled in cocoa to give it a rich dark brown color, and liquid dark chocolate is used as a filling.

There is also Tartufo based on lemon ice cream with limoncello inside. Now every ice cream parlor in Pizzo(Pizzo) has its own special recipe for making Tartufo, with its own unique taste.

To enjoy a refreshing delicacy and at the same time enjoy the sights, it is best to visit the gelateria on central square Republic with a view of Murat's castle.

The city promenade of Reggio Calabria is called “the most beautiful kilometer of Italy.” The embankment consists of 2 parallel roads - Corso Matteotti and Via Falcomata, separated by a beautiful botanical garden.

On the embankment, a red building built in the 14th century in Venetian style attracts attention. This Villa Dzerbi. It still belongs to the descendants of Zerbi from Genoa. Villa Zerbi today hosts the main events of the Venice Art Biennale in Southern Italy. In front of Villa Dzerbi there are 3 very unique modern sculptures; according to some, they represent the 3 stages of human development.

And they also say that sometimes you can see an unusual mirage. It appears at certain moments in the Gulf of Messina, and can only be seen from the side of Reggio Calabria.

Pentedattilo(Pentedattilo) – ghost town. 40 km from Reggio di Calabria is the oldest settlement in the region, which existed for more than two millennia, but was abandoned by its inhabitants two centuries ago due to a devastating earthquake.

And in the twentieth century, a group of European enthusiasts began to restore the abandoned city. No one still lives here, but the city is waiting for tourists - a museum and restaurant, craft shops and a store are open.
There is a town nearby Melita di Porta Salvo(Melito di Porto Salvo) where you can stay if you decide to stay longer in this place.

Ruffo Castle(Castello Ruffo) - in the town of Scilla. The ancient building of the 13th century used to house the residence of the rulers of Calabria; now there is a museum, which you can get inside for only 1.5 euros.

City of Gerace(Gerace) is known to everyone as the city of 100 churches, but in reality there are only 20 left.

There are many interesting places here:

• Ottimati Church or Santa Maria Annunziata (Ottimati, Santa Maria Annunziata)
  – the church was built in the Byzantine-Arab style in the 10th century, during the time of the Saracens. It is worth paying attention to the mosaic floor, lined with Byzantine mosaics.
• Madonna del Carmelo- a church among a chestnut forest at the very top of the Monte Poro mountain plateau, rising at an altitude of 711 m above sea level. Local residents near the church sell fresh homemade products at prices much lower than in the supermarket.
• Grotto of the Madonna(Grotta delle Fonti) – in the village of Spilinga – very a nice place with lush vegetation. In the grotto there is a statue of the Madonna (Madonna della Fontana), next to a very picturesque pond. A path leads up, decorated with bas-reliefs on biblical themes..
  By the way, the famous Calabrian sausage, nduja di Spilinga, is produced in Spiling.

Also in many towns there are preserved ancient castles and cathedrals that have already celebrated their millennium. In one of these cathedrals in the city Cosenza(Cosenza) houses an ancient relic: a wooden crucifix from the 15th century, erected in memory of Isabella of Aragon, the wife of King Philip III of France, who died here while returning with her husband from another crusade.

Cathedral 11th century– Maria Santissima Assunta in Cielo is the largest church in Calabria. Inside the cathedral there are sarcophagi of local bishops of the 5th-6th centuries. Particular attention should be paid to the works of art: two fonts of Concesso Barca, a marble altar with bronze bas-reliefs by Antonio Berti, 19th-century paintings and a medallion by Francesco Gerace. Next to the square in front of the cathedral there is a staircase that will lead you to the statue of the first bishop Stefano di Nicea and the Apostle Paul.

City of Vibo Valentia

City of Vibo Valentia(Vibo Valentia) - “fame” brought to him by the ‘Ndrangheta, which arose here in late XIX century organized crime group, less known than the Sicilian Cosa Nostra or the Camorra, but more powerful (with an annual income of 35-40 billion euros, equal to 3.5% of Italy's GDP). They say that the 'Ndrangheta has long ceased to be a local group and has reached the level of international criminal corporations.

However, tourists should not worry about this - the interests of the organization affect completely different areas of life.

In addition to the “mafia” history, the Old City has many churches, ancient villas, and parks. Many tourists also come to Vibo Valentia for shopping.

Another interesting place in the province of Vibo Valentia is the Abbey of Serra San Bruno. There is a working monastery here, and the mountainous terrain and deciduous forests surrounding the abbey create a special healing microclimate.

Santa Maria dell'Isola is a very impressive sight - on the seashore in the town of Tropea, on the top of a hill surrounded by sandy beaches, stands a snow-white church, reached by a staircase carved into the rock. According to legend, it was built by sailors who were shipwrecked off the coast of Calabria and saved thanks to the statue of St. Mary, which was later installed in the temple. Unfortunately, entry into the church is prohibited, but you can enjoy the beautiful views, including from a specially equipped observation deck.

Festivals of Calabria

In addition to historical attractions, more fun (and delicious) entertainment awaits you. Throughout the year, Calabria hosts several large and very original festivals:

• V May there is a strawberry festival here;
• at first July– swordfish festival, the main idea of ​​which is the revival of one of the oldest traditions on earth: swordfish hunting. This particular time was not chosen by chance - at the beginning of July, the swordfish rushes to find a partner for reproduction. As a rule, these fish live in the calm waters of the Strait of Messina.
• V August Reggio di Calabria hosts the STOCCO Festival, a tasting of fresh or dried cod prepared in various ways according to traditional recipes. The history of the holiday goes back to the distant past.

The story began in the 16th century, when Calabria was part of the Kingdom of Naples, dried cod arrived at the port of Naples from Norway, then the fish was transported on small boats to the south of Italy to the town of Pizzo, where the dried cod was subjected to special processing, as a result of which it became very tender and soft, ready to use in various dishes. Over time, dried cod has become one of the traditional dishes of the region, and in its honor a gastronomic festival is held annually on August 9.

• August 23 Every year in Reggio di Calabria they celebrate Cavalluccio, a festival of Calabrian dance dedicated to the patron saint of the castle of St. Anthony.
• at the end October– The Mushroom Festival takes place in Reggio Calabria.
• V September– Peperoncino Festival in honor of the red Calabrian pepper, and many other exciting entertainments.

There are also festivals of bread, wine, sausage, red onion; carnivals and religious processions; fir holiday and freedom round dance and much, much more.

Each significant holiday has its own menu, with a clearly defined number of dishes and strict adherence to all the rules for their preparation. There are many ancient traditions here that have remained unchanged for many centuries.

So if you decide to go to Calabria, you certainly won’t be bored!

And in vain, since each region of Italy has its own, different from others, atmosphere. Local beauty, pristine beaches, gentle sea - you will definitely get all this in Calabria. The unique Calabria will enchant you and become a pleasant memory in your travels.

Brief historical background

In ancient times, Italian tribes lived here, and the Greeks appeared around the 8th century BC.

THE NAME “CALABRIA” ETYMOLOGICALLY GOES AWAY FROM A PHRASE MEANING SOMETHING LIKE “FERABLE SOIL.”

Some time later, the area fell into disrepair due to pirate invasions and malaria.

In the 11th century, Calabria was conquered by the Scandinavians. Later, the region was part of medieval states: the Kingdom of Sicily, the Kingdom of Naples. The area later became one of the battlefields for Italian unification.

Well, now Calabria is one of the regions of the country, mainly an agricultural center. Here they grow citrus fruits, olives, grapes and other southern products. In addition, fishing and tourism are developed.

Brief geographical information and climate

How to get there?

The easiest way to get there is from Lamezia Terme. The train will take approximately 1.5 hours, and the ticket price will be around 10 euros.

What to see and do?

The city was designed in a very, very unusual way: straight lines of corners and streets, wide squares. Be sure to take a stroll along the Matteotti promenade. Art Nouveau palaces and villas here are surrounded by beautiful exotic trees.

Antiquities lovers will want to see the ruins of a Byzantine abbey dating back to the 10th century. And for more preserved beauties, you should go to Corso Garibaldi! The Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta in Celo is the tallest building in the city and its main temple. Stained glass windows, sarcophagi, bas-reliefs and paintings - you just won’t see anything in the museum.

Stroll and explore the Aragonese Castle. Medieval architecture has been preserved in detail: the moat, ravelin, towers - all elements of the building represent what they were intended for.

For those who are tired of walking the streets, you can go to National Museum Magna Graecia and refresh yourself a little in its halls. The exhibits are dedicated to Rome and Byzantium, including jewelry, mirrors, marble heads, even paintings.

Interestingly, some tourists come here outside of southern time. The fact is that on the slopes of Mount Aspromonte is located ski resort Gambari, which operates in winter.

In Reggio di Calabria, after visiting all the sights, relax in a café on the promenade. Looking across the strait to beautiful Sicily, enjoy the unforgettable taste of Mauro coffee. Or you can go to Sicily: it’s very close here!

Entertainment, cuisine and shopping

Calabrians love to have fun. Therefore, you won’t be able to just lie on the beach - folk festivals are held here for any reason. Festival of olives, celebration of ricotta! Many products have received their own events because agriculture is so important to the region's economy. These gastronomic festivals are held in August. The cities are decorated, there are shows on the stage, and at fairs you can try and buy the “dish of the day.”

Wherever you go in Calabria, you will probably want to dine at least once local restaurant and try something. The main ingredients here are peperoncino and other varieties of pepper, sometimes quite hot. So always check the spiciness of the food you are served. People here like dried sausage and anchovies.

Drinks include Limoncello and Cedro liqueurs.

A meal in an inexpensive restaurant will cost about 12 euros, a dinner for two in a restaurant around 40 euros, and fast food will cost about 8 euros. The nice thing is that many establishments in Calabria have a special children's menu and a games room.

What souvenirs and gifts should you bring from sunny Calabria?

For example:

• pepperoncino pepper;
• Red onion;
• liquorice;
• guilt;
• cedar goods.

For children, a beach holiday in Calabria will be pleasant, but you can find ways to diversify it for the whole family. Of course, visit the water park!!! AcquaPark Odissea 2000 is located in Rossano; tourists praise the place for its good organization, cleanliness, and number of attractions for the whole family. AquaFans, located in Praia a Mare, is much more old water park. It is smaller, but quieter, and more suitable for quiet or small children.

Nightlife throughout Calabria is not too vibrant. The clubs are buzzing all night only in largest cities, like Reggio Calabria.

Holidays in Calabria are considered inexpensive, and therefore young people dance right on the beaches, where there is no dress code.

Discover a previously unknown corner of southern Italy: Calabria. Rome, Tuscany, Venice - they are already on everyone’s lips. But not everyone gets to the “toe” of the boot, but in vain. After all, a holiday in rural charming towns, in pure nature, with delicious cuisine and an abundance of various beauties will warm your heart no less than noisy galloping excursions through the heart of Italy. Go to rural, lazy, vibrant Calabria - and have a blast!