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A promenade lined with palm trees and green trees. The blue sea extends to the right of the picture, while houses can be seen in the background.
A promenade lined with palm trees and green trees. The blue sea extends to the right of the picture, while houses can be seen in the background.

Reggio Calabria

Published: 30 April 2025, 13:30

The toe of Italy's boot

Reggio Calabria, the oldest and largest city in Calabria, lies at the southern tip of the boot. The island of Sicily is within easy reach. From the beautiful Lungomare Falcomatà coastal promenade, you have a magnificent view of the Strait of Messina and Mount Etna in Sicily. Reggio Calabria is known for its archaeological treasures, such as the bronze statues of Riace, considered the most beautiful men of antiquity. The imposing cathedral of Reggio Calabria is also not to be missed. But then it's off to the beach and the deep blue sea! Reggio Calabria is surrounded by two seas. To the west lies the Tyrrhenian Sea, to the east the Ionian Sea. The region boasts numerous beaches, impressive sunsets, and Mediterranean joie de vivre.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 174,000
  • Official language: Italian
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

The best of Reggio Calabria

A large square decorated with geometric patterns. At the end of the square stands an archway with a statue. Beyond it stretches the deep blue sea, framed by a mountainous coastline in the background.
Standing at the Arena dello Stretto, you can see across the Strait of Messina to the island of Sicily. The amphitheater is located on the waterfront promenade. © Francesco Bonino/stock.adobe.com
A wide, paved path with a checkerboard pattern, lined with palm trees and lanterns. On the right-hand side, there is a road, parked cars and a small park with large trees.
Lungomare Falcomatà: one of the most beautiful promenades in Italy. It enchants with palm trees, flowers and a view of Sicily – perfect for a stroll. © Francesco Bonino/stock.adobe.com
The front view of a cathedral with a light-colored façade, designed in the neo-Romanesque and neo-Gothic style. It has four symmetrical towers, a large rosette above the entrance and detailed decorations flanked by statues on the stairs.
The largest church in Calabria: Reggio Calabria Cathedral impresses with its colorful glass windows, imposing façade and works of art inside. © Francesco Bonino/stock.adobe.com
A sculpture of a human body with a labyrinthine pattern, sitting on a black pedestal. In the background stands a neo-Gothic building with a red and white facade. Palm trees and green spaces surround the scene.
Villa Zerbi is an architectural gem from the 18th century. It is one of the most famous historical buildings in the city. © Francesco Bonino/stock.adobe.com
A male, muscular bronze statue in the foreground. Another statue stands in the background. These are exhibited on pedestals in a bright museum room.
They are considered the most beautiful men of antiquity: the famous bronze statues of Riace from the 5th century BC can be admired in the city's Archaeological Museum. © Mike Dot/stock.adobe.com

Calabria – The sun-kissed south of Italy

Mornings in the mountains, afternoons on the beach – Calabria offers the best of both worlds. Calabria's geographical location at the tip of Italy's boot allows you to experience the wild beauty of the mountains and the relaxed atmosphere of the beaches on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas in a single day. The Aspromonte mountains, with their steep peaks, deep gorges, and dense forests, invite you to go on long hikes in unspoiled nature. Nestled in the middle and partly on steep slopes are picturesque mountain villages such as Gerace, which still maintain their traditions and customs to this day. The beaches attract visitors with their fine sand and crystal-clear water. Particularly noteworthy are the beaches around Scilla, a picturesque fishing village that stretches along the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The beaches of Capo Vaticano are ideal for divers, with a fascinating underwater world waiting to be explored.

The Magic of Calabria

A mountain landscape with lush greenery and a wide valley in the background. In the foreground is a rocky viewpoint under a tree.
Great for hiking: East of Reggio Calabria lies the Aspromonte National Park with its beautiful mountain peaks, dense forests, and waterfalls. © Antonio/stock.adobe.com
A village with houses built close together and tiled roofs on a hill. In the background, a wide landscape extends to the sea on the horizon.
Best views: The medieval village of Gerace is located on a mountain and impresses with its pretty old town and views of the Ionian Sea. © Andrew J G Martin/stock.adobe.com
A Mediterranean coastal town with colorful houses built on a rock. A historic fortress sits enthroned on the rock. In the foreground is a narrow stretch of beach with fishing boats in the sand, behind it the blue sea.
Charming fishing village: Scilla on the Costa Viola is known for its shallow sandy beaches and the historic district of Chianalea, with houses right on the water. © Aliaksandr/stock.adobe.com
A mountain village with old stone houses built on a steep hillside, blending into a rocky landscape. In the background, imposing rock formations tower up. Lush green vegetation is visible in the foreground.
Spectacular rocky landscape: Pentedattilo lies on the slopes of Monte Calvario and is an almost abandoned mountain village. © SeanPavonePhoto/stock.adobe.com
A coastal landscape with a turquoise blue sea, sandy bays, and rocky sections. Pink flowers and cacti are in the foreground, while green hills and houses can be seen in the background.
Capo Vaticano is a stretch of coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea known for its unspoiled nature, beautiful beaches, and steep cliffs—ideal for snorkeling. © Markus Zeller/stock.adobe.com

Reggio Calabria from BER

Aircraft about to land on the runway

Ryanair

Reggio Calabria Airport (REG)

Five tips for...

  1. Hiking in the Aspromonte National Park
  2. Diving and snorkeling on the Costa degli Dei
  3. Cycling along the coast, inland, or in the Sila Mountains
  4. Kayaking and paddleboarding on the Ionian Sea
  5. Climbing in the high ropes courses in the Serre Mountains

  1. Small breakfast: coffee and cornetto (filled croissant)
  2. Lunch – 1st course: pasta dishes such as “fileja al sugo”
  3. Lunch – 2nd course: e.g. grilled swordfish or veal
  4. Snacks: fried rice balls, focaccia with toppings, fresh figs
  5. Light dinner: fresh tomato salad, legume soups

  1. Walk along the waterfront promenade with playgrounds and cafés
  2. Visit the Archaeological Museum for insights into history
  3. Day trip to Scilla Beach, which offers shallow water and ice cream parlors
  4. Visit the Parco della Mondialità in Gallico (park with zoo, playgrounds)
  5. Short hike to the waterfalls in Aspromonte National Park

Picture Source title:
© Giuseppe Tommaso/stock.adobe.com

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