The Region of Calabria has Something of Everything

Remote and rugged, Calabria forms the 'toe' of the Italian peninsula. Washed by two seas, the Ionian and Tyrrhenian, and fringed by an extraordinarily beautiful coastline with pure white beaches and jagged cliffs dotted with grottos, it is totally unspoilt and just waiting to be discovered.

Calabria can justly be called mountainous, with its imposing mounts of Pollino, Sila and Aspromonte but at the same time it is a region of fertile plains and gentle hills. It is a land of sun and sea but its higher elevations may be blanketed with snow during the winter. It is a Mediterranean region but has dense woods that in some areas make it look very Nordic, almost a Scotland magically transported to the (much warmer) South.

It seems that something of everything can be found in Calabria. A harmonious yet contrasting mix of elements that are profoundly different and varied but work together to enliven a marvellous and fascinating land.

Calabria was once part of the Greek Empire and was then colonised by the Romans, Byzantines, French and Spanish, finally becoming part of the Italian Republic in 1861. Each invading population has strongly influenced the Calabrese culture and that is precisely what makes the region so special and so different. Exploring the region on foot is incredibly rewarding - and there is a wealth of history to discover.

The Beaches

Jagged cliffs tumble down into the sea offering exclusive little white sand beaches, rocky grottoes and turquoise waters. At the same time, if you are looking for larger, family oriented beaches there are plenty to choose from. You'll find the unique Italian 'Lido' beaches where you'll be offered sun beds, parasols, a bar service, kids clubs and babysitting as well as beach games to keep the family amused.

The Food

Calabria is famed for having the spiciest food in Italy and it is packed with flavour. Good old fashioned Italian food just as Mama used to make, in a region where glorious sunshine and a fine climate undoubtedly help the Calabrese people to cultivate superb fresh produce. Bright red chillies, polished green peppers and red onions are often seen hanging in shops before finding their way into tasty local recipes passed down through the generations.

The food here is both lively and exquisite. A spicy meat sausage called Ndjua is a firm favourite among locals and often served in pasta sauces. Sagna Chine is a delicious lasagne with artichoke and meatballs and another preferred dish is Zuppa di Cipolle an onion soup with Italian brandy. Pasta All'arrabbiata, roughly translated as 'angry pasta', is so called due to its hot and spicy pepper packed tomato sauce.

Calabrian cuisine is everything you know about Italian food and more. One of the healthiest and most delicious in Europe! You can find out a little more here.

The People

The Calabrese people will welcome you to their region and treat you as friends. In particular they will love the children. They are traditionally hospitable and very keen to show off the beauty of their region and to share it with you.

Sport & Leisure

You'll find a very wide range of sport and leisure options in Calabria.

Water sports include snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and deep sea fishing and you'll find numerous specialist diving centres.

Out of the water, golf is becoming more and more popular. There are two courses near to Reggio de Calabria and plans are in place for excellent new courses to be built.

Skiing can be enjoyed in the winter months in the Sila and Aspromonte mountains.

Getting There

At the time of going to press, direct flights to Calabria are available from Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester depending on season. Flight availability is widely expected to increase in the future with negotiations between the leading airlines and Calabria’s airports already under way. The flying time from the UK is 2½ to 3 hours.

There is also a good choice of direct flights from throughout the UK into Milan, Rome and Turin from where short onward flights to Calabria are available.

The Climate

With warm days all year round, Calabria has the least number of rainy days and the highest number of sunshine hours in Italy. On average, there are four to five hours of sun a day in winter and up to ten our eleven in the summer months.

Average maximum and minimum temperatures in Celsius:

Map of Calabria