Aerial view of the Church of Santa Maria dell Isola, Calabria

Things to do in  Calabria

Turn up the heat

From its sun-kissed beaches to its fiery cuisine, Calabria is hot, hot, hot. This southern region forms the “toe” of boot-shaped Italy—a wide peninsula lapped by the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian to the west and the Ionian to the east. Pack your swimsuit for long, leisurely days on the coast; snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating are the top things to do in Calabria. Once you towel off, head inland by bike, ATV, or horseback to explore rough-and-tumble mountains and sample dishes that will set your mouth ablaze.

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Explore Calabria by interest

Top activities in Calabria

Exclusive boat tour in Tropea. Just you and your family, 4 hours

Exclusive boat tour in Tropea. Just you and your family, 4 hours

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57
From
$438.75
per group
The best Boat Tour from Tropea to CapoVaticano, max 12 passengers

The best Boat Tour from Tropea to CapoVaticano, max 12 passengers

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468
From
$91.04
Tour of the Costa degli Dei by boat, 3 hours with aperitif included
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Tour of the Costa degli Dei by boat, 3 hours with aperitif included

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431
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$43.87
Boat and snorkeling tour from Tropea to Capo Vaticano
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Boat and snorkeling tour from Tropea to Capo Vaticano

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177
From
$43.87
Amazing boat trip from Tropea to Capo Vaticano - 6 to 12 people

Amazing boat trip from Tropea to Capo Vaticano - 6 to 12 people

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415
From
$91.04
Rent a new fully equipped boat in Tropea. 4 unforgettable hours

Rent a new fully equipped boat in Tropea. 4 unforgettable hours

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69
From
$186.47
per group
Exclusive boat tour for up to 9 people, beautiful Tropea

Exclusive boat tour for up to 9 people, beautiful Tropea

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122
From
$515.53
per group
Lipari Stromboli volcano

Lipari Stromboli volcano

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211
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$71.30
Stromboli By Night

Stromboli By Night

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79
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$71.30
Marianna's kitchen: Traditional fresh Pasta

Marianna's kitchen: Traditional fresh Pasta

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42
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$115.17
Horse riding excursion

Horse riding excursion

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$65.81
Tropea Quad Tour - adventure and nature

Tropea Quad Tour - adventure and nature

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20
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$76.78
per group
Enchanting Sunset Tour with a stop in Praia i Focu

Enchanting Sunset Tour with a stop in Praia i Focu

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39
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$43.87
Scuba diving in Calabria, Italy

Scuba diving in Calabria, Italy

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22
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$32.91
Guided tour of the Riace Bronzes and the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria

Guided tour of the Riace Bronzes and the Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria

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34
From
$109.69
per group
Excursion by Sailing Yacht

Excursion by Sailing Yacht

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38
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$65.81
Excursion and Experiential Day (Bread Day)

Excursion and Experiential Day (Bread Day)

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39
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$71.30
Cultural visit in the historic center of Crotone

Cultural visit in the historic center of Crotone

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5
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$17.55
Tropea - Briatico - Zambrone

Tropea - Briatico - Zambrone

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29
From
$49.36
Exclusive sailing boat tour in Tropea. Up to 8 guests on board

Exclusive sailing boat tour in Tropea. Up to 8 guests on board

star-5
25
From
$767.81
per group
See all Calabria tours

All about Calabria

When to visit

A summer destination extraordinaire, Calabria comes to life when the mercury rises. Its endless coastline buzzes with locals and vacationers basking and bathing, and the waters along tourist hotspots like the Coast of the Gods (Costa degli Dei) between Tropea and Capo Vaticano fill with pleasure boats. Those who need a break from the heat head to the hills in the summer to hike, horseback ride, or raft down the icy mountain rivers.

Getting around

Getting around Calabria by public transportation takes patience and ingenuity, as the local transit between the smaller towns and villages is often less than reliable. Trains run directly to the larger cities and tourist destinations like Tropea and Reggio Calabria; regional bus lines are the only option to explore the inland mountains. By far, the easiest way to travel through the area is by car. Rental offices are located at airports in Lamezia Terme, Reggio Calabria, and Crotone.

Traveler tips

Wherever you turn in Calabria, you’ll spy long strings of Ferrari-red hot peppers drying in the sun. Peperoncino is a ubiquitous ingredient in Calabrian cuisine, and these spicy hot peppers are added to everything from fileja pasta to provola cheese to give it a unique kick. You can experience the full force of this powerhouse in one of the region’s most traditional specialties: nduja. This hot-pepper-laced spreadable pork sausage is four-alarm-fire strength, so proceed with caution.

Local Currency
Euro (€)
Time Zone
CEST (UTC +1)
Country Code
+39
Language(s)
Italian
Attractions
0
Tours
112
Reviews
4,291
EN
1c4da07a-09f4-42c1-a7e2-eeb18d32d3ef
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People Also Ask

Why is Calabria famous?

Ask any Italian about Calabria; they will immediately wax poetic about the region’s beaches. Calabria is most famous for its spectacular coastline, with stretches of white sand, chalky cliffs, and craggy caves. The most popular spot is the Coast of the Gods, but there are around 500 miles (800 kilometers) of waterfront to choose from.

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Is Calabria in Sicily or Italy?

Calabria is the southernmost region of mainland Italy and sits directly across the Strait of Messina from the island of Sicily (also part of Italy, but not the mainland). Though Calabria and Sicily are only separated by a narrow strip of water, these two regions are very different as far as history, culture, and cuisine.

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Which is better, Calabria or Puglia?

Calabria and Puglia are Italy’s two largest peninsulas: Calabria juts out to the southwest and Puglia to the southeast. These two regions are very similar, so choosing between them is hard. Both are beloved for their endless coastline, pristine beaches, unique cuisine, and relaxed Mediterranean pace.

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Is Calabria safe for tourists?

Yes, Calabria has very little crime against tourists. This region has a long history of Mafia activity, and organized crime continues to plague the area, but this rarely impacts visitors. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can be a nuisance in larger cities, so be cautious with cash and valuables.

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Do you need a car in Calabria?

Yes, with unreliable and poorly connected buses and trains, Calabria is best visited by car. Rental car offices are located at the region’s airport, ports, and major city centers, and there is plenty of parking in paid, staffed outdoor and indoor areas both along the coast and in the urban areas.

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Is Calabria cheap to visit?

Yes, Calabria continues to be “undiscovered” by mass tourism—especially among international travelers—making it one of the most budget-friendly destinations in Italy. Hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, boat tours, and other services are much less expensive here than in A-list areas like the Amalfi Coast and even up-and-coming Puglia.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top activities in Calabria?
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