22 Top Attractions in Calabria You Should See

If you are looking for streets filled with Vespa scooters and people who cannot live without a siesta, then Calabria is the place for you. This region of Italy is constantly shaken by earthquakes. Its wild mountainous landscapes and long history of poverty, mafia activity, and emigration have greatly influenced the culture of the region.

The sandy towns of Calabria consistently attract tourists. The main attraction of Calabria is its stunning Tyrrhenian coast, shared by several beautiful towns, the most notable of which are Tropea and Scilla. In the center, you can see three national parks, none of which are fully explored, and the museums of Calabria, with remnants of a rich past, are the greatest treasures of this city.

This beautiful museum focuses on the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of the park. It features interactive video screens that allow visitors to learn about the history of the different ethnic groups in the park. Here you will also see taxidermied birds and animals, including the Italian wolf from Pollino Park and the rare golden eagle. Before heading out on a tour of the park, be sure to visit this museum.

Address: EcoMuseo Sandro Berardone, Strada Provinciale 28 Calabra, Rotonda, Potenza, Italy.

The largest national park in Italy, Pollino National Park, borders Basilicata and Calabria. It acts as a rocky curtain that separates the region from the rest of Italy and has the richest flora and fauna in the southern part of the country. The park covers an area of 1,960 square kilometers.

Address: Parco Nazionale del Pollino, Italy.

During the tour across several floors of the best museum in Southern Italy, you will walk through millennia of local history, from the Neolithic and Paleolithic periods to Hellenistic and Roman times, and beyond. The main treasure of this museum is the finest examples of ancient Greek sculpture known as the Riace Bronzes.

They are two unusual bronze statues discovered in 1972 on the seabed near the town of Riace. They were found by a chemist and diver from Rome. Before seeing them, you'll have to stand three minutes in a decontamination chamber. But trust me, they are worth it.

These works of art depict the Greek obsession with the body; incomprehensible, determined, and fierce, their perfect shapes are more god-like than human.

One of the statues has eyes made of ivory and silver teeth that slightly hide behind the faint smile of the Mona Lisa. No one knows who they are - men or gods, and even their origin is shrouded in mystery. They date back to around 450 BC. It is believed that these statues are the work of two artists.

Address: Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Most Italians consider Aspromonte National Park a hideout that was utilized by Calabrian kidnappers in the 1970s and 1980s. Rumors persist that there are mafia strongholds like 'Ndrangheta hidden somewhere in the park, but as a tourist, you are unlikely to find them. The highest point of the park, Mount Montalto (1955m), dominates a huge bronze statue of Christ and offers breathtaking views of Sicily.

Address: Aspromonte National Park, Via Aurora, Santo Stefano in Aspromonte, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Here, among the rocks, on Golgotha Mountain, lies a place full of charm and mystery, where it seems that time stands still. It is said that the infamous Alberti massacre occurred in 1686 on the streets of this village - a massacre between the noble Alberti family and the Avenavoli family. This abandoned village attracts tourists with its surreal and very impressive atmosphere.

Address: Pentedattilo, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

This medieval monastery church is a gem of the Tyrrhenian coast. Over its existence, it has survived several restorations (mostly due to earthquakes). The church is located on what was once a separate rocky island; now, it is connected to the mainland by a dam made from centuries of silt deposits. You can enter the church by climbing the steps up the slope of the rock.

Address: Santuario di Santa Maria dell'Isola di Tropea, Via Lungomare, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Italy.

From this rocky headland, located about 7 kilometers south of Tropea, breathtaking views of beaches, ravines, limestone sea cliffs, and other attractions of Calabria unfold. There is a lighthouse built in 1885, situated near a short walking path. From here, you can see all the way to the Aeolian Islands. Capo Vaticano beach is one of the most beautiful beaches along this coast.

Address: Capo Vaticano, Vibo Valentia, Italy.

The Sanctuary of Saint Francis is an interesting empty cave that holds immense significance for devout individuals. According to legend, Saint Francis lived and died here in the 15th century, and the sanctuary carved into the rock has attracted pilgrims for many centuries. The monastery is surrounded by frescoes depicting the truly incredible miracles of the saint. Inside the church, there is a richly decorated reliquary of the saint.

Address: Santuario di San Francesco da Paola, Largo S. Francesco di Paola, Paola, Cosenza, Italy.

Piedigrotta Cave is an underground cave with carved stone statues. It was carved into the tuff rock by Neapolitans who survived a shipwreck in the 17th century. Other sculptors later worked on it, and eventually, it transformed into a church. Later statues depict figures of Fidel Castro and John F. Kennedy. It is a whimsical, one-of-a-kind blend of mysticism, mystery, and kitsch.

Address: Chiesetta di Piedigrotta, Via della Madonnella, Pizzo, Vibo Valentia, Italy.

This neat little 15th-century castle is named after Joachim Murat, Napoleon Bonaparte's brother-in-law, who briefly was the king of Naples. Later, in 1815, he was captured in Pizzo and sentenced to death for treason. Inside the castle, you can see his cell and the details of his gruesome death, which are graphically illustrated with wax figures. Although Murat was a proponent of Enlightenment reforms, his execution did not particularly upset the locals.

Address: Castello Murat, Via P. Marincola, Pizzo, Vibo Valentia, Italy.

In Gerace, you will find the largest Romanesque cathedral in Calabria, which dates back to 1045. Its three naves are separated by columns that were taken from decaying classical villas and temples in the area. The interior of the cathedral is surprisingly austere, and at the entrance, you can find access to an adjacent museum, where you can see many tapestries and ecclesiastical treasures.

Address: Basilica Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, Via Duomo, Gerace, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

Le Castella is named after the impressive 16th-century Aragonese fortress, a massive structure linked to the mainland by a short causeway, which once housed an entire walled settlement. Philosopher Pliny said that Hannibal built its first tower. Evidence shows that it was initiated in the 4th century BC, meant to protect Croton in the wars against Pyrrhus.

Address: Fortezza Aragonese, Le Castella, Crotone, Italy.

Next to the doors of this beautiful Norman cathedral, there are two unexploded World War II bombs: it is said that they did not explode because of the protection of the city's patroness, Our Lady of Romania. Above the altar hangs a Byzantine icon of the Madonna (1330), also credited with the protection of the city from earthquakes that frequently afflict this region.

Address: Cathedral of Saint Mary of Romania, Largo Duomo, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Italy.

This castle is a majestic fortress that towers over the Scilla promontory. Throughout its history, it has occasionally functioned as a lighthouse and a monastery. You can see the original boat that was used for swordfish fishing. This boat forms the basis for a special modern vessel used for swordfish hunting.

Address: Castello Ruffo, Piazza San Rocco, Scilla, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

The castle in Cosenza was started by the Saracens and completed by the Normans. This castle has survived several earthquakes, and in the 21st century, extensive renovations have taken place within it. Little of the original interior remains, but the exterior is impressive, and the views that open up for travelers justify the climb.

Address: Norman Castle, Cosenza, Italy.

From the Aragonese castle, which was damaged in an earthquake and partially destroyed in 1922, only two towers remain, which were restored in 2000. Today, the castle is used for events and performances. It is worth visiting for the excellent view from the towers.

Address: Aragonese Castle, Piazza Castello, Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria, Italy.

What else to see in Calabria? Visit the 16th-century Church of San Giorgio, with its magnificent Baroque facade. This church is notable for housing the tomb of Joachim Murat, the French king of Naples and brother-in-law of Napoleon.

Address: Church of Saint George Martyr, Via San Giorgio, 1, 89812 Pizzo VV, Italy.

This corner of Calabria seems like paradise - this beach opens up to a view of the crystal-clear sea. Here you can also see a natural arch carved into the rock.

Address: Arco Magno, San Nicola Arcella, Cosenza, Italy.

Sila National Park is 150,000 hectares of natural riches, diverse landscapes, and a variety of plant species. This region of Calabria has more than preserved its wild atmosphere and natural wealth. It is a wonderful area that offers opportunities for various outdoor sports.

Address: Sila National Park, Italy.

This is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Calabria coast, nestled between inlets and bays shaped by time and the sea, on the largest of the two islands of Calabria. There is no beach, but visitors will enjoy viewing the beautiful caves along its 3-kilometer perimeter.

Address: Dino, Calabria, Italy.

Santa Severina is a small village with a glorious past. It boasts a beautiful castle, a baptistery, and a cathedral, which is perhaps the most significant evidence of Byzantine presence in the region. The lovely village spans the entire valley of the Neto River.

Address: Santa Severina, Crotone, Italy.