Calabria, the southernmost province of Italy is surrounded by the crystalline waters of three seas, the Mediterranean, Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. Across the Ionian sea lies Sicily, and beyond it the east coast of Tunisia on the African mainland, easily accessible by ferry. To the east lies Greece and the Middle East; to the west the Mediterranean stretches from the Straits of Messina to the Straits of Gibraltar. In the north of the region lies the stunning high mountain region, with an alpine landscape with excellent skiing, rich in forests and lakes. Around it are over 800 kilometers of the richest and most scenic coastlines that Italy possesses. There are many historical sites and temples, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Norman, and Bourbon palazzos dot the region.
Miles and miles of white sandy beaches and rocky coves and the crystal clear and clean waters of the Mediterranean Sea. A backdrop of stunning mountains, hiding quaint picturesque villages, ancient ruins, luxurious spas and ski lodges among their wooded lower slopes. A perfect climate all year round in a region yet unspoilt by chainstores and mass tourism. This is the real Italian Riviera.
Recorded history begins with the rise of the Greek civilisation. Southern Italy lies on the main seaways between three continents, Europe, Africa and Asia, and many cultures and civilisations have contended for control of this small region. The inland highlands were remote in older times , and this remoteness created a regional character and culture still quite separate and unique in Italy, where Greek and Byzantine dances are still celebrated during the many festivals. Modern transport such as the international airport, highways and fast ferries, are now making the region easily accessible for the first time.
The Beaches in Calabria
The beach in Gioia Tauro is combo of 90% sand and 10% pebbles. (If you have sensitive feet we suggest you bring slip-on beach slippers for walking comfort). It's 3Km in length (great for taking those long beach walks) 75 meters wide thus plenty of space. There are several lido's, restaurants, bars and outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is very under developed it's very family oriented and not over crowded. Lot's of free parking. Because it has no cliffs or mountains around, there's a constant breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands and Capo Vaticano. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The beach in Palmi is combo of 95% sand and 5% pebbles. (If you have sensitive feet we suggest you bring slip-on beach slippers for walking comfort). It's 1Km in length and in a cove 50 meters wide thus can be very crowded. There are several well established lido's, restaurants, bars. Free parking is limited (during peak season). This beach is moderately developed with family & singles attending and can be very crowded. It's surrounded by cliffs and mountains, there's little to no breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The beach in Tropea is 100% sand. * Voted one for the TOP 10 beaches in Italy 2004. The sand is granular and soft. It's 500 meters in length 30 meters wide thus can be very crowded. There are a few restaurants, bars and no outdoor showers. This beach is moderately developed and family/singles oriented. Hard to find free parking (during peak season). It's surrounded by cliffs, there's a light breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The beach in Capo Vaticano is 100% sand. The sand is granular and soft. It's 500 meters in length and 30 meters wide thus can be very crowded. There are a many restaurants, bars and no outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is moderately developed and family/singles oriented. Hard to find free parking (during peak season). It's surrounded by cliffs, there's little to no breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The Beach in Scilla is 100% sand. The sand is granular and soft. It's 1 km in length 60 meters wide thus it's not crowded. There are a several restaurants, bars and no outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is moderately developed and family/singles oriented. Very hard to find free parking (during peak season). It's surrounded by cliffs, there's little to no breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands and the coast of Sicily. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The new beach in Reggio di Calabria is 100% sand. (the sand was brought in from Gioia Tauro). It's 1Km in length (great for taking those long walks) 25 meters wide thus little space. There are many lido's, restaurants, bars and outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is very developed. Families and singles enjoy this beach not crowded. Lot's of free parking. Because it has no cliffs or mountains around, there's a constant breeze from the sea. You can see the coast of Sicily and mount Etna. The water is crystal clear - dark blue.
The beach on the Ionian Sea (Capo Rizzuto, Locri, Soverato, Rocella etc) is 100% sand. Most beach towns have 4Km length beaches (great for taking those long walks) 60 meters wide thus lot's of space. There are many lido's, restaurants, bars no outdoor showers (during peak season). The beaches are very developed. Many singles enjoy these beach thus they can be very crowded. Lot's of free parking. Because there are no cliffs or mountains around, there's a constant breeze from the sea.
The beach in Palmi is combo of 95% sand and 5% pebbles. (If you have sensitive feet we suggest you bring slip-on beach slippers for walking comfort). It's 1Km in length and in a cove 50 meters wide thus can be very crowded. There are several well established lido's, restaurants, bars. Free parking is limited (during peak season). This beach is moderately developed with family & singles attending and can be very crowded. It's surrounded by cliffs and mountains, there's little to no breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The beach in Tropea is 100% sand. * Voted one for the TOP 10 beaches in Italy 2004. The sand is granular and soft. It's 500 meters in length 30 meters wide thus can be very crowded. There are a few restaurants, bars and no outdoor showers. This beach is moderately developed and family/singles oriented. Hard to find free parking (during peak season). It's surrounded by cliffs, there's a light breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The beach in Capo Vaticano is 100% sand. The sand is granular and soft. It's 500 meters in length and 30 meters wide thus can be very crowded. There are a many restaurants, bars and no outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is moderately developed and family/singles oriented. Hard to find free parking (during peak season). It's surrounded by cliffs, there's little to no breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The Beach in Scilla is 100% sand. The sand is granular and soft. It's 1 km in length 60 meters wide thus it's not crowded. There are a several restaurants, bars and no outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is moderately developed and family/singles oriented. Very hard to find free parking (during peak season). It's surrounded by cliffs, there's little to no breeze from the sea. On a clear day you can see the Lipari Islands and the coast of Sicily. The water is crystal clear - aqua marine.
The new beach in Reggio di Calabria is 100% sand. (the sand was brought in from Gioia Tauro). It's 1Km in length (great for taking those long walks) 25 meters wide thus little space. There are many lido's, restaurants, bars and outdoor showers (during peak season). This beach is very developed. Families and singles enjoy this beach not crowded. Lot's of free parking. Because it has no cliffs or mountains around, there's a constant breeze from the sea. You can see the coast of Sicily and mount Etna. The water is crystal clear - dark blue.
The beach on the Ionian Sea (Capo Rizzuto, Locri, Soverato, Rocella etc) is 100% sand. Most beach towns have 4Km length beaches (great for taking those long walks) 60 meters wide thus lot's of space. There are many lido's, restaurants, bars no outdoor showers (during peak season). The beaches are very developed. Many singles enjoy these beach thus they can be very crowded. Lot's of free parking. Because there are no cliffs or mountains around, there's a constant breeze from the sea.