The Most Beautiful Villages of Calabria: the coast to coast itinerary among sport, food and culture

Calabria is a thousand-shades region in Italy - enchanting, seducing and surprising for every kind of traveler. From nature lovers to history buffs, and not forgetting those who simply wish to enjoy a classic vacation of sea, sand and good food, Calabria can satisfy everyone with its multifaceted soul.

The true essence of this region and its unique features emerges especially in its small villages, the borghi, in clusters of houses and cobbled alleys overlooking the sea and embraced by the greenery of the Mediterranean forest.

After guiding you through the rural villages, today we move to the coast and take you with us on our tour of the most beautiful villages in Calabria, an exciting, unfiltered itinerary through the region, from the border with Basilicata all the way to the very tip at the Strait of Messina.

The villages or borghi, small towns nestled in the heart of Italy’s regions, represent the most authentic and genuine soul of the country, far away in time and space from tourism routes or urban areas. Of course, the villages of Calabria region makes no exception. In these places, life flows peacefully, time slows down pleasantly, the air is tinged with sea salt, and the historic and artistic heritage takes center stage in daily life.

From the splendors of Magna Graecia to the grandeur of the Medieval period, the traces of past centuries are part of the charm of Calabria’s towns, worth exploring not only during the classic beach holiday. These are also the best places to enjoy truly local products, made with zero-kilometer ingredients. 

There are countless ways to fully enjoy Calabria’s small villages life and it’s easy to fall into the trap of overly touristy experiences. Today we're taking you on a 10-day coast-to-coast road trip through the most beautiful villages of Calabria, starting from the province of Cosenza all the way to Reggio Calabria. 

For this itinerary, we relied on an exceptional partner: Made in Calabria, a 100% Calabrian tour operator (now based in New York) that offers travelers exciting, adventurous, and above all, authentic experiences. So, if reading this makes you want to pack your bags, just check out their website and discover all their tailor-made offers.

In the meantime, let’s begin our virtual journey through the most beautiful villages of Calabria, exploring culinary specialties, culture, sports, and breathtaking nature.

Let’s begin our tour in Calabria with the Ionian Coast, in Rocca Imperiale. For our first day we discover a charming village of just over 3000 inhabitants.

Overlooked by a stunning 14th-century castle once owned by Frederick II, the village is nestled on a small hill that, surrounded by greenery, gently slopes down to the Ionian Sea, offering dreamlike views. But the village’s most precious treasure are its PGI lemons, which stand out from the common variety because of their flavor, skillfully balancing a distinct tartness with a hint of sweetness. These lemons are used in both sweet and savory dishes and are celebrated every year in August with a dedicated festival, a truly unmissable event that animates the borgo with music and dance.

On the second day of our tour, we head inland: leaving Rocca Imperiale behind, we drive toward Oriolo, in the province of Cosenza, near the Basilicata border.

This tiny village, home to just about 1000 people, is perched on rocky terrain and surrounded by the greenery of the Pollino National Park. Wandering through Oriolo means soaking up its rich history and traces of Aragonese domination, including a beautiful 15th-century castle that once served as a fortress, strategically placed to monitor the sea just 20 km away. Oriolo is a must-visit among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy in Calabria, thanks to its peaceful and contemplative atmosphere.

Let’s keep on to the south of the region, to the province of Catanzaro, for the third day of our Calabrian tour, and discover Badolato, overlooking the Ionian Sea.

This village of just over 2,000 people was founded in the 17th century, and traces of that era are still visible in its alleyways. Famous for its Passion of the Christ reenactment during Holy Week, Badolato is known for its relaxing and slow-life mood - that’s the reason why many artists (and not only) from around the world have chosen to settle here, drawn by the peace and creative atmosphere.

Badolato’s beach is a can’t-miss destination, set along a stretch of coast between the Riviera dei Gelsomini and the Costa degli Aranci. It’s also a great place to witness the hatching of Caretta Caretta sea turtles.

Leaving the stunning beaches and venturing inland, we find ourselves among farms, agribusinesses, rural enterprises producing local culinary treasures. During one of the many guided tours offered by the partner of Made in Calabria, it is possible to sample Badolato’s most renowned product, its exquisite extra virgin olive oil. Made using traditional methods and local olives, the oil is essential in preparing delicious dishes and is best enjoyed raw on salads, pasta, meat, or even just on fresh bread.

On the fourth day of our journey, we head back up along the Ionian coast to explore San Floro, the smallest village on our itinerary, with just 680 inhabitants. Founded during the time of Magna Graecia, San Floro overlooks the Gulf of Squillace, offering extraordinary panoramic views—a small slice of paradise far from the world.

But this tiny village hides a great treasure: silk. For centuries, sericulture has been San Floro’s main activity. Here, silkworms are raised and raw silk cocoons are produced and then processed by local masters and exported. The centuries-old history of this craft is preserved and told in the Silk Museum, a must-visit stop to uncover all the secrets of this precious fabric.

While in San Floro, be sure to taste the delicious mulberries, used to make jams, liqueurs, herbal teas and even to dye textiles.

On the fifth day of our tour, let’s stay inland in the province of Cosenza and reach the town of Saracena.

Here too, we walk through the cobbled alleys of a village perched on a hill, admiring its ancient origins dating back to the Bronze Age. However, the golden age of Saracena came later during the Arab domain, which left a distinct mark on its current urban structure and even on its name.

A tasting of the village's most loved product, the delicious sweet passito moscato wine is a must. Thanks to the aromatic grape variety native to Saracena, this peculiar wine envelops the senses with its sweetness and fragrances of citrus and exotic fruit, pairing perfectly with both savory and sweet dishes.

On the sixth day, we finally move to Calabria’s Tyrrhenian coast and stop at Gizzeria, located on the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia. This charming medieval village lies along a unique stretch of coast known as the Riviera dei Tramonti, that means "sunsets” in Italian, because it is famous for postcard-perfect views and vibrant evening skies.

It’s also an ideal place for water sports, especially kitesurfing, thanks to the favorable wind conditions. There are many kitesurfing schools here, such as the one of the Hang Loose Beach, where you can have lessons or rent equipment to ride the waves at your best. Gliding over the Tyrrhenian Sea, caressed by the breeze as the horizon glows pink and purple and the Aeolian Islands' silhouette emerge in the distance. This is actually an unforgettable experience.

We continue exploring Calabria’s coastal villages with one of the most famous Borghi più Belli d’Italia, Tropea, where we’ll stay for the seventh and eighth day of our journey. This world-famous town on the Coast of the Gods is famous for its crystal-clear waters, white beaches, warm hospitality, and its charming old town.

Sailing along the coastline is a great way to discover Tropea from a different perspective, making a sunset boat tour a must-do experience—offering one of the most romantic and breathtaking views of your life.

And let’s not forget the gastronomic delights of Tropea, most notably the sweet, flavorful red onion. This versatile ingredient enhances appetizers, pasta dishes, and main courses, often caramelized, but also used in jams and marmalades. It can be paired with another typical product of the Calabrian kitchen, the ‘nduja di Spilinga, which is perfect for those who love spicy flavours.

On the ninth day of our journey, we reach the penultimate stop of our tour of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy in Calabria: Scilla, at the tip of the Italian “boot,” where Sicily’s silhouette appears on the horizon.

Scilla is a small fishermen village on the Costa Viola, famously described by Homer in the tales of Ulysses and the seductive mermaids, represented in a statue form along the seafront. The fishermen's houses on the coastline are a must-see, especially since this is where the prized local swordfish is caught and served in waterfront restaurants on wooden platforms above the sea. As Scilla is also an important place for fishing tourism, travelers can join a fishing experience organized by Made in Calabria.

Don’t miss a stroll through the picturesque alleys and a visit to the majestic Ruffo Castle, perched high above the sea on a promontory and dating back to the 5th century BC. A stop at the beach, with the salty breeze in the air, is the perfect way to end the visit.

Our ten-day tour of the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy in Calabria ends in Reggio Calabria.

This fascinating, welcoming city is rich in history, art and natural beauty. It is home to the famous Riace Bronzes and a central hub of Magna Graecia, where countless historical traces remain. Nature plays a starring role here too, with the nearby Aspromonte mountains and the national park of the same name embracing the city. The Strait of Messina laps its shores, linking Calabria to Sicily.

But Reggio is also the city of bergamot, a fragrant citrus-like fruit that resembles a blend of lime and citron and boasts exceptional versatility. It's used to enrich savory recipes, desserts, liqueurs, teas, refreshing beverages, and also to make essential oils, perfumes, creams, and cosmetics thanks to its many beneficial properties.

You can learn everything about this extraordinary fruit at the Bergamot Museum, which houses equipment for extracting the essential oil, and displays everything about the fruit cultivation, production and trade.

Traveling through Calabria from coast to coast, from the North to the South, means recognizing the shared features of its towns while appreciating their uniqueness. But even having an overview of the region’s historical, architectural, scenic, and culinary richness. 

For a contemplative, emotional, and relaxing experience in the southernmost region of the Italian peninsula, all you have to do is pack your bags and leave.