Sun-drenched Reggio di Calabria boasts beautiful beaches, fascinating museums and mouth-watering cuisine. The coastal city is set on the Strait of Messina, with sweeping views of distant Mt Etna. While many travellers use Reggio di Calabria as a launchpad to Sicily, it’s worth spending a few days getting to know this charismatic city.
Things to do in Reggio Calabria
Discover the city’s ancient past at the National Archaeological Museum. The showpiece is the Riace Bronzes, a pair of full-scale Greek statues cast around 450 BC and excavated from the seabed. Other treasures include Palaeolithic artefacts and Neolithic weapons.
Visit the Bergamot Museum to find out more about the fragrant citrus fruit. The museum occupies a former market and charts the long history of bergamot growing in Reggio di Calabria. Sip a cup of bergamot tea and stock up on high-quality essential oils.
From casual trattorias to fine-dining restaurants, Reggio di Calabria boasts some of the best dining options in the region. Try local specialties like “frittole” pork stew, swordfish “alla ghiotta” topped with a rich tomatoe sauce and “lagane e cicciari” pasta tossed with rosemary and chickpeas. Enjoy a scoop of bergamot-infused gelato for dessert.
Aragonese Castle is a local landmark and dates to Byzantine times. Marvel at the enormous circular towers and stroll around the lush palm-filled gardens. The castle moonlights as a venue for cultural events, exhibitions and concerts.
Aspromonte National Park protects a pristine landscape of pine and beech forests. Hiking trails wind through the park and offer a chance to spot wolves, wild boar and deer.
Getting around Reggio Calabria
Reggio di Calabria is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Rental cars offer the freedom to explore the region at your own pace. Trains run to Rome in around six hours and ferries connect to Sicily in about two hours.