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Find your dream holiday in Calabria: Villas, holiday homes and apartments for rent
Calabria: Italy's Wild Toe
Calabria is the "toe" of Italy's boot, a rugged and sun-drenched peninsula where mountains literally spill out into two different seas - the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian.
It is one of Italy's last "untouched" frontiers, offering a raw, authentic beauty that feels like a world away from the crowded piazzas of Rome or Venice.
History: A layered past
Calabria has been a Mediterranean crossroads for millennia. Magna Graecia: In antiquity, this was the heart of "Magna Graecia." Cities such as Rhegium (Reggio Calabria) and Sybaris were among the wealthiest in the Greek world.
Conquerors: After the Greeks came the Romans, the Byzantines, the Normans, the Aragonese, and the Bourbons.
Heritage: You’ll still find villages in the Aspromonte mountains where a dialect of ancient Greek (Greko) is spoken, and Norman castles still guard the coastlines.
Description: Your next Mediterranean holiday
If you’re dreaming of the perfect Italian holiday, Calabria offers a dramatic landscape of rugged cliffs and turquoise waters. The region is famous for its coastal villas perched atop limestone cliffs and offering panoramic views of the Aeolian Islands.
Whether you’re looking for a luxury holiday home with an infinity pool or a rustic stone house in a hilltop village, the vibe here is “slow living.”
The Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods) boasts some of Europe’s most stunning white-sand beaches, while the interior is a dense, mystical forest.
Typical foods: Tierra del Fuego
Calabrian cuisine is bold, spicy and deeply rooted in the land.
’Nduja: A spicy, spreadable pork sausage seasoned with lots of roasted chili peppers. It’s the region’s culinary crown jewel.
Tropea Red Onions: Sweet, crunchy, and famous the world over. You’ll find them in salads, jams, and even gelato.
Bergamot: A fragrant citrus fruit that grows almost exclusively here; it’s used in teas, perfumes, and local sweets.
Fileja: A traditional hand-rolled pasta, often served with a rich pork ragù or spicy tomato sauce.
Swordfish: Particularly popular in the Scilla area, usually served grilled with “salmoriglio” (lemon, olive oil, and herbs).
Nature and Landscapes
Calabria isn’t just beaches; it’s home to three massive national parks:
Pollino: High peaks and the rare Bosnian pine.
Sila: Known as the “Great Forest of Italy” with lakes and landscapes that are surprisingly similar to Scandinavia.
Aspromonte: Wild, rugged mountains with incredible hiking trails and hidden waterfalls.
Activities and things to do
Diving and snorkeling: Explore the “Costa degli Dei” near Tropea. The Riace Bronzes: Visit the National Museum in Reggio Calabria to see these two world-famous, life-size Greek bronze statues from 460-450 BC.
Village hopping: Explore Pizzo (eat the Tartufo gelato!), Gerace (a medieval gem) and Scilla (the Venice of the South).
Rafting: Take a thrilling trip down the Lao River in the Pollino National Park.
Festivals (Sagre)
Calabrians love to celebrate their heritage with food-centric festivals:
La Sagra della Cipolla Rossa (Tropea): A tribute to the famous red onion.
Peperoncino Festival (Diamante): Held in September, it is a spicy celebration of the chili pepper with art, film and eating competitions.
Easter Week: Deeply traditional and atmospheric processions in towns such as Vibo Valentia and Caulonia.
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