There are many beautiful destinations in Calabria. Thanks to its variety of landscapes, the region is considered one of the most famous and popular destinations in the European naturalist panorama. This vast region, in the South of Italy, offers many cultural, relaxing natural opportunities. Moreover, this land is full of traces of the past colonization (Arabic, Aragonese, Greek and Norman settlements). Italian Tradition has chosen for you 5 stunning things to see on the seaside in Calabria!
A natural wonder: the Arco Magno in San Nicola Arcella (Cosenza)
In order to find a bit of heaven, we don’t need to go too far away. Often we don’t realize that there are natural wonders worthy of a visit not far from us. All the citizens of the world have the right to enjoy the wild beauty of unique places. San Nicola Arcella, located in the Gulf of Policastro, is a small Calabrian town with less than 2000 inhabitants, along the Riviera of the Cedars. The town takes its name from its unique natural arch, probably dug in hard rock from the sea: the Great Arch, which opens the way to a small, silent and hidden beach. Inside of it there is a lovely lagoon crescent-shaped, about 25 meters long, with small gravel pebbles. A surrealistic landscape that is worth seeing at least once in your life!
Stunning things to see on the seaside: the Aragonese Castle in Le Castella (Crotone)
The fortress Le Castella is a hamlet of Isola di Capo Rizzuto, called by its inhabitants “The Casteddi“. It is located in the province of Crotone, on the Ionian coast of Calabria. As one of the most enchanting castles in the region, it has been chosen as a film set for the movies L’armata Brancaleone and The Gospel According to St. Matthew, and as the location for all the episodes of an edition of the Europe-wide television game show “Games Without Frontiers”. In one of the rooms of the fortress you can observe the protected marine seabed in real time thanks to the underwater cameras positioned to 10 meters deep. The entire area of Capo Rizzuto is located at the center of the beautiful Costa dei Saraceni, affected by a tourist flow among the highest of Calabria, both scenic and environmental value of the coast, both for the richness of cultural and archaeological resources. This is one of the amazing things to see on the seaside in Calabria that will leave you breathless!
The stunning Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola (Vibo Valentia)
The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola rises on the beautiful cliff in front of the seaside town Tropea in the province of Vibo Valentia. As described in various documents, in the past the rock was completely surrounded by water, and it was larger than the current one; from this derives the term Santa Maria of the Island, which remained such even if this is no longer an island. The actual appearance was given to the church after the alterations due to the earthquake of 1783 and that of 1905, while the construction of the scale is slightly earlier than 1810. The Church of Santa Maria dell’isola has been elevated to Diocesan Shrine by Monsignor Domenico Cortese on May, 31st 2002. On August 15th, during the celebrations for the Madonna dell’Isola, the town organizes a suggestive procession to the sea.
Things to see on the seaside in Calabria: Chianalea (Reggio Calabria)
Chianalea of Scilla is the most romantic town in the province of Reggio Calabria. Also known as a fishing village, it is one of the most beautiful views of Italy, characteristic for its long history and for its location immediately behind the sea. The particular houses of Chianalea end up overlooking the water, are protected by a blanket of rocks that, especially in winter, bear the frequent moments of fury of the sea. Village with numerous arches characteristics that unite many homes, resulting in forming enchanting corners. The best preserved buildings are the fifteenth-century Palazzo Scategna, Palazzo Giordani, built in 1543, House Ruffo, Ruffo Fountain, Villa Zagari and the Church of San Giuseppe Chianalea. From the top of the village there is a breathtaking view that includes the Aeolian Islands and the Sicilian coast. Surely one of the best things to see on the seaside in Calabria.
Strolling on the sea: the promenade Falcomatà (Reggio Calabria)
The promenade of Reggio Calabria, pride of the city, has been described by the famous poet Gabriele D’ Annunzio as the most beautiful kilometer of Italy. It is a tree-lined street , renovated in recent times, on two levels : the upper zone, or Corso Vittorio Emanuele III, and the lower area along the sea, called Lungomare Italo Falcomatà, dedicated to the former mayor of the city. Walking along the promenade you can admire the one hand the wonderful coastline of the area with views of the Strait of Messina, on the other the municipal park, characterized by the beautiful variety of exotic plants, jasmine and bergamot, and archaeological finds from the Hellenistic and Roman period. The avenue has been adorned with numerous statues and monuments, including the stems to the poets Corrado Alvaro and Giovanni Pascoli, the figures of the Italian contemporary artist Rabarama, the marble memorial stone to Vittorio Emanuele III and the monument to the politician and mayor Italo Falcomatà.
Now that you know which are the 5 most beautiful things to see on the seaside in Calabria, you just need to book your holiday in this amazing region!
