Calabria & Basilicata holidays

Who are Calabria and Basilicata best for?

This is an Italy for those who like to explore off the beaten track. These regions are wilder and more rural than most of the country’s major touristic hubs, giving travellers a taste of Italy’s more authentic side. Because public transport isn’t always easily accessible here, those who are up for hiring a rental car and experiencing a true Italian road trip will be able to make the most of these regions.

Special things to do in Calabria and Basilicata

Maratea’s 20 miles of coastline are dotted with rocks, beaches and bays that harbour over 50 sea caves. A morning or afternoon trip to the big and beautiful Grotta delle Meraviglie or the secret Grotta della Sciabella pairs perfectly with a visit to some of Maratea’s many churches and chapels, which have afforded this commune in Basilicata the name ‘City of 44 Churches.’ Elsewhere in Basilicata, attend one of the region’s popular festivals such as Maggio di San Giuliano in the small village of Accettura. Every year between late May and early June, this arboreal ritual that symbolises earth’s fertility includes a marriage between two trees along with a colourful procession and days of feasting. In Calabria, the ancient Roman trading port of Tropea is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Its large Franciscan monastery, 12th-century Norman cathedral, and beautiful palaces in its historic centre are perched on a cliff overlooking the beach. While this stunning spot is worth a visit in itself, you can also use it as a jumping-off point to visit Sicily’s Aeolian Islands.