Region
Calabria
The toe of the boot — wild, mountainous, and the least-touristed mainland south. Greek ruins, long beaches, spicy food, and a culture that's still its own. You come here to get away from other travelers.
The verdict
Calabria is for travelers who've done the famous south (Campania, Puglia) and want the raw version. The coast (Tropea, Scilla) is the draw, the interior mountains (Aspromonte, Sila) are empty, and the food — nduja, swordfish, pecorino — is fiery and excellent. It's poor, the infrastructure is thin, and it's not for a first Italy trip. But it's the most authentic southern Italy you can still have largely to yourself.
Why go
Tropea's coast, nduja, and a wild, empty, untouristed south — the Italy before the crowds arrived.
Skip if
It's your first Italy trip, or you need polished infrastructure and easy trains.
Where to go in Calabria
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Things to do in Calabria
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