Reggio Di CalabriaCalabria · Italy

All About Reggio di Calabria

Reggio di Calabria is one of the oldest cities in southern Italy. It traces its history back to ancient Greek colonists, who made it the capital of Magna Graecia, or ‘greater Greece’ long before the Roman Empire began to have influence over the region.

The town appears to tumble down the slopes of the elongated mountain chain called the Aspromonte and stretches parallel to the coast on the lower slopes in particular. Largely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1908, many of its central buildings were reconstructed in the liberty, or art deco style, making it look different from many of the region’s other towns.

Located at the very tip of the toe of mainland Italy, Reggio di Calabria faces out towards the Strait of Messina and the city in Sicily of the same name. The two cities have long-held links, which continue to this day with the regular ferry service between the two. You can use Ferryscanner to compare sailings and to book ferry tickets to Reggio di Calabria.
 

Routes and Ferries to Reggio di Calabria

Ferries cross the narrow strait, thought to have been home to the mythical monsters Scylla and Charybdis, 11 times per week on average. This means you can expect there to be at least one sailing per day in either direction and often more. The ferries that make the crossing are operated by Liberty Lines, one of the region’s largest ferry companies, with a fleet of more than 30 modern vessels. In fact, the vessels used for those with ferry tickets to Reggio di Calabria are so comfortable you might not want the 25-minute journey to end.

Prices for adult foot passengers looking to step aboard these vessels are just €4 in either direction. Bicycles, motorbikes, and family cars are also welcome on board, with prices for ferry tickets to Reggio di Calabria rising for anyone with their own transport. Some 3.5 million passengers use Liberty Lines ferry services each year.

The strategic location of Reggio di Calabria means the city is very easy to reach from elsewhere in Italy and Europe. Several major roads, including the E90, reach the city from the north and the east. There are several railway stations, which together provide travelers with both high-speed intercity services and regional services that, for example, connect the center of the city with the airport.

Reggio di Calabria Tito Minniti Airport is primarily linked to other cities within Italy, including Rome and Milan. Routes to other European destinations are added on a seasonal basis during the summer months.
 

Ports of Reggio di Calabria

The main port of Reggio di Calabria can be found on the northern edge of the city center, close to Santa Caterina train station. It lies in the neighborhood of the same name and replaces the earlier port, which destroyed in the earthquake of 1908. Roughly 100,000 square meters in area, it isn’t the largest of Italian ports, but it does have all the facilities that you would expect from a port with regular ferry services. These facilities include parking for cars and places to eat and drink. If you are making the crossing to Messina on foot, you should arrive at the port at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Those using the roll-on/roll-off facilities to take their vehicles to or from Sicily should arrive up to 90 minutes prior to departure to be sure of getting on board in good time.
 

Best Beaches

The sparkling Mediterranean waters of southern Italy have been attracting tourists since the earliest days of leisure travel. Today, visitors to Reggio di Calabria have a great many beaches to choose from. With fine weather normally stretching from spring all the way to early fall, there’s no limitation to when these stretches of the coast can be enjoyed either.

Pentimele Beach

This beach sits on the coast a short distance north of the port and city center. Made up of a mix of sand and pebbles, most of the expanse of Pentimele Beach is occupied by the sun loungers and parasols of a series of lidos, providing plenty of options when it comes to refreshments and activities.

La Sorgente

Close to the runways of the airport, La Sorgente is a favorite beach with residents of Reggio di Calabria. Although locals normally come by car, filling up the nearest parking spaces, it’s also possible to arrive by train to swim in the shallows here.

Ritrovo Sciao Beach

Approximately 14 kilometers south of Reggio di Calabria in Pellaro, Ritrovo Sciao Beach is a pebble beach with epic vistas across the Strait of Messina to Mount Etna. The offshore winds also make it a popular spot for kite surfers.

Bocale Beach

One of the more secluded and tranquil of Reggio di Calabria beaches, Bocale Beach sits firmly in the well-to-do southern suburbs. Wide expanses of soft, pale sand combine with welcome shade from native shrubs. Due to its relative seclusion, you should bring anything you might need for the day with you.
 

Places to Visit

Reggio di Calabria has an impressive array of sights beyond its natural beach wonders. Reserve a little time on either side of your scheduled ferry, and you’ll be able to explore this well-deserving city to the max.

The Waterfront

The waterfront was revitalized with architecture designed by the late great Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. This includes a museum that comprises more than 13,000 square meters of exhibition space. The waterfront is also a place to watch out for Fata Morgana, an incredible sea mirage that makes it look like boats are floating above the horizon.

Aragonese Castle

Staggeringly, this city center fortification was first recorded in 540 AD. Altered many times since then, it was even partially torn down during the 1800s. Even so, the castle and its grounds make for a glorious spectacle.

National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia

One of Italy’s most important museums, the exhibition halls here are dedicated to how life in Reggio di Calabria was as a Greek colony, 2,500 years ago. Of its many hundreds of display items, perhaps the most famous are the life-sized Riace Bronzes, discovered nearby in only 1972.

Palazzo Nesci

A mansion built in the Neoclassical style, the Palazzo Nesci is one of the few buildings in Reggio di Calabria to survive the 1908 earthquake. It, therefore, provides an intriguing insight into what the city might once have looked like.
 

Transportation Around Reggio di Calabria

The railway sticks close to the coast as it passes north-south through Reggio di Calabria. Passengers can make use of several stations within the city’s limits, from Catona in the north to Aeroporto in the south. The main station, close to the castle, is called Reggio di Calabria Centrale. Several city bus routes depart from the opposite side of Piazza Garibaldi to Centrale station, with destinations including the Archaeology Museum and the port. Operated by ATAM, tickets need to be purchased from a newsstand or bar before getting onboard, although drivers are very understanding of confused tourists and will do all they can to help.