Reggio Calabria: a nice city in Calabria for those who enjoy a calm atmosphere

Foto and text: Roger Hol

In this travel guide we will look at:

1: Reggio Calabria in brief
2: Places to explore in the city
3: Places to eat in Reggio Calabria
4: Places to visit nearby
5: How to get to Reggio Calabria

1: Places to explore in the city

From Reggio you can look straight across the Strait of Messina to Sicily, so close that the houses on the other side are clearly visible on a clear day. By hydrofoil you can be in Messina in about 20 minutes.

Facciamo un giro in città! - Let's take a tour of the city!

I live a little under an hour away, in Palizzi Marina.

Now and then I get "big-city hunger", and then I take the bus or the train in; it takes about an hour. And then it's time for breakfast!

As I step out of the station, I simply cross the road, walk a little way up to the left, and go into Les Folies Cafè.

It's properly busy here, with loads of locals, and you just have to jump "into the dance".

First you go to the till and say what you want, and you get a receipt (lo scontrino). You take it over to the counter (il banco) and tell the baristas again what you'd like.

It's easy to be tempted, and once I've had my breakfast I often sit down to do a bit of work.

Then it's important to make clear that you want to sit down:

Lo prendo al tavolo
- I'll have it at the table.

Or:

Posso accomodarmi al tavolo?
- May I sit at the table?

Sometimes I come back here for lunch while I wait for the train or bus to take me home.

You probably know this: Most bars in Italy turn into lunch places where you can choose from many different dishes.

The trick in Italy for eating well and affordably is to find a bar where the locals go, and which also serves a hot lunch!

Sometimes I take a gift along, like the time I went to Turin on the high-speed Frecciarossa train.

I chose to bring "torrocini", which they make for Christmas!

Fun fact:
If you are invited to an Italian home, bring a tray of pasticcini. It is often much appreciated!

With so many places in Reggio Calabria selling good pastries, it is a popular but "dangerous" spot. 😊

But now, let's continue through the city. Along the route you will see many interesting details, both historical and architectural.

Duomo di Reggio Calabria 

The full name is Basilica Cattedrale di Maria Santissima Assunta in Cielo.

We begin with this one, which was built by the Normans.

You can see the typical way they made windows (look at the round window in the middle of the picture above).

It is a clear symbol, characteristic of windows made while the Normans ruled in Calabria.

If you visit Gerace or Syracuse, you will see examples of the same building style there too.

And if the cathedral isn't beautiful enough from the outside, wait until you step inside!

Here too you can clearly see how the timber roof structure is built, another characteristic of the Norman way of building.

To get to the cathedral in Reggio Calabria - use this Google Maps link

On the opposite side of the cathedral, I sometimes stop for a drink or an ice cream.

The bar is called Bar Duomo, and here is the  Google Maps link where you can also read reviews.

They have good ice cream, but if you want something MUCH better, just keep following the guide and we'll come to a place with by far the best ice cream in the city!

The pedestrian street

Another lovely activity is to walk along this long car-free street.

There are many fine buildings to look at, all kinds of shops, bars, restaurants and parks to check out.

When I take a "Reggio trip" from Palizzi Marina, where I live, I especially like to stroll slowly along the pedestrian street.

I often catch myself noticing how calm and relaxed the atmosphere is here.

Architecture and green spaces

When you look up at the various buildings, you get an impression of the city's former splendour.

Reggio Calabria is a city rich in architectural treasures that bear witness to its historical prosperity.

Over the past decade many palaces and historic buildings have been restored, and there are ongoing projects to improve buildings, parks and other public spaces.

I find the city very beautiful and think it is greatly underrated.

Fortunately this is starting to change, as more and more people discover Reggio Calabria's charm.

Escalators

As you stroll along the pedestrian street you will eventually see escalators.

The city starts down by the sea and slopes up towards the hills behind it.

That is why escalators have been installed, making it easier for people to get up and down. Rather clever!

Piazza Biagio Camagna

This square lies in the middle of the pedestrian street.

After the great earthquake that struck the city (and Messina) in 1908, there was a need to rebuild.

This square was part of the new city layout, and the building in the picture is one of several in Reggio built in the Liberty style.

Liberty is the Italian version of Art Nouveau, an art and architecture movement that was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

It is characterised by flowing, organic lines, decorative flower and plant ornaments, wrought-iron balconies, stained glass and ornate façades.

In Italy it became especially popular in big cities such as Milan, Turin and Palermo, but Reggio Calabria also has fine examples of this elegant architecture.

Here is the Google Maps reference

Piazza Nava

Here on Piazza Nava you will find the famous National Archaeological Museum. It is well worth a visit!

The museum is best known for the Riace Bronzes, two spectacular bronze statues of warriors from the 5th century BC, found on the seabed off Riace in 1972. Riace lies along the Ionian coast of Calabria.

These masterpieces are among the finest examples of classical Greek sculpture.

Calabria was part of Magna Graecia, the Greek colonies of southern Italy, and the museum holds many treasures from this period.

The exhibitions give a fascinating insight into how Greek culture shaped the region.

To get to Piazza Nava: follow this Google Maps link

Visit the museum's website here

Gelateria Cesare

If you're wondering "where can I find the best ice cream in Reggio Calabria?", this is it. Naturalmente, of course.

Expect a queue, because the ice cream is very good and many people want to try it. But it's worth the wait, and here you can also indulge in many different flavours!

If you have a milk allergy or are vegan, they also have an exceptionally wide choice!

I'm more than happy to go for Sapori di Calabria, with something else on the side. Nocciola (hazelnut), for example.

My tip: Choose your favourite flavour and ask at the counter which other flavours go well with it.

Or do as you would at a restaurant: ask them to give you the best flavours. And let yourself be swept away by these fantastic ice creams!

Quale gusto mi consiglia?
- Which flavour would you recommend?

The seafront promenade

Photo: Luisa Fiorese

The seafront promenade in Reggio Calabria is something truly unique. It is said to be the most beautiful in all of Italy, and I completely agree.

Here by the Arena dello Stretto there was a photo exhibition of pictures by the famous photographer Letizia Battaglia, who was born in Palermo.

Photo: Luisa Fiorese

We had been celebrating New Year in Syracuse, and now we crossed over by hydrofoil from Messina. The trip takes no more than 20 minutes.

Walking along this promenade in temperatures above 20 degrees at the start of January does something to you.

Don't think this is exceptionally nice weather with lots of sun and high temperatures. It's completely normal here in the south.

As you walk along the promenade there is plenty to see: art installations, benches and these special trees.

Every time I'm in Reggio Calabria, I MUST walk down and stroll along part of this long seafront. Soul medicine!

2: Places to eat in Reggio Calabria

Where can you eat well at friendly prices?

The answer is: Le Vie del Gusto!!

I chose the Stufato di maialino a bassa temperatura.

Black piglet cooked slowly at low temperature with all sorts of delicious spices.

It was super tasty, and everyone in the group said the same: this must be one of the best restaurants in Reggio Calabria!

To get there: follow this Google Maps link

Here are a few other tips on where to eat, my favourite restaurants in Reggio Calabria. "Officina del Gusto" serves both meat and fish.

The other two specialise in fish.

Officina del Gusto 

Trattoria del Pesce Fresco 

Kalamare

Photo: Jane Gro Solberg

One of our followers who visited Reggio Calabria in the summer of 2026 sent us this tip: La Cantina del Macellaio.

Photo: Jane Gro Solberg

She says: "We ate there twice and the meat was flavourful and tender."

To get there and read other visitors' reviews, follow this Google Maps link

If you just want something simple...

Etto is on the pedestrian street and has tasty focaccia.

They are a bit pricey, but the flavours are top-notch, so it's worth it if you care about quality!

It is also a nice place for aperitivo, with a good selection of cured hams and cheeses. See more on their Facebook page.

Pizza

If you are near the airport and hungry, this is a good place. It's called "400 gradi". The pizza here is VERY GOOD!

It's so good that it's worth coming here from the centre (which isn't far from the airport anyway).

The one in the picture has pancetta, crema di zucca (pumpkin cream) and smoked cheese. Yum!

3: Places to visit nearby

Scilla - home to the picturesque fishing village of Chianalea. An excellent place to swim and relax! Travel to Scilla by train, the eco-friendly way. The journey takes 25 to 37 minutes depending on which train you take.

Pentedattilo - the village with a mountain that has five fingers!

The Ionian coast - known for its countless beaches and small towns where most things are untouched by tourism. Reggio Calabria is an excellent starting point for discovering the southern and eastern parts of Calabria.

Area Grecanica - with azure beaches so beautiful you won't believe it, and an area where Greek is still spoken.

Palizzi Marina - the small, rustic town at the southernmost point of mainland Italy. It has a lovely atmosphere, the sea and fine beaches. It is also close to the mountains and other places nearby that you can explore.

Gerace - time has stood still here for a very long time, and Giuseppe serves "the world's best granita". The spectacular view also takes most people's breath away.

Mammola - if you love cod, you will get a new experience with the dishes they conjure up here, made with stockfish from Lofoten that is rehydrated in the special "sweet" water they have here. Here you also will find a extraordinary museum park in a place where no one would believe a contemporary art museum could exist.

4: How to get to Reggio Calabria

BY AIR

One of the he best ways to get to Reggio Calabria is to fly to Rome and then transfer with ITA AIRWAYS.

The flight from Rome lands at AEROPORTO DELLO STRETTO

We recommend travelling light, meaning a wheeled suitcase and a backpack.

This makes a transfer easier, which is especially important to keep in mind if there is little time between arrival and departure.

BY TRAIN OR BUS

You can also come from Rome or Naples by train.

In addition, there are good rail connections from larger cities in northern Italy.

Download the Trainline app, which makes it easy to find and buy tickets for bus, train and boat.

Please note that every time you use the Trainline app, a fee is added on top of the ticket price.

You will find download links below.

Or you can download the TRENITALIA or ITALO apps.

Also check out FLIXBUS, which gets you there at a low price.

Or the bus company FEDERICO (page in Italian), which runs national routes to Calabria and is also an excellent way to travel by bus within Calabria.

FROM SICILY

You can also reach Reggio Calabria by boat from Messina.

Check timetables with LIBERTY LINES, which takes you across the Strait of Messina by hydrofoil.

If you have a car, take the ferry across to Villa San Giovanni.

5: Reggio Calabria in brief

Facts: Reggio Calabria is not the regional capital (that is Catanzaro), but it is the largest city in Calabria, with just over 167,000 inhabitants.

The metropolitan area, Città metropolitana di Reggio Calabria, has around 515,000 inhabitants and covers 3,210 square kilometres.

History: Reggio Calabria was founded by Greek colonists from Chalcis sometime between 750 and 730 BC, under the name Rhegion, and is considered one of the oldest cities in Europe.

It was part of Magna Graecia, the Greek city-states of southern Italy, before coming under Roman rule.

Byzantines, Normans and a long line of other rulers followed, including Spanish viceroys, before the city became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies with Naples as its capital.

In 1908 Reggio was almost razed to the ground by a powerful earthquake, and much of the city you see today was rebuilt afterwards.

Reggio Calabria in 2026 The city is developing fast. An upgraded airport with more international routes, new investment in infrastructure and growing tourism have given Reggio a new optimism.