Calabria Car Tours: Top 5 Unforgettable Road Trips

Dreaming of sun-soaked coasts, ancient villages, and some truly fantastic Italian food? Well, a driving exploration just might be one seriously super option to experience the magic of Calabria! This region, located at the toe of Italy’s boot, tends to offer a raw, untamed beauty, so it makes a vacation really special, almost providing the perfect backdrop for a road trip you won’t soon forget. Think about it, zipping along the coast in a little convertible, the scent of citrus in the air, discovering little hilltop towns packed full of character. Are you ready for an Italian adventure? Great! Let’s get to it. We’ve mapped out the top five Calabria car tours for, like your inspiration.

1. The Coastal Classic: Tropea to Scilla

So, first up we have what’s basically the quintessential Calabrian driving tour. The drive from Tropea to Scilla hugs the Tyrrhenian coast and features the best views around. Tropea, often referred to as “the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian,” is where this adventure kind of begins. Is that right? Expect white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and a maze of super-charming narrow streets. Before you start this pretty super journey, ensure you wander the old town, perhaps sample some ‘nduja (a spicy, spreadable pork salami—a Calabrian delicacy), and definitely take pictures of the Santa Maria dell’Isola sanctuary, seemingly perched high on a rock overlooking the sea.

That first stretch to Capo Vaticano is short, really. But that bit is striking. You can look out over what might be some pretty spectacular views. It could almost be as clear as that one day! Consider some seriously amazing panoramic views and cliffs. As I was saying, the lighthouse up there offers even more stunning views, but you might need time for all the photo stops. It’s very difficult to just pick the best, it’s nearly impossible. Further down the road to Pizzo is actually pretty gorgeous too, almost giving the feel that it’s steeped in history with a lovely seafront that’s the main feature to attract. The infamous Castello Murat, where Joachim Murat (Napoleon’s brother-in-law) was imprisoned and executed, provides a step way back in time.

The drive then winds south, basically hugging the coastline the entire way. The views might get better at every turn, seemingly showcasing beaches, rugged cliffs, and of course the turquoise water of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Small villages, actually untouched by time, can be found sitting along the way to offer authentic dining experiences with locally sourced seafood the norm for food choice. Eventually, you’ll almost approach Scilla, the town associated with mythology and, obviously its amazing scenic beauty. Supposedly the narrow streets climb up the hill, eventually towards the Castello Ruffo, seemingly offering more impressive coastal views and towards the Strait of Messina and Sicily. That town does also have a seriously romantic aura surrounding it, which tends to offer what you might feel like, is an unforgettable drive that just about captures the true essence of Calabria’s coastal charm.

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2. Sila National Park: A Mountain Escape

Ready to escape the beaches and head inland? So you should definitely make tracks to the Sila National Park. It’s arguably the most sizable protected forest area in Calabria and offers a quite stark contrast to the sun-kissed coasts. Now, picture this, thick pine forests, peaceful lakes, and mountains that go as far as the eyes can see. You would not think you were still in Calabria if you saw it. It’s like a totally different, different world! From Cosenza or Crotone, routes lead towards the center of the park with ease. Ensure to check the weather forecast before the visit as, basically at higher altitudes, it tends to turn very cool and sometimes may even snow!

Camigliatello Silano could just be the perfect point for a start. The village seemingly presents visitors with trails for exploring forests, as well as a visitor center to learn about flora and fauna of the park. You can even just get to rent a bike or hike; you might like some other activities for a good, like your workout. Some seriously important locations would actually have to include Lago di Cecita. People can be seen fishing or doing boating activities that would surely get rid of any tension. You could also just pack some food and sit on the side to absorb your environment. The ‘giants of Sila’ on the aptly named trail, are extremely large trees which stand tall and offer an unbelievable natural experience of scale.

Make sure the day closes off in a, like a traditional restaurant close by. Taste local dishes; Silan cuisine features strongly with locally sourced meats, mushrooms and potatoes being the heart of the menu. Arguably, that driving circuit offers a refreshingly, amazing change of pace away from coast lines. The exploration provides insight on the Calabrian geography through forests and peaks with great wildlife spotting abilities. This really creates a great trip in the trip as far as anyone can see!

Read our full review: Sila National Park Road Trip Full Review and Details
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3. Aspromonte National Park: Rugged Beauty

Another fantastic option for a park tour is Aspromonte. In fact, “aspro” comes from Greek origin meaning “rough” giving that vibe from the offset! Those mountains go almost all the way down towards the Straight of Messina and are very much quite dramatic! The central location means the park can provide insight towards Calabrian history and biodiversity at every turn. The routes can be really curvy, yet the adventure of discovery is basically what drives the experience! You’ll more than likely start your tour from Reggio Calabria. This gives you access directly to those steep climbs towards the mountainous inlands.

Once inside the park you could easily find yourself to be hiking along trails, walking between Greek ruins, and perhaps find water cascading beneath you! Gambarie, a mountain location within the park, boasts both hiking options during, like your average summer or skiing during winter! Those peaks seemingly go above 6000 feet presenting views that stretch out towards Sicily, and also across the Ionian sea. A visit toward Santuario di Nostra Signora di Polsi might just give you goosebumps when experiencing a monastic spot steeped with tradition, nestled at the heart of those mountains.

Think about discovering abandoned villages such as Pentedattilo, really. High on a cliff, it seemingly got abandoned after an earthquake. Then, get a taste for true mountain life by sampling what can only be described as home-cooked food, very. The park is seemingly less travelled; you are going to feel alone amongst that raw environment that those rugged Calabrian mountains tend to provide.

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4. The Grecanic Area: A Dive into History and Culture

Fancy something seriously off the, you know beaten path? Well, look towards the Area Grecanica, around the most southern Ionian side, for a trip that’s completely, totally amazing that’s a peek straight back in time and culture. These folks maintain bits from old Greek heritage that goes back through so many ages! You can tell it almost feels lost. It’s very unique.

Bova might be thought of as a, almost, stunning starting position for that expedition. Considered amongst the, just a little, many charming villages around Italy Bova could just give you an overview and sample with cobbled walkways and ancient ruins; It’s nearly what one would picture Italy! Head off into other villages to experience an authentic taste as those roads climb and fall! Gallicianò would have to offer you a spot of what is an active effort towards keeping that “Grecanico” alive. Even as the area itself changes the old locals tend to speak the same Greek influenced language as one another. All in all, the culture just stands out from anywhere else; It gives almost a real experience.

Do, very, consider the ghost town of Amendolea and its former castle sitting literally under steep mountains that makes Amendolea itself quite unique. You may even enjoy yourself with some cuisine! A combination of dishes from Grecanic food will no doubt involve bergamot or some sort of addition along those flavors! Driving though that Grecanic area may not provide views over an ocean; Although it may perhaps teach many with valuable, rich parts from the land!

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5. The Wine Route of Ciro

Wine lovers pay attention! Basically, your attention has to be paid. Let’s now change gear! How about driving throughout the Cirò area known seemingly for that gorgeous Calabrian wine! This isn’t your trip only involving vistas. What’s involved also includes tastes! Vineyards and age-old wine cellars almost beckon and say “Hi” to get visited on, perhaps, a very unique tour.

Consider a start in Cirò Marina; With views on one side showcasing what it may possibly involve with some of the Ionian sea from one direction plus sloping slopes upon those opposite aspects offering insight, more or less to a vineyard rich experience! From here one might even slowly venture among regions known for producing wines, like your special bottle. As you might enjoy as a sample throughout these tours, sample all tastes offered to understand truly all blends in production from winery experiences across this location. If the views can be so beautiful, so can it be quite the experience for everyone!

Pay close focus on those tours for seeing as some would potentially involve trips or even learning from experts within wine to gain additional comprehension in what causes Ciro Wines making all samples absolutely original and world famous to many drinkers! Definitely remember that those adventures could give the rare mixing throughout countryside landscapes with local, just like wine experiences to, definitely create a memory that won’t just go!

Read our full review: Wine Route of Ciro Calabria Full Review and Details
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