Discover Southern Italy’s Last Hidden Secret Destination

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Last Updated 22 hours ago

Vespa rides into blood-orange sunsets, ancient monuments dating back millennia, village-hopping around a picturesque Tuscany: Italy is probably Europe’s most sought-after destination regardless of season, and it requires no introduction.

From the winding cobbled streets of Trastevere in Rome to Amalfi’s romantic seaside setting, the area is brimming with tourists year-round, making it somewhat less attractive to crowd-wary folks who love their peace and quiet.

Well, if only they were looking for the idyllic dolce vita beyond all the most obvious tourist hotspots…

Welcome To Reggio Calabria, Italy’s Unheard-Of Capital Of Winter Sun

Located in the very south of Italy, where we like to call the toe of the boot––in reference to Italy’s unusual geographical shape––Reggio Calabria is one of the nation’s oldest cities, with a History spanning at least 3,500 years, and oddly enough, it’s among the most underrated.

Founded by Greek settlers in time immemorial, Reggio (as it is commonly shortened) became a key Mediterranean trading hub in its heyday.

This was due to its strategic location, facing the island of Sicily across the Strait of Messina.

As you would expect, over the centuries, as it grew from a quaint harbor town to a bustling coastal city over 172,000 call home, it’s accumulated the kind of cultural wealth only Old World hubs could aspire to––we’re talking stately villas, monumental Baroque basilicas, and fairytale castles.

Ancient Palaces And $12 Pizza

Perhaps the most iconic landmark in town, Castello Aragonese, is a Byzantine castle distinguished by its crenelated towers, which house not only a treasury and royal tombs but also command incredible views of the maze of lively thoroughfares that is Reggio.

There are numerous other palazzi in town, often housing art exhibits, with two of the most-visited being Palazzo Tommaso Campanella, formerly home of the namesake philosopher, and Palazzo Corrado Alvaro, where the laureate Italian author would have spent most of his days.

If you love Ancient History, the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia has a vast collection of Greek, Roman and prehistoric artifacts, and for our fellow foodies, there are cheap eats galore in the Centro Storico (where most of the attractions are centered).

For $12 pizza and a no-frills environment, Torrefazione Due.Zero is a local favorite; the creamiest pistachio gelato to ever grace your lips? Gelato Cesare is your sweet spot; pasta that will have you pinching your fingers like the emoji? Sotto Le Stelle is the place to go!

Pleasant Fall And Winter Temps

Other than its fascinating culture and delectable cuisine, Reggio Calabria is in fact best known for being the gateway to the mountain-traversed Aspromonte National Park, where beech and pine offer shelter to Apennine wolves, wild deer and other Mediterranean wildlife.

Thanks to its Southerly location, tourists heading to Reggio also benefit from an unusually-mild winter weather for a mainland European destination––remember, balmy Sicily, one of the continent’s warmest destinations, is sitting just across the strait.

Expect daily highs of 68°F in December, rarely falling below 52°F overnight, and far less precipitation compared to the North of the country: on average, it rains for only 9 days in the wettest period of the month, and snow on the coast is unheard-of.

Unruffled Sands For Miles On End

Despite the pleasant temperatures, it may be a little too chilly out this time of year for swimming, but if you’re used to the gelid waters of the North Atlantic––does anybody here hail from the East Coast?––a tepid Mediterranean should not be an impediment.

While the water temperature is still an acceptable 64.4°F, you may feel encouraged to run to the crystal-clear seas off Spiaggia La Sorgente, the inviting beach fringing Reggio’s waterfront, or Spiaggia della Rocca del Capo, just south of town, with its steep drops and secluded coves.

More endless sands await in Spiaggia Di Scilla, north of Reggio Calabria, where you can sunbathe overlooking the Strait of Messina and Sicily in the distance, whereas Punta Pellaro boasts powdery white sands and turquoise waters.

How Cheap Is Reggio Calabria To Visit?

On average, the price of a 3-night hotel stay in Reggio Calabria is a reasonable $224 this season, as noted by Budget Your Trip, with five of the highest-ranking hotels within walking distance of the main beach being:

• Hotel Continental – $65 a night
• Hotel Medinbu – $115 a night
• E’ Hotel – $106 a night
• Grand Hotel Excelsior – $149 a night
• Torrione Hotel – $90 a night

According to the latest Skyscanner Trends report, Reggio Calabria will be the fastest-growing destination worldwide in 2025, with searches for flights to Reggio Calabria Airport (REG) increasing by a whopping 541% year-on-year.

There are no nonstop flights from the United States or Canada to Reggio Calabria, but you can easily get there on one-stop routes connecting in Rome or Milan, or a wide range of secondary European spots, whether it’s London (Stansted), Barcelona or Dublin.

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