Calabria's Villages: The Most Beautiful by the Sea and Inland

In Italy, there are regions, like Calabria, that offer so many points of interest that they deserve to be rediscovered every time with the ability to be amazed still in your eyes.

What are the most beautiful villages in Calabria?

In addition to the kilometers of coast washed by two seas, its natural reserves, its mountainous interior with untamed nature, its archaeological sites, popular and culinary traditions, Calabria is a region that merits a trip dedicated solely to the numerous hidden little villages that dot its territory.

Cradle of Magna Graecia nestled between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, Calabria is home to ancient isolated villages, enchanting and suspended in time.

Perched on high mountain ridges, not always easy to reach, are ancient villages with a solitary atmosphere, guardians of millennia-old traditions and a land rich in charm and contradictions.

Their raw beauty, still off the beaten path of mass tourism, hides secrets among cobblestone streets, historical buildings, craftsmen's workshops, culinary traditions, and breathtaking views.

Among Norman castles and medieval churches, the most beautiful towns in the Calabria region tell a story that comes from far away, rich in suggestion and beauty.

READ ALSO: LITTLE-KNOWN PLACES IN CALABRIA

Hilltop towns, overlooking the sea or perched on the peaks of Calabrian mountains, these small urban centers are scattered throughout the regional territory, each with its unique characteristics and all full of a certain kind of unexpected charm.

Places like Gerace, Badolato, Santa Severina, Oriolo, Cleto, and many others punctuate the social, geographical, and historical fabric of Calabria and testify to its strong sense of identity derived from ancient civilizations such as the Greek and Arab.

To better navigate this constellation of towns and not get lost in the selection, we have put together a list of recommendations for 10 of the most beautiful villages in Calabria to visit with slowness and curiosity.

One of the most beautiful villages in Calabria and in all of Italy is undoubtedly Gerace in the province of Reggio Calabria.

Nestled in a strategic position on the hills near the Ionian coast, it is a well-preserved medieval village.

Gerace boasts the largest cathedral in the region: the Norman-era Santa Maria Assunta di Gerace, a medieval castle, and an ancient historic center composed of winding alleys around stone buildings, churches, and palaces carved into sandstone.

After a stop in one of the charming cafés in Piazza del Tocco, you can continue to the two scenic viewpoints of the small town: the Porta del Sole with a large arch overlooking the Ionian Sea and the Belvedere Bombarde area.

Here, cannons were once positioned to defend the coast, while today they offer a spectacular view of the crystal-clear sea and the lush nature surrounding the area with vineyards, citrus groves, orchards, and olive groves that give rise to renowned local products.

These enchanting landscapes at the gates of Aspromonte National Park also offer opportunities for hiking on foot or by bike and practicing outdoor sports such as rafting, canoeing, or kayaking.

To visit one of the most enchanting hill towns in Calabria, we move to the northernmost part of the province of Cosenza towards Morano Calabro.

This village boasts a wonderful viewpoint, filled with ancient stone buildings stacked one upon the other, sheltered from tourist routes and modernity.

These colorful landscapes with natural lavender fields and rock outcroppings, which also inspired the famous Dutch artist Escher, are near the Pollino National Park, where nature meets medieval atmosphere.

Morano Calabro is traversed by winding alleys and stairs that climb to the summit of the town, close to the ruins of the Norman-Swabian castle from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the hilly panorama over the green Coscile valley and visit the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which houses four statues by Bernini.

Descending through narrow paths, spacious squares, and arched walkways, you arrive at the lower part where the 15th-century Church of San Bernardino da Siena in Gothic style stands.

With medieval historical reenactments, traditional festivals, and cultural sites like the museum of peasant civilization, a visit to Morano Calabro should certainly be on your list of the most beautiful villages in Calabria.

Civita is a hidden gem to discover in the province of Cosenza. Perched on the hills overlooking the Pollino, it offers spectacular views from its stone houses on the mountainside near the Raganello gorge.

Its well-maintained historic center expands around Piazza Municipio with ancient houses, elegant historic buildings, alleys, and streets that provide spectacular views.

From the village begins the Walk of the Devil, a scenic hike that leads via hundreds of steps to the Devil's Bridge and along the banks of the Raganello stream in a landscape of rare natural beauty, with a canyon, rocky gorges, and a watercourse.

Thanks to its proximity to Pollino, the village is an excellent base for hikers with paths immersed in nature in rugged and visually striking landscapes.

Staying in town, you can admire the beautiful 17th-century Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its incredible mosaics and golden icons, and the Arbëresch Ethnic Museum (Ethnic Museum of Albanian Culture), because Civita is one of 34 Albanian origin villages in Calabria.

The municipality of Altomonte is considered one of the most charming hill villages in Calabria thanks to its native olive groves and vineyards, its historic center, and numerous traditional activities, including food and music festivals, making it one of the most notable cultural hubs of the region.

The village, set at the foot of Pollino National Park, boasts a heart of stone houses, cobblestone streets, churches, and monuments of great architectural value, in Gothic-Angevin style scattered around the central square.

Here you can also find the 14th-century church of Santa Maria della Consolazione with predominantly Baroque interiors, sculptures, and paintings of artistic relevance.

Next to the church, it's worth visiting the cloisters of the former Dominican monastery from which one can enjoy a stunning mountain panorama over the lush surrounding valley. One of the features that make Amantea special is certainly its Town Hall located within the Monastic Complex of San Francesco di Paola, which has become one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Italy due to its beauty and photogenic qualities.

Among its streets and alleys, you can still find typical local artisan products and cuisine such as the renowned Pane di Altomonte, appreciated throughout the region.

The beautiful town of Amantea on the Tyrrhenian coast combines the best features of Calabria: a picturesque old town perched on the hill and a lively beach resort with wonderful beaches along the coast.

The contrast between rocks and sea makes Amantea one of the most fascinating destinations in Calabria since ancient times, when it was home to Byzantine, Greek, and Roman civilizations.

Its historic center can be reached by a grand marble staircase climbing the cliff and leading to elegant pastel-colored historic buildings, such as the Le Clarisse Palace from the early 1600s. Its characteristic alleys and streets still convey the atmosphere of the old village, with nineteenth-century houses and hidden gardens.

Starting from the Baroque cathedral, through a trek in the unspoiled green and narrow staircases carved into the rock, you can reach the remains of the majestic castle of Amantea or Rocca for a visit that combines culture and adventure.

From here, you can also enjoy an impressive view of the roofs of the village, the stone arch on the rock, and the endless blue stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In the Marina, its coastal part, Amantea also offers numerous tourist leisure attractions, bars, beautiful beaches, and a harbor from which you can embark for the Aeolian Islands.

In the heart of Locride, in the province of Reggio Calabria, on the plateau of Mount Consolino, Stilo is a historic and mysterious city, among the most interesting and visited in Calabria for its art and ancient culture.

Here, among ancient monuments, events, and picturesque views, there are many reasons to attract visitors interested in discovering Calabria in its oldest essence.

The village, with its archaic and mysterious Byzantine origin, features a town crossed by narrow alleys and houses seemingly inseparably interlocking, presenting a complementary and unique architectural game.

Courtyards, churches, gardens, and historic palaces follow one another in the city center and are protected by fortified walls and medieval gates that make it one of the must-visit towns in all of Calabria.

One of the main attractions here is undoubtedly the masterpiece of Byzantine art, the Cattolica, a 10th-century Byzantine church erected in a panoramic position representing a great architectural wonder.

Don't miss the Norman castle and the former monastery of San Giovanni, which today hosts contemporary art exhibitions. This small ancient village built in layers on limestone, on a hill of olive and vine trees, rich in art and suggestion is definitely one of the must-see destinations in Calabria.

Scilla, a small village in the province of Reggio Calabria, has always been considered one of the most picturesque towns in Calabria because it sits atop a great rocky spur overlooking the sea. A tourist reference point on the beautiful Viola Coast, this ancient village full of charm offers unforgettable panoramic sunsets over the sea.

Its oldest part, the fishermen's district called Chianalea, is also known as 'little Venice' for its houses built directly on the rocks close to the sea with little streets that descend towards the turquoise water, creating a spectacular visual effect.

The village is a harmonious blend of churches, fountains, and cobblestone streets leading to the impressive Ruffo Castle, which not only allows you to gaze at the horizon from a spectacular viewpoint but also hosts art exhibitions and significant cultural events. Furthermore, visiting Scilla means also enjoying a relaxing day at one of its many secluded or easily accessible beaches, all washed by the crystal-clear waters of this coastal stretch.

One of the most beautiful villages in Calabria but still little frequented by mass tourism is certainly the municipality of Santa Severina.

In the heart of the province of Crotone, strategically positioned on a hill between the Ionian Sea and the mountains of Sila, this small village is also known as 'Stone Ship' for its numerous constructions like the cathedral, the castle, and the baptistery that form a unique body perched like a ship atop a spur over the valley below and the Neto River.

Santa Severina is an ancient village with significant historical relevance that still today testifies to the presence of Byzantine civilization; a prominent example is its Baptistery, which represents a true hidden gem of ancient art.

Also not to be missed is the majestic Norman Castle, which dominates the village and today houses an important Archaeological Museum. Besides being a place of historical interest, Santa Severina embodies the traditional spirit of small Calabrian villages suspended in time but always welcoming and charming.

The ancient village of Bova is considered the capital of Hellenism in Calabria and at the same time one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Its characteristic historic center, full of picturesque views, boasts a very ancient history, houses many interesting monuments, and promotes the preservation of the Grecanic language and culture.

Among its narrow, winding alleys, stone houses, and old churches, an atmosphere unique and suspended can be breathed, with a strong Greek influence echoing on the architecture, craftsmanship, and local traditions.

Situated in the area where the Aspromonte gently descends towards the Ionian Sea, the municipality of Bova is dominated by the ruins of an ancient Norman castle that offers a breathtaking panorama over the roofs of the houses and the patrician stone and brick buildings in the village and over the nature that extends to the horizon.

In the heart of a picturesque natural landscape on the Ionian coast in the province of Catanzaro, the village of Badolato has ancient medieval origins and a truly unique history based on hospitality and the recovery of historic buildings in a state of abandonment.

In past decades, the town was even put up for sale to repopulate it, attracting many foreigners and Italians from the north who have breathed new life into the life and traditions of the village.

Today, this tranquil village presents itself as one of its main attractions the art of hospitality and sharing with all its visitors. Its Byzantine urban structure is dotted with numerous churches and narrow steep alleys, while the walls of the medieval castle that surround it recall its ancient defensive function.

Among all its points of interest, be sure to visit the evocative Franciscan Monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli located on a hill opposite the village, from which one can also enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding nature between the sea, hill, mountain, and lake.