Reggio Calabria: Culture, Coast and Kitesurfing

Reggio Calabria offers a range of reasons to stay: archaeological collections, art and historic buildings sit alongside the Lungomare and outdoor activities. The Bronzi di Riace are Greek bronze sculptures dating from the 5th century BC. If you’re looking for a hotel, use your own plans as a starting point: do you want to focus on museums and culture, or would you also like to include a cycling route and kitesurfing?

Art, Archaeology and History

The permanent exhibition at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia tells the story of Calabria from prehistoric times to the Roman period. It comprises 220 display cases across four exhibition levels. This provides a broad timeframe for a museum visit, from early periods through to Roman times.

The Museo Archeologico di Reggio Calabria (MArRC) is housed in Palazzo Piacentini. The palazzo was the first building constructed exclusively to house a museum exhibition. Level −1 provides access to the Hellenistic necropolis. These two details help you keep both the building’s history and the museum’s layout in mind.

Castello Aragonese was founded in the Byzantine period, between the 9th and 11th centuries. The features visible today include two round, battlemented towers from the Aragonese period in the south, connected by a defensive wall. Today, the castle hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events. As the program may change, it’s worth checking the current schedule before visiting.

The Pinacoteca Civica also brings together art and local history. It preserves and displays mainly works belonging to the Municipality of Reggio Calabria. The older works date from the 15th to the 19th century and come from the collections of the former Museo Civico. The exhibition route comprises eleven rooms in five sections; the layout may change. The Villa Comunale Umberto I is also home to authentic Roman columns.

The Lungomare and Outdoor Activities

The Lungomare Falcomatà is a natural extension of the historic center. The Ciclovia dei Parchi della Calabria ends at the Lungomare; its Gambarie–Reggio Calabria leg reaches the Arena dello Stretto via a coastal cycle path. If you plan to take this route, bear in mind that path conditions and maintenance may change, and check the latest situation.

The Arena dello Stretto is a modern theater inspired by the ancient theatrical tradition of Magna Graecia. It hosts film, music and theater events. Music and theater events take place during the city’s summer season. It’s therefore worth checking the event calendar for these dates, while film events are not tied to this seasonal schedule.

The Parco Urbano – Il Tempietto, a spacious revitalized area for sports, art, culture and leisure, is located on the Lungomare Italo Falcomatà. On the Ionian coast of Reggio Calabria, Punta Pellaro is suitable for kitesurfing. Check conditions and services locally. This allows you to consider cultural attractions and outdoor activities as separate priorities for your trip, rather than combining them into a single itinerary.

Getting Around During Your Stay

Piazza Garibaldi station is served by long-distance trains and also offers regional rail connections. ATAM buses connect the airport with Reggio Calabria, and it is also possible to reach the airport by train via Reggio Calabria Aeroporto station. As transport services and timetables may change, it’s best to check them before you travel.

For a tasty break, Reggio Calabria has numerous gelaterias, especially in the old town and along the Lungomare. The wider regional setting also offers another perspective: a large part of the area surrounding the city lies within Parco Nazionale dell’Aspromonte. There are pine forests on the Tyrrhenian side and beech forests on the Ionian side. In the wider region, the Costa Viola is known for purple-hued reflections on the waves at sunset and terraced slopes above the sea.

Compare hotel locations based on the places you actually want to visit, and check the connections that matter for your plans.

Discover More Destinations

Cosoleto, Marina di San Lorenzo, Bivongi, Ferruzzano, Saline Joniche, Seminara, Stilo, Pentidattilo, Polistena, Delianuova, Varapodio, Ardore Marina, Camini, Gioiosa Ionica, San Roberto, San Lorenzo, Oliveto, Galatro, Portigliola, Gambarie, San Luca, Pellaro, Agnana Calabra, Benestare, Mammola, Acquacalda, Santa Cristina D'aspromonte, Bagnara Calabra, Gallico, Siderno, San Ferdinando, Marina Di Caulonia, Martone, Tritanti, Stignano, Brancaleone Superiore, Santo Stefano In Aspromonte, Reggio Di Calabria, Palmi, Marina Di Gioiosa Ionica, Lazzaro, Gerace, Cittanova, Bovalino Marina, Laureana Di Borrello, Santa Domenica, Melito Di Porto Salvo, Gioia Tauro, Spina, Monasterace, Taureana, Brancaleone, Bocale, Spropolo, Roccella Ionica, Riace Marina, Sant'alessio In Aspromonte, Condofuri, Bruzzano Zeffirio, Oppido Mamertina, Favazzina, Caulonia, Palizzi, Monasterace Marina, Condofuri Marina, Locri, Bianco, Scilla, Pozzi, Villa San Giovanni, Motta San Giovanni, Bova Marina

For the main travel overview: Calabria.