Calabria is the rugged toe of Italy's boot, a region of dramatic contrasts where the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas frame ancient Greek ruins, Norman castles, and one of Italy's most untouched wildernesses. Its clifftop resorts, crystalline waters, fiery cuisine, and layered history from Magna Graecia through Byzantine and Norman rule make it a rewarding destination for adventurous travellers seeking authentic southern Italy without the crowds.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
'Nduja — spreadable spicy pork salami in jars or vacuum packs; found at Spilinga producers (San Andrea Apostolo dello Jonio)
Peperoncino di Diamante products — dried chilli, peperoncino oil, chilli honey; best bought in Diamante
Cipolla rossa di Tropea — red onion jam (confettura), chutney, and dried flakes
Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria — bergamot liqueur, bergamot jam, bergamot essential oil perfume
Cirò DOC wine — Calabria's oldest wine appellation; bottles from €5–15 (~$5-16) in local shops
Calabrian ceramics — hand-painted tiles and pottery with Byzantine or floral motifs; found in Tropea and Gerace
Caciocavallo silano — aged mountain cheese from Sila, sold vacuum-packed for travel
Peperoncino chocolate — a uniquely Calabrian confection combining dark chocolate and Calabrian chilli
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercato di Reggio Calabria
Fresh produce, bergamot citrus, fish, local cheeses, salumi
Where: Reggio Calabria
Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Mercato di Cosenza (Piazza Loreto)
Vegetables, fresh pasta, salumi, and Sila cheeses
Where: Cosenza
Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Sagra del Peperoncino Market (Diamante)
Every variety of Calabrian chilli; peperoncino products; free tastings
Where: Diamante, Cosenza Province
Hours: First week of September (annual festival)