Morano Calabro, Calabria

(Pictured above: The Famous Town of Tropea, Calabria) *A little disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Calabria has a way of making you feel like you’ve found a little piece of Italy that has somehow stayed hidden.

The beaches are absolutely gorgeous. The food is incredible (and my favorite type of Italian food). The mountain towns are perched high above the sea and seem to twinkle in the distance. And the sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea will take your breath away.

And yet, Calabria is still very different from some of the more touristy parts of Italy. That’s part of what I love about it. But it also means there are a few things you need to know before you go.

I’ve spent enough time in Calabria to learn that traveling here isn’t always the same as traveling through Rome, Florence, or the Amalfi Coast. Some things take a little more planning.

Some things require a little more patience. And some things are simply better when you stop trying to do Italy like a perfect tourist.

So if Calabria is on your Italy bucket list, here are some of the biggest Calabria travel mistakes I would try to avoid.

1. Only Visiting the Famous Coastal Towns

This is probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make when traveling to Calabria. Yes, you absolutely should see places like Tropea. It is famous for a reason and 100% worth visiting.

But Calabria is so much more than its postcard-perfect beaches. Some of my favorite experiences have been in the smaller towns tucked away in the mountains.

Places like Santa Domenica Talao, Morano Calabro, Gioiosa Ionica, Gerace, and the little villages scattered throughout the region give you a completely different look at Calabria.

You'll find cobblestone streets, old churches, tiny piazzas, family-run restaurants, flowered balconies with laundry and red peppers hanging out to dry, and locals going about their everyday lives.

The coast is beautiful, but the small villages are where you start to get a feel for the Calabria I fell in love with.

Don't just check off the beaches. Leave room for the mountains, too. You won't be disappointed!

2. Trying to See All of Calabria in One Trip

Calabria may look small on a map compared with some other Italian regions, but don't let that fool you. The region stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Ionian Sea and has mountains running through much of its interior.

Driving from one side of Calabria to the other isn't something I'd recommend squeezing into a single afternoon. And if you're planning a road trip, remember that Italian driving times don't always feel like American driving times.

A relatively short distance can take much longer when you're winding through mountain roads, stopping to admire a view, looking for parking, or pulling over because you've just discovered the most amazing little town.

So, give yourself time. Calabria isn't a place I'd recommend rushing through just so you can say you "saw" it.

Gioiosa Ionica, Calabria

3. Not Renting a Car

Now, this one depends on where you're staying and where you plan to visit.

If you're spending your entire trip in a town like Tropea and planning to relax on the beach, you may be perfectly happy without a car.

But if you really want to explore Calabria, renting a car can make a huge difference. There are villages, beaches, viewpoints, restaurants, ruins, and little hidden corners that aren't necessarily easy to reach by public transportation.

Calabria is not Rome. You can't always step outside your hotel, walk to a train station, and hop on a train every 20 minutes. The train system can be useful for getting between larger towns, but it won't take you everywhere you want to go.

If you rent a car, though, make sure you're comfortable with Italian driving, narrow streets, roundabouts, hills, and the occasional road that makes you question whether your rental car really belongs there. I've had plenty of moments where I've thought, Ok... is this really the road I'm supposed to be on?

And then you get to the destination and realize it was completely worth it. I LOVE renting a car when I'm in Calabria. Having the freedom to go wherever I want, when I want, is worth every penny.

My cute little red Fiat rental in Calabria

4. Assuming Everything Is Open All Day

This is a very easy mistake to make if you're coming from the United States. You might be used to grabbing lunch whenever you're hungry or walking into a restaurant at 3:30 p.m. In Calabria (and many smaller towns in Italy), that doesn't always work.

Many businesses and restaurants follow traditional Italian schedules, and you may find that a place closes in the afternoon and opens again later for dinner. Lunch and dinner can also happen later than many Americans are accustomed to.

And don't be surprised if a restaurant doesn't start filling up until 8 or 9 p.m.

My advice? Check opening hours before you go. Although, Google may say it's open, and it might not be. So heads up.

An idyllic outdoor patio in San Nicola Arcella, Calabria

5. Expecting Calabria to Feel Like the Amalfi Coast

This is one of those mistakes that can completely change how you experience a destination. Calabria is not the Amalfi Coast. And this doesn't just apply to Calabria. Each region of Italy is unique, so you just can't compare.

This is exactly why I love Italy so much! And well, Calabria is my favorite region.

You aren't going to find the same concentration of luxury hotels, designer shops, huge crowds, and tourist infrastructure everywhere you go.

Some parts of Calabria feel wonderfully laid-back. Sometimes the town you're visiting may feel almost sleepy during the afternoon. That's not a problem to fix. That's Calabria.

Come expecting a more authentic, slower-paced experience, and you'll probably appreciate it much more.

A gorgeous little restaurant tucked away in the streets of Tropea. And I couldn't eat here... it wasn't open yet.

6. Only Planning for Summer

Summer is obviously a fantastic time to visit Calabria if your main goal is the beach. But don't automatically assume June through August are the only months worth visiting.

Calabria has beautiful spring and fall weather, and traveling outside the peak summer season can give you a completely different experience. I actually never go in August. It's too hot for me and very crowded.

September is one of my favorite times because the summer heat starts to ease up, but you can still have beautiful beach days. And something I especially love about September? The festivals.

Calabrian towns come alive with religious festivals, processions, music, food, and those gorgeous traditional lights called luminarie.

If you happen to be visiting when a local festa is happening, be sure to check it out. Watch what everyone else is doing. Grab something to eat. Listen to the music. Experience it.

Those are often the memories that will last a lifetime. And if you're in Diamante in early September, don't miss the Peperoncino Festival!

Luminarie for the Madonna Festival in Scalea, Calabria

7. Assuming Everyone Speaks English

You'll find English speakers in Calabria, especially in tourist areas and hotels. But I wouldn't count on everyone speaking English. And honestly, you don't need to be fluent in Italian to visit Calabria.

Learn a few basic phrases before you go. Even simple things like:

Buongiorno.

Grazie.

Per favore.

Quanto costa?

Dov'è il bagno?

Buona sera.

Trust me. It goes a long way.

Even when your Italian isn't perfect, making the effort can change the interaction completely. And if you mess it up? Welcome to learning Italian. I've done it plenty of times myself, and so has everyone else who hasn't mastered the language.

I actually prefer places where there aren't many English speakers. So give it a try. And besides, who wouldn't want to learn this GORGEOUS language?!?!

8. Eating Only at Restaurants With English Menus

If you only choose restaurants with giant signs in English and menus translated into five languages, you could be missing some of the best food in Calabria.

Some of my favorite meals in Italy aren't necessarily the ones that look the most impressive from the outside. They're the little family restaurants. The hole-in-the-wall spots. The places where the menu might be handwritten or it changes daily. The restaurants where someone tells you what they recommend instead of handing you a 12-page menu.

Calabrian food is hearty, flavorful, and extremely connected to the region's history.

Think spicy 'nduja, Calabrian peperoncino, fresh seafood, homemade pasta, cured meats, cheeses, eggplant, potatoes, fresh tomatoes, and dishes that have been passed down through the generations. From nonna to granddaughter and so on.

And please don't leave Calabria without trying the local specialties like 'nduja-stuffed ravioli, caciocvallo cheese, fileja pasta, or handmade fusilli Calabresi.

My absolute FAVORITE Calabrian treat is peperoni cruschi (crispy peppers). They are large, dried, sweet peppers that are fried to a crisp. You have to try them!

Food is a huge part of experiencing this region. And Calabrian food is my favorite!

The most incredible crispy Calabrian snack you'll ever try: Peperoni cruschi (crispy peppers)

Handmade fusilli Calabresi from our pasta-making class with Vera Italia

9. Not Understanding How Big Calabria's Food Culture Is

Speaking of food... Don't make the mistake of thinking Italian food is the same everywhere in Italy. One of the things I love about traveling around Italy is how much the food changes from region to region.

Calabria has its own personality. You'll see 'nduja everywhere. You'll find peperoncino in dishes, on tables, in markets, and sometimes hanging in kitchens or off balconies.

You'll find incredible seafood along the coast and traditional mountain dishes farther inland.

And Calabria has some seriously good products, including olive oil, citrus, onions, tomatoes, peppers, wine, and cheeses.

If you're a foodie, give yourself some time to explore the markets and local products instead of eating every meal at a restaurant.

A traditional terracotta scaldanduja to heat the spicy Calabrian sausage, 'nduja.

10. Treating Every Town Like a Tourist Attraction

This might be my biggest piece of advice.

Some towns aren't going to have a perfectly curated tourist itinerary. You might walk through a village and wonder, Ok, what exactly am I supposed to see here?

The answer might be... nothing. Just walk. Have a coffee. Sit in the piazza. Look at the buildings and admire the Italian architecture. Watch the locals. Find a little bakery. Wander. Take the side street. Get a little lost.

Some of the best parts of Italy happen when you don't have a list of 15 attractions you need to photograph. You just go with it.

People-watching in the piazza in Paola, Calabria & admiring the gorgeous architecture

11. Not Exploring Both the Coast and the Mountains

One of the things that makes Calabria so interesting is how dramatically the landscape changes. You can spend the morning swimming in the crystal clear turquoise water of the Mediterranean and later find yourself high in the mountains surrounded by forests and medieval villages.

It's one of the things that makes Calabria feel so different from a typical beach vacation. On the Tyrrhenian side, you have places like Tropea, Pizzo, and the Riviera dei Cedri.

Further south, you have Reggio Calabria overlooking the Strait of Messina. And then there are the mountains and villages scattered throughout the interior.

Then the Ionian side of Calabria has places like Gioiosa Ionica (my ancestor's town) and Soverato.

Don't limit yourself to one type of scenery. Calabria gives you both, and there are countless incredible towns waiting to be visited.

Beautiful mountain view from Santa Domenica Talao

12. Skipping San Nicola Arcella & the Riviera dei Cedri

If you're exploring the northwestern part of Calabria, don't overlook San Nicola Arcella. I may be partial to the Riviera dei Cedri since that's where I purchased my home, but it truly is an unforgettable region.

San Nicola Arcella is just north of Scalea and is known for its dramatic coastline and the famous Arcomagno beach. There are several sea caves (grotte) in the area, with water so blue and clear, it'll take your breath away!

The coastline here is absolutely beautiful, and it's one of those places where you really understand why Calabria's beaches are becoming more popular with travelers.

It's also a great reminder that some of Calabria's most beautiful places aren't necessarily the ones you'll see on every Italian vacation itinerary.

Arcomagno beach in the Riviera dei Cedri

My favorite place in the world: The beach of Scalea in the Riviera dei Cedri

One of the sea caves you can visit in the Riviera dei Cedri

13. Thinking Calabria Is Just Beaches

Calabria's beaches get a lot of attention, and they deserve it. But if you only come here for the beach, you're missing a huge part of the region.

There are castles, churches, archaeological sites, mountain villages, forests, festivals, markets, food traditions, and centuries of history.

You can spend one day lounging beside turquoise water and the next exploring a medieval mountain village. That contrast is one of my favorite things about Calabria.

The pretty mountain village of Santa Domenica Talao

14. Not Leaving Enough Time for "Nothing"

This might sound strange, but you don't need every minute of your Calabria vacation planned. In fact, I think you should intentionally leave some time open. Give yourself an afternoon with nowhere to be.

Sit at a café. Go take a walk on the beach. Have an aperitivo. Meander around town. Watch the sunset. Take a drive with no particular destination.

Some of my favorite memories in Italy have come from the days when I didn't have an itinerary. That is la dolce far niente ~ the sweetness of doing nothing. You can't truly experience Italy without experiencing la dolce far niente!

My favorite kind of dolce far niente ~ sitting at a lido enjoying a cedro spritz while watching the sun set over the Tyrrhenian Sea

15. Comparing Everything to Home

This is probably the easiest mistake for foreigners to make when traveling abroad. Things may work differently in Calabria. Customer service may look different. Store hours may be different. Driving is different. Meal times are different.

People may have a different idea of personal space, noise, schedules, and what constitutes being "on time."

Instead of constantly thinking, Why don't they do it like we do? Try asking: Why do they do it this way?

That's one of the best parts of traveling. You're stepping into someone else's culture for a little while. You don't have to love every difference. But experiencing those differences is part of the adventure.

A Few Places I Wouldn't Skip in Calabria

If you're wondering where to start, there are so many possibilities depending on how much time you have. Along the coast, I'd look at:

• Tropea ~ for the dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, historic center, and famous views.

• Pizzo ~ especially if you want to try the famous tartufo di Pizzo ice cream.

• Scalea ~ a long beach & a great base for exploring the northern Calabria coast and Riviera dei Cedri.

• Diamante ~ known for its murals, old town, coastline, and the Peperoncino Festival.

• San Nicola Arcella ~ for the spectacular coastline and Arcomagno.

• Santa Domenica Talao ~ a beautiful mountain village overlooking the Riviera dei Cedri.

• Reggio Calabria ~ for the extensive seafront, city atmosphere, and views across the Strait of Messina.

• Gerace ~ one of those historic hill towns that feels like stepping into another era.

• Scilla ~ for the beautiful seaside neighborhood of Chianalea and its fishing-town atmosphere.

And don't be afraid to add a few places that aren't on every "Best of Calabria" list. That's part of the fun. Explore Calabria and find your favorite towns. There are too many incredible places to list.

Capo Vaticano ~ There are no words. Just look at it!

The Biggest Calabria Travel Tip of All

If I could give someone just one piece of advice before they visit Calabria, it would be this: Slow down.

Don't try to turn Calabria into a checklist. Don't worry about seeing every town. Don't get frustrated when dinner isn't served at the time you're used to eating.

Don't expect every restaurant to have an English menu. Don't assume the most famous place is automatically the most memorable. And definitely don't spend your entire trip comparing Calabria to Rome, Tuscany, or the Amalfi Coast.

Let Calabria be Calabria. Take the long lunch. Have another espresso. Sit in the piazza. Eat another gelato. Drive up into the mountains. Eat the local food. Talk to people. Go to a festival.

Spend an afternoon at the beach doing absolutely nothing. Take a pasta-making class.

Because I think that's when Calabria really starts to make an imprint on you. And before you know it, you're not just visiting anymore. You're already thinking about when you can come back... and maybe even buying a place there like I did!

Diamante during its annual Peperoncino Festival

The idyllic town of San Nicola Arcella

Piazza Gregorio Caloprese in Scalea

Sunset in Scalea

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