Nicotera - Tropea   -  Pizzo  -   Mileto  -  Serra San Bruno  -   Gerace  -   Stilo  -   Aspromonte Bagnara -  Scilla -   Reggio Calabria  -   Pentedattilo 

1. From Nicotera  northwards along the coast  

Nicotera

The old town of Nicotera is situated on a panoramic position dominating the plain and with the Eolian Island and the Etna just in front of it. The town was the “emporion” (port) of the Magna Graecia colony of Medma. Abandoned by its inhabitants in the ninth century AD owing to the Saracen incursions, it was later rebuilt by Roberto il Guiscardo, who fortified it.  The town was then invaded and distructed again by the Angevins, the Barbarians and the Turks.

The historic centre is especially charming and culminated in the Castle of the Ruffo family where the archaelogical museum is housed at present. To visit in Nicotera: the Cathedral that contains a beautiful renaissance wooden crucifix and the bishop’s palace where a museum of sacred art has been created.

Tropea

Tropea has very ancient origins and it has one of the prettiest and best-preserved historic centres in the region. The fascinating church of Santa Maria dell'Isola, that stands on a small finger of land projecting into the sea, represent  the precious historic patrimony of Tropea.

Pizzo

This ancient and picturesque fishing village set on a steep slope on the sea was the feud of noble families as the Sanseverino and the Ruffo. It was the theatre of the capture and the shooting of Gioacchino Murat.  Now, take a little pause and  taste the delicious Tartufo ice cream of Pizzo. 

2. from Nicotera towards Monte Poro and the Serre Highland

Mileto

Important military , cultural and religious centre during the Norman. Its important Museum offers many important remains from the  Roman and the Norman age as the sarcophagus of Eremburga (1089).

 Serra San Bruno

The lovely mountain village of  Serra San  was founded at the end of the eleventh century around the Priory founded by Bruno of Cologne. The Carthusian monastery is the main destination for visitors, it stands in a wood full of mystical beauty on the edge of the town.    

3. From Nicotera towards the Ionian Coast, coming back through Aspromonte.

Gerace
Gerace is one of the world's most impressive medieval towns still inhabited today, and it is certainly the jewel of Calabria.  Its Cathedral ( 10^th century) is the largest church in the region. The town stands on a flat, cone-shaped hill of tufa which the local potters excavated to build their workshops

Stilo

The Cattolica of Stilo is one of the most famous and best preserved Bizantine churches in the region. The external structure is decorated with the ingenious layering of differently hued bricks. Inside you can see the remains of precious Byzantine frescoes.

Aspromonte

The beautiful and impenetrable forests of Aspromonte with its lush vegetation   are part of the  Calabrian National Park. Below the mountains are the plains dotted with citrus orchands and centuris-old olive groves. 

4. From Nicotera-Rosarno  southwards

Bagnara Calabra

Bagnara Calabra rises on a wide, crescent-shaped bay on the enchanting Costa Viola, on the extreme slopes of the Aspromonte The old medieval town is charming with houses clinging to the rockand  fine noblemen's houses and typical arches.  Bagnara  is an active fishing centre, famous for its swordfish.

Scilla

The coastal resort of Scilla  on the  Costa Viola, together  with the delightful neighbourhood of Chianalea, is the  most picturesque fishing village of Calabria.  Here you can see the  enormous and characteristic boats used to catch swordfish. To visit in Scilla:  the Ruffo castle and the church of Spirito Santo and its masterpieces.

Reggio Calabria

 Founded in the VIII century BC, Reggio became an important colony of the Magna Graecia. Along the promenade, defined by Gabriele D’Annunzio as “the most beautiful kilometre in Italy”, it is still possible to admire the remains of the ancient Roman baths, the Greek walls  together with  many different varieties of trees which are of great naturalistic interest. Reggio is now known all over the world for its Magna Graecia Museum which contains the two famous Riace Bronzes, recovered 300m from the coast of Riace in 1972 and the Philosopher’s Head.

Pentidattilo
This little picturesque  village  abandoned since 1950   seems to be a hand with its five fingers  opened towards the sky. In 1680 almost all the members of the family of Alberti, Marquis of Pentidattilo, were massacred in the castle for the sake of a woman's love. There are the castle ruins and many old houses and narrow lanes, full of fascinating views.

Eolian Islands
The archipelago of the Eolian Islands is situated just in front of the Costa Verde. It belongs to the province of Messina (Sicily) and is made up of seven small fascinating volcanic islands: Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli and Vulcano. The Eolian Island can be reached easily in 2 hours  from Nicotera  by boat.