Holidays in September in Calabria: where to go

When the sun is no longer scorching, the climate is mild and the summer chaos is behind us, the Calabrian coastline is an incredible discovery. Facing the crystal-clear sea, you will feel like you have the beach all to yourself.

It is the ideal time to visit Tropea, "the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea", and then enjoy the coastline: Capo Vaticano, Ricadi, Parghelia, Zambrone, Pizzo. Coves, bays, cliffs, breathtaking beauty. It is not for nothing that they call it the Costa degli Dei, and in September you can fully enjoy its landscapes and then take the opportunity to visit the villages that have returned to their quiet daily life after the invasion of tourists.

Tropea will welcome you with its refined beauty, among narrow streets, small squares and panoramic views. It will be pleasant to stroll through the village, visit the churches and try the recipes of the renowned local cuisine, strictly prepared with the main ingredient of the table in these latitudes: the Red Onion, which boasts the IGP mark.

The air is already cool but pleasant, and the mountains are the ideal place for a September holiday. Calabria offers high-altitude lovers unmissable destinations where they can enjoy breathtaking views surrounded by unspoilt nature.

In the Sila National Park area, the colours are beginning to change, but the atmosphere is perfect for sports and wellness. Hiking, walking, mountain biking, river trekking and other outdoor activities.

Need to relax? Opt for a boat trip on Lake Arvo in Lorica or a sightseeing tour through the woods aboard a historic steam train departing from Moccone or Camigliatello Silano.

If September were a scent, it would be that of grapes. It is harvest time and the perfect opportunity to plan a tour of the vineyards to discover the native grape varieties. It is also a chance to visit areas surrounded by greenery, villages where time seems to have stood still and which, at this time of year, are always bustling with festivals and village fairs.

In the municipality of Melissa, in the province of Crotone, you can taste wines directly in the cellars. We are in the land of Melissa DOP and Cirò DOP, two excellences of Calabrian viticulture.

Did you know that Calabria has museums and parks that house works of art you won't find anywhere else? September is the perfect month to visit them.

In the municipality of Mammola – famous for its delicious stockfish – and more precisely in the Torbido Valley, there is the MuSaBa (Santa Barbara Museum), an open-air contemporary art museum with monumental and colourful works created by the genius of the late Nik Spatari and his wife Hiske Maas. Prepare to be amazed by frescoes such as Jacob's Dream, which is 14 metres high.