What to see and do in Calabria in April

It has been a long winter and now you are longing for warmth and sunny days. In Calabria, April is the month when spring bursts into life. It is the ideal time to awaken your senses with fragrances and food, enjoy mountain excursions and walks by the sea in pleasant weather.

Let's find out together what to see and do in Calabria in April.

April brings with it the long echo of Easter, its rituals, traditions and flavours. There is the opportunity to attend events with an archaic flavour, such as that of the Vattienti in Nocera Terinese and Verbicaro, where participants beat themselves until they are injured as a sign of devotion. On Easter Sunday, the ritual of the Affruntata is renewed in various towns in Calabria, staging the meeting between the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary. One of the most evocative is in Vibo Valentia.

Faith, community and tradition come together in the kitchen, allowing you to 'get to know' Calabria through the aroma and flavour of cuzzupa (also known as cuddura, sguta or cuculo), a sweet bread with a typical intertwined pattern and hard-boiled eggs embedded in the surface. Bakeries and pastry shops bake them in different sizes and with variations on the typical recipe. When visiting the oldest towns and villages, this is the right time to enjoy the strong flavours of Calabrian cuisine: kid or lamb and potatoes cooked in the oven, sausage and turnips or the typical Easter omelette filled with eggs, cold cuts, cheese or wild asparagus.

The pleasant temperatures in April invite you to finally get outside, breathe clean air and have fun. So all you have to do is choose your destination for an adrenaline-filled experience in an adventure park. Ready to put on your helmet and harness? Let's go. There are several parks in all provinces, many of which are located within National Parks. This is a unique opportunity to discover places surrounded by enchanting nature and then test yourself on fun trails for the whole family, featuring platforms and zip lines at different heights. Looking for something original? In San Giovanni in Fiore, in the Sila National Park, there is a zip line over Lake Arvo, where you can fly over the lake suspended on a long cable, an unforgettable experience for those who love nature and adventure.

April is the ideal month to enjoy a day by the sea. Perhaps in a medieval village, among narrow, winding alleys, noble palaces, ruins of ancient castles and terraces offering spectacular views. Our suggestion takes you along the lower Tyrrhenian coast of Cosenza, where there are three historic centres shrouded in a timeless atmosphere that are well worth visiting. At this time of year, the summer crowds are still far away and you can easily find a table in one of the many outdoor cafés offering local specialities or aperitifs. Coming from the north, you will find them in succession: Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Longobardi and Belmonte Calabro. The common feature is that they have a more recent settlement by the sea and the old part perched on the hill, which can be reached after a series of hairpin bends surrounded by greenery.

Fiumefreddo Bruzio is located on a rocky promontory. The village is characterised by narrow alleys, panoramic squares, ancient buildings and scattered traces of the passage of the Normans and Aragonese. The most evocative spot, especially at sunset, is the Castello della Valle, built in 1200. A natural balcony overlooking the sea offers an unforgettable view. The historic centre of Belmonte Calabro has a medieval defensive layout and preserves its ancient walls. You can stroll through the narrow streets admiring arches, hanging gardens, small squares and stairways. In addition to its historical charm, this village is known for the cultivation of a large and tasty tomato awarded the De.Co. (Municipal Designation of Origin) mark. Suspended between the sea and history is Longobardi, a treasure trove of art and history. Churches, noble palaces, picturesque views and spectacular views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. A village where daily life is marked by a slow pace, but with the arrival of summer, it transforms and welcomes tourists and emigrants who return to their homeland. Pizzerias and characteristic restaurants enliven the small squares and panoramic open spaces.