What to see and do in Calabria in February

Are you wondering what to do in Calabria in February? The end of winter still has many events and activities in store throughout the region, which you can discover with Sunday trips out of town, guided tours of historic centres and experiences in nature.

The top event in Calabria in February is Carnival, which fills the region's towns and villages with joy and colour. There is no shortage of festivals and tastings, guided tours and excursions in the mountains, with or without snow!

Follow our travel tips and discover what to do and see in Calabria in February.

In February, Calabria is filled with the colours of floats: between historic carnivals, parades and traditional masks, February is a month of joy for young and old alike. Among the oldest and most important Calabrian carnivals, the one not to be missed is the Castrovillari Carnival, in the capital of the Pollino National Park, in the province of Cosenza. The historic Carnival of Castrovillari began in 1959 as an International Folklore Festival, becoming the most eagerly awaited folkloric event in Calabria in February. Remaining in the Pollino area, another historic Carnival is that of Alessandria del Carretto, where the "Beautiful and Ugly Pulcinellas" offer a unique glimpse into the most ancient pagan rituals.

Calabria in February offers the opportunity to discover the traditional Calabrian mask: Giangurgolo. Born from the Commedia dell'Arte with very specific characteristics (talkative, greedy and always hungry), Giangurgolo is the Catanzaro mask par excellence: it reproduces a character who really existed in the 16th century, known as "Greedy Gianni" (hence Giangurgolo), and for this reason it can be admired in the Carnival parades in Catanzaro.

The Carnival is closely linked to traditional festive sweets and a range of other products that can be sampled in Calabria in February. Among the traditional sweets that are a must-try are Calabrian pignolata (also known locally as turdìlli); the ever-present chiacchiere and castagnole; graviuòli and the ancient chjina (shortbread filled with dried fruit). In general, the typical sweets of this period are those made with honey and cooked wine, two ingredients that warm up the winter.

In Calabria in February, you can enjoy the last of the homemade preserves, from pickles to jams made from branded products and Slow Food Presidia, which are easy to find in the region's main agritourism establishments, in the restaurants of authentic villages and on educational farms that offer workshops and tastings for the whole family. The best way to warm up in Calabria in February? Treat yourself to a glass of bitter or liqueur made with typical herbs, the most aromatic and flavourful expression of the region's biodiversity.

We conclude with two different proposals, which cater both to those who choose to visit the historic centres of Calabrian cities in February and to lovers of nature and snow. The former can spend a weekend dedicated to art and culture, visiting the main museums in Calabria, from the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria to the National Gallery of Palazzo Arnone in Cosenza, not to mention a tour of the museums and libraries of Lamezia Terme and a guided tour of the region's largest theatres.

Nature lovers and those who enjoy outdoor activities even in winter are spoilt for choice! In Calabria in February, you can ski (snow permitting) from the Sila National Park to the Aspromonte National Park, in ski areas equipped for both experts and amateurs. Don't miss the classic snowshoeing excursions, suitable for everyone, particularly in the Sila mountains in the province of Crotone, around Lake Ampollino, and the themed trails in the Serre Regional Park in the province of Vibo Valentia.