What to see and do in Calabria in March

The days are getting longer, and there is a desire to be outdoors and enjoy spring. If you have chosen to visit Calabria in March, you can look forward to a time of year when you can walk on the beach and breathe in the scent of the sea, take advantage of the mild temperatures to go trekking in the mountains, visit authentic villages, and participate in events and festivals to learn about local traditions and food, and wine. 

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

Spring blesses this stretch of Reggio Calabria coastline, which writer Leonida Repaci called “Little Paradise”. It is the undiscovered and authentic Calabria, waiting to be explored: 35 kilometers from Villa San Giovanni (famous for its ferries to Sicily) to Palmi, passing through Scilla and Bagnara Calabra, with spectacular views of the sea embraced by the Aspromonte mountains. The tip of the boot is a stunning coastline, with its clear waters, fine sandy beaches, evidence of ancient history, and renewed rituals and traditions. There are no summer crowds, so you can enjoy these places as if they were all yours. 

Stop off at Palmi with its golden beaches of Tonnara and the picturesque Olive Tree Rock. From above, you can admire enchanting coves and the transparency of the water that reveals the seabed. For lovers of nature excursions, there is the Tracciolino, a path suspended between land and sea, connecting Palmi to Bagnara and winding up to an altitude of three hundred meters in the Mediterranean scrub, offering incredible views. Don't miss the 16th-century Saracen tower and the Tauriani Archaeological Park in Taureana, with its 4th-century early Christian crypt and the small Church of San Fantino, the first saint of Calabria. 

We arrive in Bagnara Calabra, famous for its beach but also known for its artisan nougat, still produced according to ancient recipes. And here we are in Scilla and Chianalea, iconic villages rich in history and legends. You will never forget the magic of Chianalea, a fishing district with houses right on the water's edge, the emerald green sea, and boats ‘parked’ in front of the entrance doors. It has been nicknamed “The Little Venice of the South” for its narrow streets and houses that seem to float. To make this experience unique, we recommend stopping at one of the restaurants with tables on platforms overlooking the sea. You can't leave without first trying its famous swordfish, even in the street food version, inside a sandwich. 

Winter is already behind us, spring is advancing rapidly, and awakening nature in the Sila mountains. It is a wonderful time to discover the Catanzaro side of the National Park. You can explore Lake Ampollino, around whose shores mountain tourist villages such as Villaggio Palumbo (an important ski resort) and Villaggio Mancuso (with its typical Tyrolean-style houses) have developed. The lake is surrounded by coniferous forests and is an ideal place for walks along scenic trails, cycling along the cycle path (the Parks Cycle Route passes through here) or taking a boat trip. Don't miss a visit to MABOS, the Sila Forest Art Museum.

The spring weather will encourage you to discover new cities ready to amaze you. That's the case of Cosenza, the city of the Bruzi, with its extensive pedestrian street along which the MAB, Bilotti Open-Air Museum, winds. Strolling among the many clothing, footwear, and accessory shops, you can admire the works of this open-air art gallery. From the sculptures by French artist Sasha Sosno - Le tre colonne doriche (The Three Doric Columns), I bronzi di Riace (The Riace Bronzes) and Il sette di cuori (The Seven of Hearts) - to those by Giorgio De Chirico - Il Grande Metafisico (The Great Metaphysician), Gli Archeologi (The Archaeologists), Ettore e Andromaca (Hector and Andromache), Il Grande Cardinale (The Great Cardinal) and La testa di Medusa (The Head of Medusa) by Giacomo Manzù by Giacomo Manzù, and the beautiful bronze group San Giorgio e il drago (St. George and the Dragon) by Salvador Dalí. Two works by Calabrian artist Mimmo Rotella are also on exhibit: the bronze sculpture Rinascita della Cultura (Rebirth of Culture) and Lupo della Sila (Wolf of Sila) in green travertine. La Grande Bagnante (The Great Bather) by Emilio Greco from Catania, the marble works by Pietro Consagra - Il Ferro Rosso (The Red Iron), I quattro paracarri (The Four Kerbstones), and La Bifrontale (The Two-Faced) - and the recent Testa di Cariatide (Head of Caryatid) by Modigliani. 

If art and shopping have made you feel a little hungry, all you have to do is pop into one of the many artisan pastry shops you will find on the main street to taste the typical zeppola di San Giuseppe, prepared for March 19. This date also marks the start of the historic and traditional fair that brings hundreds of stands to the city, offering dishes, ceramics, plants, trinkets, and a rich section dedicated to street food.