The toe of the boot is the least-travelled coastal region of southern Italy. Anyone who can't find a spot elsewhere in August finds one here — and pays less for it.
Direct flight from Bolzano to Lamezia Terme (1h 45min) + hotel + 30-minute transfer. Calabria is the toe of the boot and less travelled than Sicily or Apulia — with Tropea as its best-known town.
- Direct flight from Bolzano
- Best price guarantee
- EU-protected package holiday
- Just 30 minutes' transfer on arrival
What defines Calabria as a beach destination?
Calabria is less crowded and cheaper than Sicily or Apulia, with Tropea and Capo Vaticano on the Tyrrhenian coast.
Calabria forms the tip of the Italian boot and is far less shaped by mass tourism than the better-known regions. Lamezia Terme Airport sits at the narrowest point, so both coasts are reachable in under an hour. That opens up a broader radius than most Italian beach airports.
The Tyrrhenian west coast is the more beautiful. Tropea lies around 45 minutes south, with an old town on a cliff above the sea and a pale sandy beach below. To the south lies Capo Vaticano with bays and clear water.
Inland the terrain rises to the Sila, a wooded high plateau with lakes, considerably cooler in summer than the coast — a sensible alternative on the hottest days. The Ionian east coast is quieter and less developed.
Which coast suits me?
Calabria splits into three areas. The west coast with Tropea is the best-known and most beautiful; the east coast is quieter and simpler. Between them lies the Sila as a cool alternative when it gets too hot below.
Tyrrhenian coast
Old town on the cliff, Santa Maria dell'Isola
Sila
Significantly cooler than the coast, even in high summer
Which flights are available from Bolzano to Calabria?
SkyAlps flies direct from Bolzano to Lamezia Terme (summer only) — flight time 1h 45min. All prices are per person and include return flights plus nights at the booked hotel.
When is the best time to visit Calabria?
Calabria lies far to the south and gets correspondingly hot. The season runs from May to October. May and June are pleasant, with a sea that becomes swimmable from June. July and August regularly reach over 35°C; afternoons at the coast are then best enjoyed in the water or under an umbrella. September is our favourite: warm sea, mild days, noticeably fewer visitors. October remains mild but the first hotels start to close. From November to April SkyAlps does not fly the route.
Frequently asked questions
Tropea stands on a sandstone cliff directly above the sea, with a pale beach below.
Offshore rises another rock topped by the church of Santa Maria dell'Isola, reachable by a stairway — that image is what made the town famous. From the old town, viewpoints look down onto the beach; in the evening the alleys fill with locals and travellers. Small artisan workshops, ice cream parlours and restaurants line the narrow streets. For a first stay of two to three days in Tropea, plan around this small centre.
Ready for your Calabria beach holiday?
Direct flight from Bolzano to Calabria, a hotel in Calabria and the transfer – all in one booking. Book online now, securely, flexibly and at the best price.