Italy
Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria, perched at the very tip of Italy’s boot, is a city rich in history and Mediterranean charm. It’s your gateway by ferry to Sicily, with a scenic crossing to Messina. But this city isn't just about transport—it's famous for the Riace Bronzes, stunning Greek sculptures from its ancient Magna Graecia days, displayed proudly at the National Archaeological Museum. Whether you’re marveling at the bronzes or soaking up the lively coastal atmosphere, Reggio Calabria offers a genuine taste of Italy’s deep-rooted history and culture.
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Things to do
## Things to do in Reggio Calabria Reggio Calabria is best experienced through its combination of Magna Graecia history, Strait of Messina views and lively southern-Italian city life. Start at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (MArRC), where the celebrated Riace Bronzes are displayed alongside other Greek and underwater-archaeology finds. The museum occupies Palazzo Piacentini, in the urban heart of the city, and its terrace looks across the Strait. Reggio is famous above all for these remarkably preserved ancient bronze statues, discovered at Riace Marina in 1972, but the city’s archaeological story also includes the Greek Walls, Roman Baths and the underground remains of Piazza Italia. For what to do in Reggio Calabria city centre, explore the pedestrian-friendly Corso Garibaldi and the surrounding squares, including Piazza Duomo and Piazza Italia. Combine the cathedral with the Aragonese Castle, the Civic Art Gallery and Villa Comunale Umberto I, then continue towards the Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea for music, theatre and other cultural performances. The seafront Lungomare Falcomatà is the city’s signature promenade: walk beneath the palms, pause at the Arena dello Stretto and look towards Sicily, particularly in the soft evening light. A visit can also include a swim or relaxed seaside time at Lido Comunale, while local cafés and gelaterias are a natural part of an unhurried waterfront day. For a weekend in Reggio Calabria, pair the museum and historic centre with a long Lungomare walk, a meal centred on Calabrian specialities and an evening performance or concert. Check the city’s official events calendar for culture, music and theatre, festivals, fairs, food-and-wine events and sport, as the promenade and public squares regularly become venues for entertainment. If you have extra time, use Reggio as a base for the surrounding coast and Aspromonte, or take the ferry across the Strait for a contrasting view of the city and Sicily; check the sailing and return arrangements before setting out. Reggio’s distinctive local flavours are another reason to linger, especially bergamot-based products and traditional Calabrian cuisine.
Things to do
## Things to do in Reggio Calabria Reggio Calabria is best experienced through its combination of Magna Graecia history, Strait of Messina views and lively southern-Italian city life. Start at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (MArRC), where the celebrated Riace Bronzes are displayed alongside other Greek and underwater-archaeology finds. The museum occupies Palazzo Piacentini, in the urban heart of the city, and its terrace looks across the Strait. Reggio is famous above all for these remarkably preserved ancient bronze statues, discovered at Riace Marina in 1972, but the city’s archaeological story also includes the Greek Walls, Roman Baths and the underground remains of Piazza Italia. For what to do in Reggio Calabria city centre, explore the pedestrian-friendly Corso Garibaldi and the surrounding squares, including Piazza Duomo and Piazza Italia. Combine the cathedral with the Aragonese Castle, the Civic Art Gallery and Villa Comunale Umberto I, then continue towards the Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea for music, theatre and other cultural performances. The seafront Lungomare Falcomatà is the city’s signature promenade: walk beneath the palms, pause at the Arena dello Stretto and look towards Sicily, particularly in the soft evening light. A visit can also include a swim or relaxed seaside time at Lido Comunale, while local cafés and gelaterias are a natural part of an unhurried waterfront day. For a weekend in Reggio Calabria, pair the museum and historic centre with a long Lungomare walk, a meal centred on Calabrian specialities and an evening performance or concert. Check the city’s official events calendar for culture, music and theatre, festivals, fairs, food-and-wine events and sport, as the promenade and public squares regularly become venues for entertainment. If you have extra time, use Reggio as a base for the surrounding coast and Aspromonte, or take the ferry across the Strait for a contrasting view of the city and Sicily; check the sailing and return arrangements before setting out. Reggio’s distinctive local flavours are another reason to linger, especially bergamot-based products and traditional Calabrian cuisine.
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Nestled at the foot of Mount Etna on Sicily’s eastern coast, Catania is a vibrant city with a population of around 310,000 as of 2019. As the island’s second-largest city, it boasts a bustling metropolitan area that exceeds one million residents, serving as a key transportation hub, an economic center, and a lively university town. Catania’s streets come alive with a dynamic nightlife and a downtown marked by striking baroque architecture, much of which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—part of the broader Val di Noto region. This architectural splendor is a testament to the city’s resilience, rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1693 that necessitated a comprehensive reconstruction of its historic core.
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Nestled on Sicily’s southeastern coast, Syracuse—known as Siracusa in Italian and Sarausa or Seragusa in Sicilian—is a city bursting with history and culture. With a population of around 122,000 in 2017, this ancient metropolis once rivaled Athens in power and grandeur during the classical era. It was the birthplace of the legendary mathematician Archimedes, who famously defended the city during the Roman siege of 212 BC. Over the centuries, Syracuse served as a Byzantine capital under Emperor Constans II and later as a Norman stronghold within the Kingdom of Sicily. Its historic center, Ortygia, showcases striking Baroque architecture following reconstruction after the 1693 earthquake. Today, Syracuse is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected alongside the nearby Necropolis of Pantalica, and serves as an excellent base for exploring Sicily’s archaeological treasures, vibrant Baroque towns like Noto and Ragusa, and lively cities such as Catania.