Where to stay in Calabria, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Pollino

How to get your bearings in Calabria before booking

Calabria is long and narrow, and where you sleep depends mostly on which stretch of coast or mountain you choose. I divide it into four areas: the Tyrrhenian riviera to the north, the Pollino and its interior, the side facing the Strait and the Costa degli Dei, and the Ionian stretch.

The sea and the mountains are often close together, so you can combine beach and walks on the same trip. The price is that you almost always need a car, so it is worth thinking about this before choosing where to stop.

Where to stay in Calabria, area by area

The places I have collected are concentrated on the Tyrrhenian coast, with a few on the Pollino, towards the Strait and on the Ionian. They are grouped by proximity, so you can choose the area first and then the place.

Tyrrhenian riviera, from Tortora to Diamante

This is the most convenient stretch for a beach holiday, with towns where everything is within walking distance and small family-run places.

• B&B Le Gorgonie, in Tortora Marina. Close to the seafront and the beach, with roomy, clean rooms and a much-praised breakfast. Parking is free.
• Pian delle Vigne, in Praia a Mare. A hotel with air-conditioned rooms, balconies, panoramic terraces and private parking. Guests praise the view, but some mention dated rooms.
• B&B Domus Pepe, in Scalea. A few steps from the sea, with new, clean rooms and a generous breakfast. According to guests, the sunshade and sun loungers are included in the price.
• L'Orologio Guest Rooms, in Scalea. In the pedestrian centre, with new rooms and breakfast in the room or on the terrace. I would choose it even without a car, because the station and the beach clubs are close.
• Vincent B&B, in Scalea. A guesthouse on the Riviera dei Cedri with new rooms, a garden and private parking. The sea is within walking distance.
• B&B AmoRosita, in Diamante. Rooms with balconies and sea views on the old seafront, ideal for walking to the beach. Do not expect a rich breakfast at the property.
• Leukos Home Relais, in Diamante. A new property on the Via Panoramica, with a garden, a terrace and sea views. Good for anyone who wants calm and has a car, less so for anyone who wants the beach within a few steps.
• L'oasi di Giorgia, in Cittadella del Capo. A bed and breakfast with a garden, parking and a sea-view terrace where breakfast is served. The station and the airport are far away, so plan ahead.
• B&B Villa Mariotta, in Amantea. A small, renovated property close to the beach and the centre, with balcony rooms and a terrace with a sun deck.

Pollino and the interior

Here you sleep in order to walk, eat and enjoy the silence. These places are reached by car, and that is exactly why they stay quiet.

• B&B La Stella, in Civita. A small bed and breakfast in a restored building, with carefully chosen furnishings and views of the mountains. I would choose it for a slow weekend, far from the noise.
• Eco Ostello - Grisolia (Parco del Pollino), in Grisolia. A hostel designed as a base for exploring the park, with a shared kitchen, a communal lounge and a panoramic terrace. It also welcomes guests who travel with a dog.
• B&B Green House, in Morano Calabro. Set in the greenery of the Pollino National Park but close to the motorway exit. Useful for breaking up the journey to Sicily, too.
• Tetto Verde, in Carolei. Spacious apartments with a kitchen, a pool and parking, with the centre of Cosenza nearby. You need a car and a little care on arrival.

Costa degli Dei and the Strait of Messina

This is the most practical stretch for anyone crossing the region or catching a ferry, but there are also good places for the sea.

• Residence San leo, in Briatico. Independent apartments on the Costa degli Dei, with a garden, a barbecue and parking. It works for families and groups with a car, less so for anyone who wants to walk to the beach.
• Donna Nina Bed & Breakfast, in Gioia Tauro. Air-conditioned rooms, a panoramic terrace and a buffet breakfast. Not for anyone who wants spacious rooms.
• Albergo delle Rose, in Bagnara Calabra. A hotel on the seafront overlooking the Strait, with simple, dated rooms, some with a sea-facing balcony. Location and price rather than design.
• Ace Rooms Vsg, in Villa San Giovanni. Close to the station and the ferry docks, with bright rooms and homemade cakes at breakfast. Suited to those passing through on the way to Sicily.

Ionian coast

The Ionian side has fewer places among those I have collected, but it offers a simple base for the sea.

• elegance b&b, in Cariati. A small bed and breakfast not far from the sea, with air-conditioned rooms and Wi-Fi. Breakfast is taken in a partner bar, so confirm your booking carefully.
• Donnastella, in Guardavalle Marina. An agritourism property on the seafront, with a restaurant, a bar, a panoramic terrace and free parking. Read up before you book, because opinions on the service are divided.

What kind of accommodation you will find in Calabria

Small, family-run bed and breakfasts dominate in Calabria, and breakfast is often the highlight. Alongside them there are a few hotels, a residence with apartments, a hostel and an agritourism property by the sea.

Hotels are mostly where people pass through, such as the Strait, or along the seafront. If you want independence, apartments with a kitchen are a good choice, while for the Pollino trails the hostel is the cheapest and most informal option.

Which place to choose for your trip

The best choice depends on how you travel and what you are looking for. This table gives a quick idea, and you will find the details in the area sections above.

When to go to Calabria and how to get around

For the sea, the warm season is the obvious choice, but if you want to walk in the Pollino or avoid the crowds, you will do better in the shoulder months. In summer the coastal towns fill up, so book with some notice.

The region is mainly explored by car, because the distances between coast and interior are long and public transport does not cover everything. The exception is towns with a station nearby, such as Scalea, where you can stay even without a car. If you arrive by plane or train, always check how to reach your accommodation, because some are a long way from the station and the airport.