Eco Hotel a Reggio Calabria
Perché Soggiornare a Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria is the largest city in Calabria and sits at the very toe of the Italian boot, facing the blue expanse of the Strait of Messina. From its legendary seafront promenade — the Lungomare Falcomatà, called by Gabriele D'Annunzio "the most beautiful kilometre in Italy" — you can look directly across at the Sicilian coast and, on exceptionally clear days, see Mount Etna rising in the distance. The city is one of Italy's oldest settlements, founded as the Greek colony of Rhegion around 720 BC. That ancient heritage lives on in the magnificent Riace Bronzes, two full-scale Greek bronze warrior statues from the 5th century BC, discovered by a diver off the Calabrian coast in 1972 and now housed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia.
Choosing an eco hotel in Reggio Calabria means you can explore this extraordinary city while keeping your carbon footprint low. IMPT partners with hotels across the city and surrounding area — from beachfront B&Bs along the Costa Viola to boutique stays in the historic centre — and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere. You get 5% cashback, €5 di credito gratuito to start, and prices matching Booking.com. It's travel that gives back.
The city is compact and walkable. The National Museum, Castello Aragonese, and Piazza Italia are all within a short stroll of each other, and the Lungomare stretches for nearly two kilometres along the waterfront, lined with grand Liberty-style buildings and public gardens. Beyond the city, the Aspromonte National Park rises behind Reggio, offering hiking trails, mountain villages, and the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Polsi. And the ferry to Messina takes just 20 minutes, making Sicily an easy day trip.
Reggio Calabria at a Glance
Come Sfruttare al Meglio Your Visit
Ferry to Sicily — The Bluvia and Caronte & Tourist ferries depart from Reggio Calabria's port for Messina every 30-60 minutes. The crossing takes 20 minutes and costs around €3 for foot passengers. Once in Messina you can catch trains south to Catania and Syracuse, or west to Palermo.
Train connections — Reggio Calabria Centrale is a major stop on the Tyrrhenian rail line linking Rome and Naples with the south. Frecciarossa high-speed trains connect Reggio to Rome in about 4.5 hours. Local trains run along the coast to Scilla, Tropea, and as far as Sapri.
Exploring the Aspromonte — The Parco Nazionale dell'Aspromonte begins just behind the city. Drive 30 minutes uphill and you're in a completely different world of chestnut forests, waterfalls, and stone villages. The park is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark with over 1,500 plant species and hiking trails through the Serre Mountains. It's the only national park in Italy bordered by two seas: the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian.
Car hire is recommended if you want to explore the wider Calabrian coast and Aspromonte. Many eco hotels offer parking or are near public transport hubs.
Dove Alloggiare in Reggio Calabria
City Centre (Centro Storico)
Around Piazza Italia and Corso Garibaldi — walking distance to the National Museum, Duomo, and Lungomare. Plenty of restaurants and shops. Best for first-time visitors and culture lovers.
Lungomare / Seafront
The Lungomare Falcomatà stretch is the most desirable area. Hotels here have direct sea views of Sicily. Perfect for romantic stays and sunset walks. Slightly pricier but worth it for the panorama.
Santa Caterina
A residential area just inland from the Lungomare, quieter and more affordable. Good access to both the city centre and the Aspromonte foothills. Local markets and family-run trattorias.
Oltre Stretto / Gallico
North of the city centre, Gallico and Catona offer more relaxed coastal living with pebble beaches and seaside promenades. Ideal for families looking for space and easy access to Scilla and the Costa Viola.
Handpicked Eco Hotel a Reggio Calabria
Cosa Fare a Reggio Calabria
Reggio Calabria packs more history and natural beauty than most visitors expect. Here are the top attractions you won't want to miss.
Recommended Sentieri
The Lungomare Walk — Start at the Arena dello Stretto (an open-air theatre at the southern end) and walk north along the Lungomare Falcomatà past the Grand Hotel, Villa Zerbi, and the gardens. The full walk is about 3 km one way. Stop for a gelato at one of the waterfront cafes. Allow 1-2 hours.
Centre to Castle Loop — Start at Piazza Italia, walk up Corso Garibaldi to the National Museum, continue uphill past the Duomo, and reach the Castello Aragonese. Walk downhill through the old streets back to the seafront. Chi Siamo 2 km, 1 hour.
Gambarie Trail (Aspromonte) — Drive 30 minutes from central Reggio to Gambarie d'Aspromonte (1,300m elevation). The Sentiero Italia trail crosses the upper Aspromonte through beech forests and past the spectacular Cascata delle Barriere waterfall. Allow 3-4 hours for a moderate hike. Bring layers — it's significantly cooler up here.
Nearby Cities
Domande Frequenti
▶What is Reggio Calabria famous for?
Reggio Calabria is world-famous for the Riace Bronzes — two ancient Greek bronze warrior statues from the 5th century BC, discovered in the Ionian Sea in 1972. They are displayed at the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia. The city's Lungomare Falcomatà promenade is also legendary, described by poet Gabriele D'Annunzio as "the most beautiful kilometre in Italy."
▶How do I get to Reggio Calabria?
Reggio Calabria Airport (Tito Minniti) serves domestic flights from Rome, Milan, and other Italian cities. The city's central train station connects to Rome (4.5 hours by Frecciarossa), Naples, and all major Calabrian towns. Ferries run every 30 minutes from Messina in Sicily, taking just 20 minutes to cross the Strait.
▶What is the best time to visit Reggio Calabria?
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) offer the most pleasant conditions for sightseeing, with temperatures between 20-28°C and fewer tourists. July and August are peak season — hot, lively, and perfect for beach days. Winters are mild (10-15°C) and quiet, ideal for museum visits and tasting local cuisine.
▶Where can I see the Riace Bronzes?
The Riace Bronzes (Bronzi di Riace) are housed in the Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia (National Museum of Magna Graecia) on Piazza Giuseppe De Nava, in central Reggio Calabria. The museum is a 5-minute walk from the Lungomare and the main train station.
▶Can you see Sicily from Reggio Calabria?
Absolutely. Reggio Calabria sits right on the Strait of Messina, at its narrowest point only 3.2 km from the Sicilian coast. On clear days you can see the city of Messina clearly across the water, and Mount Etna's snow-capped peak is visible on the horizon from the Lungomare and higher vantage points.