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It’s the Italian region British tourists forgot… but the ‘toe’ of Italy’s ‘boot’ is a crowd-free gem hiding in plain sight, with beautiful towns and wine for just £2.50 a bottle
Calabria, the region at the toe of Italy’s boot, is being presented as a quieter alternative to better-known destinations such as Sicily and Puglia. Its dramatic coastline, historic towns and relaxed atmosphere offer a chance to experience southern Italy without the crowds.
The article describes views of Stromboli from a resort terrace and highlights the region’s 500 miles of coastline and layered Greek, Roman and other histories. It says 22,600 British visitors went to Calabria in 2025, despite Italy receiving 185 million international arrivals the previous year; year-round Ryanair flights connect London Stansted with Lamezia Terme.
In short
- Calabria offers a quieter Italian coastal escape.
- The region welcomed 22,600 British visitors in 2025.
- Lamezia Terme has year-round flights from London Stansted.
Explained simply
Calabria is a region in southern Italy, stretching along the foot of the country’s mainland between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. It faces Sicily across the Strait of Messina and has a long coastline, with towns shaped by Greek, Roman and later periods of history.
Tourism in southern Italy is often associated with places such as Sicily and Puglia. Calabria is less familiar to many British visitors, though flights connect London Stansted with Lamezia Terme, one of the region’s main airports.
The region’s coastal scenery, historic towns and food and wine are part of its appeal to visitors. Its smaller visitor numbers help explain why it is often described as a quieter option, while tourism remains important to local communities and businesses.
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