Travelling solo to Calabria, Italy had been on my mind for a while.
My family and I have travelled extensively around northern Italy over the past few years covering Milan, Verona, Turin, Lake Garda, Venice, Tuscany, Rome to name a few, but we had never ventured further south than Rome.
As the travel planner in our family, I’m normally the one booking the flights, planning train routes and navigating us around once we arrive, so how hard could it be to do solo.
A backpack, a return flight, and two beautiful towns in southern Italy that had been sitting on my “one day” list for months Scilla and Tropea.
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If you're searching for cheap places to visit in Italy, Calabria should absolutely be on your radar.
While destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como and Cinque Terre dominate travel lists, they also tend to be some of the most expensive regions in the country.
Calabria is located in the far south of Italy and offers many of the same things travellers love about those destinations:
But at a fraction of the price.
Flights can regularly be found for under £50 return, accommodation can start from £25–£50 per night, and local trains between towns like Scilla and Tropea cost just a few euros.
In fact, my entire 4 day Calabria trip cost just £310 in total, including flights, accommodation and transport.
If travelling as a couple and splitting accommodation, the same trip would have cost around £180 per person.
For Italy, that’s incredibly good value.
Because I had travelled in Italy several times before, it felt like the perfect place to take the leap and try travelling solo.
I already understood how the trains worked, how the stations are laid out and how easy it is to get around without a car.
But that didn’t mean I wasn’t nervous. My biggest worry was that I might get bored travelling alone. As it turned out, that couldn’t have been further from the truth.
By the end of the trip I was already planning another solo adventure, which later took me from Calabria to Sicily.
You can read that itinerary here Sicily on a Budget - 4 Day Itinerary
Before diving into the itinerary, here’s the full headline cost breakdown.
Total trip cost: £310
This included:
For a solo trip that felt incredibly budget-friendly.
If travelling as a couple, the cost would have dropped significantly because accommodation was the main expense.
In fact, this same itinerary would work out at roughly £180 per person for two people.
When researching Calabria travel, two towns kept appearing over and over again.
A small fishing village famous for its colourful houses, narrow streets and views of Castello Ruffo di Scilla.
Often described as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, known for its dramatic cliff-top views and white sand beaches.
Both looked incredible.
And because they’re only just over an hour apart by train, I decided to split the trip between the two.
At first glance, they reminded me of places like Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast, but without the crowds and eye-watering prices.
I found my flights purely by chance while searching Skyscanner.
Return flights came in at £28.
Because I was travelling solo, I only needed a small backpack and didn’t pay for seat selection or luggage.
This meant the base fare stayed exactly as advertised.
At the time, Ryanair had launched a route from Manchester to Reggio Calabria, located right at the tip of Italy’s “boot”.
While routes change frequently, you can often still find cheap flights to:
Both give easy access to the Calabria coast.
Search current prices here:
👉 Flights to Calabria
Compared to northern Italy, accommodation prices in Calabria are refreshingly affordable.
In Scilla, decent apartments often range between £25 and £50 per night.
I chose an apartment which was around £100 per night which was at the top-end of what was available, but it slept 6 people and had the most incredible view of the castle and Chainlea.
Tropea tends to be slightly more expensive because it attracts more visitors, but it’s still far cheaper than destinations like Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast.
If you're looking for other affordable places to stay across Italy, I’ve also put together a guide here:
👉 Where to Stay in Italy: 10 Affordable Hotels with Iconic Views
I landed and realised something important quickly: “the station” is not always right next to the airport.
Instead of a long walk, there was a local bus waiting outside the terminal. It cost €1.50 and took around 15 minutes to Reggio Calabria Centrale (bus number 28)
From there, I took the train to Scilla.
Tip: If you buy a paper train ticket in Italy, validate it before you board. Those little green machines will help you avoid a fine.
Alternatively, a taxi from Reggio Calabria airport to Scilla will set you back around €35.
Scilla station is easy, and the walk down towards the Lido is lovely.
My accommodation was up high, so I used the lift near the Lido (small fee totally worth it). The view from the top is one of those “stop and stare” moments.
The lift costs just 1 euro and they take both cash and card and it will save your legs considerably. Trust me it’s a lovely walk down but in the heat, I wouldn't fancy going back up on foot!
After taking in the views, I headed onwards to my accommodation which was just a further 7 minute walk from the lift.
I’d chosen to rent an apartment for 6 people- Blue Jolie. Totally unnecessary as a solo adventurer but for the cost, space and the main selling point of a large balcony with views directly of the castle I couldn’t resist.
This apartment would be perfect for large families looking to do a trip to Calabria.
That first evening, I wandered Chianalea, the fishing village area often called “Little Venice”. It’s properly charming, cobbled, and calm, with restaurants right by the water.
I ended up eating on the Lido instead because it was golden hour and the castle view won.
This was my slower day.
After the most amazing night's sleep I was awake early. I showered and consulted Google Maps to check where the nearest supermarket was as I needed supplies.
The apartment was self catering, so I needed breakfast and lunch as I planned to spend the day working form the apartment.
There was a mini market just 6 minutes walk away, so after putting a wash in, I set off to get what I needed for the day.
The supermarket was well stocked and the prices reasonable. They had most things you could possibly need including a butchers counter and fresh bread. For a bag of supplies for the day including wine, I spent just €18.
I worked from the balcony, got distracted by the view every five minutes, and did very little that looked productive on paper but felt great in real life.
In the evening, I ate in Chianalea at a place that had pizza options (I’m not a seafood girl, and Calabria will test you on that). Both evenings my food bill with wine was around the £30 mark.
Also worth noting: lift times can change depending on the day, so take a photo of the operating schedule so you don’t end up climbing stairs in the dark.
Moving accommodation sounds annoying, but with a backpack it was easy.
After arriving in Tropea, I walked the 10 mins from the station down the centre where my accommodation was located
The apartment 'Terrazzo Del Borgo' was just metres from the steps that led down to the sea. Here, I chose the most expensive apartment as yet again I couldn't resist having a balcony with a view. It was still only £62.
Tropea is all about the view. You walk around the centre, see the coastline, and wonder how the water can possibly be that colour.
I spent the afternoon on the beach, then had dinner in the centre. Dining alone turned out to be one of the best parts of the trip. You take your time, people watch, and you notice more.
I had breakfast included with my stay via a café voucher which was a lovely touch.
The voucher was for a café located adjacent to the property (Nonna Rosa) and entitled you to a choice of any 3 items from the menu, although, you could order more and pay the difference if you wish.
I chose a yoghurt which I hadn't realised was like an ice cream, an usual choice for breakfast but delicious all the same.
I then headed back to Reggio Calabria Centrale.
Then the airport bus again:
The airport itself is tiny. No big duty free, minimal food options. Two hours before your flight is more than enough.
Total spend: £310.44
Food was very reasonable for this trip. I spent in the region of £150, which included 3 evening meals, 2 lunches and 1 supermarket haul plus plenty of wine!
If travelling as a couple and splitting accommodation, the per person cost drops a lot.
Calabria is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, many of which are still far less crowded than the more famous coastal destinations further north.
Some of the most popular beaches include:
Tropea Beach
The dramatic white sand beach below the historic town is one of the most photographed beaches in southern Italy. The turquoise water and views of Santa Maria dell’Isola make it one of the most spectacular coastal spots in the region.
Scilla Beach
Located below the castle in Scilla, this long stretch of beach is popular with locals and offers beautiful views across the Strait of Messina towards Sicily.
Capo Vaticano
Located about 30 minutes from Tropea, Capo Vaticano is known for its rugged coastline, crystal clear water and quieter atmosphere.
If you’re visiting Calabria in summer, these beaches alone make the region worth the trip.
While Scilla and Tropea are two of the most beautiful towns in Calabria, there are several other places worth visiting if you have more time.
Some of the most popular destinations include:
Tropea – famous for its cliffside views, beaches and lively historic centre.
Scilla – a traditional fishing village known for Chianalea and Castello Ruffo.
Reggio Calabria – a waterfront city with views across to Sicily and home to the famous Riace Bronzes.
Capo Vaticano – dramatic cliffs and some of the best beaches in Calabria.
Because trains connect many of these towns along the coast, it’s possible to explore the region without hiring a car.
There are two main airports serving the Calabria region:
Reggio Calabria Airport
Located at the very southern tip of Italy, this airport is the closest option for visiting Scilla.
Lamezia Terme Airport
The largest airport in Calabria and often the easiest option for international flights. From here you can reach Tropea by train in around 1 hour.
Both airports are well connected by rail, making it possible to explore Calabria without needing to rent a car.
I get asked this all the time.
Scilla felt quieter, more local, and more “authentic fishing town”.
Tropea had more going on, more tourist facilities, and that iconic beach view.
If I did the same trip again, I would:
Even better I'd add another 2 days, so I could spend more time in Tropea without sacrificing time in Scilla. However, being a mum of 4 , that's practically impossible to escape for that long.
The train frequency from Tropea back to Reggio Calabria felt more limiting, and I didn’t love relying on one perfect train to line up with my flight.
Is Calabria expensive?
Not compared to many parts of Italy. Transport is cheap, and accommodation can be great value, especially outside peak summer.
Is Scilla worth visiting?
Yes. It’s small, scenic, easy by train, and feels calmer than many better known coastal towns.
Is Tropea expensive?
Tropea can be pricier than Scilla because it’s more touristy, but it can still be budget-friendly compared to Amalfi or Cinque Terre.
How do you get from Scilla to Tropea?
By train. It’s straightforward and affordable, and you can buy tickets at the station or via apps.
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