Reggio Calabria from Manchester
Nestled in Calabria, Southern Italy, Reggio Calabria Airport kicked off budget flights from Manchester this Summer, courtesy of Ryanair. And guess what? Flight schedules are already available for next year! (Yep, I’m already thinking about going back! 
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Reggio Calabria sits right by the strait that separates the Italian mainland from Sicily, which means there are plenty of chances for exciting onward journeys and multi-stop trips.
Places to Go from Reggio Calabria
In this handy guide, I’ll share six fabulous destinations I’ve personally explored during my last two trips (May and October 2024), along with the nitty-gritty details on how to get to each one and my personal opinion of each town/city. Trust me, getting around this region is a breeze!
On a 4 day trip to Reggio Calabria, you can easily combine 3 destinations in to your itinerary.
At the time of writing the only international departure airport flying to Reggio Calabria is Manchester. Flight prices are currently around £65 per person for selected Summer 2025 dates and accommodation in Southern Italy and Sicily is very reasonably priced, making it the perfect budget destination!
1. Reggio Calabria
Of course, flying in to Reggio Calabria airport, the first option would be to stay in Reggio Calabria itself.
Reggio Calabria city centre is 8km from the airport and can easily be reached by bus in under 15 minutes for just €2. The bus stops outside of the airport, and the schedule coincides with flight arrivals, making it really easy to reach your accommodation.
Reggio Calabria is know for its coastal views and rich history, it boasts charming beaches and a vibrant waterfront promenade perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Reggio Calabria is also famous for its delicious food and restaurants, particularly its ‘nduja, a spicy spreadable salami. With its archaeological sites, like the Riace Bronzes, and friendly locals, Reggio Calabria offers a delightful mix of culture and relaxation.
Not only that but it’s a great base for exploring the rest of the region. Reggio Calabria port gives direct access to Sicily in just 30 minutes. A foot passenger can take the journey across the Strait of Messina for just €4.
From a personal perspective, the city of Reggio Calabria is not as aesthetically pleasing as other towns in the area and would not be my first choice of where to stay for this reason.
Reggio Calabria homes a population of over 183,000 citizens, so it hasn’t got that small ‘Italian Village’ feel that many of the other options we’ll explore does. However, that does not mean that Reggio Calabria is not worth a visit and would certainly be a great stay for those looking for easy onward travel and a vibrant nightlife.
Pro's of Staying in Reggio Calabria
- Nearest City to the Airport
- Large Choice of Accommodation
- One of the Cheapest Places to Stay in the Region
- Accessibility for Onward Travel Options
- Vibrant Nightlife and Resaurant Scene
2. Scilla
A fishing town located just 23km from Reggio Calabria, Scilla is the perfect stay in the Calabrian region and one of my personal favourites. This picture- postcard destination has few international tourists, yet is just 25 minutes by train from Reggio di Calabria Centrale, costing a mere €2.70. I would recommend including a 1-2 night stay in Scilla in your itinerary
To get to Scilla from Reggio Calabria airport, first take the airport bus from outside airport arrivals to Reggio di Calabria Centrale for €2. From here take a direct train to Scilla- trains run frequently throughout the day. Alternatively, a taxi should cost around €50 each way.
The town is split into two main sections- the Lido area featuring shingle beaches and various beach bars. Then Chianlea, a traditional fishing port known as ‘Little Venice’, featuring idyllic seafood restaurants overlooking the water.
Scilla is a small town with under 5000 residents, and does not have much to do as such, but it’s a must see in this region and the perfect place to enjoy the ‘Dolce Far Niente’- the sweetness of doing nothing!
You can easily fill your days on the beach, eating freshly caught seafood and walking around the quaint alleyways of Chianlea.
For a more in depth look at my stay in Scilla Click Here
Pro's of Staying in Scilla
- Just 25 minutes from Reggio Calabria Airport
- Typical Italian Village Feel
- Small town with few tourists
- Accessibility for Onward Travel Options
- Beautiful Beaches
3. Tropea
Further up the coast from Scilla, you’ll find Tropea, with its crystal blue waters and white sands.
Located 100km from Reggio Calabria airport, you can reach Tropea by first taking the airport bus from arrivals to Reggio di Calabria Centrale train station for €2. From here you can then take a direct train to Tropea which takes 1hr 50m and costs just €7.40.
A taxi to Tropea from Reggio Calabria costs in the region of €130.
Home to just over 6000 residents, Tropea is a small town, however larger than Scilla, and with a greater tourist population thanks to also being served by Lamezia Therme Airport further north.
Tropea is a beautiful town often referred to as the ‘Jewel of Calabria’ with it’s various beaches.
Along the coast you’ll find lots of restaurants serving the local delicacy- red onions.
There is a busy shopping area within the centre with more bars and restaurants, providing a lively evening scene.
For a more in depth look at my stay in Tropea Click Here
If you wish to include Tropea on your itinerary I’d recommend a 2 night stay.
Pro's of Staying in Tropea
- Seen as the Jewel of Calabria
- A mid size town with lots of restaurants and local shops
- Beautiful beaches- the nicest in Calabria
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4. messina
Located on the northeast tip of Sicily, Messina is just across the water from Reggio Calabria on the mainland.
Despite there being no bridge over the Messina Strait (body of water between Italy and Sicily), Messina is very easy to reach from Calabria.
There are a few options on getting to Messina from the airport, but the easiest and quickest way is to take the airport shuttle to Reggio Calabria port for just €2- a coach will be waiting at the airport for flight arrivals. The journey to the port takes around 15 minutes.
Foot ferries from Reggio Calabria port with ‘Liberty Ferries’ depart hourly. Tickets can be purchased online or at the ferry terminal for €4. The journey takes just 30 mins.
If you are planning to visit Messina from Scilla or Tropea, then the easiest way would be to take a train to Villa San Giovanni, just one stop down from Scilla, taking 8 mins.
From there you can then change on to the train which drives directly on to the ferry, the only one of its kind left in Europe! The ferry will then carry the train over to Messina and you can exit the train at Messina Marittima which is located next to Messina Port.
In my opinion, Messina is very similar to Reggio Calabria, in terms of city feel, with historical sights, but not as aesthetically pleasing as other small coastal towns in this guide. There are parts of the city that are run down and require significant improvement, but then there are also areas which reminded me of bigger northern cities in Italy such as Turin and Milan. Messina has vibrant night life with lots of dining options and shops-both local and big brands.
For those looking for a base that would allow you to visit places in mainland Italy and Sicily on the same itinerary, then Messina is in the perfect location to do this. From Messina you can take the high speed trains to Palermo or Catania and the towns in between.
If you’re considering visiting Messina, then 1 day to explore the city is plenty.
Pro's of Staying in Messina
- The nearest City in Sicily to mainland Italy, it can be reached quickly
- Huge variety of shops, bars and eateries
- Many historical sites such as the Messina Cathedral with astronomical clocktower
- Cheaper accommodation than most places in this guide
- Well connected to the mainland and the rest of Sicily
5. Taormina
Taormina, in my personal opinion is probably the best place I’ve visited in the whole of Italy- bold statement I know as this is my Italy count is now at 17 cities and towns.
Located on the east coast of Sicily, Taormina can be reached from Messina in a number of ways. After much research, the easiest way, in my opinion is to skip the train and take the coach from Messina Republica Square (just in front of Messina Centrale train station).
The air conditioned coaches, operated by Interbus, run regularly and take around 1hr 30 mins- sit on the left hand side on the way there, then the right on the way back, for the best view of the coast.
The coach costs €4.30 and can be booked online or cash paid directly to the driver. The bus will drop you directly outside the Messina Gate- the entrance to the historic centre of Taormina.
On the way back, due to how late I wanted to return, I needed to return to Messina by train rather than coach. The train station that serves Taormina is shared with the beach town of Giardini-Naxos, which is a walk down a very steep hill side, taking around 40 mins and definitely not advisable, especially in the dark.
There is the option of taking a bus from Messina Gate to the train station, but these can be quite irregular with up to an hour wait. Instead I took an Uber to the station costing €15. From there, I then took the train directly back to Messina, taking 45 mins and costing €5.50.
The town of Taormina is simply divine and like something out of a postcard. The only thing letting it down slightly, is the fact that it is very busy in terms of tourists, even when I visited in October. I can’t imagine how crowded it would be the height of Summer.
This may be due to its appearance in the Netflix series ‘The White Lotus’, as I didn’t experience crowds like this anywhere else in Sicily.
In terms of things to do in Taormina, you can visit the ancient Greek Theatre, which offers stunning views of Mount Etna and the coastline. Stroll along Corso Umberto, the main street lined with charming shops and cafés, perfect for grabbing a gelato. There’s also the lovely public gardens, where you can relax and take in the scenery. For some beach time, head down to Isola Bella by cable car, a picturesque beach that’s great for swimming and sunbathing.
For those looking to venture a little further, book a tour and visit Mount Etna- one the of the world’s most active volcanoes.
For Taormina, a day trip is perfect, however, if you have time, I’d recommend a stay of 2-3 nights if possible, so you can explore the beach and town area, as well as maybe Mount Etna.
Pro's of Staying in Taormina
- Close to Mount Etna to take a tour or admire from Taormina itself
- Large variety of local shops, boutiques, bars and eateries
- Many historical sites including the greek theatre and churches
- Great beach and coastline
- Well connected to the mainland and the rest of Sicily
6. Cefalú
Last, but certainly not least, we have the small, but beautiful town of Cefalú, which is located on the northern coast of Sicily, around 70km to the east of Palermo.
Thanks to the high speed train network, from Messina, you can travel to Cefalu, in 2 hours at a cost of €12.60
In Cefalù you can explore the stunning Cefalù Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its beautiful mosaics. Take a leisurely stroll along the charming streets filled with shops and cafés, where you can grab a delicious slice of Sicilian pizza or some refreshing granita.
The town also boasts beautiful sandy beaches perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Don’t miss climbing up to La Rocca, a massive rock that overlooks the town.
Pro's of Staying in Cefalù
- Just 2 hours from Messina
- Great Beaches
- Lots of local shops and eateries
- Close to the city of Palermo
Where will you visit?
As you can see, there’s such a vast assortment of towns and cities that can be explored very easily by flying in to Reggio Calabria airport, all completely unique and perfect for combining a few of them on an itinerary for 4-7 days.
Accommodation costs, in all these places is well below what you would pay in the north too, meaning, not only are cheap flights available, but a hotel or apartment is equally as good value, making it the perfect budget break!
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