In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
About 360 km along Calabria's Ionian coast from Cirò Marina via Crotone, Capo Colonna and Le Castella to Catanzaro, Squillace and Soverato and on into the Locride to Roccella Ionica and Locri – a coastal drive between Magna Graecia, a marine protected area and hill villages.
The spirit of the route
Calabria's Ionian coast is the quiet side of the south. Here once stood Kroton, the city of Pythagoras, and of its temple of Hera Lacinia only a single Doric column still rises into the sky on the cape. The sea is shallow, warm and calm, the beaches broad, and in the Capo Rizzuto marine protected area the Aragonese Castle of Le Castella sits like a ship in the water. Further south, olive groves and vineyards stretch to the coastal road, Squillace clings to the mountain with its Norman castle, and in Soverato the long beach lies beneath the hills. The SS106 demands attention, but detours into the villages are rewarded with cuisine of fish, onions, ’nduja and wine from Cirò. If you travel in spring or autumn, you will have the coast almost to yourself.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Cirò Marina to Crotone (approx. 55 km)
- The drive
- On the SS106 Jonica south: a flat, well-built, partly four-lane coastal road with villages, roundabouts and farm traffic. From Cirò Marina via Punta Alice and Torre Melissa to Crotone takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Punta Alice near Cirò Marina: remains of the Temple of Apollo Aleo with a small museum on the coast.
- Cirò Marina and Cirò: the Cirò DOC wine-growing zone with wine estates; the old town of Cirò lies on the hill.
- Crotone: Castello di Carlo V at the harbour and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: North of Crotone, near Gabella and Papanice, are Area Camper Gabella and Cogobay Beach, simple sites by the sea with electricity and waste disposal; check status and opening times beforehand. More campsites lie on the coast towards Capo Colonna.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the beaches around Crotone overnighting in car parks is banned in season; the harbour and beach areas are checked. Outside the season a few quiet car parks are tolerated, but only without setting up camp.
- Insider tip for campers
- In Cirò a wine tasting at an estate is worthwhile; book by phone beforehand, as appointments are often possible only by arrangement. The centre of Crotone is partly ZTL; park at the harbour. Refuel and shop in Crotone, after which the coast becomes more rural.
2Stage 2: Crotone to Le Castella (approx. 45 km)
- The drive
- From Crotone first on the coastal road to Capo Colonna and back, then on the SS106 and provincial roads via Isola di Capo Rizzuto to Le Castella. Flat and easy to drive, with a lot of beach traffic in summer. About an hour.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Capo Colonna: archaeological park with the only surviving column of the Temple of Hera Lacinia, plus a museum and lighthouse.
- Area Marina Protetta Capo Rizzuto: marine protected area with zones for swimming and snorkelling; observe the authority's rules.
- Castello Aragonese in Le Castella: a castle on a rocky island, reached by a causeway.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Near Capo Colonna are Campeggio Alfieri, the agriturismo Torre Scifo and the Campingplatz Baia dei Greci; near Le Castella and Isola di Capo Rizzuto, Camping Il Faro, Camping Due Mari, Camping Poker and Pizzo Greco offer pitches with electricity, sanitary facilities and in some cases waste disposal. Most open from spring to autumn; check opening times beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Capo Rizzuto marine protected area, rules apply for anchoring, swimming and access; overnighting in the beach car parks is banned in season. Parking at Capo Colonna is also limited.
- Insider tip for campers
- You see the column at Capo Colonna best early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the light is soft. The castle of Le Castella is open only at certain times, so check beforehand. In high season the car parks at the beaches fill up early.
3Stage 3: Le Castella to Catanzaro (approx. 85 km)
- The drive
- On the SS106 Jonica south-west via Cutro, Botricello and Simeri Crichi, then on the expressway up to Catanzaro. The coastal road is flat and straight, with many junctions; the ascent to Catanzaro is winding and steep. About 1.5 hours. If you plan a detour to Santa Severina, allow an hour more.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Santa Severina (detour): Norman castle on the rock and the Byzantine baptistery next to the cathedral.
- Catanzaro: Parco della Biodiversità Mediterranea and the Viadotto Bisantis (Ponte Morandi), one of the highest bridges in Europe.
- Old town of Catanzaro: cathedral, Corso Mazzini and a view as far as the Ionian Sea.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Near Catanzaro there are hardly any sites in the city; Area camper Tiriolo, west of Catanzaro, is a motorhome site with electricity; check status and fees beforehand. On the coast at Catanzaro Lido there are several campsites and beaches, which are mostly open only in summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Within the city of Catanzaro overnighting is not permitted; the old town is a ZTL. In Tiriolo and the surrounding area quiet car parks are sometimes tolerated outside the season.
- Insider tip for campers
- Catanzaro lies on a ridge and has narrow, steep lanes; park down below and use the escalators and lifts. The city was known for its silk; the museum has information on this. Refuel and shop in Catanzaro Lido on the coast.
4Stage 4: Catanzaro to Squillace (approx. 30 km)
- The drive
- From Catanzaro on the expressway towards the coast and on the SS106 south to Roccelletta di Borgia, then on a provincial road up to Squillace. The access to the old town is narrow and steep, with hairpin bends. About 45 minutes.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Parco Archeologico Scolacium near Roccelletta di Borgia: Roman theatre, forum and the Basilica of Roccelletta in an olive grove.
- Squillace: Norman castle, ceramics workshops and a view over the Gulf of Squillace.
- Cassiodorus, a late-antique scholar who was born in Squillace and founded a monastery here.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: On the coast at Squillace Lido and Montauro are Camping Calabrisella and Camping Cammello Grigio with electricity and sanitary facilities; ask about opening times and facilities beforehand. The sites are close to the beach and mostly open from spring to autumn.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In and around Squillace the lanes are too narrow for large vehicles; overnighting in the car parks on the edge of town is not permitted. On the beaches, summer bans apply.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Scolacium archaeological park is right on the SS106, ideal for a stop along the way; check opening times beforehand. In Squillace there is traditional ceramics, and the workshops are small. The lanes are steep, so wear sturdy shoes.
5Stage 5: Squillace to Badolato (approx. 55 km)
- The drive
- On the SS106 Jonica south via Soverato and Santa Caterina dello Ionio to Badolato Marina, then on a winding provincial road up to Badolato Superiore. The coastal road is well built, with many villages to drive through; the ascent is narrow. About an hour.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Soverato: long sandy beach and lungomare, a meeting place for the region in summer; the upper town, Soverato Superiore, lies on the hill.
- Badolato: a medieval borgo with churches and lanes, which has been revived in recent decades.
- Coastal stretch near Santa Caterina: quiet beaches and olive groves.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Near Soverato and Badolato Marina there are several sites, including Glauco Beach Club Villaggio Campeggio, Mimosa Camping, Camping Oasi, Camping La Rocca, Camping Aquilia and Poseidon Villaggio Camping. Electricity, sanitary facilities and in some cases waste disposal are available; the sites mostly open from spring to autumn, so book early in high season.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the beaches of Soverato overnighting in car parks is banned in season; the town carries out checks. In Badolato the old town is closed to large vehicles.
- Insider tip for campers
- Soverato is very busy in July and August; parking on the lungomare is scarce. You reach Badolato Superiore better on foot from below or with a small vehicle. Shop and refuel in Soverato, which has the biggest supermarkets on the coast.
6Stage 6: Badolato to Roccella Ionica (approx. 65 km)
- The drive
- On the SS106 Jonica further south via Monasterace, Riace and Caulonia to Roccella Ionica. The coastal road is well built, with many roundabouts and villages to drive through. About an hour.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Monasterace: Kaulon archaeological area with remains of the Greek city and a museum.
- Riace: the village in whose coastal waters the famous bronzes were found; the originals are now in Reggio Calabria.
- Roccella Ionica: Castello Carafa on the hill and the marina.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Near Caulonia Marina and Roccella Ionica are Camping Afrodite, Villaggio Camping Calypso and Camping Koku’s with electricity and sanitary facilities; ask about exact facilities and opening times beforehand. In Riace there is the Area Sosta Camper I Bronzi.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the beaches around Roccella and Caulonia overnighting in car parks is banned in season; municipalities carry out checks mainly in high summer. The Roccella marina offers no motorhome pitches.
- Insider tip for campers
- In Roccella Ionica a well-known jazz festival takes place in summer; check dates and traffic rules beforehand. The old town of Caulonia lies high above the sea, and the access is narrow. You can buy fresh fish at the harbour in Roccella.
7Stage 7: Roccella Ionica to Locri (approx. 25 km)
- The drive
- On the SS106 Jonica south via Siderno to Locri. A flat, well-built coastal road with villages to drive through; in summer there is traffic at the beaches. About 30 minutes. From Locri a provincial road leads up to Gerace.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Locri Epizefiri: ancient excavations with the Temple of Marasà and the Museo Nazionale.
- Siderno: long beaches and an old town on the hill.
- Gerace (detour): cathedral and old town on the rock, about 10 km inland.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Locri and Siderno there are only a few campsites; in Gerace is Area Camper Gerace, which serves as a fallback site; check status and fees beforehand. On the coast near Roccella and Caulonia there are several sites.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Locri and Siderno overnighting in public car parks is banned in season. Outside the season quiet spots may be tolerated, but only without setting up.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Museo Nazionale in Locri displays finds from the ancient colony; check opening times and tickets beforehand. Gerace combines well with a day trip from the coast. If you want to go further south, you can follow the SS106 to Reggio Calabria.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- Italian law (Codice della Strada, Art. 185) separates parking from camping: where parking is allowed, a motorhome may stand and also stay overnight, as long as it touches the ground only with its wheels. Chairs, tables, awning, stabilisers, wedges and discharged grey water are prohibited.
- On Calabria's Ionian coast many municipalities issue additional summer ordinances with parking and overnight bans for motorhomes in beach car parks; checks happen mainly in July and August. Prohibition signs take precedence over the general law.
- In the Capo Rizzuto marine protected area and in archaeological zones the authority's own rules apply; beaches and dunes are off limits, and wild camping on beaches is prohibited.
- Useful apps: park4night, CamperOnline and Campercontact; the information on the Ionian coast is partly out of date, so phone the sites beforehand.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Water supply and waste disposal is called “camper service” or “carico e scarico”. On the Ionian coast it is available mainly on campsites and at some aree attrezzate; public stations are rare.
- Empty grey water and the toilet cassette only at the station; dumping in the wild leads to new bans.
- Tap water is mostly drinkable, but look for “acqua potabile”; in high summer there may be restrictions. Fill your tank in good time.
- Gas: German exchange cylinders are not exchanged in Italy. Refillable cylinders and gas tanks are filled at LPG filling stations with the Italian adapter; often only the staff do the filling. Arrive with two full cylinders.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t 90 km/h outside built-up areas, 110 km/h on expressways, 130 km/h on motorways; over 3.5 t 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on motorways. Vehicles towing a caravan: 70 km/h outside built-up areas, 80 km/h on motorways. Outside built-up areas, dipped headlights are required in daytime too.
- The SS106 Jonica is considered one of the most accident-prone roads in Italy: many villages, junctions and overtaking manoeuvres. Drive defensively, keep your distance and avoid dusk on unlit sections.
- ZTL zones with camera monitoring exist in Crotone, Catanzaro, Squillace and other old towns; fines arrive by post, often months later. Observe the signs.
- Tolls: the SS106 and the expressways in Calabria are toll-free. If a load projects beyond the rear, the red-and-white warning plate (50 × 50 cm) is compulsory. Blood alcohol limit 0.5, for novice and professional drivers 0.0; mobile phone at the wheel only with a hands-free system.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Snorkel and mask for the Capo Rizzuto marine protected area: the shallow, clear water near Le Castella is well suited, but observe the protection rules.
- Sun protection and an awning: the Ionian coast has little shade and gets very hot in summer.
- Binoculars for birdwatching at the coastal lagoons and for the view from Capo Colonna.
- Italian gas adapter for LPG filling stations, plus two full cylinders when you enter the country.
- Head torch and reflectors: the coastal road SS106 is in places poorly lit, so be prepared at night.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
