Editing Calabria (section)

===Tourism===
[[File:Pista Azzurra Gambarie.jpg|thumb|Ski trails near [[Gambarie]] overlooking the [[Strait of Messina]]]]
[[File:Reggio calabria museo nazionale bronzi di riace.jpg|thumb|The [[Riace bronzes]], Greek bronzes, about 460–430&nbsp;BC]]
[[File:Stilocattolica.jpg|thumb|The Byzantine church known as the ''[[Cattolica di Stilo|Cattolica]]'']]

Tourism in Calabria has increased over the years. The main tourist attractions are the coastline and the mountains. The coastline alternates between rugged cliffs and sandy beaches, and is sparsely interrupted by development when compared to other European seaside destinations. The sea around Calabria is clear, and there is a good level of tourist accommodation. The poet [[Gabriele D'Annunzio]] called the coast facing Sicily near Reggio Calabria "... the most beautiful kilometer in Italy" (''il più bel chilometro d'Italia'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deliciousitaly.com/guide/south-italy-regions/calabria-guide/calabria-itineraries/item/1459-guide-to-reggio-calabria.html |title=Guide to Reggio Calabria |publisher=Delicious Italy |date=8 May 2012 |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012031655/http://www.deliciousitaly.com/guide/south-italy-regions/calabria-guide/calabria-itineraries/item/1459-guide-to-reggio-calabria.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidersabroad.com/italy/regions/calabria |title=Regions – Calabria |publisher=Insiders Abroad |access-date=26 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319140053/http://www.insidersabroad.com/italy/regions/calabria |archive-date=19 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The primary mountain tourist draws are [[Aspromonte]] and [[La Sila]], with its national park and lakes. Some other prominent destinations include:
*[[Reggio Calabria]] is on the strait between the mainland and [[Sicily]], the largest and oldest city in Calabria dating from the 8th century BC, known for its panoramic seaside with botanical gardens between the [[art nouveau]] buildings and the beaches, and its 3,000 years of history with its Aragonese Castle and the [[Museo Nazionale della Magna Grecia]] where the [[Riace bronzes]] (''Bronzi di Riace'') are located.
*[[Cosenza]], birthplace of scientist and philosopher [[Bernardino Telesio]] and seat of the [[Cosentian Academy]], known for its cultural institutions, the old quarter, a [[House of Hohenstaufen|Hohenstaufen]] Castle, an open-air museum and an 11th-century Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral. On 12 October 2011, the Cathedral of Cosenza received UNESCO World Heritage status for being "Heritage Witness to a Culture of Peace".<ref name="youritaly">{{cite web |url=http://www.youritaly.com/Guide_Turistiche/CITIES_OF_ART/Cosenza_City |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062738/http://www.youritaly.com/Guide_Turistiche/CITIES_OF_ART/Cosenza_City |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=dead |title=Youritaly.com &#124; Cosenza City &#124; Calabria |access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="italy-holiday">{{cite web |url=http://en.italy-holiday.com/calabria/Cosenza |title=Cosenza – Calabria: Your holiday in Italy |publisher=en.italy-holiday.com |access-date=24 October 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045554/http://en.italy-holiday.com/calabria/Cosenza |url-status=dead}}</ref> This is the first award given by UNESCO to the region of Calabria.
*[[Scilla, Calabria|Scilla]], on the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]], "pearl" of the "Violet Coast", has a delightful panorama and is the site of some of [[Homer]]'s tales.
*[[Tropea]], on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, is home to a dramatic seaside beach, and the Santa Maria dell'Isola sanctuary. It is also renowned for its sweet red onions (mainly produced in [[Ricadi]]).
*[[Capo Vaticano]], on the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a wide bathing place near Tropea.
*[[Gerace]], near [[Locri]], is a medieval city with a Norman Castle and Norman Cathedral.
*[[Squillace]], a seaside resort and important archaeological site. Nearby is the birthplace of [[Cassiodorus]].
*[[Stilo]], the birthplace of philosopher [[Tommaso Campanella]], with its Norman Castle and [[Byzantine architecture|Byzantine]] church, the ''[[Cattolica di Stilo|Cattolica]]''.
*[[Pizzo Calabro]], on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, known for its ice cream called "Tartufo". Interesting places in Pizzo are Piazza Repubblica and the Aragonese castle where [[Joachim Murat|Murat]] was shot.
*[[Paola, Italy|Paola]], a town situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast, renowned for being the birthplace of St. Francis of Paola, patron saint of Calabria and Italian sailors, and for the old Franciscan sanctuary built during the last hundred years of the Middle Ages by the will of St. Francis.
*[[Sibari]], on the Ionian coast, a village situated near the archaeological site of the ancient city of ''[[Sybaris]]'', a Greek colony of the 8th century BC.
*[[Lamezia Terme]], the main transportation hub of the region with its international [[Lamezia Terme Airport|airport]] which links it to many destinations in Europe plus Canada and Israel and the [[Lamezia Terme Centrale railway station|train station]]. Several are the historical sights of the city, like the Norman-Swabian castle, the [[La Giudecca|Jewish historical quarter]] and the [[Lamezia Terme Town Library|Casa del Libro Antico (House of the Ancient Book)]] where books from the 16th to the 19th centuries, as well as old globes and ancient maps reproduction are well preserved and available to be seen by the public.
*[[Catanzaro]], an important silk center since the time of the Byzantines, is located at the center of the narrowest point of Italy, from where the Ionian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea are both visible, but not from Catanzaro. Of note are the well-known one-arch bridge (Viaduct Morandi-Bisantis, one of the tallest in Europe), the cathedral (rebuilt after World War II bombing), the castle, the promenade on the Ionian sea, the park of biodiversity and the archaeological park.
*[[Soverato]] on the [[Ionian Sea]], also known as the "Pearl" of the Ionian Sea. Especially renowned for its beaches, boardwalk and nightlife.
*[[Badolato]] near [[Soverato]] is a well-preserved medieval hilltop village with 13 churches. It was selected as one of the 1000 marvels of Italy to mark the [[anniversary of the unification of Italy]].
*[[Nicotera]] on the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a small medieval town with an ancient Ruffo's castle.
*Ancient temples of the Roman gods on the sun-kissed hills of [[Catanzaro]] still stand as others are swept beneath the earth. Many excavations are going on along the east coast, digging up what seems to be an ancient burial ground.
*[[Samo, Calabria|Samo]], a village on the foot of the Aspromonte, is well known for its spring water and ruins of the old village destroyed in the [[1908 Messina earthquake]].
*[[Mammola]], art center, tourist and gastronomic, has an ancient history. The old town, with its small houses attached to each other, the ancient churches and noble palaces. Of particular interest is the Museum Park Santa Barbara, a place of art and cultural events of many international artists and the Shrine of St. Nicodemo of the 10th century, in the highlands of Limina. Its gastronomy with the "Stocco" typical of Mammola, cooked in various ways, other typical products are smoked ricotta and goat cheese, salami pepper and wild fennel, bread "pizza" (corn bread) and wheat bread baked in a wood oven.
*[[Praia a Mare]] on the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a well-known tourist city, thanks to the [[Dino, Calabria|Isola di Dino]] and the seaside beach.
*[[Spilinga]] is known for its spicy pork pâté, [['Nduja]].

Calabria attracts year-round tourism, offering both summer and winter activities, in addition to its cultural, historical, artistic heritage, it has an abundance of protected natural habitats and 'green' zones. The {{cvt|485|mi|abbr=off}} of its coast make Calabria a tourist destination during the summer. The low industrial development and the lack of major cities in much of its territory have allowed the maintenance of indigenous marine life.

The most sought-after seaside destinations are: [[Tropea]], [[Pizzo, Calabria|Pizzo Calabro]], [[Capo Vaticano]], [[Reggio Calabria]], [[Soverato]], [[Scilla, Calabria|Scilla]], [[Scalea]], [[Sellia Marina]], [[Montepaone]], [[Montauro]], Copanello (''comune'' of [[Staletti]]), [[Palmi, Calabria|Tonnara di Palmi]], [[Diamante, Calabria|Diamante]], [[Paola, Calabria|Paola]], [[Fiumefreddo Bruzio]], [[Amantea]], [[Praia a Mare]], [[Belvedere Marittimo]], [[Roseto Capo Spulico]], [[Corigliano Calabro]], [[Cirò Marina]], [[Amendolara]], [[Roccella Ionica]], [[Bagnara Calabra]], [[Nicotera]], [[Cariati]], [[Zambrone]], [[Isola di Capo Rizzuto]], Caminia (''comune'' of [[Staletti]]), [[Siderno]], [[Parghelia]], [[Ricadi]] and [[San Nicola Arcella]].

In addition to the coastal tourist destinations, the interior of Calabria is rich in history, traditions, art and culture. Cosenza is among the most important cultural cities of Calabria, with a rich historical and artistic patrimony. Medieval castles, towers, churches, monasteries and other French castles and structures from the Norman to the Aragonese periods are common elements in both the interior and coastline of Calabria.

The mountains offer skiing and other winter activities: [[Sila National Park|Sila]], [[Pollino National Park|Pollino]] and [[Aspromonte]] are three national parks that offer facilities for winter sports, especially in the towns of Camigliatello (''comune'' of [[Spezzano della Sila]]), Lorica (''comune'' of [[San Giovanni in Fiore]]), [[Gambarie]].

Calabria has many small and picturesque villages, 15 of them have been selected by {{lang|it|[[I Borghi più belli d'Italia]]}} ({{langx|en|The most beautiful Villages of Italy}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/calabria/|title=Calabria|date=10 January 2017 |access-date=1 August 2023|language=it|archive-date=16 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016070021/https://borghipiubelliditalia.it/calabria/|url-status=live}}</ref> a non-profit private association of small Italian towns of strong historical and artistic interest,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|title=Borghi più belli d'Italia. Le 14 novità 2023, dal Trentino alla Calabria|date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 July 2023|language=it|archive-date=28 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128130709/https://www.repubblica.it/viaggi/2023/01/16/news/borghi_piu_belli_italia_14_nuovi_2023-383794441/|url-status=live}}</ref> that was founded on the initiative of the Tourism Council of the National Association of Italian Municipalities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://borghipiubelliditalia.it/|title=I Borghi più belli d'Italia, la guida online ai piccoli centri dell'Italia nascosta|access-date=3 May 2018|language=it|archive-date=25 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160225095744/http://www.borghipiubelliditalia.it/index.php|url-status=live}}</ref>