Good to know

Entry from Europe

Visa-free entry for unlimited stays. A valid passport is required; for stays up to 3 months, a valid national ID card is also sufficient.

For entry from outside Europe, please check the website of the Italian consulate:
https://consfrancoforte.esteri.it/it/

 

Language

The official language is Italian, with many regional dialects. In tourist areas, some German and English are spoken.

 

Paying in Italy 

You can pay for all services with credit card or cash: from cafés, hotels, and small shops to taxis and even local markets.

 

Location

Calabria is almost entirely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. It borders the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, Basilicata to the north, the Ionian Sea to the east, and the Strait of Messina to the south, which separates Calabria from Sicily. Area: 15,082 km².

 

Time Zone

Central European Time (CET) with European Summer Time (no time difference with Central Europe).

 

Weather in Calabria

Calabria delights with a sunny, Mediterranean climate and over 300 days of sunshine per year. Summers are hot and dry (often above 30 °C) – perfect for beach holidays.

Winters remain mild, with temperatures usually between 8 and 14 °C along the coast. Spring and autumn are pleasantly warm and ideal for outdoor activities.

 

Traveling by train or car

You can comfortably explore Calabria by train or car. To rent a car, you need a valid driver’s license and a credit card. If you prefer to explore southern Italy by train, you can find all information here: https://www.trenitalia.com

 

Holidays in Italy

• January 1 (New Year)
• January 6 (Epiphany)
• Easter Monday
• April 25 (Liberation Day)
• May 1 (Labor Day)
• June 2 (National Day)
• August 15 (Assumption of Mary)
• November 1 (All Saints’ Day)
• December 8 (Immaculate Conception)
• December 25–26 (Christmas)

School holidays run from mid-June to mid-September, with the main vacation period from mid-July to the end of August.

 

Opening Hours

• Banks: Mon–Fri 8:30–13:30, 14:45–15:45
• Shops: Weekdays 9:00–13:00, 16:00–20:00. In summer, shops in tourist areas stay open late. Stores in larger cities are usually closed Monday mornings.

 

Telephone

The country code for Italy is 0039. To call Germany from Italy, dial 0049; Austria 0043; Switzerland 0041.
When calling Italy from abroad, include the leading 0 of the local area code. Example: Tropea – 0039 0963.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS: Police 112, Ambulance 118, Fire Brigade 115, Coast Guard 1530.