Shopping Tourism in Calabria

In Calabria, shopping is possible along the streets of the main cities where fashion boutiques alternate with shops of local excellence. The cities of Catanzaro, Cosenza, Reggio Calabria, Vibo Valentia and Crotone represent the most renowned destinations for a shopping experience in the name of big names and luxury. Lovers of the genre are advised to take a tour of the goldsmiths' ateliers of Crotone's masters Gerardo Sacco and Michele Affidato and of the boutiques of Calabria's great fashion designers, from Gianni Versace to the youngest fashion designers operating between Cosenza, Soverato (CZ) and Reggio Calabria.

Calabria is also the region where culture and nature mingle with local traditions, giving rise to a type of shopping tourism linked to the uniqueness of handcrafted products and world-famous food and wine delicacies. Each of Calabria's tourist resorts, whether by the sea or in the mountains, offers a rich variety of artefacts, artefacts, fragrances, flavours and products that bear witness to the wisdom of ancient crafts and the delicacies of an area that makes tradition one of its strong points.

Among the flagships of Calabrian craftsmanship and manufacture are the prized pipes from Brognaturo (VV) and San Vito sullo Ionio (CZ); the workshops of master lute-makers in Scilla (RC), Acri, Bisignano and Rende (CS); silk and the art of weaving and embroidery valued in the towns of San Floro and Tiriolo (CZ); wool, processed and made in Soveria Mannelli (CZ); the prized artistic ceramics of Squillace (CZ) and Seminara (RC).

Finally, the shopping experience in Calabria cannot end without a luggage-load of typical products to take with you as a souvenir of a land generous in terms of food and wine richness. One of the most famous examples is Tropea (VV), where you can buy the delicious PGI Tropea Red Onion (as well as the spicy ‘Nduja di Spilinga and Pecorino del Monte Poro PDO). Those who choose the mountains, during a walk in the ski resort of Camigliatello Silano (CS) can appreciate the succession of shops with authentic flavours: from the Caciocavallo Silano PDO to the Patata della Sila PGI, passing by porcini mushrooms and irresistible cured meats. The excellent Calabrian wines are produced in all provinces (in white, rosé, red and passito types) and offer the opportunity for a tasting and purchasing experience directly in the vineyard. In particular, the area of Cirò and Melissa (KR) is world-renowned for its DOC wine of the same name, made from an ancient indigenous grape variety, Gaglioppo. Other gastronomic and agrifood excellences with a certified trademark are Liquorice of Rossano, Pecorino Crotonese, Bergamot of Reggio Calabria, Clementines of Calabria, Lemons of Rocca Imperiale, Cedar of Santa Maria del Cedro and Oil of Calabria, the basis of all the dishes of the Mediterranean Diet. There are also numerous Slow Food Presidia, De.Co. and the ever-present Calabrian chilli pepper, undisputed ruler of the regional table.

1. Cosenza: the shopping experience passes through Corso Mazzini, where, between one shop and another, you can admire the contemporary sculptures of the MAB - Bilotti Open-air Museum. The city's surroundings offer vineyard tours with tastings, to discover the "Terre di Cosenza DOC" wines.
2. Catanzaro: the regional capital boasts two shopping tours, one in the historic centre, among the shops and cafés of Corso Mazzini (passing by the trattorias serving morzèllo, a characteristic street food made from entrails) and one in the marina of Catanzaro Lido, among boutiques and art workshops.
3. Tropea (VV): a stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele offers a luxury shopping experience at fashion and handicraft ateliers, as well as a tour of the stalls displaying the characteristic braids of the PGI Tropea Red Onion, a Calabrian food excellence.
4. Reggio Calabria and Seminara: stopping in Seminara (RC) means buying a unique piece of local artistic ceramics before continuing on to Reggio Calabria, the birthplace of fashion designer Gianni Versace and capital of Bergamot of Reggio Calabria - Essential Oil PDO, a renowned fragrance of the world cosmetics industry.
5. Crotone and Cirò: here, the shopping experience passes through the ateliers of master goldsmiths Gerardo Sacco and Michele Affidato and continues in the Cirò DOC wine-producing areas (Cirò, Cirò Marina, Melissa), the region's main ‘’Wine Roads‘’. The experience is completed by tasting the Pecorino di Crotone PDO and the tasty sardèlla (spicy fish sauce).

1. Tour of calabrian handicrafts among ancient arts and crafts
2. Shopping and sales streets in calabria
3. Discovering the artistic ceramics of Seminara
4. The wine and grape harvest roads in Calabria