Easter Monday in Calabria: things to do and places to visit

There's no denying it, one of the unmissable Easter Monday activities in Calabria is undoubtedly the traditional picnic with friends. Whether with family or friends, at the seaside or in the mountains, the picnic on Easter Monday is an event that can't be missed! A true ritual, the Easter Monday picnic in Calabria follows a precise set of customs, beginning with a reconnaissance the day before – or at dawn on Easter Monday itself – by the more forward-thinking participants, keen to secure the best spot: a table with the right exposure, nearby grills, and a water source close at hand. 

What's on the menu for Easter Monday in Calabria? It can range from traditional dishes to more refined fare, depending on the setting and local specialities. If you opt for a mountain barbecue, we recommend complementing the meal with high-quality homemade products, such as the renowned Pane di Cerchiara (De.Co.), Calabrian DOP cured meats, local cheeses, and the ever-present Calabrian Easter desserts, foremost among them the Cuzzùpa, the traditional ring-shaped cake made with eggs.

Whether it takes place amid the greenery of Calabria's forests, on the beach, in a pinewood, or in one of the many urban parks and gardens, the Easter Monday in Calabria outing is the perfect opportunity to discover unspoilt natural areas and enjoy walking or horse-riding excursions, as well as a wide range of outdoor activities to suit every preference.Things to do on Easter Monday in Calabria If you are looking for original or adrenaline-pumping experiences, you can have a go at a range of air sports, from paragliding to hot-air ballooning, or try your hand at rafting and canoeing. Are you a more easy-going type? Discover the fairs and traditional markets of Easter Monday in Calabria, such as the historic Fiera della Galilea in Soverato (CZ), held in the Baia dell'Ippocampo along the Ionian coast.

If, on the other hand, you want to take advantage of the time around Easter Monday in Calabria to visit places you've never been before, we can recommend some locations off the beaten track to visit on Easter Monday in Calabria. Nature lovers will be spoiled for choice between national and regional parks and nature reserves, from Pollino to Aspromonte, passing through Sila and the Serre Vibonesi. Between the mountains and the sea, halfway up the slopes, Calabria's beautiful medieval villages await you – many of them part of the I Borghi più Belli d'Italia (the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy) circuit – alongside "slow" villages, ethnic minority communities, and small ghost towns to be explored at a gentle pace, with respect for the communities that have chosen to continue living there.

Fancy the sea and a bold first dip? Calabria's coastlines, from the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian Sea, are the ideal choice for Easter Monday in Calabria if you are looking for an early taste of summer: discover the Calabrian sea in the low season and plan a seafood-based Easter Monday in Calabria lunch, ending Easter Monday with a stroll along the shoreline as the sun sets.