May Day in Calabria, places to visit

Would you like to spend May Day in Calabria among the villages and small towns in the hills? We suggest immersing yourself in the relaxed, timeless atmosphere offered by these gems of "restanza" (the culture of preserving local identity, traditions and community life). Spending May Day in Calabria among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy is the perfect choice for couples and families. An unmissable opportunity to savour not only local food and wine specialities, but also the hospitality of accommodation providers that have made sustainability and "slow living" their way of life. For the more adventurous and lovers of ancient legends, we recommend spending May Day in Calabria discovering the "ghost villages" – abandoned settlements where you may come across fantastic stories and new inhabitants, pioneers of "return tourism", happy to share their forms of resilience with visitors.

Are you looking for a Calabrian village in which to commemorate workers' struggles and the sacrifice of those who fought for their rights? The village of Melissa (KR) awaits you to commemorate together the Fallen of Fragalà, victims of the historic Melissa massacre (1949), at the Centro di Ricerca delle Lotte Contadine heritage centre. Have you ever heard of the Longevity Villages? They are rare in Italy, but visiting them is a true tonic, as they are a source of inspiration for living a long and healthy life. We have one here, Bivongi (RC). If you want to uncover the secret of eternal youth, visiting it on May Day in Calabria could be an excellent idea.

If you choose to spend May Day in Calabria surrounded by nature, we recommend a range of excursions – both guided and self-guided – across Calabria's three national parks, as well as its many regional reserves and WWF oases throughout the region. Exploring Calabria's national parks on a spring day out is a revitalising experience for the whole family: from Pollino National Park to Aspromonte National Park, and on to Sila National Park, you will find countless walking trails, rare flora and fauna, and a wide range of outdoor activities.

Looking for ideas? You can cross the parks on foot or by bicycle along the available paths and cycle routes, in particular the Calabria Parks Cycle Network. If you want to celebrate May Day in Calabria with an unforgettable experience for you and your family, why not take a hot-air balloon flight over the Calabrian parks? Do you want to spend May Day in Calabria relaxing with a traditional picnic? Choose the lakeside trip. Are you a sea lover? Organise an outing to enjoy May Day in Calabria among the fragrant coasts, in search of marine reserves, quiet coves and Blue Flags.

City dwellers celebrate May Day in Calabria among the events and the art and cultural venues of the region's main cities. A tour of the provincial capitals, in search of events in the square, concerts, May Day fairs in Calabria, and tastings of local specialities can be an excellent way to spend this public holiday with a partner, family or friends. If your destination is Cosenza, we recommend an urban hike to discover the city's most representative sites of contemporary art. Those spending May Day in Calabria in Catanzaro can plan an urban hike through the narrow streets of the historic centre, or check the opening of Catanzaro Underground. Crotone offers a tour of the "Pythagorean places" in the city; while Vibo Valentia and Reggio Calabria are perfect for those who want to combine archaeology and the sea in a single trip.