Entry from Europe
A Visa is not needed. A valid passport is required, up to 3 months stay also an identity card is sufficient.
Location
The region Calabria is almost completely surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and is bordered to the west by the Thyrrenian Sea, in the North by the region Basilicata, in the East by the Ionian Sea and in the South by the Strait of Messina which separates Calabria from Sicily.
Surface: 15.082 km²
Inhabitants
Population: about 2.007.707
Provinces: Catanzaro (capital) about 367.386, Reggio Calabria about 566.926, Cosenza about 731.983, Crotone about 172.764, Vibo Valentia about 167.499
Language
The official language is Italian, but there exist many dialects. In the touristic places often also German and English is spoken.
Time
Central European Time (CET) with European summer time.
Telephone
The prefix for Italy is 0039. For calling from abroad to Italy you need to dial for example 0039 0963 … (prefix of Tropea).
Emergency numbers: Police 112, Ambulance 118, Firebregade 115, Sea rescue service 1530.
Public holidays
1 January (New Year), 6 January (Epiphany), Easter monday, 25 April (Liberation Day), 1 May (Labor Day), 2 June (National holiday), 15 August (Assumption), 1 November (All Saints’ Day), 8 Dezember (Immaculate Conception), 25 und 26 December (Christmas).
The school holidays start from the mid of June and are until mid of September. The main holidays are from the mid of July until the end of August.
Opening hours
Banks: Monday to Friday 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., 2.45 p.m. to 3.45 p.m.
Shops: during the week 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. During the summer many shops are opened until late in the night. The shops in the bigger cities usually are closed on Monday morning.
Clothes
During the summer only light clothes are needed. In autumn and spring you should bring transitional clothes. In the winter you need wool clothes, warm coats and good shoes. You should also bring rain coats or a rain jacket.