Squillace holidays

Squillace holidays land you in a traditional Calabrian ceramics hub, with equal appeal for history buffs and beach bums.

A slice of southern Italy

Italy’s got no shortage of on-trend holiday destinations, but Squillace isn’t one of them. And that’s a good thing if you’re hoping to see a quieter, more rustic side to the land of pizza and pasta. This place, pinpointed in the region of Calabria, was founded by Byzantines in the 8th century. It’s got the architecture to prove it, too, like a Norman castle and a bridge that the Carthaginian general Hannibal is said to have walked over. So, while others flock to TikTok-famous villas in hotspots like Lake Como, you can rub shoulders with locals as you roam around sites yet to take to social media fame.

Chiesas and ceramics shops

There’s nothing like an Italian church or ‘chiesa’ when you’re craving a bit of culture (and a break from the Mediterranean heat). Thankfully, Squillace has plenty of them, from the church of Santa Maria della Pieta – known for its Gothic style – to the 18th-century duomo, which was built on top of a Medieval cathedral. Pop in a few while wandering the town’s cobbled streets, before giving in to temptation to splash some cash at one of the local ceramic shops. The pignatari style, which gets its name from a traditional type of Italian cooking pot, was born here hundreds of years ago, and features terracotta pieces brushed with swirly hand-painted patterns.

Coastal daytrips

If you fancy exploring a bit of the local area, there’s a big archaeological park just 15 minutes’ drive away, where you can spy the remains of old Roman villas. It’s on the coast, so we’d suggest popping a swimming cozzie in your backpack and going for a dip in the Ionian Sea afterwards. Or, save the sightseeing for another day and make a beeline for Squillace Lido. This sand-side town is your nearest sunbathing spot and regularly rakes in Green Flag awards for its family-friendly appeal. Expect shallow water, powder-fine sand and a scenic promenade.