BY AIR:
Book a direct flight to Lamezia Terme (SUF) - from many European cities, especially from England and Ireland, and even from Toronto, Canada
Alitalia flies several times daily from Rome
German Wings and Air Berlin fly weekly from various German cities from spring to autumn
From Lamezia Airport (SUF) to Pizzo historic center it is ONLY 20 km ! (about 20 min drive)
Next airport: Reggio Calabria (app. 130 km to Pizzo)
By TRAIN:
From Rome around 5h train ride. Pizzo has its own train station.
BY CAR:
From North:
Highway A3 Salerno – Reggio Calabria, exit Pizzo. Then, follow the direction to Pizzo on SS 18. When arriving in the old town, there is a T-junction behind a church. Turn right into SS 522 direction Vibo Marina. For the centro storico, follow the street for about 600 m. Before the bridge and tunnel turn left into the Piazza della Repubblica. (The entrance is not allowed after 6pm without residence permit). For La Marina keep going straight through the tunnel, and turn right about 200 m behind the castle.
From South:
Highway A3 Reggio Calabria - Salerno, exit Vibo Valentia - Sant’Onofrio. Then, follow the direction SS 18 until the city center.
Just relax ! You are travelling back in time. Enjoy Italy of the 60ies! Life is slow here. Hang out in one of the many bars and feel the atmosphere. Swim in crystal clear water at one of the various beaches. Stroll through the narrow alleys at different times of the day. Enjoy the sea view from different spots. If you still want some culture, visit one of the 10 churches or the castle with its small museum.
Read more about Things to do in Pizzo!
Chiesetta di Piedigrotta among the ten churches in Pizzo the most unique on the beach
Murat website with information about the King of the two Sicilies who was shout dead in Pizzo's Castello Murat
Dolce Vita Pizzo offers walking tours in English during spring and summer with Ana Rosa
Palazzo Pizzo Guest Residence - our guest residence upon request $
B&B Casa Angelieri/Villa Beatrice - one beautifully located B&B just off our alley, with same spectacular sea views, open since April 2011 $
B&B Bella Pizzo - located between la piazza della Republica and La Marina, owned and managed by Claire and Alan O'Connor, a friendly Irish-English family $
Piccolo Grand Hotel - the only hotel in the heart of Pizzo's historic center, located in an old and nicely restored palazzo, just a stone throw from Palazzo Pizzo, eco friendly and modern, since Easter 2011, friendly and eco oriented $$
Club Med Napitia - has it's name from Pizzo's ancient name "Napitia", located between Lamezia Terme airport and Pizzo-Marinella $$-$$$
Hotel Pantarei - near Tropea, in Parghelia $$$
Hotel Porto Pigros - near Tropea, in Parghelia $$$
Life in Pizzo is slow and easy. It seems closer to the 60ies than to modern fast life and Internet. There are many simple restaurants and pizzerias in and around Pizzo where you can have great meals at a very reasonable price. There is no place "just" for tourists as Pizzo lives all year round and Pizzitani go out for meals too. If you look up restaurants in Pizzo on the internet, you will only find a few young and smart gelatiere who are up to modern times with website or facebook. Update July 2012: many bars in the piazza offer free wifi! (if they don't have forgotten the password).
Pizzo has about 15 gelaterie because here, in this village, the famous tartuffo ice cream was invented and every ice cream maker has its own secret recipe!
In Pizzo, a good pizza can be found at SPQR or at Le Castellane in piazza, and at La Marina at Moby Dick, La Roata and others. The prices ($) of a Pizza Margherita or a Spaghetti Vongole will make you happy and not want to cook at home anymore.
A very good restaurant, located above la Seggiola, is San Domenico. No menue as the chef cooks what the sea and the market have to offer. Slightly more pricy ($$) then the usual restaurants in Pizzo, as you will order at least two courses. This small restaurant only serves dinner, starting around 9 pm, service is not fast, but dishes creative and tasty. Via Colapesce, Pizzo, Italy (0039) 3491390255
For a change try Don Diego (some years ago it was La Medusa). Their large terrace is overlooking the entire centro storico from above, bellissimo! I love the view at lunch time, even more than at night. But at night the owner, who happen to be our neighbour in front, entertains the guest at a white grand piano, karaoke style, with an impressive voice. $$
La Lampada seems to be popular according to Trip Advisor, so we "tested" it in April 2013. And we all liked it! Very good choice and cooking. I liked the details of the interior, since this is key for that indoor only restaurant. $
L'Aragonese is a good restaurant at La Marinella, a part of Pizzo that is located further North, towards Lamezia. Local fish dishes, tonno o pesce sparda as well as pizza are good choices. $
GO has the most breathtaking panorama views (I prefer the view at lunch)! Because of its location in the hills, you will need a car. Relaxed atmosphere, nice for special occasions, $$. Strada Provinciale per S. Onofrio, Pizzo, Italy 0039 347 1137854
La Degusteria on the way to Maierato/S.Onofrio (some km after "Go" restaurant), offers great local dishes. Nice for a change. $
L'Approdo in Vibo Marina (4 km from Pizzo) $$$ **** really good food - you might encounter some famous people that spend the night on their big yachts in Vibo Marina before heading to Stromboli or Panarea, Eolie Islands.
Bato a chic little restaurant and bar in Vibo Marina, just opposite the yacht harbour. We have not tried it yet, since sushi is not on our priority list when in Italy. Maybe the only spot that depends on tourists spending one night on their boat before leaving to the Eolie islands. $$$
If this list is not enough, try to find more via tripadvisor.
Pizzo WEATHER forecast - packing the right things into the suitcase!
CN24.TV Pizzo Calabro
Lamezia Terme Airport (international code: SUF)
Italian Government Tourist Board
Word reference online dictionary
Pizzo Calabro website with information about Pizzo
The first travel guide about Calabria published in English (by Thomas Cook):
I have it and love it! For more books written in Calabria check my bookstore.
To get a good impression about Pizzo and getting into the holiday mood, watch this video via YouTube:
- updated April 2013 -
best regards
Suzie
photo source: suzie for Palazzo Pizzo copyright 2006-2013
