Car rental Lamezia Airport

Renting a car is essential if you want to get out and experience the beauty of Calabria. The roads tend be less busy than other, more visited, parts of the country, and the dramatic scenery makes for some exhilarating driving. 

Lamezia Terme Airport lies only a mile off the A2/E45 ‘Autostrada del Mediterraneo’, the main highway that runs the entire length of southern Italy’s east coast - from Naples all the way down to the toes of Italy’s boot.

From the A2, the E848 runs 25 miles east to Catanzaro. It also takes you to Cosenza, about 40 miles north of the airport, from where the E846 and SS177 run east to the mountains and lakes of Sila National Park.

In Italy, as in the US, you’ll be driving on the right-hand side of the road. Pay careful attention to speed limits on all roads. All Italian highways – autostrade and prefixed with an ‘A’ – are toll roads and indicated by green road signs.

The speed limit on autostrade is 80mph (130km/h). Strada Statale – prefixed with ‘SS’ – are one- or two-lane highways and non-tolled, with a speed limit of 70mph (110km/h) when two-lanes or 55mph (90km/h) when there’s one lane in each direction. Smaller regional roads are Strada Provinciale – prefixed with ‘SP’ – with a speed limit of 55mph (90km/h). In urban areas, the speed limit drops to 30mph (50km/h).

Due to the large number of tunnels in this mountainous and spectacular region, it’s advised to keep your lights on at all times.

Lamezia Terme Airport is convenient for visiting the many and diverse sights of this wonderful region, but don’t miss out on exploring the town itself.

Visit historic sites

Lovers of religious art and history should head for the Diocesan Museum, which contains paintings and religious artifacts from the 17^th and 18^th centuries, as well as a precious Arab-Norman ivory case dating from the 12^th century.

Only about three miles from the airport, overlooking the Tyrrhenian sea, stands the imposing and remarkably well-preserved Malta Bastion, built in 1550 for the Knights of Malta.

Enjoy an ice cream at the beach

About 10 miles south of the airport is the charming beach resort of Pizzo Calabro, with its tangle of narrow streets to explore and a beautiful beach that’s reached by strolling through a forest of pine and eucalyptus trees. Don’t leave town without savoring the utterly delicious Tartufo di Pizzo, the famous local ice cream dessert.

Sunbathe on the Coast of the Gods

Further south along the Tyrrhenian coast, about 40 miles from the airport, is the popular beach resort of Tropea. This stretch of coast is known as the Costa degli Dei – Coast of the Gods – and this is certainly a heavenly place to enjoy the warm Cantabrian sun and swim in the clear waters.

Tropea is famous throughout Italy for its sweet red onions and you can try red onion ice cream at Tonino’s ice cream parlor in town. Other weird and wonderful flavors include squid ink.

Aside from the glorious white sand beaches, Tropea’s historic old center is worth exploring, with its maze of narrow lanes and hidden squares where you can enjoy an espresso or stop for lunch in one of the many fine restaurants. Also worth seeing is the 12th century cathedral, which houses a painting of the Madonna of Romania, the town’s saintly protector.

Swim in two different seas on the same day

About half an hour’s drive east is Cantanzaro, known as the ‘City of Two Seas’ as it stands halfway between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas. The town is most notable for its spectacular Ponte Bisantis, one of Europe’s longest and tallest single arch bridges and an amazing feat of modern engineering. Driving across the bridge is a thrilling treat.

Close by are the beautiful beaches of the Ionian coast. Cantanzaro Lido is the nearest and busiest, with a pretty harbor and an array of waterfront cafés and restaurants for that essential gelato. A short distance away are the quieter and less developed beaches at Pietragrande and neighboring Spiaggia Caminia.

Hike in the mountains and then relax in a thermal spa

Almost 70 miles north-east from Lamezie Terme is the beautiful Sila National Park, a vast area of mountains, lakes and forests and a great place to go hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding.

After a day in the saddle, or on foot, you’ll be ready to indulge in one of the many treatments at the Terme Caronte health spa in the north of the town, where you can take a mud bath or just relax in the hot natural spring waters.

Car rental from Lamezia Airport puts all this and more within easy reach on your visit to this beautiful corner of Italy.