Acquaro: Trails through wooded slopes and historic churches

Acquaro is a destination for travellers who want to combine nature and culture in a clear, varied travel theme. The Anello Bellavista leads through the landscape of Piani di Acquaro, while several churches with works of art, stucco and Baroque architecture provide insights into the history of the area. This puts both hiking experiences and sacred art and historical traces at the heart of your planning.

Hiking between circular trail and woodland landscape

The Anello Bellavista is a 9-kilometre circular trail starting and ending in Località Gallone-Fanelli in Piani di Acquaro. Its circular form makes orientation easier when planning your day, as the trail leads back to its starting point. The specific trail length also provides a clear basis for adapting the hiking day to your own pace.

The Anello Bellavista runs through the Riserva Naturale Biogenetica Marchesale nature reserve. It is recognised as an SIC, meaning a Site of Community Importance. Piani di Acquaro has gentle, spring-rich slopes and forests that rise inland from the foothills of the mountains. Springs, woodland areas and rising slopes give the landscape its own character and make it interesting for walks and hikes.

Another route is Faggio del Re-Speranza. It passes through the municipalities of Arena, Acquaro and Fabrizia. The route includes the fenced La Speranza picnic area, where hikers can drink, linger and rest. For a stay focused on physical activity, you can therefore choose between the Anello Bellavista circular trail and a route that connects several municipalities.

Churches, art and historical traces

The Chiesa Madre was founded in the 14th century, is decorated with 19th-century stucco and preserves several valuable wooden statues. The niche of the main altar also contains an Assumption of the Virgin Mary by Giuseppe De Lorenzo.

The Chiesetta di San Giuseppe contains a work depicting Saint Francis of Assisi. It was created by the Calabrian sculptor Diego da Careri. The Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Latini has an imposing main façade with lines and ornamentation in the Baroque style. Those who include churches in their travel plans will therefore find different forms of sacred design in Acquaro: wooden statues and stucco in the Chiesa Madre, a figurative work in San Giuseppe, and a Baroque-influenced façade at Santa Maria dei Latini.

The earthquake of 1783 almost completely destroyed Acquaro's historic settlement. This event is one of the defining historical traces that play a role when exploring the area, alongside the surviving churches.

Destinations around Acquaro

The area around Acquaro includes the Castello Normanno-Svevo, a castle, the Museo Archelogico Statale Vito Capialbi, a museum, and Monte Pecoraro, a mountain. These destinations expand the selection to include a castle, museum and mountain. In the wider regional area around Acquaro are the Ruderi di Ipponion, ruins, and the Soprintendenza Archeologica Della Calabria, a museum.

Several beaches are also part of the wider regional area around Acquaro: Le Dune Blu, Spiaggia San Ferdinando and Spiaggia Del Cannone. They stand as destinations in their own right alongside the trails, forests, churches and historic sites. For your travel planning, you can therefore set different priorities and explore Acquaro either more through its landscape and hiking routes or through churches, art and excursions in the wider area.

Choose accommodation to match your travel theme

When choosing a hotel in Acquaro, you can base your decision on your planned priorities. For days in nature, the Anello Bellavista, the slopes and forests of Piani di Acquaro, and the Faggio del Re-Speranza route are the main attractions. For culturally focused days, the Chiesa Madre, the Chiesetta di San Giuseppe and the Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Latini offer specific points of interest. Destinations in the surrounding area and the wider regional area complement this selection with a castle, museum, mountain, ruins and beaches.

More destinations for your travel planning

Filogaso, Spilinga, Nicotera Marina, Monterosso Calabro, Coccorino, Rombiolo, Mandaradoni and Brognaturo

To the higher-level travel overview: Vibo Valentia.