August 5, 2025 Β· Leave a Comment
Crossing the Strait of Messina by Ferry
We just got back from a whirlwind Sicily to Calabria road trip, and wow, we saw it all. From ferry decks with ocean breezes to winding mountain roads and long-overdue hugs with family, this trip had a little bit of everything.
If youβre thinking about crossing the Strait of Messina by car, or just curious what itβs like to explore the Calabrian coast, hereβs a peek inside our experience.
How We Started Our Sicily to Calabria Road Trip
We started early in the morning, driving across the northern edge of Sicily toward the ferry terminal. The Tyrrhenian Sea was sparkling that day, and even though the temperature was soaring past 100 degrees, the breeze on the ferry deck made it feel surprisingly pleasant.
The statue of the Madonna della Lettera greeted us as we left Messinaβs harbor, a peaceful, beautiful sendoff.
The crossing only takes about 20 minutes, so itβs over almost before you get settled. But itβs a moment. The kind of moment that sticks, sea views on every side, a coastal skyline fading in the distance, and that feeling like something new is about to begin.
Family Time and Small Town Calabria
Once we hit land in Calabria, the road trip began in earnest. We visited relatives, stopped for lunch in the Sila mountains, and caught up on everything we’d missed since the last trip. This wasnβt a rushed itinerary; it was more about presence, sitting down together, and just being in the moment.
We even got to visit with Elijahβs family, and we had a blessed time. No big tourist stops here, just real homes, real hugs, and that deep sense of connection you only get with time.
Coastal Views in Scilla
One of the highlights of our Sicily to Calabria road trip was pulling off in Scilla, a stunning little town that hugs the coast. Colorful buildings stacked along the hills, bright blue sea stretching out for miles, and cliffs that make you catch your breath.
If you’re driving through, stop here. Just park and wander for a while. Grab an ice cream. Look out over the water and take a beat. Itβs not crowded, and itβs not trying too hard; itβs just beautiful in that unfiltered, coastal Italy kind of way.
Unexpected Moments and the Way Back
Every road trip has a few surprises. Ours came in small ways:Β spring water from the mountains, stories shared over coffee, a sudden turn revealing another jaw-dropping view. Thatβs the part of the Sicily to Calabria road trip Iβll remember most: how it made us slow down.
On the way back to Sicily, we took our time. Let the sea wind down the windows, watch the coastline drift by, and just soak it all in. No rush. No checklist. Just life on the road, Sicilian style.
Final Thoughts
If youβre planning a Sicily to Calabria road trip, hereβs what Iβd say: do it. But donβt overplan. Let yourself get a little lost. Talk to strangers. Take the detours. Itβs not about the destination, itβs about seeing both sides of the Strait, and the life that unfolds between.
Weβre back in Carini now, with fresh memories and sandy floor mats, and already talking about where to go next. Thatβs how you know it was good.
If youβre curious what everyday life looks like in our small Sicilian town, check out our post on Living in Carini Sicily for a more personal look at the rhythms of daily life here.
