Gerace what to see: village, Cathedral and how to get there

In Gerace you see the Norman Cathedral, which the Italian Touring Club indicates as the largest church in Calabria, the churches around Largo delle Tre Chiese, the remains of the castle on the cliff and the Bombarde viewpoint on the Ionian Sea. The village is 470 meters on a sandstone hill in Locride, about 10 km from Locri and about 90 km from Reggio Calabria. By car it takes about an hour and a half. Without a car you take the train to Locri and then the bus to Gerace, which Trenitalia sells with a single train plus bus ticket on weekdays.

In this guide you will find the stages, timetables and tickets that we have been able to check as of October 5, 2026, and the solutions to get there from Reggio.

What to see in Gerace: the main stops

Gerace is called the city of a hundred churches. The historic center can be explored on foot: from the Cathedral to Largo delle Tre Chiese there are a few hundred meters of stone alleys. Since 2015 the village has been part of the most beautiful villages in Italy and has the Orange Flag of the Touring Club.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the crypt

The Basilica Co-cathedral measures 73 by 26 meters and is the main stop in the village. It was built in the Norman age, in the eleventh century, and reconsecrated in 1222. The three naves are divided by twenty granite and marble columns: some come from the ancient city of Locri Epizephyrii. Under the church there is the crypt, older than the upper basilica. The bell tower was halved by the earthquake of 1783.

In the crypt, in the chapel of St. Joseph, there is the Diocesan Museum. It preserves silverware, wooden sculptures and vestments from the sixteenth to the twentieth century. The oldest piece is a stauroteca (reliquary of the Cross) in gilded silver, dated to the twelfth century. According to the Ministry of Culture, in summer the museum opens every day from 9:15 to 15:20; in winter from Tuesday to Saturday, 9:30-12:45 and 15-17. The ticket price does not appear on the official sources we consulted: ask the Rectory of the Basilica, in Piazza Tribuna, at 0964 356323.

Largo delle Tre Chiese: San Francesco and San Giovannello

The church of San Francesco d'Assisi is open every day from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, closing from 2 pm to 3 pm. It is managed by the Ministry of Culture. It was built between the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the fourteenth century and is among the oldest Franciscan buildings in Southern Italy. Inside you will find the sarcophagus of Nicola Ruffo di Calabria (1372-1374) and the main altar of the seventeenth century, inlaid with colored marbles with plant, animal and landscape motifs.

The ticket costs € 3 and is cumulative for five churches:

St. Francis of Assisi
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
The Annunziatella
San Martino
Santa Maria del Mastro

You can buy it at the church of San Francesco or at the information point of the Civic Museum, in Piazza Tribuna 15.

San Giovannello is a small Byzantine church of the eleventh century, linked to the Greek rite. It is located on the same square, built in the eighties of the twentieth century on the area of the ancient monastery of San Giovanni Crisostomo.

The Norman castle

A large tower and sections of walls remain of the castle, on the edge of the cliff. The fortress dates back to the eleventh century, was modified in the sixteenth century and has overhangs on three sides. Earthquakes have reduced it to ruins. The official sources we consulted do not indicate times or conditions of access to the area: before going up, ask at the information point of the Civic Museum (0964 355009).

The Bombarde and the view of the Ionian Sea

The Bombarde are the belvedere in the lower part of the upper city, facing the Ionian Sea. The promenade overlooks the former monastery of Sant'Anna. From here you can see the coast of Locride and the sea. Along the way you will also meet the Porta del Sole, one of the four remaining gates of the twelve that opened into the walls.

The Civic Museum

The Salvatore Gemelli Civic Museum occupies a former seminary built around 1565. It exhibits the grave goods of the necropolis of the Stefanelli district, from the Iron Age, and a series of lithographs of Calabrian landscapes by Edward Lear, the English painter who was a guest in Gerace in 1847. It is also the tourist information point of the Municipality.

Gerace and roots tourism

Gerace is the headquarters of the A. I.C.O.T.U.R., the Italian Association of Municipalities of Roots Tourism, founded in November 2024. The founding municipalities are Gerace, Celico, Cleto and Falerna. The figure is reported in the report of the regional law proposal on roots tourism, filed with the Regional Council of Calabria on 17 June 2025.

The association works against the depopulation of inland areas: research on family history, twinning between Italian and foreign municipalities, routes for those returning to their countries of origin. If your journey starts with research on your ancestors in Locride, you will find the headquarters of the network in Gerace.

How to get to Gerace from Reggio Calabria

By car: about 90 km

The shortest route measures about 90 km and takes about an hour and a half. It passes through the A2 motorway and then crosses the Aspromonte towards the Ionian coast. If you choose the state road 106 along the coast, the distance rises to about 107 km and the time approaches two hours (calculation on OpenStreetMap, October 2026).

Without a car: train to Locri, then bus or taxi

Without a car, the journey requires two means: the train from Reggio to Locri and a bus or taxi for the last 10 km uphill. The steps:

Reggio Calabria Centrale-Locri train: the regional costs €7.40 and takes from 1 hour and 13 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes; the Intercity costs €8.50 and takes from 1 hour and 9 minutes to 1 hour and 25 minutes (Trenitalia prices and timetables, October 2026).
On Sundays , there are fewer departures: on Sunday, October 11, 2026, after the 7:57 am, the next train leaves at 11:05 am.
From Locri to Gerace: the road climbs for about 10 km. Trenitalia sells a single train plus bus ticket: the Autolinee Federico bus leaves from the square of the Locri station, with a supplement of €1.80. On Wednesday 14 October 2026, the fastest solution left Reggio at 12:14 with the Intercity and arrived in Gerace at 13:55 (€10.30); the return at 17:55 arrived in Reggio at 20:55 (€9.20). On Sunday 18 October, the search did not return bus rides: on holidays a taxi is needed to be booked in advance.
Return: on weekdays and Sundays the last regional train from Locri to Reggio leaves at 19:35 (arrival at 20:55); the Intercity at 18:25 arrives at 19:50 (October 2026 time).

How much time do you need to visit Gerace

For the village it takes three or four hours: Cathedral, Largo delle Tre Chiese, Bombarde and a tour through the alleys. From Reggio, however, the round trip takes about three hours by car, more by train and taxi. So count a whole day, with lunch in the village.

Gerace Experience: the day organized by Reggio

The Athena ETC Gerace Experience lasts 7 and a half hours and starts from Piazza Indipendenza, in Reggio Calabria. It solves the problem of the connection between Locri and the village, because transport is included. The published program:

9:30 am: departure from Reggio Calabria.
11:00 am: arrival in Gerace and tour of the village with a visit to the churches and the Cathedral.
Tasting of local wines and spirits.
Typical lunch in a restaurant in the village.
Free time.
16:00: departure from Gerace and return to Reggio.

The fee includes round-trip transport, Athena ETC guide, tasting and lunch. The page indicates that the professional tour guide is available on request, at 130 € per group, and is included for groups of at least 6 participants. Languages: Italian and English.

The price starts at €120 per person for adults and €96 for children up to 12 years old. There are two promotions: 25% discount for groups of 6 people or more and 15% if you book at least 90 days in advance.

How to book with Athena ETC

Athena ETC services are reserved for members: registration is done online from the Join us page. The Gerace Experience is on request: choose the date, indicate how many people you are and receive confirmation. For groups, requests on the guide or different itineraries write to info@athenaetc.com or call +39 379 14 92 736. If you prefer a car with a driver only for transport, look at private transport.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gerace

What to see in Gerace in a few hours?

The Cathedral with the crypt and the Diocesan Museum, the church of San Francesco d'Assisi and San Giovannello in Largo delle Tre Chiese, the remains of the castle and the Bombarde viewpoint. The walking tour takes three or four hours.

How far is it from Gerace to Reggio Calabria?

About 90 km on the shortest route, with the A2 and the Aspromonte crossing, in about an hour and a half. Along the state road 106 Jonica it is about 107 km.

Can you get to Gerace without a car?

Yes, by two means: train from Reggio Calabria Centrale to Locri (€7.40 in regional, October 2026) and bus or taxi for the approximately 10 km uphill to the village. On weekdays Trenitalia sells the single train plus bus ticket.

Is there a bus from Locri to Gerace?

Yes, on weekdays: Trenitalia sells a single train plus bus ticket, with the Autolinee Federico bus from the square of the Locri station and a supplement of €1.80. For Sunday 18 October 2026 there were no runs.

How much does it cost to visit the churches of Gerace?

The €3 cumulative ticket is valid for five churches: San Francesco d'Assisi, Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, Annunziatella, San Martino and Santa Maria del Mastro. It can be purchased at San Francesco or at the Civic Museum.

Can the castle of Gerace be visited?

The tower and some walls on the cliff remain of the castle. Official sources do not report times or conditions of access: ask at the information point of the Civic Museum before going up.

What are the opening hours of the Diocesan Museum of Gerace?

According to the Ministry of Culture: in summer daily 9:15-15:20, in winter from Tuesday to Saturday 9:30-12:45 and 15-17. The museum is in the crypt of the Cathedral.

Is Gerace among the most beautiful villages in Italy?

Yes, since 2015. It also has the Orange Flag of the Italian Touring Club.

What does Gerace have to do with roots tourism?

The Italian Association of Municipalities of Roots Tourism (A.I.C.O.T.U.R.), founded in November 2024 with Celico, Cleto and Falerna, is based in Gerace.

What does the Athena ETC Gerace Experience include?

Round-trip transport from Piazza Indipendenza, tour leader, tasting of local wines and spirits and typical lunch, in 7 and a half hours. Price from 120 € per person; the professional guide is included by 6 participants, otherwise it costs 130 € per group.

Gerace: what to see in the medieval village and how to get there from Reggio Calabria