Visit Gerace: Discover the Majestic Cathedral

Looking for a village with medieval drama, coastal views, and just enough wine to make you stay an extra night? It’s time to visit Gerace. Hidden high in the hills of Calabria, this ridiculously charming town mixes Byzantine soul, Norman bones, and that deliciously slow southern pace we all secretly crave. Gerace is a dream for culture lovers, architecture nerds, and anyone planning a visit to the Calabria wineries with actual taste. Over 100 churches, a cathedral that could double as a film set, and castle ruins with Ionian views, it’s all here, just waiting to be wandered. Throw in a glass of local red in a quiet piazza, and suddenly you’re not “just visiting”, you’re staying until further notice.

Visit Gerace and its best things to do

Marvel at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

Built way back in 1045, this stone giant has seen some things. With its Romanesque-Norman attitude, crypts carved straight into the rock, and ancient columns “borrowed” from Locri (recycling, but make it historic), the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta doesn’t do subtle. You walk in expecting quiet reverence and leave kind of impressed that something this old can still steal the show. It’s part church, part museum, part architectural flex, and totally worth the detour.

Wander through the remains of the Ancient Castle of Gerace

What’s left of Gerace’s ancient Norman castle may be mostly ruins, but the views are? Fully intact and absolutely worth the uphill stroll. Perched on a cliff with the Ionian Sea in the distance and hills rolling out below, this spot still carries a quiet kind of power. Walk through the old baglio (that big open courtyard space), let the wind mess up your hair, and try to imagine knights pacing the walls and planning… whatever Norman knights planned.

Explore the Church of San Francesco

Built in the 13th century after Francis of Assisi paid Gerace a visit, the Church of San Francesco is more than a pretty building, it’s a quiet powerhouse of spiritual history. Rebuilt in parts after the 1783 earthquake (because even beautiful churches get shaken up), it now shows off a serene Gothic interior and religious artworks that feel like they’ve been watching over visitors for centuries. Step into the adjacent convent for a stroll, it’s the kind of place that makes you slow down without even trying.

Walk to Porta del Sole

This 16th-century stone arch once marked the edge of the old town, now, it just happens to frame one of the best views on the Ionian coast. Walk through and everything shifts: hills, sea, sky, all laid out like they’re waiting for your attention. At sunset, the light hits just right, and the whole scene feels a bit unreal. No filters needed, just show up.

Step Inside the Church of Sacred Heart (Sacro Cuore)

Tucked away from the main sights, the Church of the Sacred Heart (Sacro Cuore) offers something gentler. It’s small, simple, and deeply rooted in Gerace’s spiritual fabric. Dedicated to the heart of Jesus, this isn’t the place for crowds or grand architecture, it’s where you step inside, breathe a little slower, and feel something settle. Peaceful, humble, and quietly powerful.

Relax in the open space of the Baglio

Big, open, and full of old-school drama, the Baglio is where Gerace stretches its legs. Surrounded by castle ruins and cliffs that look like they’ve seen some things, this space once hosted civic events, announcements, maybe even a scandal or two. These days, it’s more about casual strolls, local gossip, and catching your breath between churches. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t try hard, because it doesn’t have to.

Wander the old streets

Wandering Gerace isn’t about following a map, it’s about letting the cobbled alleys decide where you go. The balconies are blooming, the arches curve just right, and everything feels like it forgot what century it’s in (in the best way). People call it an enchanted village, but honestly, it’s just Gerace being Gerace, slow, beautiful, and full of little surprises around every corner.

What are the best things to do around Gerace?

Wander at the ancient ruins of Locri

Just down the hill from Gerace, Locri’s archaeological park takes you way, way back, like temples-to-gods-and-togas-back. Once a star of Magna Graecia, this site still shows off its Greek and Roman roots with crumbling amphitheaters, sacred altars, and the hauntingly delicate remains of the Sanctuary of Persephone. The sea breeze from the Ionian floats through the ruins like it knows it belongs there. It’s peaceful, powerful, and honestly pretty wild to just wander through something this old.

Journey along the Ionian Coast to Roccella Ionica

Just a 30-minute drive from Gerace, Roccella Ionica delivers turquoise waters, soft sand, and just enough medieval flair to keep things interesting. The Norman castle perched above town gives it character, while the lively beachside piazza is the perfect spot to sip local wine with the Ionian Sea in full view. In summer, the town comes alive with open-air concerts and festivals, but even in quieter months, the mix of winding streets, seaside vibes, and Calabrian heart makes it worth the stop. Grab some local goodies from the market, or keep cruising along the coast, this stretch of Calabria doesn’t disappoint.

Plan the perfect Calabria day trip

Once you’ve wandered the stone alleys and soaked in the silence of Gerace, the road starts calling. Rolling hills, sun-drenched coastlines, and sleepy towns just waiting to surprise you, it’s all within reach. For a perfect escape that pairs local flavor with beautiful detours, check out our Calabria day trip guide by our specialist team. It’s your shortcut to those unplanned stops that end up being the highlight of your trip.

Good to Know before visiting Gerace