Major city · Italy
Scalea
One night or a day-trip from Lamezia Terme or Cosenza: the old town and beach are fine for a half-day, but the region's best coast is further south.
Scalea is a small Tyrrhenian resort on the Riviera dei Cedri, with a medieval old town, a long beach and the landmark Torre Talao. It works as a quick stop between Lamezia Terme and the Pollino National Park or as a quiet base for a night. Most travellers use it for a single night or skip it for Tropea or the Aeolian Islands.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded and hot), Nov–Feb (many places closed)
- Airports
- SUF · NAP
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Scalea113 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Scalea, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyScalea is safe; petty theft is rare.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers113 police · 115 fire · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckSUF Lamezia Terme (About 1.5 h by car or bus; check shuttle services.).
- Getting aroundWalkable: the old town and beach are within 15 min on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a bar€1–1.50 (≈ US$2)
- Sit-down mealSeafood dinner (secondi)€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- BeerBeer (draft, 0.4 L)€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Lamezia Terme to Scalea€8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check)
- Budget bedApartment (up to 4), a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in a mid-range hotel, a night, per room€160 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SUF Lamezia Terme (About 1.5 h by car or bus; check shuttle services.) · NAP Naples (About 2.5 h drive; train via Paola possible but slower.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Scalea: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable: the old town and beach are within 15 min on foot. A car is useful for the coast and Pollino. Local buses connect Scalea to nearby towns; check timetables.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pollino National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, about 30–40 min to the park boundary
Hiking and gorges; check trail conditions in spring.
Tropea
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Car via A2, about 1 h 15 min
Better beaches and a dramatic old town on a cliff.
Cosenza
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via SS18 or A2, about 40 min
Historic centre and the Swabian Castle.
Lamezia Terme
cautionDoor to door: About 1.25 h
Car via A2, about 1 h
Mainly an airport stop; the town itself is not a destination.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lungomare / beachfront
Hotels and B&Bs along the seafront; close to the beach and Torre Talao.
Old town (centro storico)
Narrow streets, quieter, but parking can be tight.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €130 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a mid-range hotel1 × 1 night × €100 | €100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100 | €200 |
| Lamezia Terme airport shuttle (one way)2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| Beach club sunbed + umbrella, one day2 × €15 | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €38 |
| Trip total≈ €209 per person per day, bed included | €418≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a bar | €1–1.50 (≈ US$2) |
| Pizza (margherita) | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Seafood dinner (secondi) | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Beer (draft, 0.4 L) | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Gelato (two scoops) | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bus from Lamezia Terme to Scalea | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants and hotels close outside summer (Jun–Sep); check ahead in shoulder months.
- Parking in the old town is limited; use the Lungomare lots.
- Beach clubs charge for sunbeds and umbrellas; free beach sections exist but are narrower.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 113
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
- EU emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ScaleaScalea
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police113
- Fire115
- Ambulance118
- EU emergency112
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Naples; most other countries have embassies in Rome.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lamezia Terme airport → Scalea: about €15–20 (≈ US$18–25) by shuttle or bus, about 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi from Scalea station to old town: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
Say or show
- Ciao — Hello / Goodbye (chow)
- Grazie — Thank you (graht-see-eh)
- Quanto costa? — How much? (kwahn-toh koh-stah)
- Dov'è la spiaggia? — Where is the beach? (doh-veh lah spee-ah-jah)
- Il conto, per favore — The bill, please (eel kohn-toh pehr fah-voh-reh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Scalea. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded and hot), Nov–Feb (many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Torre Talao, Church of San Nicolas in Plateis and the old town with verified opening hours.
- Eat pages with seasonal opening dates and last orders.
- Beach club pages with prices and reservation links.
- Transport page for the Lamezia Terme–Scalea shuttle with current schedules.
Sources
Ask about Scalea
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