Southern Italy - a guide for hunters and tourists

September 2, 2024

It isn't easy to find a more beautiful place in Europe than the south of Italy. It has a unique history, culture, and culinary traditions and is rich in architectural and natural attractions. All this makes it a real magnet for tourists and lovers of multiple types of recreation. In addition, the south of Italy is ideal for hunters. It allows you to have a great time in nature and get the best trophy of your life. If you consider yourself a fan of hunting and tourism, then be sure to read our guide. It will allow you to learn much about Southern Italy and help you prepare well for a trip to this region.

What do hunters and tourists need to know before traveling to Southern Italy?
Southern Italy is a special place for many hunters and tourists who travel to different countries in search of adventure or good trophies. It is unique in almost everything, and finding a place similar to our planet is impossible. In this regard, it is essential to study this region's features in advance and carefully prepare for your trip.
First of all, you should pay attention to the local climate. Almost throughout the entire territory of Southern Italy, it is moderate. The only exceptions are some areas in the east. The temperate climate is characterized by summer with minimal precipitation. Very often during this period of the year, the temperature rises to high levels, so hunters and tourists may not be too comfortable doing their favorite thing. In winter, the main disadvantages are high humidity and constant proximity of temperature indicators to 0 degrees Celsius. The latter feature leads to the fact that any precipitation will significantly complicate further hunting or traveling in the south of Italy. In this regard, the optimal time for traveling and hunting is spring or autumn. Southern Italy is a seismically active region. Earthquakes are common here and, in some cases, can be pretty intense. The most dangerous places in this regard are Sicily, Basilicata and Calabria. In these regions, earthquakes with a magnitude of over seven on the Richter scale are most often recorded. This does not mean that you should avoid the south of Italy. When planning a hunt or a tourist trip, you should consider the possibility of such troubles and carefully prepare for them.
The next thing that all hunters and tourists traveling to the south of Italy need to know is the presence of many dialects. Almost every southern region has nuances of pronunciation and interpretation of certain expressions, which creates difficulties even for people who know Italian well. It will be even more difficult for visitors from other countries who only speak English. Many residents of the southern regions can speak only the local language, which is why you are unlikely to achieve everyday communication with them. At the same time, in cities where the primary industry is tourism, such problems will not arise.
Residents of the south of Italy are always very emotional people. They speak loudly and defend their point of view even when they understand they are wrong. This feature makes them unique and unlike the residents of the country's north. At the same time, they are pretty friendly and hospitable. They will be happy to show a stranger their favorite hunting spots and tell tourists how to spend their vacation in southern Italy more profitably. Many travelers use this character trait of Italians living in the South to their advantage, getting the opportunity to have a fantastic vacation or get a good trophy.
For foreign tourists to travel to the south of Italy, having a standard set of documents is enough. At the same time, hunters must also have a special hunting permit. It is issued in the country where the person comes and is confirmed in Italy. In some cases (depending on the region and the specific place of hunting), various additional documents may be required, which should be found out before the trip. You will also need a permit to own a weapon and papers to import it into Italy legally.

Popular places for hunters and tourists
In the south of Italy, the conditions for tourists are ideal. There are many hotels, beaches, and places for recreation and entertainment and many historical, architectural and natural attractions. All this allows every tourist to have a good time and enjoy the trip. For hunters, the south of Italy is also a good place. There are spacious hunting grounds on its territory where you can get a good trophy and enjoy the wild nature, far from large settlements.

Sicily
Sicily is on the list of the best places for hunters and tourists. This region consists almost entirely of islands of the same name in the Mediterranean Sea. It stands out for its unique culture, many hunting locations, magnificent landscapes, and unusual cuisine.
Sicily is a natural paradise for tourists. Almost every major city (Palermo, Catania, and others) has many attractions you should see from your perspective. Among them, the most famous is Valle dei Templi. This archaeological site includes seven magnificent temples built before our era and partially preserved until the 21st century. Also worthy of tourists' attention are Villa Romana del Casale, the Necropolis of Pantalica and many ancient castles. Among natural sites, the leader in the popularity rating among tourists is the Aeolian Islands. They are located to the north of the central part of the region but are part of it. This archipelago of volcanic origin allows wildlife to be seen and have an unforgettable vacation. Also, all tourists should pay attention to the volcano Etna. It is the main attraction of Sicily and an object thanks to which many legends and myths have appeared. In addition, Sicily has a sufficient number of hotels, beaches, and places for entertainment. All of them will appeal to tourists who prefer a more traditional type of holiday.
Hunters in Sicily will have something to do. The island is home to many species of animals and birds that can become suitable prey. Most often, hunters who shoot various birds come to these places. The most popular species are wood pigeons, ducks, woodcocks, partridges, and pheasants. Animals also often become the main target of hunters. First of all, lovers of this activity try to get the European mouflon, for which Sicily is home. Deer, wild boars, rabbits, and other mammals are among the priority species.

Puglia
Puglia is a great place for travel lovers. This famous region has one of the longest coastlines, which creates favorable conditions for tourism development and attracts the attention of people worldwide. Also, Puglia has everything you need for hunting.
For tourists, this part of southern Italy becomes a portal to the past. Almost throughout its territory, you can find small villages where ancient buildings of historical value have been preserved. In each of these settlements, you can see the life of our ancestors with your own eyes. Puglia has many architectural attractions. The most significant are the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Castello Aragonese, and Castel del Monte. These and similar objects have been well preserved to this day; today, everyone can examine them in detail. Puglia is attractive to tourists not only because of its architecture but also because of its natural features. On its territory, there are two national parks home to many animals. These locations also attract attention due to the variety of plant species. For those who prefer a more traditional trip, Puglia offers all kinds of beach and water activities. Everyone will find something to do and have a good time. For hunters, Puglia is also a priority region. Although it is necessary to follow stricter hunting rules than in other places in southern Italy, the pleasure you get from this activity will make you forget all the inconveniences. In Puglia, the main trophies are often birds. There are many of them here at any time of the year, so hunters will not be left without work. The most popular types of wild pigeons pheasants and partridges are. Among animals, rabbits and other small mammals are considered the most popular.

Calabria
Anyone who has ever been to the south of Italy has visited Calabria. This region's favorable location makes it ideal for tourists and hunters. Both of these categories of travelers find what they are looking for here and get maximum pleasure from their time spent.
Calabria is made for tourism. It has access to the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas, attracting beach lovers, and developed tourist infrastructure. Thanks to this combination, there are almost as many visitors as residents. In Calabria, you can relax on the beach during the day and enjoy various attractions in the evening. The main objects are the Santuario di Santa Maria dell'Isola, Castello Ruffo, and Castello Aragonese Pizzo. All these masterpieces become an ideal background for photographs and allow you to appreciate the incredible talent of the architects of the past. In Calabria, you can easily find several unique natural locations. These include Aspromonte National Park. It will be an ideal place for hiking and studying the local flora and fauna. Sila and Pollino also attract attention. Both parks look good at any time, so you can admire them all year round.
Calabria is among the top 5 best regions in southern Italy for hunters. It allows for different types of hunting and gaining valuable trophies. Most often, visitors choose wild boars as their main target. There are many of them in Calabria, so their hunting season lasts as long as possible. An alternative to them are various ungulates and smaller mammals. Among birds, the most popular species among hunters are woodcocks. They live almost throughout the entire region, so finding a suitable location will be easy.

Basilicata
In the south of Italy, there is a region called Basilicata. At first glance, it does not seem like the most attractive place for tourists and hunters, but all those who have already visited its territory confidently claim the opposite.
Basilicata cannot boast a long coastline, so traditional beach holidays are available here only in a few places. However, there is plenty to do in this region for those who like a more active pastime. Immediately after arrival, most tourists go to see the local architectural attractions. There are so many of them in Basilicata that you can only see a few of these objects in one trip. Among the most famous architectural masterpieces are Matera Cathedral, San Pietro Caveoso, and San Michele Abbey, as well as the castles of Bernalda, Lagopesole, Laurenzana, and Muro Lucano. In addition, several picturesque villages in the region are among the most attractive in Italy. In Basilicata, you can also enjoy many unique natural attractions. They are evenly distributed throughout the territory so that you can find them in any city. Attractive tourist sites include Lago Laudemio, Lago di Monte Cotugno, and Riserva Naturale San Giuliano. Basilicata is not as popular with tourists as other regions. This feature is great news for hunters. They get the opportunity to do their favorite thing in dozens of locations, each offering various landscapes and ecosystems. All these places are home to many animals and birds, so the hunter will have a wide choice of priority species. The most popular hunting objects are ungulates, which fallow deer, deer, and mouflon. An alternative option is wild boar, rabbits and various types of birds.

Molise
The smallest and youngest region in the south of Italy is perfectly adapted to the needs of tourists and hunters. Foreigners and Italians living in other parts of the country will feel comfortable in its small territory.
Molise has less than 40 km of coastline, so the opportunities for recreation on the Adriatic coast are limited. However, the accessible territory has a developed infrastructure, allowing every tourist to have a good time on the beach and in its surroundings. In the parts of Molise that are more remote from the coast, there are many small villages, some of which are even included in the list of the best such objects in Italy. Every self-respecting tourist should see them with their own eyes. There are also several unique architectural objects in the region. The most famous of them are the Teatro Sannita Pietrabbondante and the castles of Monforte, Pandone Venafro, and Svevo di Termoli. Despite the small territory, there are beautiful natural objects in Molise. The best tourist attractions are Lago di Castel San Vincenzo, Cascate Del Volturno, and Reserva Natural Montedimezzo.
Molise is attractive for hunters because in this region, there is an opportunity to meet several types of popular game in one place. Most often, the main objects of hunting are birds and various small mammals. It will be pretty difficult to shoot each of these representatives of the fauna, but it will be interesting. Such a hunt will be remembered for a long time and become every hunter's best event of the year.

Campania
This region of southern Italy, with Naples as its central city, is attractive to tourists and hunters. It has everything necessary to satisfy the needs of travelers and lovers of active recreation. Campania has access to the Tyrrhenian Sea, enabling it to develop the tourism industry actively. The region has countless beaches, hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, and other facilities that are popular with tourists. In addition to them, Campania has many attractions that people from all over the world come to see. The list of the most visited sites includes Amalfi Coast, Pompeii Archaeological Park, Reggia di Caserta, Cappella Sansevero, Castel dell'Ovo. Other attractions also deserve much attention and can be listed for several hours. In general, almost every city in Campania will have something to see. The leading natural site of the region is Vesuvius. This famous volcano is just a few kilometers from Naples, so everyone can enjoy its beauty and grandeur. Also among the must-see places are the island of Ischia and the Phlegraean Field.
Campania is not the best place for hunters, but it should not be included in the regions lagging in this regard either. There are several excellent hunting grounds on its territory, where you can have a good time and get the desired trophy. In most cases, the main prey of hunters is waterfowl. In addition, quails, ungulates, and wild boars are popular hunting objects.

Sardinia
This island in the Mediterranean Sea is one of the regions most visited by tourists and hunters in southern Italy. It attracts attention with its unique culture and various recreation options. Sardinia has everything you need to receive guests from Europe and other continents.
The Mediterranean Sea surrounds the island, so the most popular entertainment for tourists is a beach holiday. In Sardinia, tens of kilometers of beaches have been prepared for these purposes, and the corresponding infrastructure has been developed. For those who prefer a more active way of spending their free time, various excursions into the island's interior are offered. They provide an opportunity to know the local culture and architecture better. Everyone can examine masterpieces such as Villa Piercy, The Royal Palace, Palazzo Civico, etc., in detail here. The nature of the island is no less attractive. Sardinia has over a dozen reserves and protected natural parks, each open to tourists. The most famous of these sites are the national parks of Asinara, Arcipelago di La Maddalena, and Gennargentu. You can meet many animals and see several unique plants on their territory.
Sardinia is perfect not only for tourists but also for hunters. This is due to the advantageous geographical position of the island and the diversity of ecosystems. Thanks to this, many birds can become good trophies at any time of the year, even for an experienced hunter. Sardinian partridges are the most popular species. Visitors also often hunt woodcocks, wood pigeons and other birds. Among animals, wild boars, roe deer, and fallow deer are the most common prey.

Abruzzo
This famous region is geographically located in the center of Italy but still belongs to the southern part of the country. This is due to the fact that it has historical ties with the southern regions and is also distinguished by a culture close to them. In the territory of Abruzzo, hunters and tourists will find everything they need to do their favorite things and will be able to experience a lot of positive emotions.
Abruzzo is actively developing tourism. For this, the region has everything you need, from access to the sea to a variety of unique natural objects. Among the latter, the national and regional parks of Sirente Velino, Maiella, Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga and others are top-rated. They are visited annually by hundreds of thousands of tourists from different parts of Italy and other countries worldwide. There are countless attractions on the territory of protected natural sites. These include Lago di Barrea, Fiume Tirino, Pineta Dannunziana, Rio Verde Waterfall, Cascata di San Giovanni and many others. Abruzzo is also attractive to tourists for its architecture. Only here can you see such masterpieces as the Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo, Castello Aragonese, and Castel Mancino.
Hunters who come to Abruzzo will be no less satisfied than tourists. At different times of the year, they will be able to hunt dozens of species of animals and birds, most of which are among Italy's most popular hunting species. The main bird that all hunters in Abruzzo try to get is the quail. This bird lives almost throughout the entire region, which makes it extremely easy to find. Also popular is hunting for pheasants, woodcock, partridge, and wood pigeons. Among animals, the most popular hunting species are wild boar, fox, and hare.

Tips for hunters and tourists in Southern Italy
Tourism and hunting in Southern Italy are popular activities. Visitors often combine these two hobbies and get maximum pleasure from their adventure. To achieve this, not only people who constantly travel to the south of Italy or hunt in its regions but also beginners in this business need to listen to several essential recommendations. First, you should pay attention to the fact that the locals often call Southern Italy “Meridione” and “Mezzogiorno”. Therefore, it is better to use them when communicating with residents of the country's southern regions. Following this simple rule will bring you closer to the local population and help you get much helpful information from them (for example, where to find the most exciting sights or where to go on an excellent trophy).
Residents of the south of Italy are called the laziest in the country. They do not strive to learn foreign languages, so communicating with them will be challenging. Very often, they will not even be able to answer your basic questions about how to get to a particular place or where to stay overnight. In this regard, we recommend learning a few standard words and phrases in Italian before your trip. This will not only allow you to communicate with the local population but will also help to raise your status. Just a few phrases spoken in Italian will make you a more welcome guest in any city. In extreme cases, you can use modern translators for communication. Although they do not convey the essential emotions in communicating with residents of southern Italy, they allow you and your interlocutor to understand each other.
Many Italians in the country's south are mainly proud of their unique cuisine. Culinary traditions originated here many centuries ago and now continue to be an essential part of the culture of the local population. In this regard, we recommend that all tourists try the offered dishes and appreciate their magnificence. Remembering that any authentic Italian will be offended by a negative statement about local culinary masterpieces is also essential. For hunting enthusiasts, all of the above is also relevant. Italians prefer to cook the game they catch in their own unique way, so if you don’t want a negative attitude toward yourself, be sure to listen to the recommendations of local hunters.
Most residents of southern Italy are open people. Knowing you for just a few hours, they can share various hunting secrets and help you organize the best trip of your life. At the same time, you should know that they expect similar behavior from you. Therefore, if you behave with them as with good friends you have known for many years, you will undoubtedly get the most out of it. Another character trait of most residents of southern Italy is emotionality. They will sincerely rejoice at your success in hunting and try to help you as a tourist in every possible way. At the same time, southerners can be offended by you because of some trifle, so you need to try to consider your words and actions carefully.
Southern Italy is a unique place to spend an unforgettable weekend or a multi-day vacation. Its territory has everything necessary for poor and rich tourists who want to get a lot of positive emotions and learn many exciting things about the country. The southern part of Italy is also suitable for hunting enthusiasts. It gives a unique chance to see the region's natural beauty and try to get a good trophy. For tourists and hunters, Southern Italy is a natural paradise where everyone can do their favorite thing and not regret the time spent.