Reggio di Calabria has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. July and August are the peak summer months, when the city fills with Italians from the north and the straits shimmer in the heat. The beaches south of the city are packed. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the most comfortable for sightseeing, with warm temperatures and manageable crowds.
The museum is open year-round but closes Monday — plan accordingly. Winters are mild enough for walking but occasional rain makes the mountains less accessible. The Strait of Messina is beautiful in winter light, and the city has a quieter, more local character in the off-season months.