Tropea: the Pearl of the Costa degli Dei, between beaches and old town

Suspended on a cliff plunging into the sea, with the silhouette of Stromboli on the horizon, Tropea is the pearl of the Costa degli Dei and one of the most beloved destinations in all of Calabria. Its old town of ancient palaces and alleys overlooking the water, together with the beaches of dazzling white sand and turquoise sea, make it an unmistakable postcard of southern Italy.

At the foot of the village lies the beach with the islet and the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, the absolute symbol of the town. Between spectacular sunsets, the famous red onion and a generous cuisine, Tropea combines dreamlike sea, history and flavours: a stop to experience at least once.

The beaches and the sea of the Costa degli Dei

The sea of Tropea is among the most beautiful in Italy: fine, pale sand, clear water shading from turquoise to blue, and the cliff as a backdrop. The main beach, below the old town, is split between free stretches and lidos, while just outside town open coves and beaches such as those towards Capo Vaticano. The seabed slopes gently, ideal for families, and from the town’s belvederes you enjoy a view from above that at the end of the day gives fiery sunsets, with Stromboli sometimes appearing on the horizon. Snorkelling, boat trips and swims off the islet round off a day at the sea.

The old town and Santa Maria dell’Isola

Tropea’s old town rises on the promontory, in a maze of alleys, small squares, churches and noble palaces with their carved portals. From the Norman cathedral to the belvederes overlooking the sea, every corner offers photogenic views. The undisputed symbol is the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, an ancient Benedictine hermitage built on a rock once surrounded by water and now linked to the beach: a short flight of steps leads up to the church and the panoramic garden. Tropea is also a place for foodies: it is the home of the famous red onion PGI, sweet and purplish, starring in salads, jams and local dishes alongside fish and ’nduja.

How to get to Tropea and where to stay

Tropea lies on the Tyrrhenian coast of the province of Vibo Valentia. By car you leave the A2 “del Mediterraneo” motorway at Pizzo or Rosarno and continue along the coastal roads; by train, Tropea station is served by the Tyrrhenian line, handy in summer. The nearest airport is Lamezia Terme, about an hour away. In high season it is best to book well ahead and get around the centre on foot, leaving the car in the car parks outside the village. Tropea is a perfect stop on a tour of the Costa degli Dei together with Capo Vaticano and Pizzo: to organise your stay between beaches and villages, look at the availability of our holiday homes in Calabria and send us a request.