The Best Beaches on La Costa degli Dei

December 29, 2021

Abigail Johnson

Founder

The Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods) is arguably Calabria’s most famous – with the vibrant turquoise of the Tyrrhenian Sea, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and seaside town gems such as Tropea and Pizzo. Located on the west (Tyrrhenian) coast of Calabria, the toe of Italy’s boot, you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’d been transported to the Caribbean. It’s the breathtaking scenery of locations such as Capo Vaticano and the Santa Maria dell’Isola at Tropea which are beginning to help put Calabria on the map. Take our word for it – the name ‘Coast of the Gods’ is no exaggeration – and you need to visit this undiscovered gem of a coastline before the rest of the world cottons on.

This guide is for the beach lovers – the sun soakers, sea swimmers, cove explorers and lazy loungers. Read on to discover our insider guide to the full coastline and the most beautiful beaches on the Coast of the Gods, from the secret bays and quiet spots to those sweeping views that are its most iconic. Journey with us from north to south, from Pizzo to Nicotera.

PIZZO BEACH

Pizzo’s marina offers a small and charming beach, sheltered by the pier. Within walking distance of the historic centre itself, it’s a perfect spot for some sunshine if you’re staying within the town, and is also within easy reach of gelaterias and restaurants for refreshments from morning to night. The beach itself is small and doesn’t offer lido (sunbed and bar) facilities – you’ll want to bring your own towels and umbrella for shade – but even during the height of the summer months we always seem to find a small spot on the sand. The sand is fine and golden, and the water shallow for swimming.

Outside of Pizzo (both north and south), you’ll find stretches of beach and smaller bays constructed with rocks to protect the coastline. They’re not as picturesque as Pizzo marina itself, but offer golden sand, shallow waters and views back to the town, and can be a great choice if you’re looking for a little more space on the sand.

BRIATICO BEACH

Further down the coast you’ll find Briatico beach, in the fishing village of the same name. The shore varies here, and you’ll find both rocky spots as well as pebble and sand. There are a few beachfront hotel resorts here, but not much of a town to explore, with the only attraction a ruined watch tower on the beachfront. It’s a popular spot with snorkelers, with the water remaining shallow many metres out on a calm day.

ZAMBRONE BEACH

What we call the ‘secret’ beach at Zambrone, the beach of Paradiso del Sub, is in our opinion one of Calabria’s most beautiful. Only accessible by those in the know, this hidden paradise is a quiet bay with small sections of golden white sand and striking rock formations within the clearest water you’ll ever find. With no bar or refreshment services, you’ll have to pack up your essentials and carry them with you, but for those who are prepared it’s a spot you can’t miss. Only accessible by a winding hill path that crosses the field and down the cliff from Zambrone train station, you can then only reach the slightly larger stretch of sand by wading through the shallow waters. But it is worth it! We love visiting this beach outside of the main summer peak season, as many Italians are beach lovers and are prepared to walk to this treasure. In the shoulder seasons of May – June and September, we’ve had this beach to ourselves at certain points, and it really does live up to its ‘paradise’ name.

Also at Zambrone is a beautiful stretch of beach for those less inclined for the hillside trek. The long sandy stretch offers plenty of space, easy parking, beachside bars and refreshments, and sun loungers from the lido. Southern Italy can sometime have issues on its beaches and roadsides from littering, but this beach is always one that struck us as clean and a beautiful spot – with fine light pebbles striking the balance between comfort on the feet and keeping the water clear and blue.

PARGHELIA BEACH

Parghelia is just to the north of the famous town of Tropea, and offers two beaches for sun seekers to discover. Spiaggia Michelino beach is a little more remote and secluded – at least 300m down the steps from the parking area and without lido amenities – but offers extremely picturesque views, with bright blue waters surrounded by cliff formations. Here you’ll discover the transparent waters and golden sands that are iconic of the best beaches on the Costa degli Dei.

For a longer stretch of beach at Parghelia, that is more accessible from your car parking spots, is Spiaggia di Vardano. Located just outside of the town of Tropea, from here you have beautiful views of the town perched in the distance. A lot of this beach area is occupied by hotel resorts right on the seafront, but despite this there is still a decent amount of free public beach space. It can be a quieter option during the peak periods, as less visitors know about this spot. You’ll find golden sand rather than pebbled, and there are options to take out boats and water activities from the shoreline.

TROPEA BEACH

Tropea is the most iconic and famous place in Calabria – and some credit for that has to be due to its spectacular beach. Tropea beach is separated into two main sections, either side of the Santa Maria dell’Isola island with its iconic church. To the north of the isola, at Spiaggia Mare Piccolo, there is a large free section; here you can join the charming patchwork of coloured umbrellas and towels on the golden sands. To the far northern end of this beach, and also to the south of the isola, at Spiaggia a Linguata, you’ll find multiple options for lido facilities, including sun loungers, restaurants and bars on the sea front, as well as campsite facilities.

Swimming around Tropea beach is one of the best experiences in Calabria. The water is crystal clear, often almost as warm as bathwater, and gradually slopes down from the golden sands of the beach. With plenty of fish it’s a fantastic spot for snorkelling, kids will enjoy splashing around and jumping from the rocks, and if you swim all the way around the isola, you’ll find a small hidden beach in the cave, with a sandy spot to rest on.

Be aware that Tropea beach can get very busy during the height of the summer months. During August in particular, you’ll want to arrive early to find a good spot for your umbrella. On a busy day, we do like escaping to a tiny stretch of sand which is at Tropea port. If you walk along the outer edge of the port and scramble over the rocks, there is a thin stretch of sand – just enough for your towels and as a peaceful spot to enjoy the bright blue water and views of the town.

And of course, whilst you’re appreciating the beauty of Tropea beach, include a walk up the steps to the town to appreciate it from above. There are very few sights which beat the view down to the hotchpotch of coloured umbrellas, and people swimming in water that is completely crystal clear, with the shadow of the town’s roofscape casting down onto the sand.

SANTA DOMENICA DI RICADI BEACHES

The stretch of coastline between Tropea and Capo Vaticano is dedicated to beaches, with various spots to explore if you take the turnings from the road which joins the two. Here, you’ll find a combination of hotel resort private beaches, as well as areas of free public beach. Some of our favourite sites include Oasi Beach, Ricadi Beach, and Spiaggia Formicoli – all with golden sand and blue waters.

CAPO VATICANO & GROTTICELLE BEACH

The beaches around Capo Vaticano are some of the best in Calabria, if not Italy. The dramatic white cliffs of Capo Vaticano offer a spectacular backdrop, and it’s also one of the best places to go swimming and snorkelling. The tiny beaches nestled at the bottom of the cliffs themselves are only accessible via private land, but anyone can enjoy the spectacular location by taking one of the many boat excursions that travel along the coastline, or by visiting the nearby public Grotticelle beach.

The road access to Grotticelle beach is just south of the cape itself. You can drive right down the hillside and park near the beach, or find a parking spot along the road during the busy months. The beach stretches out to both the left and right, with a combination of free areas as well as private lidos with loungers and bars, but our favourite area is the furthest right section of the beach – around the rocky headland as far as you can go. From here, you can enjoy the white sandy beach in a smaller bay, with the clear blue waters that make the Costa degli Dei so famous, and also enjoy views of the spiky cliffs of Capo Vaticano themselves. You can enjoy the beach and relax, but also head out on the water for one of our favourite activities. The simple pedalo is the easiest way to explore the spectacular waters, and we love piling the family onto a rented pedalo for an hour or so and heading out straight from the beach. Snorkel and swim in the blue pools around the cape, spotting fish and marine life around the dramatic cliffs and private sandy beaches.

After a day on the beach, be sure to head up to the viewpoint at the Faro di Capo Vaticano (lighthouse) to catch the sunset. The Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria is absolutely spectacular for enjoying sunset views – and every single day is unique – yet the panorama from the top of the cliffs of Capo Vaticano have to be the most beautiful. The whole sky turns pink and orange, reflected in the turquoise sea and turning it almost lilac. Combine this with the white dramatic cliffs, an abundance of green from the prickly pears, and then the silhouettes of the Aeolian Islands on a clear day. The Coast of the Gods indeed.

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