The area of Isola di Capo Rizzuto is home to many archaeological sites, with towers and fortresses standing guard along this section of the Ionian coast. The area is a protected marine reserve within the Crotone province of Calabria, and juts out into the ocean in an area susceptible to attacks throughout history due to its positioning on the ‘instep’ of the toe of Calabria. The castle at the town of ‘Le Castella’ is the most spectacular, seemingly floating out on the ocean with water on all sides and only a small path connecting it to the mainland.
The ancient Greeks did build a defensive structure in the castle’s location, yet the fortress we see today was likely built by the Aragonese around an existing Angevin fortress. The castle was fully restored in 2001 and many walls rebuilt, making it very accessible for visitors and easy to climb the tight spiral staircase to the top of the circular tower. Enjoy beautiful views from its ramparts without the crowds you find in Italy’s North. Views of the castle are spectacular when it is lit up at nighttime, with the reflection in the 360 degrees of surrounding waters.
TRAVELLER’S TIP. Like many attractions and museums in Italy, the castle closes down over lunchtime, so make sure you check opening hours before planning visits. The castle at Le Castella is closed from 1pm to 3pm.
The small town of Le Castella itself does not hold many other attractions apart from the vicinity of the castle. There are plenty of bars and restaurants with beautiful views out to the castle and the ocean, where you can sample fresh fish and seafood. Two tiny beaches provide the perfect spot to bathe in the clear water and enjoy the sunshine with a spectacular backdrop.
The nearby headland of Capo Rizzuto itself has only a small village with a watchtower, yet is a beautiful spot to enjoy the view over the ocean on all sides, with great quiet places we would recommend for a picnic along the rocks, looking down to the south at Le Castella from a distance. Do also venture round to the marina at Le Castella, which is the easiest place in the area to catch boat excursions around this jutting piece of coastline to explore the marine reserve.