According to legend, Tropea is said to have been founded by Hercules. Whether this gave the coastline its nickname as the Coast of the Gods – or whether it was the sparkling waters and breathtaking panoramas, La Costa degli Dei must certainly be on your itinerary when visiting Calabria.
And Tropea is undoubtably the star of the show. The most famous destination in Calabria, the historic town teeters on the rocky cliff edge, towering above the white sands and turquoise Tyrrhenian. The town offers plenty of things to do: from strolling the historic centre in search of cocktails by candlelight; to swimming through the water clear as a bath; to treating your tastebuds with the famous red onion of Tropea, or ‘nduja-filled dishes.
The best way to discover Tropea’s delights is by foot, ambling round its winding streets in search of charming nooks and crannies, with small piazzettas, balconies draped in flowers, and trattorias tucked down charming alleyways. The history of Tropea begins over 2000 years ago in Roman times, and due to its position on the sea, it played an important part in Roman, Norman and Aragonese periods. The centro storico is the main part of the town, and sits 50 metres high upon the clifftop. The town was once walled, only accessible through the town doors and defence systems. Many of the ruins were left by the Byzantines, but the town has been torn apart and rebuilt throughout history, leaving the majority of streets today lined by majestic 17th and 18th century palazzi.
Stroll through the town to discover artisan shops, food delis, gelaterias and restaurants. Every now and again, with a gap in the buildings, you’ll be treated to a glimpse of the sea. Tropea is also filled with many churches, and one of the finest is the Norman Cathedral, built in 1100. The main alter is dedicated to the Madonna di Romania, protectress of the city. She’s credited with saving the church from the two undetonated World War Two bombs by the doorway. You’ll also find a collection of sacred art and archaeology in the adjoining museum.
The iconic monument of Tropea to feature in every postcard is the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, built on top of the rocky outcrop in front of the historic centre and surrounded by the blue Tyrrhenian. It’s been a sacred spot since the 4th century monastery which sat on the island, and scaling the steps to reach the church is a must for every visitor to the town. Visit the sanctuary for spectacular views of Tropea itself, and be sure to snap a sunset photo of the island from the Piazza del Cannone. Find out more about the story and visiting Santa Maria dell’Isola here.
Tropea’s white sandy shoreline is one of the best beaches in Calabria, due to its spectacular backdrop. The town towers above Tropea beach, built into the cliff face, and the ‘island’ rocky promontory that is home to the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola. The water here at Tropea beach is some of the most spectacular you’ll ever find – crystal clear and perfect for swimming and snorkelling. Float around and soak up the sunshine, or swim around the isola to discover a hidden sandy cove or jump off the rocks.
If you’re staying in the historic centre, you can reach the beach via the staircase that crosses down the cliff – easy to get down and a challenge at the end of the day to return! Or reach the beach via road on the port side of the town, if you’re travelling from outside, where you’ll find plenty of parking spots. There are private lidos along the coast, where you can hire sunbeds or enjoy the bar. But the free beach is in the perfect spot in our opinion – to the right of the isola and right in front of the town.
As with all beaches in Calabria, it does get busy in August, so it’s best to arrive first thing for a good parking space and ideal spot on the beach. Follow the lead of the Italians and pack your lunch with you to enjoy on the beach – a feast of arancini is the perfect portable sustenance! If you’re looking to visit more beaches during your stay, use our guide to the most beautiful beaches on the Costa degli Dei.
During a holiday in Tropea, you’d be forgiven for wanting to spend all of your time out on that turquoise water. Swim and snorkel straight from the beach around the rocks of the Isola, or join one of the excursions to discover some of the Costa degli Dei’s hidden delights.
Many excursions run from Tropea’s port, which will take you to Capo Vaticano, the best snorkelling spots, and to beaches only accessible by boat. If you’d rather a calming trip, sail along the coast at sunset for a romantic aperitivo, enjoying the light above Tropea at its best. Or for adrenaline seekers, take to the skies for a bird’s eye view of the town, gliding behind the boat from a parasail. Divers will also enjoy spotting sealife – head out on the boat to discover dive sites and explore caves and grottos.
An iconic part of the sunset views from Tropea on a clear day are the Aeolian Islands – as the sun sets behind Stromboli volcano out over the Tyrrhenian. There are eight Aeolian Islands in total, located in the sea north of Sicily and approximately 30 miles across the Tyrrhenian from Tropea.
Stromboli is one of Italy’s three active volcanoes, and the volcanic archipelago offers a diverse and striking combination of black sand beaches, fiery volcano, sulfur mud baths, charming towns and secret coves. Take a boat from Tropea to the Aeolian Islands for a day trip, visiting Stromboli itself and a few of the other largest islands, including Vulcano and Lipari. There are many tour offices in the town centre, from which you can book your trip during the summer months.
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