Tropea, Italy : A Spectacular Seaside Town You Want to Journey

By
Jessie Torres

August 15, 2022

I have been exploring Sicily a lot this summer and it continues to impress me. Living in Brucoli puts me in the middle of the action where I can visit some of the most important cultural cities of this enchanting island, but my Italian colleague recommended me a place that is not so popular with international travelers and where mostly Italians go on holiday.

It is the Italians’ little secret. A place where beaches are magnificent and the waters are crystal clear, turquoise and warm. Where the weather holds up the majority of the season making it an excellent place to visit. It is a town that sits in a dramatic coastal cliff with endless and stunning views. Known as the “pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea”, Tropea is the town you want to add to your summer itinerary in Italy.

About Tropea

Tropea is a small town situated in the east coast of Calabria, in southern Italy (“the toe”). Recognized by its clifftop historic center, beaches and prized red onions. According to legend, Tropea was founded by the popular Greek hero Hercules on his way back from Spain.

Well, more accurately, the the Greek historian Thucydides recorded the colonization of three Greek cities of Ipponion, Medma, and Lokri and the territories around Tropea around 4th century B.C. The name Tropea itself has Greek origins from the term ‘tropaia‘ (trophies), which derives from the construction of celebratory monuments, which were visible from the sea, in honor of Zeus Tropaìos.

Additionally, Tropea was named the Borgo del Borghi 2021, an award giving to the top historic village in Italy, thanks to its combination of culture, gastronomy, seaside, architecture and its hospitality. Check out the results here.

Things To Do In Tropea

When I arrived for my weekend stay, I quickly started to love this little town. Mostly a beach town that comes alive at night, where you find cozy little piazzas with plenty of places for a cocktail, taste the local restaurants and remind yourself that there is a “dolce vita“. Check out my recommendations.

The main street in Tropea: Corso Vittorio Emmanuele

As you get oriented, make your way to Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, Tropea’s Main Street. Here you will find many shops, cafe’s, restaurants, and tour companies offering excursions to nearby islands and beaches. At night this place comes alive. Walk all the way down to the end of the street towards the coast to Affaccio del Corso. You will get a balcony view of the beaches below.

Also take Via Umberto I, a side street that will take you towards more souvenir shops, restaurants, but more importantly to Belvedere Piazza del Cannone and the stairs that will take you to the beach. From the piazza enjoy the view below of the sanctuary. This is also a magnificent place to view the sunset.

Hike up to San Maria Dell’Isola Sanctuary

At first glance, you might be wondering, “why is this called an Island?”. So much of the topography of the surrounding land has changed, but it is easy to imagine that it once stood alone out at sea. Over the years, silt and sediment has filled the water and connected the island to Tropea’s mainland, and the island joins the white sandy beach on both sides.

Perched on this rocky promontory, almost surrounded by the Tyrrhenian Sea, you can see a fairytale church where you can hike its carved staircase. Built in the 4th century, this is an iconic image of the Coast of the Gods (La Costa degli Dei), Calabria.

First constructed as a simple church during medieval times, the structure was redesigned and reconstructed multiple times, after being destroyed by earthquakes in 1783 and 1905. There is no certainty about the church in its earlier days, but the rock itself was inhabited by Greek hermit monks in the 7th century. Basilian monks built a church in the 9th century and then the Benedictines built after the Norman conquest in the 11th century. This island is an ancient site that has been repurposed by re-inhabited after each conquest.

Relax at The Beach

One of the things that makes Tropea the most iconic place in Calabria is its spectacular beaches. There are two main sections separated by Santa Maria dell’Isola. On the right side of the island, north side, you will find Spiaggia Mare Piccolo with a large open, and free, section where you can join the many umbrellas and towels sitting on the golden sand. On the left side, facing south, you will encounter Spiaggia Linguata, with many lido facilities offering drinks, food, sun loungers as well as a campsite.

The water is crystal clear, often as warm as bathwater, which makes swimming in Tropea one of the best experiences in Calabria. Grab your snorkel gear to see all the exotic fish swimming around you. Make your way around the Isola, you will find a small hidden beach in a cave, and places to cliff dive.

The sweet red onions of Tropea, Italy

Tropea is famous not only for its beaches. It is also known for Italy’s most famous onion, cipolla rossa di Tropea (Tropea’s red onion), which is a common sight in Calabria. You have probably seen farmers selling them on the side of the road on your way into town. There are visible as they are strung outside the shops, adorning doorways and piled high on market stalls. The southern region of Calabria is not very well known to tourists, but the Calabrians know how to eat.

Calabrian dishes are spicy with red chillies, tangy with bergamot, or sweet with the iconic red onion. You will find these onions included in every single menu during your time in Tropea. Indulge cipolla rossa on everything from pizzas to burgers, crostini, salads (great with tomato), fritattas and sandwiches. Try with the local thin twisted shape of fileja pasta, in tasty sauces that leave their sweetness lingering in your taste buds, being the star of the show.

Watch The Sunset

No matter where I am, I like watching sunsets off the coast. One of the best places to do it in Tropea is the beach where you can listen to the crashing waves as the sun descends behind the horizon. This is definitely one of the most relaxing ways to do it. If the sky is clear enough, you can capture a glimpse of the island of Stromboli.

Another great place to view the sunset is at Belvedere Piazza del Cannone. There are a several benches where you can sit down and enjoy the last few minutes of the sun. Also, the Affaccio del Corso is another favorite spot. It can be found at the end of Corso Vittorio Emmanuele.

Get Lost in the Streets

My favorite time to get lost in narrow streets is in the evening when its cooler and the bars are bustling with life. There are plenty of places to sit down and enjoy an exotic cocktail made from locally sourced ingredients. Wander off the Main Street and lose yourself and don’t be afraid try more than one place.

Once you build an appetite, head to a restaurant to try some of the delicious Calabrese cuisine.

Eat the Local Cuisine

I have always heard that Southern Italian food is a lot more savory and spicy. In Tropea you will find dishes made with the most famous ingredients, including Calabrian chiles. As if that were not enough, you will find out how tasty the regional wine is.

The restaurants I ate were very delicious and the service was excellent, but I would like to share with you one in particular that includes a selection of products you can actually purchase and take back home with you. The Livasì Food & Store is a place worth visiting. Another famous culinary export is ‘Nduja – a thick paste made from pork and lots of chiles. ‘Nduja is spread on bread or used as a topping for pizza. Other signature ingredients are caciocavallo and ricotta cheese, swordfish, tuna red pepper, and chickpeas. You will notice that there is a lot of Arab influence in this region.

Admire the Cliffside of the Tropea

Whichever beach you choose to go to, make time to really experience the town’s outskirts. Watch how the town dramatically it creeps up to the edge of the cliff giving it an amazing appearance. The view is spectacular during the day and as well as at night.

Other Points of Interest

I end up staying there for two nights when I visited. If I was staying a little longer I want to recommend a few other things to do.

Visit an onion farm
Take a boat ride to Cap Vaticano
Visit the Aeolian Islands on a boat excursion

I hope my recommendation will make your stay in Tropea even more memorable.

Getting To Tropea

Tropea By Car

Arriving by car from the north, take the A2 motorway of the Mediterranean. It is advisable to exit at Pizzo Calabro and then continue on the SS18 Tirrenica Inferiore and on the SS 522 state road. Approximately 40 km can be covered in 45 minutes.

Alternatively, you can exit at Sant’Onofrio-Vibo Valentia.

Coming from the south, on the other hand, you can exit at Gioia Tauro or Rosarno and then continue along the SP 49, SP 35, SP 29 and SP 17. The 50 km of road can be covered in about 1 hour.

Alternatively, you can also exit at Miletus.

Tropea By Plane

An alternative to the car can be the plane. In fact, the Lamezia Terme airport is about 45 km from Tropea, which can be covered in about 50 minutes by car along the A2 and then the SS 522 or only the SS 522. The Reggio Calabria airport is instead 110 km from Tropea ( 1h and 35 min by car).

Tropea By Train

Arriving by train can also be very convenient. The Tropea railway station is in fact close to the historic center which is easily accessible.

You have to get off at Vibo Valentia or Lamezia terme and then take a local train (or bus) that leads to Tropea.

Final Thoughts

After my visit, I placed this town on top of my list of places to visit again. The spectacular beaches at the foot of the historic center, delicious food, the relaxing atmosphere is very relaxing, and the hospitality of the people made me want to stay even longer. It is not hard to see why Tropea was voted Italy’s top village in 2021. If you are taking trip to southern Italy, this is a must to add to your itinerary.