This Is Italy
After about 2,5 hours of flying you arrive at Lamezia airport. Your holiday in Calabria has now really started. This region in the south of Italy is a unique destination and still relatively undiscovered. That will now change for you.
With the rental car drive towards Tropea, where you will stay this holiday. From Tropea you go on a journey of discovery in the southern part of Calabria. After your holiday you can look back on a wonderful stay in the 'toe of the boot'! Is this your vacation?
The best tips for places to visit in and around Tropea we give you in this article!
Tropea
When looking for your next holiday destination, you have probably already noticed that Tropea has a beautiful location. The city sits on top of an imposing cliff and is surrounded by green hills and pearly white beaches. The town itself is quite small and undoubtedly one of the prettiest in Calabria. The cobbled streets are dotted with beautiful old buildings and in several places you can enjoy breathtaking views of the sea.
The beaches are reached by winding roads or about 200 steps. A striking sight is the Tropea Island, a rock with the Santa Marina dell'Isola monastery on it. Surrounded by the clear blue sea, this is a popular location for weddings.
The historic center of Tropea is a maze of narrow streets and alleys that lead to lively squares. All over the city you will find bars, cafes and small restaurants serving traditional local dishes.
Coast of the Gods
Tropea is located on the Coast of the Gods, or the 'coast of the gods'. This coastal strip starts at Pizzo Calabro, north of Tropea. This small fishing village is known for the truffle: hazelnut ice cream with chocolate and cocoa powder.
Due to its location high on the rocks, you can admire the entire Golfo di Sant'Eufemia here. If you have time, you should definitely visit the Chiesa della Piedigrotta. In this church you can see a number of special statues and medallions.
Further south you will pass the beaches Briatico, zambrone en parghelia. These three beaches also have crystal clear water. Drive to on another day Capo Vaticano, south of Tropea.
Here you will find the most beautiful beaches in all of Italy. Also make a stop at the lighthouse for beautiful views over the coves and beaches. In good weather you can even see the Aeolian Islands. The bays are surrounded by rocks and have pearly white beaches. There are also a number of coves that can only be reached from the sea.
Aeolian Islands
From Tropea you can take a mini cruise to the Aeolian Islands. On this mini cruise you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes, crystal clear waters, black beaches and sulphurous mud pools. Early in the morning you depart from the port of Tropea towards Volcano.
This island is known for its mud baths. After the mud bath, take a dip in the sea, which has been warmed by submarine springs. We recommend bringing old (swimming) clothes with you, as the smell of sulfur lingers for a long time.
Back on the boat, we continue sailing to Lipari. Here you can shop, grab a bite to eat, swim in the crystal clear waters and visit the Aeolian Museum.
At the end of the afternoon you arrive at Stromboli. You sail around the island and with a bit of luck you can see the volcano erupt. This volcano is always active and the eruptions are usually small and harmless. After a short stop to swim or visit the village, you will sail back to Tropea. You can also choose to take an evening cruise to Stromboli. Then you see the volcano erupt in the dark. Extra spectacular!
Aspromonte National Park
It's a bit of a drive from Tropea, but it Aspromonte National Park is definitely worth a visit. In fact, it's probably one of the most beautiful places in Calabria.
The park offers a beautiful nature with mountains up to 2.000 meters, a large number of rivers, waterfalls and many species of animals. In addition, there are a number of archaeological sites to visit. You can go hiking and mountain biking here, but since the park is not next door, there is also plenty to see by car.
For example, drive towards Gioia Tauro and follow the road to Delianuova, from where you cross the park to Platy drives. In the park you can always take a smaller road to a nice village.
Once in Plati, continue to Bovalino and follow the coastal route to Locri, from where you can drive back up through the park to Tropea. A long day in the car, but because of the many stops you can make along the way, it is not too bad.
More from Angitola
It is about a 45 minute drive from Tropea to the More from Angitola. This artificial lake can be reached by following the Serra San Bruno sign on the highway at Pizzo Calabro.
After about 4 kilometers you will arrive at the lake. It is a fairly large lake where the variety of landscapes ensures a unique biodiversity. You will find many species of birds here and you can take beautiful walks and enjoy nature. Unfortunately it is forbidden to swim.
Bring some food and drink and have a picnic with a breathtaking view of the lake. On the way back to Tropea you can make a stop at one of the beaches we mentioned earlier.
✅Tip: discover Tropea yourself? Here you will find the best places to stay.
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