Tropea, the Stunning Seaside Town To Visit this Summer

 

Perched spectacularly along la Costa degli Dei or the Coast of the Gods, Tropea is an ancient cliff-top city in Italy’s Calabria region.

While most sun-worshippers flock to the dramatic southwest coastline of Amalfi, Tropea offers sweeping beach expanses that the former lacks, thus making it the better alternative to consider when planning your trip. 

Tropea offers endless opportunities for exploration, sunbathing, culinary delights, and much more. 

Tropea’s beaches are legendary. Its coastline is marked by tall alabaster cliffs rising from the edge of the sea, packed with pastel-hued houses that make up Tropea’s vibrant town. These houses overlook the deep azure waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea and a shapely crescent made of powdery white sand, where you can lounge about, swim, or paddle across the sparkling waters. Cannone is one of the island's tiniest but most beautiful beaches, sheltered by the sun-baked rocks of San Leonardo and the marina. Cannone's beautiful sand and shallow seas make it an ideal spot for a relaxing swim. The Spiaggia L'Occhiali, with its cerulean blue seas and a shoreline dotted with lovely grottoes, is another peaceful haven.

Beyond Tropea’s glittering beaches is a historical enclave that defines Tropea’s status as a prolific Italian town. This is the Centro Storico or Tropea’s historical center, a cobblestoned vision steeped in history, replete with winding alleyways and aristocratic palazzi that still retain their age-old charm. From amid its stone buildings, one can catch glimpses of the faraway sea, even as a string of quaint shops, bars and gelateria vie for attention on the other side. 

Beside Tropea’s beaches and well-preserved center, there is another treasured landmark that deems this town worthy of its ‘most beautiful village in Italy’ status. The Santa Maria dell’Isola stands atop a craggy promontory on the edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea, made accessible to lesser mortals by a flight of ancient steps that cut through the cliffs. This monastery dates back to the 4th Century, although its facade is believed to have been rebuilt after an earthquake destroyed it in 1905. Interiors of the church offer a true sanctuary with their weathered stone walls, occasional sound of the waves and shy glimpses of the sea. At the heart of the monastery is a Byzantine portrait of Virgin Mary, believed to safeguard the seaside village from impending natural disasters. 

Like any other good Italian town, Tropea also boasts a fine variety of regional restaurants that promise quite the epicurean adventure. For a memorable dinner, head to the quaint Osteria Antico Androne for a seafood meal, or pick the Picanha Restaurant for excellent steaks. You can also enjoy the grilled red onion here, a Tropean specialty made from the sweet-tasting purple onions that are abundantly cultivated here. 

Lido Tropical is yet another wonderful restaurant that offers 360-degree views of Tropea’s gorgeous coastline. But for the best city views and a local vicolo-style atmosphere, reserve a table at Pinturicchio, a celebrated Tropean restaurant that serves meals in a charming alleway surrounded by centuries-old buildings. 

Author Name
Advaita Raut