4–5 days
Coast of the Gods
- 1.Tropea (2 nights).
- 2.Capo Vaticano: the beaches of Grotticelle and Praia i Focu.
- 3.Pizzo for the tartufo (the ice cream, not the truffle).
Southern Italy
Calabria
Tropea, Scilla, sheer cliffs. The clearest sea in the Mediterranean, without the crowds.
Overview
The Coast of the Gods
Calabria still comes as a surprise to many, and that is the beauty of it. The Tyrrhenian coast with its clifftop villages, the Ionian with its endless beaches, and in between, mountains you don’t expect (Sila, Aspromonte, Pollino).
This is the land of Magna Graecia: take a walk in Locri or Reggio and you find yourself among Doric ruins.
Character of the place
What to expect
Landscape
Jagged coastline, white cliffs, inland mountains, olive trees and bergamot.
Sea and coast
Among the clearest in the Mediterranean. Tropea, Capo Vaticano, Scilla, Soverato.
Towns and villages
Tropea, Scilla, Pizzo, Stilo, Gerace, Reggio Calabria.
Where it is
Location & getting there
Where
The toe of the boot, between the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas.
Area
Regional capital: Catanzaro. Provinces: Catanzaro, Cosenza, Crotone, Reggio Calabria, Vibo Valentia.
Getting there
Flights to Lamezia Terme and Reggio Calabria. High-speed train to Salerno, then InterCity. By car on the A2.
Clear water and white sand, Calabria’s trademark.
Curiosities
Did you know…
- 01
The Riace Bronzes, on display at the museum in Reggio Calabria, are two Greek statues from the 5th century BC found in the sea in 1972.
- 02
Bergamot grows almost only here: 90% of world production comes from the Reggio–Locri strip.
- 03
’Nduja, soppressata and capocollo: Calabrian cured meats are a religion.
- 04
Scilla takes its name from Scylla, the sea monster of the Odyssey, facing Charybdis across the Strait of Messina.
Itineraries
How to experience it
7 days
Tyrrhenian and Ionian
- 1.Tropea and Capo Vaticano (2).
- 2.Scilla and the Costa Viola (1).
- 3.Reggio Calabria and the Bronzes (1).
- 4.Locri and Gerace (1).
- 5.Soverato, Costa degli Aranci (2).
Day on a boat
By sea
- 1.Departure from Tropea or Vibo Marina.
- 2.Along the coast of Capo Vaticano, with stops in the coves.
- 3.Back at sunset, with views of the Isola dei Coniglietti.
Not to be missed
Places and experiences
- 01
Tropea
The sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola at sunset.
- 02
Scilla
Chianalea, the fishermen’s quarter on the water.
- 03
Capo Vaticano
The viewpoint and the beaches of Grotticelle and Tonicello.
- 04
Riace Bronzes
Reggio Calabria, two Greek statues from the 5th century BC.
- 05
Gerace
Medieval village inland, one of Calabria’s gems.
A feast for the eyes
Calabria in pictures
Photo: Pexels. Walkers · 0xd1ma · Domenico Adornato · Rey Mart Ramos · Fedigioia · Luciana Evrard · Pexels
Highlights
Icons of Calabria
- Tropea
- Scilla
- Capo Vaticano
- Pizzo
- Coast of the Gods
Practical tips
Before you go
Best time to go
June and September. July and August are lovely but busier.
Ideal length of stay
5–7 nights for the Coast of the Gods, 10 to cover both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts.
Good to know
A car is essential. The SS18 is a scenic road along the Costa Viola.
Keep exploring
Other destinations
Ischia
Thermal springs steaming on the beach, lush gardens, the Aragonese Castle rising from the water.
Discover
