Tropea, Italy – Things to See and Do

Where in Italy can you sit 50 meters (164 feet) above crystal-clear turquoise waters, sip your drink and watch the sun slowly set over an active volcano? The answer is: deep down south, in the cliff-top town of Tropea. Tropea is a charming medieval town located in the Calabrian province of Vibo Valentia and is famous for its first-class sandy beaches and the amazing color of the sea. Although it is not particularly well known to American and many European travelers, Tropea is popular with Italians, British and Germans.

The town is very relaxed and laid back. It is a very good place for people who like to go to Italy and do a food and relaxation vacation. The good news is that hotel rates and food prices in Southern Italy are cheaper than the ones in the North, so if you are planning a family vacation on a budget, Tropea is a great place to go. If you are on a budget you may also consider going there in mid-September, when the prices are even lower (it is also less crowded). The temperature in September can be around 20°C to 26°C (68°F – 79°F) – definitely warm enough for the beach and bathing.

What to See in Tropea

There are not many famous tourist attractions in Tropea, but the historic centre of the town is very interesting by itself, as it is one of the most well preserved in the region. Its 16th and 17th-century layout and the buildings within the town are still intact, making it undoubtedly a very pleasant place for walking tours.

The city center is actually a maze of narrow cobbled streets, alleys and small squares, full of outdoor cafes and restaurants. You can wander the streets and discover baroque portals, churches, hidden corners and just soak in the atmosphere. People who love architecture will definitely enjoy the warm sandstone buildings with their ornate shutters.

The houses in Tropea are clustered on top of a huge rock from where there is an amazing view of the turquoise water of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Nearly every street dead-ends at the cliff overlooking the sea but one of Tropea’s most spectacular scenic viewpoints is from Piazza del Cannone (Cannon’s Square). From this place you can see the most famous landmark in the town – the convent of Santa Maria dell’Isola. This is also a favorite meeting spot for locals, many of whom stop in several times a day.

The other popular viewpoint in Tropea is at the end of the main pedestrian street (Corso Vittorio Emanuel). There is an incredible natural balcony from where you can see the beautiful Spiaggia della Rotonda (Rotonda Beach) and the Santa Maria dell’Isola convent.

Tropea's most famous monument is the church and convent of Santa Maria dell’Isola. The convent was build by the Benedictines on a rock, which at that time was connected to the mainland. Santa Maria dell’Isola can be reached by a staircase, carved out of the rocks. Along the stairs leading to the top, you will see doorways which lead to cave homes that fishermen once lived in.

Since Tropea sits 50 m above the see, the only way to reach the beach from the historic center is to take one of the many flights of stairs that lead to it. A good way to work off all that spaghetti and pizzas! The water is crystal clear, the beach is sandy and is surrounded by beautiful cliffs. However, the main beach is about 500 m long (1640 feet) and about 30 m (100 feet) wide and can sometimes become overcrowded with people, especially during the peak season.

Things to Try in Tropea

Try Tropea’s Red Onions

Tropea is famous for its sweet red onions, which are known in Italy as "Cipolla di Tropea". These onions grow all over Calabria but what is special about this particular red onion is that is extremely sweet and can appeal even to people who don’t like onions at all. The main growing area is south of Tropea, around Capo Vaticano. What makes these onions sweet is the fact that the soil in this area (close to the sea) is sandy and the climate is mild throughout the year.

In Tropea you can find almost anything made from "Cipolla di Tropea” – onion jam, onion pasta and even onion ice cream. Not everyone would find the onion ice cream delicious but what you can try is the onion salad. You can find it on the menu of every restaurant as ‘Insalata Tropeana’. This salad is little more than local tomatoes and onions in good olive oil and vinegar.

Try Tartufo

"Tartufo" is Italian for truffle but this actually is an ice cream treat invented by the ice cream makers of Pizzo (a town 30 km North of Tropea). Tartufo is a must to try because it is something you can’t just find in any pizzeria or bar. It is a ball of hazelnut ice cream with melted dark chocolate in the center and rolled in nuts or cocoa powder. Tartufo is still made in the traditional way, by molding it in the palm of the hand. Local variations include addition of strawberries or pistaccios and different ice cream flavors. Although vanilla and chocolate are the most traditional, all of the different variations are yummy.

Tropea is full of small and affordable restaurants but all of them offer pretty much the same menus. Although the local seafood and the sweet red onions are delicious, the lack of variety can be a bit disappointing, especially for Italian standards.

The same thing goes for the souvenir shops. There are a lot of small shops but you will find the same products throughout town. The shops stay open until midnight but are usually closed between 1 and 4 PM.

One really beautiful place you should visit while in Tropea is Capo Vaticano. It is a sea side resort, about 13 km south of Tropea, known for its crystal clear waters, dramatic cliffs and breathtaking views. There are no tourist attractions there but its unspoiled and beautiful nature is worth a trip.

Besides the popular white sandy beaches, there are also many small bays and isolated beaches that can only be reached by boat. The interesting thing about the postcard-worthy sea there is that it has all the shades of the green-blue color scale. The area is also rich in flora and fauna. You can find beautiful fragrant flowers and tree-like cacti, covered with fruits (Cactus Pear or Fico d’India), making Capo Vaticano a great place for nature lovers.