Katie Lewis

Tropea is a gorgeous seaside town in the south of Italy, with beautiful blue sea, charming streets and outrageous sunsets.

You’ve probably heard of popular Italian seaside spots like the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre, but Tropea is definitely worth a trip if it’s not on your list already.

Apart from August when Italians descend for their summer holidays, you’ll generally find Tropea much more peaceful and uncrowded. It’s one of Calabria’s best kept secrets, and an ideal place to enjoy the Italian coast without the crowds.

48 Hours in Tropea: An Itinerary

I spent a couple of days in Tropea and I think it’s easily enough time to see the main sites. I chose to go in May because flights and accommodation were more affordable, but it did mean the weather was mixed.

That said, you could happily just come here for a day trip – or spend longer, and fill your time with beach days and trips along the coast. But more on that later!

Here’s how I think you could spend an enjoyable 48 hours in Tropea:

Tropea – Day 1

Breakfast and Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Isola

Start the day with an Italian-style breakfast like a cappuccino and a cornetto (croissant). You’ll find lots of places along the main street (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II) where you can get a coffee and a pastry. If you choose to have it standing at the bar, it will be cheaper than sitting down outside. 

If you’re fussy about your pastries and looking for something authentic, head for Pane Amore e Fantasia which does pastries, bread, pizzas and other hot food. It’s off the main drag but it’s not a huge detour – and it’s on the way from the station. Here you can also grab some supplies for a picnic lunch later on.

Next, walk to Santuario di Santa Maria dell’Isola – you can’t miss it as it’s perched on a rock above the beach, and visible from all of Tropea’s viewpoints. This is where you can get an amazing view looking back at Tropea and see how the buildings are built on top of the cliffs. Head to Piazza del Cannone and take the steps at the far end down towards the sea. You can just walk over to the santuario and take your photos from outside it – or you can pay a small charge to go into the gardens.

From the gardens you can get a few more vantage points and also sit and just enjoy the view for a bit – there’s not much in the garden itself. The inside of the santuario is pretty plain but they do play some choral music which makes it quite atmospheric. I also happened to be here the exact moment Pope Leo XIV was chosen and they rang out the bells VERY loudly, which was pretty cool.

Beach and a picnic lunch

After you’ve checked out the santuario, you’re down by the beach so it makes sense to head there for a paddle and a picnic. Spiaggia Mare Piccolo, to the east of the santuario, is mostly free with a couple of beach clubs at the far end. Spiaggia Mare Grande is a much longer stretch to the west of the santuario and is made up of various different beach clubs, where you pay a fee for a sun lounger and parasol.

When I visited in May, Mare Piccolo beach was very quiet, but it does get busy in summer!

Aperitivo and dinner

When you’re ready, start with an aperitivo (a drink which comes with some little snacks) at a bar with a view like Nonna Rosa. Now the prices here do reflect the fact you get your drink with a view, so a cheaper option is just to head to Piazza del Cannone with some beers, which is right across the road – you’ll find plenty of others there doing the same thing.

For dinner, have a delicious seafood pasta or fresh fish somewhere like Incipit.

Tropea – Day 2

Boat trip

One of the best things to do in Tropea is to take a boat out along the coast, where you can admire the amazing coastline and even get in the sea.

You get half day and full day excursions that take you along the coast:

Half Day: A tour like Capo Vaticano Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Aperitif lasts about 3 hours and you get to see the Blue Grotto and ancient Roman port at Formicoli.

Full Day: A tour like Lipari, Panarea and Stromboli by Night takes you to three of the Aeolian islands, finishing with Stromboli to watch the lava glowing at dusk.

Back in Tropea, try the seafood tartare at Pinturicchio for dinner.

24 hours in Tropea

If you just have a day in Tropea – I’d suggest arriving early in the morning, admiring the view from the Affaccio del Corso, and then heading over to the santuario. After that, dip your toes in the sand at Mare Piccolo beach, then head to the marina to catch a half day boat tour. 

If you have longer in Tropea – perhaps 3 or 4 days, or even a week – you can just kick back and enjoy that lazy, beachside life! You’ll have time to visit some nearby spots like the towns of Pizzo and Scilla along the coast, or the tiny, car-free Aeolian Islands. Or, just spend more lazy days on the beach!

Where’s best to watch the sunset in Tropea?

Tropea is famous for its sunsets – we’re talking incredible blood-red skies over moody shimmering waters. And there are loads of places to see the sunset here, because of how the town is located on the cliff edge:

Piazza del Cannone: Square with panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea – there are also some steps down to a little terrace garden you can watch it from as well.
Largo Migliarese – Here’s you’ll find the Affaccio del Corso, the panoramic viewpoint at the end of Tropea’s main street.
Spiaggia Mare Piccolo and Spiaggia Mare Grande – No need to move from your daytime sun-worshipping spot!

If you’re in Tropea in mid April or at the end of August, you might even see the sun setting over Stromboli volcano.

Where’s best to stay in Tropea?

Tropea isn’t huge – if you want a killer view, then choose an accommodation along the coastline. If you’re not fussed about what you can see from your window, then you can find more affordable places around the centre and towards the station.

I stayed at Blu Tropea Maison, a sweet little B&B next to the viewing point at the end of the main street. The views are amazing, you feel like you’re actually on the sea. Shoutout to Andrea, the welcoming host and Ornella, breakfast lady extraordinaire. They were so friendly and welcoming. 

I was able to stay here because I went in May, when prices are relatively low – I paid about £70 per night for a double room. In high summer, rooms go for upwards of £250 per night.

Here are some other well-rated places I’ve found at different price points if you want some help with where to start searching.

Hotel Virgilio: July dates from £68 per night
MareMò Acccommodations: July dates from £87 per night
Donnaciccina Accommodation: July dates from £121 per night

FAQs: Tropea

Where is Tropea?

Tropea is in the south of Italy in the Calabria region – that’s the ‘toe’ of the boot. It’s on the western side of the peninsula, about 5 hours’ drive further south than the Amalfi Coast.

Tropea is on the Coast degli Dei – the Coast of the Gods – a 55km stretch of coastline with clear blue waters, sandy beaches and dramatic coves.

Is Tropea worth visiting?

Tropea is Italian seaside life at its finest. When the summer arrives, holidaymakers and locals alike head to the beach that stretches beneath the cliffs to sunbathe, swim and enjoy the long summer days.

Tropea is particularly famous for its dramatic sunsets, where the sun turns bright red and sets over the sea. It’s a stunning view and one you won’t tire of watching night after night.

Where resorts like Amalfi can be very polished and glitzy, Tropea is more down to earth – not to mention better value.

When is the best time to visit Tropea?

An ideal time to visit Tropea is June or September. It’s the summer season, restaurants and bars are all open, and there’s enough space to bag a spot on the beach.

August gets very busy, as it’s the month Italians take their holidays. July will also be busy with high season pricing.

For lower prices and a much quieter vibe, visit in May or October. This is outside the main holiday season, so you might find mixed weather and some restaurants and attractions closed, but if you don’t mind that for a more peaceful experience, it’s a great time to visit.

How many days do you need in Tropea?

Tropea is small, and its main draw is the beach, amazing sea views and blood-red sunsets. So you can easily take it all in in one day – or even an afternoon and evening.

But you can happily spend two days here, taking a boat trip on one of the days either along the coast or to the Aeolian Islands; alternatively you could hop on the train to Pizzo or Scilla, both around 1-1.5 hours away.

What places are worth visiting near Tropea?

Pizzo
Pizzo is a picturesque fishing village perched on a cliff. Sights include Murat Castle and Chiesetta di Piedigrotta, a unique church carved into a cave. It’s famous for being the home of Tartufo di Pizzo, best described as a kind of chocolate-hazelnut ice cream bombe.

Scilla
Scilla is home to the fishing district of Chianalea, where traditional houses are built directly onto the rocks. Check out the sweeping sea views from Castello Ruffo and try the local speciality, a swordfish sandwich.

Capo Vaticano
This stunning stretch of coastline has some of the country’s most picturesque sandy coves, with crystal clear water that’s great for snorkelling. 

Aeolian islands
These tiny islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you can visit them on a day trip. Whilst technically they’re close, it still takes a good couple of hours to get there by boat, so be prepared for a full day out. That said, they are tiny, so you don’t need to long to soak up the atmosphere. A popular excursion is to do a day-long boat trip from Tropea which takes you to Vulcano and Panarea, finishing up near Stromboli to watch the lava from the volcano as night draws in. 

Sicily
Sicily is just across the water – with its impressive Baroque cities, ancient Greek ruins and another volcano – Mount Etna. You can catch a ferry from Villa San Giovanni (about 1.5 hours by train from Tropea) to Messina in about 20 minutes, or if you time it right, you can catch a train all the way there!

That’s right, the night train that comes down from Milan goes all the way to Sicily, dividing into two halves at Villa San Giovanni. Both halves get loaded onto the ferry, and then in Sicily one half continues towards Catania and the other towards Palermo. 

How do I get to Tropea from the UK

Fly direct from London Stansted to Lamezia Terme (SUF) with Ryanair. Catch a bus or take a taxi from the airport to Lamezia train station (takes about 10 minues) and take a train to Tropea (takes about 1 hour).

Tropea, Calabria Is an Ideal Italian Seaside Escape

If you’re looking for a slice of Italian paradise with sandy beaches, clear blue water and shed-loads of charm, then Tropea is a great choice. If you get put off by crowds and places that feel overly touristy, skip the Amalfi Coast and visit Tropea instead!