Tropea

Tropea, a wonderful borgo of Italy nestled on the famous “Coast of the Gods” in Calabria.

Tropea, rich in art and charm, scene of a millenary history, emblem of tourism in Calabria.

Where the hills and the coast seem to touch each other every now and then, Tropea rises on a solitary rock jutting out into the sea.

A town which at every sunrise seems to awaken ever more beautiful to the mild murmuring sounds of the sea.

Discover Tropea: download the Digital Travel Guide 2024

History

An ancient aristocratic fortress town, elevated on a Miocene sandstone block perpendicular to the coast, brings to mind Homeric landscapes.

Over thousands and thousands of years, this area was the seedbed and nurturing ground of many civilizations.

Its favorable geographic position – in the middle of the Mediterranean – attracted the interest of conquerors: Arabs, normans, Swabias, Anjou, Turkish, and the Aragonese

Each alley has a tale to tell 

Walking through the old town on foot is an endless discovery. Enchanting corners, churches, squares, coats of arms, imposing baroque portals, buildings of historical interests and courtyards, and numerous panoramic viewpoints over the sea.

The historic center of Tropea is one of the most interesting and best preserved of the region, retaining its seventeenth and eighteenth-century layout. Part of it is even much older. It has been renovated or rearranged in those centuries after being heavily damaged by several earthquakes.

Food

If food is a universal language, we can call Tropea an international capital of Mediterranean gastronomy.

A fundamental ingredient of many typical Calabrian recipes is the red onion of Tropea. Renowned in Italy and abroad for its sweet taste and acknowledge for its therapeutic properties. Therefore, it gives an extra touch of flavor to every dish.

Another local product to taste is the nduja. A spicy spreadable salami that – mostly – comes from the neighborhood of Spilinga, a small town on the Poro Plateau.

Other do-not-miss foods during a Tropea tour are the Pecorino del Poro, a sheep’s milk cheese made using natural rennet, the Calabrian Peperoncino, the Zibibbo, a white grape variety of wine, the traditional pasta Fileja, the local flavorful Evoo, and numerous delicious types of Honey. 

The Surroundings

The Coast of the Gods: from Pizzo Calabro to Nicotera, the Costa degli dei is one of the most picturesque coastlines in Europe. Beautiful landscapes, a crystal clear sea, a seabed rich in wonderful life forms, and white beaches.

Sunset time – with the view of the nearby volcanic Aeolian Islands – is a spectacular momentum. Two sunsets in Tropea and the surroundings are never the same!

Capo Vaticano

Monte Poro: mostly covered by crops and farmers’ land, the Poro plateau – with its huge terraces formed naturally by the slow erosion of the sea and gradual rising of the land – is the rural area of Tropea.

Traveling through the countryside, you can reach many rural destinations such as Zungri and its caves. Moreover, you can discover the history and traditions of the local communities in an authentic way.

In this area, crafts have been practiced since ancient times and the techniques have been passed down over the centuries. Nowadays, you can still experience rural activities with local producers.

The countryside of Tropea

Natural Regional Park of the Serre: an area that encompasses the naturalistic, cultural, historical, and anthropological values
that characterize this part of Calabria (Serra San Bruno – Le Serre).

Immersing yourself in this natural ecosystem, you can live an unforgettable experience through naturalistic trails, cultural heritage sites, biodiversity ad typical products.

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