Tropea Travel Guide

In an area known as the Coast of the Gods, Tropea provokes an atmosphere filled with ancient Greek myths and legends. It sits on a spear of rocks, appearing suddenly over the horizon to visitors who make the tortuous journey along the twisting roads and sharp turns that characterise one of the most beautiful sea coasts in Europe.

According to legend, Tropea was founded by Hercules after completing one of his twelve tasks. Appearing to be a balancing act between sea and sky with a strong wind thrown in for good measure, its name comes from the god 'Zeus Tropaios' to whom various monuments are erected along the exposed points of the coast.

It continues to captivate visitors, as it has through the ages, standing proud amidst the high rocks, coves of white sand, intense green of the Indian fig trees and crystal clear sea. The town is full of hidden treasures, overlooked by magnificent noble palaces that once belonged to local merchants, the narrow winding streets bring you to the Norman Cathedral finally coming to an end on a spectacular terrace perched above a sheer drop down into the sea. I never tire of retracing the steps of visitors past, accompanied by the tastes, smells and colours of their historical legacy.

Top Ten things to see and do

1. Watch the sun go down in the fig garden at the Madonna of the Rock
2. A late afternoon walk among the Indian Fig Trees at Cape Vaticano
3. A tasty dinner with fileja (local pasta) 'nduja (salami) chilli peppers, pecorino and red onion
4. A daily trip to taste the famous ice cream at Pizzo Calabro
5. Go diving off the coast near Cape Vaticano
6. Take photographs of the amazing doorways of the noblemen's palaces
7. Relax on the white beaches of Parghelia and Briatico
8. An excursion to the Monastery of Serra San Bruno
9. An afternoon of local food shopping without forgetting to buy at least one string of chilli peppers
10. A pause on the terrace overlooking the Madonna of the Rock

Events

During the summer there is a rich programme of events to celebrate the 'Tropean summer'.

July
In July, Tropea celebrates both the Blue Fish and the Red Onion Festival. An opportunity you should not miss and a gastronomic treat to try the local delicacies.

August
The symbol of the city, and dear to the heart of all Tropeans, is the Church of the Madonna of the Island, still today an enchanting place situated on the top of a cliff surrounded by sea. Even if the pilgrims no longer make the long journey up the steps to the top of the rocks, every 15th August the Madonna is honoured when her statue is carried in a torchlight sea procession.
For lovers of salami (‘nduja) don't miss a special festival to celebrate this spicy local dish in Spilinga, 8th August. And if all this were not enough, you can also pay homage to the red onion in Ricadi on 13th August.

September
Every September brings the Tropea Blues Festival to town, a cultural celebration that brings together tourists and locals alike, filling the small streets and pizzas with live music, singing and dancing.

Local Food

The Red Onion
The colourful bunches of red onions and red chilli peppers seen everywhere around the centre are only a teaser for the gastronomic local delicacies made using traditional methods and recipes. The red onions of Tropea have a unique sweet and delicate flavour that is said to reflect the high quality of the local soil.

The Chilli Pepper
The Chilli Pepper is a quintessential part of Calabrese cooking. It is thought that it was originally imported by the Saracens as it was already used widely in the region in the 17th century. Strings of the brightly coloured red peppers are a cheerful sight as you walk around the centre.

La 'nduja (salami)
‘Nduja, is a derivation of the French name 'andouille' and is a local delicacy for all lovers of spicy food. Made with pork and chilli peppers is it often used in local recipes such as bruschetta and pasta dressings.

Fileja
‘Nduja and red onion can be wonderful accompaniments to the local pasta, Fileja. Handmade into little stick shapes, it has a unique consistency that must be tried to really experience genuine local cooking.

Other specialities include 'pesce azzurro' (blue fish) and tuna.

A Walk through Tropea
No matter where you walk in Tropea, the sea dominates every viewpoint. Whether you start from the Villa Largetta with its cannons pointing towards the sea, or with the narrow streets of the centre, or at the noblemen's palaces, or the Duomo with its magnificent Roman designs, inevitably you'll find yourself admiring the stunning blue of the sea at every turn. This is Tropea's best gift to each visitor, a direct dialogue with the sea, osmosis between the traveller and the surroundings.
Tropea was listed by the Sunday Times as having the most beautiful beach in Europe, but it also has hidden legacies of its prestigious past which are worth spending some time to discover. The best way to explore the city and its treasures are just to wander through the alleys driven by curiosity and a desire to find out more.
Without doubt, the Romanic Sicilian-Norman Duomo deserves a visit. Built on the original site of a 12th century Byzantine cemetery, you can still see the iconic 'Madonna of Romania', a 13th century painting of the city's patron still much revered by the Tropean people who trust in her many miracles.
Between Via Boiano and Piazza Gallupi are some of the most beautiful buildings including Palazzo Bragò, Palazzo Galli, Palazzo Giffone, Palazzo Adilardi and Palazzo Fazzari. On a clear summer afternoon, if you can tear your eyes away from the sea to look in the opposite direction, you can see the Mountains of Sila, a fascinating contrast against the backdrop of the coast.
Short or long, a trip to Tropea must include a visit to the small church of 'Madonna on the Rocks'. Symbol of the city, this church not only offers a quiet oasis next to the crowded beach, but is a very atmospheric and spiritual place. A small garden behind the church, full of fig trees, offers an unforgettable view especially at sunset. The best image to take away with you when you finally leave Tropea.

How to get there
Tropea is in Calabria, in the part of the South of Italy sometimes called the 'toe'.
By car: Take the A3 Salerno - Reggio Calabria.
From the north: exit at Pizzo Calabro, take the SS 522 for Tropea.
From the south, exit at Rosarno, head for Nicotera , Capo Vaticano and finally Tropea.
By train: The nearest main station is Vibo Valentia Pizzo on the Roma-Reggio line (30km). Local services can then take you to Tropea.
By air: The nearest International airport is Lamezia Terme with connections to most European cities. Budget airlines including Ryanair and Easyjet connect with the main Italian cities and there is also one route between London and Lamezia Terme with Ryanair.
Other: There is a small port available for tourist boats