Southwest of Pizzo, Tropea is the prettiest town on the southern Tyrrhenian coast, built right on the edge of steep cliffs, towering high over its beach. It is also (after Maratea in Basilicata) the most fashionable, with a certain seaside charm, though this can wear pretty thin with the summer tourist influx.
With beaches below the town, a characterful old center, and wide sea views from the upper streets, Tropea works well as a coastal base rather than a brief stop. Its Norman cathedral, at the bottom of Via Roma, adds historical depth with a Renaissance ciborium, a Madonna and Child from the same period, and two unexploded American bombs from World War II, one accompanied by a prayer of thanks to the Madonna. Opposite, the Museo Diocesano displays archaeological finds alongside paintings and silverware.
From the upper town, the views over the sea and the church of Santa Maria dell’Isola on its rock are among Calabria’s most memorable. On clear days, Stromboli and sometimes other Aeolian Islands appear on the horizon. For 12-day Italy trips that need a balance of beach time, old-town atmosphere, and a distinctive southern setting, Tropea gives the Calabria section enough variety to justify more than an overnight stay.
Top image: Calabria, church of Tropea city © elen_studio/Shutterstock
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