Tropea

Tropea is in Calabria. It is renowned for its beaches and exposition of Calabrian culture. Its historic city centre, while small, features beautiful churches, lively cafes, and restaurants specializing in Calabrian food. == Understand == The city is a beach destination, meaning the most common times for tourism are between May and October. == Get in == === By plane === The closest airport is Lamezia Terme, about 60 km away. Reggio Calabria's airport is 100 km to the south. === By car === Coming from the north, you will need to take the A3 towards Pizzo and then the SS522 towards Tropea. Coming from the south, you take the A3 and exit at Rosarno towards Nicotera/Tropea. === By boat === The city has a port that is generally used to go between the islands of Vulcano, Lipari, Panarea, and Stromboli. === By train === Tropea's train station lies at the top of the town, about 350 m from the historic centre. Trenitalia provides service on this line between Lamezia Terme and Rosarno. The travel time from Lamezia Terme is roughly one hour. == Get around == === On foot === Tropea is best navigated on foot, as car traffic is limited in the city and parking is paid nearly everywhere near the beaches. While the historic city centre is relatively flat, be prepared to climb many steep stairs when walking between the seashore and the centre. === By car or scooter === The historic centre is a ZTL - restricted entrance zone (see Driving in Italy). Renting a car or a scooter is quite simple – you will notice many posters advertising rental companies, both small and large. The most prominent seems to be Baci Bici, located at Via Libertà / Via Ignazio Fazzari, where renting can be a matter of 5 minutes. Prices for a scooter are around €40 per day, while a car will usually be cca €50. === By taxi === Taxis are available by phone within the city limits, but can also be found near the train station. You will see the phone numbers for taxis posted in the city centre. Additionally, tourist taxis in Tuk-Tuks can be found most places, generally near the beaches. == See == 1 Cattedrale di Tropea. 2 Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell'Isola. Daily 09:30-20:00 (Oct-May: until 19:30), last entry 30 min before closing. Ancient church built into a large rock to the north of the old city. Official records about the church construction are nonexistent, but record of its donation from the Normans exists from 1066. The sanctuary has a back garden with a variety of plants and offering views of the Stromboli volcano. €3. (updated May 2026) 3 Museo Diocesano di Tropea. 4 Scala Letteraria. Colourful stairs, each bearing the name of a famous literary work and its author. Realised in 2021 as a community effort in which citizens and local businesses contributed to the creation of each step. The lower steps are dedicated to local Calabrian authors, while the middle and upper parts also bear the names of world-renowned literary figures like Oscar Wilde or Leo Tolstoy. (updated May 2026) == Do == === Events and festivals === Tropea Blues Festival. September. Stages are set up in the historic centre and various blues bands will perform at venues throughout the town. (updated Oct 2021) Tropea Red Onion and Blue Fish Festival. July. Called 'Sagra della Cipolla Rossa di Tropea e del Pesce azzurro' in Italian, this festival celebrates the local food culture of Tropea. (updated Oct 2021) == Buy == == Eat == Tropea is famous for its red onions. You will see many dishes (pizza, arancini, etc.) labelled "Tropeani" that feature the red onion. Additionally, you can find condiments sold in numerous stores with the Tropean onions. You will find many local and Calabrian condiments for sale across Tropea. Look out for various onion jams, Calabrian chile pastes and oils (including the "Bomba Calabrese" that will be sold in the shape of a bomb). 1 Premiata Forneria, Via IV Novembre, 5, 89861. Tu-Su 18:00-00:00. Delicious pizzeria serving a variety of specialty Neapolitan-style pizzas. Look out for the Tropeana pizza and pistacchio pizza. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Caffe del Corso, Piazza Ercole, 14, 89861, ☏ +39 0963666100. Caffe selling a local specialty, "tartufo di Pizzo" (truffles from pizzo), large balls of gelato stuffed with a filling. (updated Oct 2021) == Drink == === Local liquor === Ever obsessed with Tropean onions, look out for onion-flavoured beer from the local brewery. Vecchio Amaro del Capo is a famous amaro that takes its name from nearby Capo Vaticano. You will find across the bars and restaurants of Tropea many drinks made with Capo. Tropea also features many locally produced black liquorice-flavoured amaros and liqueurs. == Sleep == 1 Hotel Rocca Della Sena, Via Paolo Orsi, 89861, ☏ +39 0963 2374. Boutique hotel with terrace overlooking the ocean. Slightly west of the old city. (updated Oct 2021) 2 Aether Suites Tropea, Via Carmine, 89861, ☏ +39 3401603227. Fairly modern small hotel with suites overlooking the coast. (updated Oct 2021) == Go next == Capo Vaticano Reggio di Calabria Lamezia Terme