Tropea

Travel Guide

Tropea
Riaci Beach
Tropea
Tropea
Santa Maria dell\'Isola Monastery

A picturesque medieval town spills down rocky cliffs to spectacular bays and beaches at this seaside resort in southern Italy’s Calabria region.

Tropea is an attractive coastal town where a historic centre sits perched on a hilltop and alluring beaches stretch along the Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods). The town sits in the Vibo Valentia province of Calabria, an unspoiled and lesser-traveled region of southern Italy. Spend days in Tropea relaxing on pristine sand and swimming in the perfect-blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Explore a labyrinth of atmospheric lanes lined with pastel-colored mansions.

Tropea’s beaches lie either side of a dramatic promontory called Isola di Tropea. You’ll find private clubs with rentable sunbeds and umbrellas in addition to public areas, where you can set down your towel. The transparent water entices visitors to enjoy an invigorating swim on hot days. Take a moment to gaze up at the town centre, which clings precariously to the framing cliffs.

When the tide is out, paddle out around Isola di Tropea to glimpse inside natural caves. Climb to the top of the promontory and visit Santa Maria dell’Isola, a castle-like 7th-century monastery.

Walk up the steep staircase to the historic centre, characterized by a maze of cobblestone streets and pretty squares. While wandering, admire elegant courtyards and spot the remnants of ancient ramparts. See a collection of religious art at the Diocesan Museum of Tropea and visit the richly decorated Norman Cathedral. Piazza Ercole buzzes with the activity of cafés, ice cream parlors and trattorias.

Be sure to join the passeggiata (evening stroll) on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Here, centuries-old mansions double-up as bars, restaurants and fashion outlets. The street finishes at a lookout platform, which affords views of the coastline and the volcanic Stromboli Island. Boat trips depart for the island from Tropea Port.

Tropea benefits from a Mediterranean climate of warm summers and mild winters. June to August is the hottest and busiest period. May and September present milder temperatures.

Reach Tropea by flying to Lamezia Terme and then take a train or rent a car from there. Other captivating towns of the Calabria region, including Pizzo, Reggio Calabria and Scilla, are just a short train ride away.

Where to stay in Tropea

Tropea

Tropea Old Town

If you're spending some time in Tropea Old Town, Rotonda Beach and Norman Cathedral are top sights worth seeing.

Tropea Old Town
Hotel Tropis
Hotel Tropis
4 out of 5
Contrada Fontana Nuova, Tropea, VV
The price is S$270 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
S$270
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Tropea. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Tropea Beach and Rotonda Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (179 reviews)
"Nicola and Benito and staff went above and beyond to accommodate us from calling taxis to arranging train rides"

Reviewed on 16 Jun, 2025

Hotel Tropis
Mediterranean Boutique Hotel
Mediterranean Boutique Hotel
3 out of 5
27 Via Paolo Orsi, Tropea, VV
The price is S$246 per night from 4 Jul to 5 Jul
S$246
4 Jul - 5 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Tropea. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Tropea Beach and Rotonda Beach are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (54 reviews)
"Amazing room with a balcony in front entrance and another balcony in back room both with amazing views of the ocean. Amazing breakfast overlooking the ocean! Perfect location! Easy walking to centre of town where all the restaurants are. Very clean!"

Reviewed on 2 Jun, 2025

Mediterranean Boutique Hotel
Colomba D'Oro
Colomba D'Oro
4 out of 5
Via Vittorio Veneto, 50, Tropea, VV
The price is S$231 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
S$231
9 Jul - 10 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Tropea. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (135 reviews)
"Amazing customer help. Super clean"

Reviewed on 14 Jun, 2025

Colomba D'Oro
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Vacanze Bellavista Tropea
Vacanze Bellavista Tropea
Via degli Orti 59, Tropea, VV
Stay at this apartment in Tropea. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, satellite TV channels, and premium bedding. Popular attractions Tropea Beach and Rotonda Beach are ...
"Owner is so nice and very attentive to any needs and helpful with local info. Very comfortable place in a great location making all of Tropea walkable including beaches. Had a great stay."

Reviewed on 13 Oct, 2024

Vacanze Bellavista Tropea
HibiscusUno Tropea Residence
HibiscusUno Tropea Residence
Via Carmine, Tropea, VV
Stay at this residence in Tropea. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Rotonda Beach and Tropea Beach are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
"We loved our stay at Hibiscus with our 1yr old son. The lovely team gave us a travel cot, toys for our son and the animals (chickens, ducks, dog) were a hit with him! It walkable (even shorter drive with easy parking) to the beach, easy walk to town. We only wished it had a pool and it would have ..."

Reviewed on 22 Jun, 2025

HibiscusUno Tropea Residence
Don Francisco Rooms - Tropea
Don Francisco Rooms - Tropea
Viale Tondo 116, Tropea, VV
Stay at this apartment in Tropea. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tropea Beach and Rotonda Beach ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (6 reviews)
Great Place to Say!
"Everything went perfect. Checkin was easy. The room was very clean and modern. Francesca was a pleasure to deal with! I would easily stay here again."

Reviewed on 20 Sep, 2024

Don Francisco Rooms - Tropea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tropea

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
9
5 - Excellent 82%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 18%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Not all of the shops or restaurants were open around New Year or early January, but there were lots of Christmas lights and stalls and there was a great feel to the place.

4/5 - Good

C

We did a Snorkelling excursion with Sea Sports (highly recommend!). We also joined a pasta making cooking class with Calabria Con Gusto (made two different types of pasta, one with tropean red onion and one with n'duja). Very enjoyable!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Tropea is an amazing place with lots of unique restaurants and shops just off the main track, it is definitely worth exploring these alley ways to find them.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A very nice place for a couple of days stop over

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots of steps to beach

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Went in off season @ start of April but warm enough to sunbathe with ice creams! Basically had beautiful beaches with amazing seas to ourselves with weather like an English summer! Really friendly locals who can't do enough for you. Brilliant place!