8 Best Things to Do in Tropea, Italy’s Must-See Beach Town

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I had seen Tropea’s dramatic cliffs and turquoise beachfront photos on social media but I wasn’t sure if they were real or AI-manipulated. Spoiler alert – it’s the real deal. 

My husband and I spent a long weekend here and we fell in love with this beautiful Italian coastal beach town. If I lived anywhere close to Tropea, it would be my go-to weekend getaway.  

I’d also love to come back with my teenagers. I know they’d fall in love with Tropea’s beaches and find many things to do in town, which is small and safe enough for them to roam around somewhat on their own.  

In the evenings, the streets come alive, packed not with foreign tourists but mostly with Italians and locals, making the entire experience feel even more authentic.

8 Best Things to Do in Tropea

Here’s a list of things you must do in Tropea that will leave you wanting more and make it hard to say goodbye :

1. Start with the Beach – Trust Me

Once you’ve settled in, this should be your first stop. The beach and STUNNING crystal-clear turquoise water are absolutely unbelievable. Nicer than any Caribbean water I have swum in.

I guarantee you’ll want to come back several times during your stay. The sand in Tropea is soft and white, very different from the rocky beaches of the Amalfi Coast and other typical Italian seaside spots.

There are a several beaches in Tropea, some of which blend into each other. Here are the ones that I recommend trying:

Spiaggia della Rotonda

Without a doubt, my favorite beach in Tropea. It’s located between the marina and Grotta di San Leonardo to the north, and Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola to the south. This is the beach where the local and Italian tourists tend to hang out.

The beach itself is small and crowded but has public areas where you can lay out your towel. There is also a private beach club (lido) with a restaurant and snack bar.

One day we brought an umbrella from our hotel and sat in the public area. Another day we rented chairs and an umbrella at the beach club since we were spending most of the day there. Both were easy options.

Beach clubs in Italy can vary in quality and service. We bought our lunch in town and brought it with us since we knew the beach club menu here was limited.

It was convenient to have the beach club snack bar close by though so we could buy drinks and stay hydrated throughout the day. A bonus is that you also get access to restrooms and showers, perfect for rinsing off the sand before you leave.

➡️ Pro Tip – Enjoy the Sea Water: If you are visiting in the summer, you’ll want to sit in the water for awhile. The salt water is so buoyant that it makes you feel like you’re effortlessly floating. You can also rent kayaks or paddle boards. Rentals are available right on the beach for 10 – 20€, and no advance booking is required.

Spiaggia Piccolo

If you walk to the south end of Spaggia Rotonda, you will come across Spiaggia Piccolo, probably without even realizing it. The beach here is smaller, hence the name Piccolo, which means “little”.

It’s a public beach and I noticed a lot of families with young children swimming here since the water is a bit shallower. It is right next to Santa Maria Sanctuary and close to the Palombaro Grotto, which is fun for people to swim or go by kayak to reach it.

There is also a bar there that serves coffee and alcoholic drinks, which is handy to have nearby on hot days.

Be warned that when we were there, there was extremely loud music coming from the bar, kind of killing the vibe for beach-goers ( or maybe it’s just my midlife age showing). Fortunately, you can’t hear it from Rotonda beach.

Spiaggia Mare Grande

This beach is just south of Santa Maria dell’Isola Sanctuary and as the name suggests, it’s larger. It’s a longer stretch of beach lined with beach clubs, one after the other, with some public areas as well.

It’s less crowded and seems to be where most of the tourists end up, since you can rent beach chairs and also dine at the various lido restaurants.

On the north end of the beach, there is also a walkway to the Palombaro Grotto’s beach but during our last visit, part of the walkway had collapsed so access was closed off.

2. Stay Cliffside in Tropea for Jaw-Dropping Views

Plan to stay overnight in Tropea and book a cliffside hotel with jaw-dropping views of the sea and beach below. This is an experience you won’t forget and it truly was a highlight of our stay in Tropea.

There are plenty of other places to stay in Tropea that aren’t cliffside and they definitely have their advantages of being less expensive or accommodating larger groups. But when in Rome.. or in this case, when in Tropea, a cliffside stay is totally worth the splurge.

There are very few Tropea hotels cliffside, perched directly above the sea and beach. Here are two boutique hotels that give you the full cliffside experience, overlooking Spiaggia Rotonda:

➡️Since these hotels are in buildings that are centuries old, they don’t have elevators. The hotels will help you get your luggage to your room but be advised in case stairs are an issue for you

Palazzo Mottola

 When you arrive at Palazzo Mottola, you have no idea what lies behind the larger-than-life door of this antiquated Italian building in the historic part of town.

Guests are welcomed with a glass of prosecco on the terrace while their luggage is taken to their room. While that’s not something that would normally impress me, it did once I realized why.

Once we stepped out onto the terrace, we looked down to see the most incredible beach just below us, endless sea views, and even the volcanic island, Stromboli, in the distance.

We watched other guests have the same reaction, each saying thins like “Wow”, “Oh my goodness”, and “Unbelievable.”

Views aside, this 7-room hotel is utterly charming. Rooms and bathrooms are spacious and modern with tasteful nautical décor.

Thoughtful touches make your stay more comfortable, such a rainfall shower, built-in phone charger, and a beach bag with fresh towels delivered daily.

Another highlight is the rooftop outdoor bar. There’s no better way to experience Tropea’s famous sunsets than from here, with a cocktail in hand and panoramic beauty all around.

The staff here are genuinely warm and helpful. They will go out of their way to make restaurant and beach club reservations, arrange taxis and share excellent local insider tips provided insiders tips.

The hotel’s location is ideal – close to restaurants, shops and the beach, yet somehow still peaceful and quiet.

La Dolce Vita

Just around the corner, La Dolce Vita, offers a similar cliffside setting but a totally different vibe. The 10-room hotel is located in one of Tropea’s main squares, right in the heart of the action.

Guests love the outdoor lounge and terrace with up-close views of Santa Maria dell’Isola Sanctuary. The hotel offers a generous selection of breakfast options and rooms are designed with a 1950s retro-modern style. As it is located right in the square it may be a bit noisier at night. Be sure to book a room with a sea view.

Other Tropea hotel options

Villa Paola – this 5-star, 12-room hotel is set in a beautifully restored monastery where vintage charm meets contemporary design. While it’s not cliffside, it’s perched on a hill surrounded by lush gardens and endless terraces that overlook the sea and town.

There’s a pool and a restaurant that offers garden-to-table dishes from its own vegetable garden. It’s a 15-minute walk to the center of town – perfect if you are looking for a private, adults-only sanctuary for your stay.

Hotel Rocca Della Sena – The main advantage of being just outside the historic center is ample parking and easier access by car. The downside? It’s not in the most charming part of town. That said, guests still enjoy relaxing evening aperitivos on the large terrace while taking in the views of the sea.

3. Take a Boat Tour Along the Coast of the Gods

If there’s a tour or activity to book while you are in Tropea, this is it! This 3.5 hour Coast of the Gods boat tour takes you along the coast from Tropea to Capo Vaticano and is magical.

You can book a private tour or join a small group. We find that the small group tours are usually intimate and just enjoyable as a private ones, plus they come at a much better price point.

It’s also super relaxing to have someone else driving the boat while you sit back and enjoy the ride, the views, and the prosecco!

The boat stops at several beautiful spots along the coastline, where you’ll come across hidden beaches, snorkel, swim in crystal-clear water and grottos you would never find on your own, including Grotta dello Stazzanese, and Grotta dello Scheletro.

Our guide (and boat captain) was amazing, so knowledgeable, fun and passionate about where he took us. At each stop, he pointed out the features of the sea, caves and surroundings.

We snorkeled, swam with fish, and floated in the calm, clear sea. He made sure we had plenty of opportunities to dive in and explore.

The boat provides snorkeling gear, pool noodles, lifejackets, and the drinks (prosecco and non-alcoholic) are flowing. Just remember to bring your own towel.

The boat tour is about 3.5 hours and we could have stayed out there all day. It’s the best way to see the coastline and allowed us to really appreciate its beauty.

4. Eat Like a Local: Calabrian Specialties You Must Try

Tropea’s Famous Red Onions (Cippola Rosa)

Tropea is known for its sweet red onions.  They’re actually more purple than red, and you’ll see them everywhere – in markets, restaurants, and on just about every menu in town.

They’re nothing like the red onions you’ve had at home. They are so fresh and sweet and show up in everything here – salads, pasta and even gelato!

Nduja

I had never heard of Nduja until our visit to Tropea. It is a pork sausage spread made with spicy Calabrian chili peppers to give it a strong kick.

It is used as a spread for breads, pizzas or in pasta sauces and will be a favorite for anyone who likes spicy food.  

Fileja pasta

I ate pasta at every meal during our stay in Tropea, specifically Fileja, Calabria’s famous long and twisted pasta. In fact, I loved it so much that I picked up a few packets at a local grocery store.

Three packets of fileja for 5€ seems like a steal by North American standards. I would’ve bought more if I had room in my suitcase!

Tartufo dessert

While the nearby town of Pizzo is known as the birthplace of tartufo, you can find equally delicious versions in Tropea. At first, I kind of dismissed it as just another kind of ice cream until I tasted it.

Tartufo in Italian means ‘truffle’, as it is shaped like a mushroom cap but tastes nothing like it. It’s a frozen ball made of layers of gelato with a fruit or syrup center, encased in a hard chocolate shell.

I regretted not trying it until my last evening in Tropea. But maybe that’s a good thing, otherwise I would have had it at every night!

5. Where to Eat in Tropea for an Authentic Calabrian Meal

If you want to experience a full Calabrian dining experience—from antipasti to house-made desserts—here are a few restaurant recommendations we loved:

La Lamia – A romantic restaurant hidden down a cozy side laneway, offering traditional Calabrian dishes, fresh seafood, and hearty meat options.

Il Marchese –  We stumbled upon this restaurant by surprise, tucked away in another alley as we made our way to Vittorio Emanuele. Fish and pasta dishes stand out at this equally romantic spot.

Manitta  – I can’t even remember how I first heard about this restaurant, but every local we mentioned it to said they eat there often and consider it the best in the area.

It’s about a 15-minute drive from Tropea, set in the hills within a lovely garden. The food is absolutely delicious and very reasonably priced. The swordfish rolls, pastas, and tartufo were the best we had during our stay in Tropea.

6. Wander the Streets

Tropea is small enough to explore at a relaxed pace, wandering the streets, window shopping, and chatting with locals. You can stop at a grocery store or café along the way and soak up the town’s everyday charm.

At night, Tropea really comes alive. I was surprised by the lively atmosphere that lasted much later than in most Italian towns we visited. We found plenty of fun spots along Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the town’s main street.

There was even an outdoor bar stand and a place offering fish pedicures!

But seriously, we loved the local vibe, where people who work in Tropea actually live there, and the main tourists that you encounter are Italians.

7. Catch a Sunset

Tropea is in an ideal location, high up on a cliff that offers incredible vantage points of the horizon and sea, making it the perfect place to watch a sunset. Some of the best spots to watch it are near Piazza del Cannone or from a rooftop in town.

One evening, while dining near Via Umberto I and Via Libertà, I saw the sky suddenly start to glow. I actually ran out of the restaurant to catch the gorgeous sunset just as it was happening.

8. Day Trip to Capo Vaticano or the Aeolian Islands

If you have extra days to spare, I would highly recommend a day trip to either Capo Vaticano or the Aeolian Islands.

Capo Vaticano

If you’re looking for more beach time, Capo Vaticano is just a short drive away—around 20 minutes—and remains off the radar for most tourists. Here, you can access some of the most beautiful secluded white sand beaches in the area. The water is crystal-clear blue, perfect for swimming in the many hidden grottos and coves nearby.

Aeolian Islands

If you are looking  to do something totally different, visit the Aeolian Islands for the day. I will say upfront that it is a big time commitment but the Aeolian islands are said to be magnificent, and worth it if you have are not pressed for time.

There are two main boat tours to choose from:

If you’re up for a full day of island hopping, you can check out a combo tour of three Aeolian islands including Stromboli, the volcanic island. It’s an 11–12 hour adventure, but totally worth it for the mix of landscapes and volcanic drama.

Stromboli by night, which gives you the chance to explore the island during the day, then hop on a boat to watch the volcano light up the sky at sunset. It’s a shorter trip (about 8 hours), but the real highlight is catching those fiery lava eruptions in the evening.

FAQs

Is Tropea Worth Visiting?

Yes! If you like to spend your time on soft sand beaches, swimming in crystal-clear blue water and enjoying authentic Italian food, Tropea is definitely worth visiting. I guarantee you will want to return.

Which airport do you fly into to get to Tropea?

Lamezia Airport is less than an hour’s drive north of Tropea. It is an international airport and the main hub for the Calabria region. You can arrange a private transfer to drive you to and from the airport.

How many days is enough time to stay in Tropea?

We met a lot of people who stayed for a week and used Tropea as their base. But you can easily see and do everything in three days.

Savvy Summary

If you explore the 8 best things to do in Tropea—relaxing on the beach, swimming in the turquoise sea, taking in cliffside views, and savoring authentic Calabrian food and hospitality—you’ll quickly see why it’s one of Italy’s hidden gems. Tropea truly captures the heart of anyone who visits.