Tropea
Tropea is in Calabria. It is renowned for its beaches and exposition of Calabrian culture. Its historic city center, 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.
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 centr3. 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. 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 Museo Diocesano di Tropea.
- 4 Scala Letteraria.
Do
Events and festivals
- Tropea Blues Festival. September. Stages are set up in the historic center and various blues bands will perform at venues throughout the town.
- 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.
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.
- 2 Caffe del Corso, Piazza Ercole, 14, 89861, ☏ +390963666100. Caffe selling a local specialty, "tartufo di Pizzo" (truffles from pizzo), large balls of gelato stuffed with a filling.
Drink
Local Liquor
Ever obsessed with Tropean onions, look out for onion flavored 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 flavored amaros and liquers.
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.
- 2 Aether Suites Tropea, Via Carmine, 89861 Tropea VV, Italy, ☏ +393401603227. Fairly modern small hotel with suites overlooking the coast.