Tropea italy how to get there. Sights of Calabria

Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

Is one of the most beautiful cities Calabria, often called the pearl of the Tyrrhenian coast.
Its history began during the period of the Roman Republic, just along this coast the battle of Pompey and Octavian took place. Octavian Augustus liked the picturesque and convenient harbor, and he built a trading port here.
But if you believe the legends, then the founder of the cities was Hercules, returning from Spain, he stopped on the coast of the Gods, and so appeared - one of the ports of Hercules.
Due to its location on a high cliff above the sea, it has played an important role at all times.
Now - one of the most famous tourist cities of Calabria.
Along its picturesque streets you can see palaces, churches and a monastery. The city has many shops for typical local products, including sweet red onions. (locals they say that thanks to the fertile soil around Tropea, red onions have a lot of vitamins and it helps against all diseases), nduya sausage, Pecorino cheese, olive oil and wine, many terracotta crafts.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele runs along the entire old city the main street. On the right side meets us Church of San Michele.

Church of San Michele. Tropea.

Opposite descends to the sea immersed in greenery via Umberto I.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

At the end of the street opens great view on Church of Santa Maria dell'Isola which has become a symbol Tropea worldwide.

The first mention of the church dates back to 370. And the documents of 1077 say that Pope Urbano II attached the church to the legendary monastery of Monte Cassino. From ancient church little remains, after numerous earthquakes the church was often restored.
Let's go back to Corso Vittorio Emanuele and let's go further.
Close to Largo Mercato located Church of St. Catherine (S. Caterina) and next to her Church of San Giuseppe (S. Giuseppe).
In the alley to the right is Church of La Michelazia built in 1500. Here are various music concerts.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

Ercole Square. Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

Here is a bust of the philosopher Pasquale Galluppi, who was born in Tropea April 2, 1770. This square is home to first-class restaurants and bars.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele ends with a magnificent terrace overlooking the sea and the coast (largo Migliarese).
Let's turn right and go to Church of Del Gesu, which was built in 159. There are four marble statues on the facade of the church. Since 1867, part of the building belonging to the church was given to the Palace of St. Anne, which housed public services. Near the Santa Margherita Chapel.

Behind the church of Del Gesù, you can see the old port.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

On Piazza Municipio and neighboring Largo Galluppi there are palaces Capialbi d'Aquino, Fazzari, Toraldo, Tranfo, Collaretto, Griffoni.
By the way, Largo Galluppi- the largest area of old Tropea. Previously, the area was smaller and cramped, but the earthquake of 1783 freed up space, destroying the houses.

On largo Duomo located Cathedral.

Cathedral, which dates back to the XI-XIII centuries. The cathedral was built in the Norman style. The cathedral was repeatedly rebuilt, the last restoration was in 1927-31. Inside, in the second aisle on the right, a black Crucifix of the 15th century is kept. Also in the cathedral are the tombs of the Galluppi family, among which is the grave of the famous philosopher Pascual Galluppi.

Tropea. Calabria. Italy.

During a summer trip to Italy by car, we spent most of the time at sea in the city of Tropea, whose beaches I especially liked among other Italian beaches. That is why I will start my story about holidays in Italy with a description and photo of Tropea.

Tropea is a small town in the province of Vibo Valencia in Italy on the coast. Tyrrhenian Sea. This tourist centre Calabria region, which is located in southern Italy at the very tip of the Italian boot.

I have been to Tropea twice for a total of 11 days. At first, this city was not even on the route. We were driving from the north of Italy to Sicily to spend a seaside vacation in Italy, but the distance to Sicily is too great to be done in one day.

We stayed two nights in Tropea at the New Paradise Hotel. I fell in love with this town, its beaches and decided that one day I would return here.

Disappointed in the beaches of Sicily, after 5 days we were back in Tropea. This time we rented this apartment with a sea view and explored for 8 days nearby beaches, ate seafood and just relaxed.

Tropea seems to grow out of the rock. All the sights of the city can be bypassed in just half an hour. The rest of the time can be devoted to the beaches of Tropea, which will be discussed in the next article.

Attractions Tropea

Church of Santa Maria del Isola

Santa Maria dell' Isola is located on a cliff separating the beaches in the center of Tropea.

Before climbing the rock to the church, carefully read the opening hours at the entrance. We read, looked at the clock and went upstairs. The views are just right, the church itself inside is nothing special. Novodel.

When we started descending at 12.35, we found that the exit was closed until 15.00 for a siesta. The gate is high, I was in a dress. I waited in the sun while my knight climbed over the gate, looked for those responsible, called the key keeper. After about 20 minutes, a full, cheerful man arrived and opened the door, releasing me to freedom.

2 viewpoints in the center of Tropea

You can go see the yachts
To get to the main beach, you need to go down the stairs from the center of 180 steps.

Main beach in Tropea

Red onion

This vegetable is very popular here. Red onion festivals are held and ice cream is made from it with the taste of "cipolla di Tropea".

Piazza Ercole

Nothing special. Just an area. Around - restaurants and cafes with ice cream, tortuffa and pizza.

Churches, churches, churches.

On piazza Municipio and the neighboring largo Galluppi are the palaces of Capialbi d'Aquino, Fazzari, Toraldo, Tranfo, Collaretto, Griffoni.

Excursions from Tropea

You can buy an excursion to the Aeolian Islands (Aeolian Islands, Eolian Island, Isole Eolie) of volcanic origin to see active volcano Stromboli.

Excursions in Tropea in Russian

Parking in Tropea

Parking in Tropea is free behind the white line. There is a demon paid parking at the main beach near the rock at the stairs leading to the church. There is paid parking next to it. See do not confuse. Place in the city center free parking you can find it, but with difficulty, so if you are traveling by car, look for accommodation with parking.

Restaurants and shops in Tropea

Since Tropea is a tourist city, there are many restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. The farther from the center you buy souvenirs, the prices for them will be lower. The same rule applies to food and products. For example, in the city center, cherries and apricots cost 4 euros, 500 meters from the center - 1.5-2 euros.

I will not recommend restaurants. Everything that I had a chance to try in Tropea was very mediocre, including seafood. Often we cooked at home ourselves. We bought fish and vegetables at the market, baked them in the oven. It turned out much tastier than in local cafes.

Where to buy food in Tropea

The city has several butcher shops, a morning market open from 8 to 12 noon (seafood, meat, cheese, fruits, vegetables).

We bought vegetables, fruits and cheese in shops opposite the Esso gas station ( google coordinates 38.671390, 15.886483). It is 1.5 km from the center. There is also a butcher shop nearby.

Outside the center there are several small supermarkets. The prices are affordable. On Sundays, most shops are closed.

This small resort town, with a population of just under 7 thousand people, is located in southern Italy, in the region. One can fully say about Tropea - “a typical Italian town”. These are narrow streets, ancient churches, historical Center, sea, sun, good-natured locals and delicious food typical of this area.

Maybe Tropea not like that famous resort like, or, but among Italians it is very popular, and it is worth visiting even because its beaches are in the top twenty the best beaches Europe.

The symbol of the city is the Church of Santa Maria dell'Isola (Santa Maria dell'Isola), built on a rock. From the height of which offers a beautiful view of the sea. Something very reminiscent of bird home in Yalta. Patron of the city S.Madonna di Romania.

IN summer time is held here many different holidays and festivals, which allows tourists to become more familiar with local customs and products. The most important celebrations start in July and take place almost every day: red onion, bluefin tuna, octopus, sausages, sweets, wine and ndui.

Trip to Stromboli volcano from Tropea

By plane: The price mainly depends on the airline, on average, a ticket to Lamezia Terme airport will cost 50-200 euros, to Reggio di Calabria airport 80-300 euros. But it is undeniably the fastest way to travel.

Nearest airports:

Lamezia Terme (at 40 km)
Reggio Calabria (at 112 km)
Naples (at 420 km)
Rome (at 635 km)

Find inexpensive ticket from Moscow

How to get from Lamezia Terme to Tropea

By train: from Lamezia Terme Central Station, the trip will take approximately 1 hour. Ticket price 3.20 euros (on a regional train).

By taxi: taxi price 50.00-80.00 euros, may change during holidays and at night. Transfer from Lamezia Terme costing 90.00 € is possible.

Transfer

From Tropea by taxi to Reggio di Calabria airport 70.00-100.00 euros; to the central railway station 10.00 euros; to Vibo Pizzo train station 30.00-50.00 euros; Train Station Lamezia Terme 50.00-80.00 euros; train station Ricadi (Ricadi) 20.00 euros.

Find an inexpensive transfer:

I advise you to watch this excellent video about Tropea:

Region Calabria is the toe of the Italian boot. We took a quick trip from heel (city) to city Tropea(Tropea) in 3 hours - the road connecting these two regions and passing through the region intermediate on our way southern Italy – Basilicata, good quality and free.
Once we left the highway and looked at the beach of Basilicata - a dull shit: gravel and garbage. Don't waste time.

Tropea as the finish point was completely accidental.
Having already booked apartments on the sea in a neighboring village, I read that this area is considered the resort capital of Calabria and are located here the best sandy beaches Calabria.
Review of the beaches of Tropea 2017:

But in this moment this is not noticeable. Rather, the sea is of a beautiful color, but it is cold, windy, stormy, and in general there are mosquitoes to a fig.
Therefore, we are finishing our trip to the unexplored places of the east-south of the Italian boot and tomorrow we are going to the proven neighborhoods Salerno.

And for those who travel to this region of Italy in the summer, when it is warm here, I will tell you some features:
Tropea located above the sea on a rock. The city itself is small and easily manageable on foot in half an hour.

It is unrealistic to park a car in the city - local residents park their cars very narrow streets, so I advise you to leave the car below by the sea: either on the pier where boats leave for, or along the beach on the way to the church Santa Maria dell'Isola(This business card Tropea).

There is also a parking lot next to the church, you can see it in the photo above. Further up the stairs you can climb into the city, making a few good photos and at the end of it you find yourself in the very center of Tropea. Further on the choice: 500 meters to the left or 500 meters to the right, or you can go straight through small narrow lanes.

There are many restaurants in Tropea, but as usual, southerners don’t know how to cook. But I want to praise them a little - they do not spoil the octopus salad - of course, it lacks warmth, pieces of celery and potatoes - here polpo is served as a cold appetizer without even bothering to season it with olive oil.

I can advise you to take sardines marinated in olive oil and grilled fish for a snack. What fish? Yes, the devil knows - they will not be recognized. This is the only thing they know how to cook here. I don’t count pizza or pasta – yes, black spaghetti or risotto tinted with cuttlefish ink – you can order this in a Moscow restaurant…

Also, this place is famous for red onions (did not try, although the locals claim that it is sweet) and red pepper. These agricultural crops are massively sold along the road, but for tourists it is more expensive in the shops of Tropea. By the way, these places even have a special red onion festival.

What else to do here - I have no idea. Photos of these places will salt - they are made from 2-3 points. But I want to say that the places here are beautiful and there is something to see ... during daylight hours, or rather, half a day is enough. After that, you can safely go further or go down to the beach. Go to the Aeolian Islands (I wrote about them in my last year's report), rummage around the neighborhood: residences and campsites are located along the sea. Well, that's all

Oh, I forgot about the local wine Ciro(Ciro) after the name of the commune of the same name in Calabria. I drank white, homemade. I can’t say anything bad, as well as about the delight from him. Maybe because you need to have a good sea food for white wine, but we didn’t work out with sea food here