Costa degli Dei

25 miles of breath-taking coastline in Calabria is known for its’ wealth of immense beaches and natural beauty. This is a unique area complete with entertainment in its villages and numerous camping and animation in beautiful beaches. Ospita inoltre le coste frastagliate di Capo Vaticano dove si possono fare interessanti immersioni per ammirare la flora e la fauna più bella d’Italia. The spur is geographically known as the promontory of Capo Vaticano. In ancient times the "Cape" was a sacred place well known throughout Magna Grecia since it was here that priests and soothsayers looked into the future. During the course of the centuries the ancient civilizations have left traces of their artistic, cultural and scientific manifestations. Over the centuries the beauty of the Costa degli Dei has charmed poets and writers.

The ancient town of Napitum, is known today as Pizzo. A fishing center perched on a rock above the gulf of S. Eufemia, it is famous mostly for its Castle, where Murat was assassinated. In the town you can taste the hand made ice cream “tartufo” or the black ink-fish pasta dish "spaghetti al nero di seppia". Ambling through the cobblestone streets, one can enjoy the charming Albanian architecture of the city. At the lower end of the village are the boat landings where ancient pirates once pilfered from local sailors. Pizzo is home to the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta, a sanctuary carved into the grotto on the beach below. This magnificent chapel features life-sized sculptures.

Briatico, a seaside comune of early Middle Age origin, was rebuilt in its original site after the 1783 earthquake had destroyed the ancient village. Two towers of the anti-Turkish defensive system still stand on the beach. Earthenware, tools, funeral equipment and a vase containing human remains, dating back to the Copper Age, has recently been unearthed here.

There are remains of old Albanian buildings in the town centre of Parghelia. A cliff in the middle of which there is a rock narned “Pizzuta” that draws the attention of the observer because of its characteristic shape and majesty characterizes its beach.

The watchtower of "Angioina" is found at Joppolo, who’s hillside is covered by dense vegetation with pine-trees, olive trees, almond trees and prickly pear trees. At the hill of Monte Poro, you can taste the original pecorino cheese.

Legend says that Hercules founded Tropea. Ringed by cliffs and wonderful white sandy beaches, Tropea is the most famous tourist stop in all of Calabria. Here you will find shopping, the best beach in Italy and breathtaking views. This ancient town features houses built right into the stone cliffs and is home to timeless cathedrals and noble mansions. The historic church of Santa Maria Della Isola was dedicated to all seafarers and sits perched on a rocky promontory overlooking the water. The old Norman Cattedrale displays unexploded US WW II bombs, with a grateful prayer to the Madonna attached to each. On a clear day, the seaward views from the waterfront promenade extend to Stromboli. Tropea is famous for its sweet red onion.

Capo Vaticano, a small village with some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in all of Italy, features a pictorial coast with white granite cliffs dropping off into the turquoise sea below. The sparkling creeks and mysterious coves add beauty and intrigue to this quiet town.

Monte Poro is the birthplace of the most famed dish of the area, the “Nduja sausage”, a spicy red sausage that is produced from a blend of meat and is frequently used by the Calabrese in all meals. The red peperoncino of Calabria, is grown here.

Nicotera offers a large view of Gioia Tauro's Gulf. From the marina one can admire the line of water mills that runs parallel with a torrent. Thousands of tourists come here, attracted by its large white sand beach and its clean blue sea whose waves break against black rocks.