What to do and see in and around Capo Vaticano – Tropea

Capo Vaticano and Tropea are two beautiful resorts located on the most beautiful coast of Calabria. They are famous for their breathtaking beaches, crystal clear waters, and fascinating history and culture.
If you are on vacation in Capo Vaticano and Tropea there are many things you can do and sights you can see! We at Mondo Blu Diving, one of the most renowned boat excursion and diving centers in Calabria, through this short guide will suggest the really must-do activities you need to do to fully enjoy your vacation in Capo Vaticano and Tropea.

Half-day boat excursion from Capo Vaticano to Tropea

The best way to experience the Costa degli Dei and visit its unique treasures is certainly by boat. The half-day boat excursion from Capo Vaticano to Tropea will allow you to visit the beach of Praia i focu (one of the most beautiful in Italy), explore the ancient Roman Port in the middle of the sea, admire Riaci Bay, swim in the Skeleton Cave, and be amazed at Tropea’s Cave of Love. Along the way there are 3 stops for swimming and snorkeling among fish, starfish, sea urchins, anemones… You will experience intense emotions that will remain in your heart forever, discover all the details of this wonderful boat excursion here.

Admiring the views from the Belvedere of Capo Vaticano

Capo Vaticano offers two unmissable scenic overlooks. The first is the Belvedere del Faro, located near the iconic lighthouse, which gives spectacular views of the rugged coastline, hidden coves and, on clear days, the Aeolian Islands. The Capo Vaticano Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses that is not obscured to the land, so its beam of light is also visible from the surrounding area and gives a truly magical atmosphere to your summer nights.
The second scenic overlook that we suggest for taking wonderful photos and admiring all the beauty of the area is the striking Garden of the Gods, a scenic area named after the almost divine beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Exploring the Museums of the Municipality of Ricadi (MU.RI.):

To immerse yourself in local history and culture, a visit to the Museums of the Municipality of Ricadi (MU.RI.) is really a must. These five museums offer a journey through the historical, artistic and ethnographic heritage of the Ricadi area, of which Capo Vaticano is a part. In fact, the MU.Ri consists of a network of five exhibition hubs located throughout the territory and offers a truly unique experience. The museums to visit are: the Museo del Mare the Museo della Cipolla in Capo Vaticano, the Museo delle Torri at Torre Marrana in Brivadi, the Museo dell’arte Contadina in Ricadi, and the Museo Antropologico e Paleontologico in Santa Domenica.
Before heading to the MU.RI., check the opening hours to better plan your cultural visit.

The Marrana Tower Theater

If you are on vacation in Capo Vaticano and Tropea, you cannot miss the striking open-air amphitheater of Torre Marrana, which really shows all the beauty that Calabria is capable of.
The Torre Marrana Theater is part of the archaeological complex of Ricadi and is one of the most beautiful and interesting open-air theater structures on the Tyrrhenian coast. There are so many factors that make this place worthy of attention: from the beauty of the site, with the magnificent Saracen tower that looks almost like an evocative “guardian,” to its very special location that guarantees wonderful sunsets to the fact that on magical summer evenings the theater is enriched with various performances with a very varied and interesting program of events.

Visiting Tropea Island

Tropea Island, with its Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola, is one of the most iconic places in Calabria. This small rocky promontory, located opposite the coast of Tropea, is home to an ancient medieval church that dominates the surrounding landscape with its beauty and history. The Sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola can be reached by a striking path carved into the rock that winds through Mediterranean vegetation, thus offering a simply spectacular panorama, with views of the village of Tropea, the crystal clear sea and the Aeolian Islands on the horizon.

Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele and visit the Cathedral

Another must-see destination is certainly the small town of Tropea. Corso Vittorio Emanuele is the town’s elegant main street, where you can stroll among local craft stores, trendy boutiques, typical small restaurants, bars and ice cream parlors. It is the ideal place to immerse yourself in the lively r colorful atmosphere of the town and perfect for a bit of shopping.

We absolutely suggest that you visit the Cathedral of Tropea. Imposing and rich in history, the Cathedral is the city’s main place of worship. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Romania, patron saint of the city, and is an important religious building with a Romanesque facade and an interior that holds valuable works of art. In addition to a precious 1200s icon of Our Lady of Romania, there are the Carrara marble statues of Our Lady of Liberty (17th century), and Our Lady of the People (1555); an 18th-century polychrome marble pulpit with a bas-relief of the Nativity (1600); and the marble high relief of the Resurrection of Jesus attributed to the Renaissance school of Antonello Gagini.

The Castle of Pizzo Calabro: a plunge into history

If you have the opportunity to travel north by car, you should also visit the Castle of Pizzo Calabro in the center of the town, home of the famous frozen truffle. Located in the heart of the town of Pizzo, the castle is an imposing fortress that dominates the surrounding landscape. Built in the 13th century, it hosted significant historical events, including the imprisonment and death of Joachim Murat, King of Naples. Inside, you can visit the museum dedicated to his figure and admire the ancient walls and towers that tell centuries of history. After visiting the castle, you cannot leave Pizzo without tasting its famous ice cream truffle, an explosion of flavor that will win you over at the first taste.

Finally, a few kilometers from Pizzo, in the locality of Marinella, is the Church of Piedigrotta, a unique place of worship. Carved entirely out of tuff, the church houses sculptures and bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes and historical figures. A work of art that will leave you speechless.

The city of Scylla

If, on the other hand, you can travel south by car, we recommend visiting the town of Scilla in the province of Reggio Calabria. A special stop that is, first and foremost, a sublime moment of synthesis of history, myth and beauty. Calabria, with its strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean, has been a crossroads of different peoples and cultures, leaving a legacy of inestimable value.
Scilla, a picturesque fishing village in the province of Reggio Calabria, is a magical place where history is intertwined with myth. According to legend, in fact, this place was inhabited by Scylla, a sea monster that terrorized sailors… Today, Scilla is a charming village, with its colorful houses overlooking the sea and the majestic Ruffo Castle dominating the landscape.