Visit the Coast of the Gods
The Costa degli Dei is a stretch of Calabrian coast made up of 55 kilometers of beaches, interspersed with jagged rocks, picturesque bays and a splendid sea and stretches from Nicotera to Pizzo Calabro. It is also called Costa Bella precisely because it is considered one of the most beautiful areas of Calabria, with a splendid view of the Aeolian Islands.
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Along the coast, from north to south, there are numerous centers rich in history overlooking the sea: Pizzo Calabro, Vibo Valentia, Briatico, Zambrone, Parghelia, Tropea, Ricadi, Joppolo and Nicotera. Some of the most beautiful beaches can only be reached on foot or by boat and this makes the Costa degli Dei even more wild.
Parghelia
If you are looking for relaxation to take a fantastic swim in the crystal clear sea of a heavenly place surrounded by wild nature, Parghelia is the ideal tourist destination on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria.
In Michelino Beach, this wonderful beach of Parghelia, you can also go diving and snorkeling to discover the wonderful seabed of the cliff. Staying closer to the shore, you can have fun exploring the rocks, such as near the Scoglio del Palombaro or the Scogli della Ringa.
Michelino beach, whose name originates from an ancient structure dedicated to San Michele, can only be reached on foot, through a long staircase of over 210 steps, from which it is possible to enjoy a spectacular view, with Stromboli from the background, or by sea. For those arriving on foot, the advice is to leave the car in the residential area of the town and bring everything you need (water, food and umbrella included).
Tropea
Absolutely not to be missed along the Costa degli Dei is the city of Tropea , one of the most famous and loved by tourists, which is characterized by its white beaches, dominated by rocky cliffs. The city is divided into two parts: there is the upper one, built overlooking the sea, which is the real town, and the lower one, close to the sea and the small port, known as "La Marina".
In the area absolutely worth seeing is the small church of the island, which stands on a promontory completely surrounded by the sea and which houses many splendid works inside. If you visit Tropea during the month of July, do not miss the Festival of blue fish and red onion: you can taste the tastiest dishes of traditional cuisine with zero-kilometer products
Pizzo Calabro
Pizzo is one of the most picturesque cities of the Costa degli Dei: of medieval origin, it stands perched on the slope of a cliff overlooking the sea. Its appearance is that of the typical fishing village, which is characterized by the maze of narrow and cobbled streets and picturesque alleys including getting lost.
The beach is also a little gem, with white sand and transparent water. To visit the upper part of the city, perched on the promontory, where the castle of Gioacchino Murat stands out: here the King of Naples was shot and inside the castle you can find out more about the last days of the sovereign's life.
Another beauty of Pizzo Calabro is the small church of Piedigrotta: about 1 kilometer away from the center, the church is carved inside a cave. The church is full of statues of saints and madonnas carved in the rock: in particular on the roof of the building there is a Madonna with child, protector of seafarers.
Zambrone
Zambrone is one of the areas of greatest tourist development on the Costa degli Dei, thanks to its tropical-looking beaches. Its coast sees an alternation of white sands and more rocky sections, not to mention the numerous coves with crystalline sea.
This town was destroyed in 1905 by a terrible earthquake, so today it has a rather modern aspect, but also very equipped for tourism. The area is also characterized by a typically agrarian landscape: in fact, until a few decades the population of Zambrone was mainly dedicated to agriculture and livestock.
Head of the Vatican
In just seven kilometers of crystal clear waters that are tinged with all shades of colors ranging from turquoise to deep blue and light blue, panoramas of indescribable beauty follow one another. It is a succession of coves with sandy and crystalline bottoms, cut out between rocky spurs, smooth tuff cliffs and sharp granite cliffs overlooking the sea, with gorges and caves accessible only by boats of expert fishermen.
The bay generally considered the most beautiful is that of Grotticelle, made up of three contiguous beaches, but those of Tono, Praia di Fuoco, Santa Maria, and those of Torre Ruffa, Formicoli and Riaci also deserve a stop. To all this are added pleasant walks to the lighthouse on the top of the promontory and to the viewpoints, from which to enjoy the most beautiful views and sunsets on the Stromboli volcano.
Aeolian Islands
An archipelago that of the Aeolian Islands of volcanic origin formed by seven small islands and some rocks that emerge from the sea (the largest is Strombolicchio, the most extreme point of Sicily). Due to its conformation it is also called the Hawaii of the Mediterranean Sea. There are two volcanoes still active on the islands that take their name: Stromboli and Vulcano.
The human settlement, in fact, has respected their volcanic origins so that you can experience the thrill of seeing lava flows and flaming craters.
Many mini-cruises set sail from the port of Tropea and Vibo Marina which, along the eighty kilometer arc that they form close to the eastern coast of Sicily, will allow you to live an experience that will remain vivid in your memory