If you are visiting the Tropea region, you have to visit Capo Vaticano Bay. It is lovely, the water and the landscape are beautiful. You have both options: public and private beach, Form there you can also take small ferries for 1 day trip to the Eolie islands.
This area of the Calabrian coastline is stunning - there are numerous small towns and villages peppered along from Pizzo to Tropea and beyond. One of my favourite spots is Capo Vaticano where a small lighthouse sits on a rocky outcrop, surveying a beautiful turquoise sea. There is a stretch of pathway that allows you to look down onto a crystal clear sea below, and a section of beach that has a few small restaurant/cafes serving respectable local fare. All in all it's a place well worth checking out and since I love staying in Tropea, I make a point of visiting Capo Vaticano every time.
The rooms, the embiance, the food and staff were all great. Will go back in a heart beat. Great place to relax.
That was our first trip to Italy in July 2012 (2 adults + 6 y.o. boy) and we were totally impressed and surprized about the place we'd arrived. We stayed in a very nice place near Ricadi station and spent there about 10 astonishing days. I have read that Capo Vaticano is among the best places in a world to visit and I can definitely confirm that: a lot of beautiful sand beaches, the air full of smells of eucalyptuses and olives and, of course, the inexpressibly beautiful views!!!!!!! Where to go there: all beaches near Ricadi and Capo Vaticano, belvedere Capo Vaticano, Tropea and, especially, trip to Eolian Islands. This place is highly recommended to visit, at least once.
We live 3 kms from this beautiful place and would highly recommend it to anyone. It is wonderful, a great location for families and couples alike, there is something for everyone. Try Onda Blu for a bite to eat - simple no nonsense place and even open in the evenings for a romantic meal right by the ocean! Also a great hotel to consider is Il Gattopardo - lovely family run hotel, fantastic views and friendly people.
Nature, sea, sand, peaceful time. It is the paradise in Calabria, you don't need find anything different, breathless
The view from Capo is impossible to describe and worth climbing. Morning cycling from Ricadi highly recommended but only for tough guys :-)
The best beach and restaurants ive been to! the wine is amazing, food amazing, crystal clear waters,
My husband and I went to Capo Vaticano on November 1, All Saints Day. Everything was closed except for one bar with a panoramic view of Calabria, the Strait of Messina and the northern corner of Sicily -- they were closing in two days so we just made it. We could also see the beach and clear turquoise water below. We sat on the terrace and enjoyed our drinks which came with complementary salami and olives. A few other couples stopped in, but it was definitely at the end of the tourist season. It was a beautiful day, and we truly enjoyed our short visit. Would gladly go back and spend more time there. There's good parking near the lighthouse.
Lovely views of the area. We came back to watch the sunset and see the islands all appearing on the horizon