Tropea, Italy
Tropea is a small town on the east coast of Calabria, in southern Italy.
It is known for its clifftop historic center and stunning beaches.
Notes from Rebecca.
SHOPPING
Daily Market - Monday-Saturday 0700-1200. Via Stazione. Permanent semi-outdoor market for produce, fish and meat.
Saturday Market 1 - Saturday 0800-1200. Via Stazione, adjacent to produce market. Weekly market for 'processed' food like olives, sausages, cheese, salted fish, spices, flowers, kitchen supplies. Great for picking up local specialties for gifts and souvenirs.
Saturday Market 2 - Saturday 0800-1200. By the Convent, off Via Libertà. Weekly market for clothing, shoes, textiles, blankets, towels, sheets, cushions, etc.
Grocery stores - the larger grocery stores are found by following Via Libertà along the coast toward Capo Vaticano. There are three in close proximity of varying size.
Within the historic centre, there are a few smaller convenience shops, with Pasquale's being just before the turn into the square in front of the flat. Great for picking up last minute items and cases of water.
For fashion and traditional souvenirs, there are many shops, mostly in the historic centre.
RESTAURANTS
Favorite restaurants in Tropea are the following two:
Pitturicchio
Le Volpi e L'Uva (tel +39 0963 61900, Via Garibaldi, 11) is also a good restaurant for solo travelers.
Tropea sports a tremendous amount of restaurants. In high season, people tend to have dinner after 2100.
Aperitivo can be quite substantial, depending on the bar, and is typically served from around 1730 until 2100.
Local favourites: tartuffo da Pizzo, anything with the sweet Tropea onion -- pizza/pasta/salad, 'nduja -- the local spicy sausage-ish spread, 'blue' fish -- pesce azzure -- which includes anchovies, sardines, bass, also swordfish is very popular.
BEACH
The beaches to the right of the church are sandy, those to the left of the church become rockier the further you go away from the church.
Most beaches are managed where you rent chairs/ beds/umbrellas and often have kitchens, some specialising in salads and sandwiches, and others offering the full Italian menu.
The main free beaches are those located immediately to the right of the church, although they are only beaches, without restrooms or showers.
EXCURSIONS
The local tourist office, called Pro Loco, and is a minute or two away and can provide lots of suggestions. Capo Vaticano is a short drive down the coast – amazing views. Ask locals for precise directions down to the beach. (I haven’t managed to make it yet without getting lost.)
GETTING THERE FROM AIRPORT
Train - Bus (EUR 2) or taxi (EUR 10) from airport to train station, and train (EUR 4) to Tropea. Check schedule on trenitalia.it.