The Tyrrhenian area of Calabria offers kilometers and kilometers of wild coast, where the beaches of very fine sand alternate with suggestive villages overlooking a crystalline sea.
In the list of what to see in Tyrrhenian Calabria there are numerous attractions: from the beaches of Reggio Calabria to Palmi, passing through Gioia Tauro and Villa San Giovanni. The Tyrrhenian coast of the region is the ideal place for any type of holiday , whether relaxing or adventurous.
What to see in Reggio Calabria, between culture and the sea
In the list of what to see in Reggio Calabria, certainly one of the first attractions that deserves a visit are the famous Riace Bronzes , kept inside the National Archaeological Museum , one of the most representative museums on Magna Graecia in the whole region. Another of the symbols of the city is the Aragonese Castle , dating back to 549 AD and of which only the two Aragonese towers remain visible today. Then you cannot miss a visit to the Cathedral of Reggio Calabria , the largest religious building in the whole area.
During a summer holiday in Reggio Calabria you cannot miss a walk along the Lungomare Falcomatà , the "most beautiful kilometer in Italy". An encounter between scents and intense colors, caressed by the sea breeze and with a unique panoramic view of the Strait of Messina. As far as the sea of Reggio Calabria is concerned, the city's beach par excellence is the municipal Lido , located in Rada dei Giunchi north of the historic center and directly overlooking the Strait of Messina.
Villa San Giovanni, what to see in the gateway city of Calabria
The city of Villa San Giovanni is located in a strategic position , very close to the Sicilian coast: for this reason it is considered the gateway to Calabria and has always been the center of Mediterranean trade. Even today, Villa San Giovanni is the seat of the port from which all maritime traffic to and from Sicily passes. The city is divided into the four districts of Acciarello, Cannitello, Pezzo and Piale.
In the list of what to see in Villa San Giovanni you cannot miss a visit to the seaside village of Cannitello , where you can see the typical Calabrian feluccas setting sail to go hunting for swordfish. In Piale , on the other hand, you can enjoy a suggestive panoramic view of the coast of Messina.
Among the beaches of Villa San Giovanni, the Cannitello beach certainly stands out : characterized by a wide and long coastline of golden sand, the beach is bathed by an incredibly crystalline sea and directly overlooks the Strait of Messina , with Sicily just over 3 kilometers away. The Cannitello beach is ideal for families with children and for those who love diving , above all because of its seabed rich in different species of fish.
Not far from Villa San Giovanni there is another beach that is worth visiting. We are talking about the Cantona beach , a tongue of soft and white sand also directly facing the Strait. The coast is flanked by a suggestive promenade of about 1.5 kilometres. The seabed is sandy and slopes gently, therefore perfect even for the little ones. The beach is both equipped and free.
What to see in Palmi and where to go to the beach?
Palmi is famous for having been built on a complex system of terraces which, starting from the side of Mount Sant'Elia, slope gently towards the Tyrrhenian Sea. The city rises on the ruins of the mythical city of Taureana and the numerous caves that surround the neighboring territory demonstrate how it was inhabited since the Bronze Age. The coast of Palmi extends from Capo Barbi and embraces Punta Motta, Marinella bay and Tonnara bay: a unique landscape of its kind, dotted with sea caves, beaches and imposing rocks. Among the things to see in Palmi you can stroll through the charming old town , passing by the Fontana della Palma in Piazza Amendola, the marble complex of the Fontana dei Canali and the Casa della Cultura, where the art gallery, the municipal library and two museums are located. On the top of the town is the Villa Comunale with its luxuriant botanical garden: from the terraced balcony you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Strait of Messina , Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
Speaking instead of the sea of Palmi , consider that the area is rich in natural beauties, such as caves . Among these the cave of the Sirens , that of Arcudace , the Perciata cave and that of Tràchina are known due to the discovery of archaeological finds. Among the beaches of Palmi to visit during a summer holiday in the area is Marina di Palmi : in reality it is a small fishing village which has a beach in front of the bay enclosed between high rock spurs of Mount Sant'Elia and Punta Motta. The territory is part of the Costa Viola coast and the beach is made up of white gravel.
Another noteworthy beach in Palmi is the Tonnara beach . Its name derives from an ancient tonnara that stood here in the twentieth century. The coast consists of 2 kilometers of white sand , bordered to the south by a suggestive rock on which stands an olive tree of 400 years , and to the north by the remains of an ancient cliff. The sea of this stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria is particularly clear, with precious seabeds full of life. The Tonnara beach is perfect both for lovers of adventures and sea sports , and for those who prefer to relax in an uncontaminated place.
Near the Tonnara beach is the Pietrenere-Scinà beach : here you can admire the suggestive Trachini rock and the Pietra Galera.
Holidays in Gioia Tauro, between the sea and the city
The origins of Gioia Tauro date back to the ancient Metauros , a city of Magna Graecia which developed on the right bank of the Metauro river. Organizing a summer holiday in this seaside resort of Tyrrhenian Calabria also means dedicating yourself to a cultural visit to the city . Among the things to see in Gioia Tauro there is certainly the Cathedral , dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Sant'Ippolito Martire. The real heart of the city, however, is the Piano delle Fosse , a medieval district which owes its name to the underground tunnels dug into a rocky outcrop on which the village stands and which connected the ancient cisterns dug into the stone.
Also in Gioia Tauro there is a suggestive promenade , nestled between the port and the estuary of the Petrace river. The seafront overlooks the city beach directly , which is characterized by a wide sandy shore bathed by a sea that takes on colors from light blue to deep blue. The seabed slopes gently, so the beach is perfect for a holiday with children or for total relaxation.
What to visit in Vibo Valentia?
The Calabrian municipality of Vibo Valentia overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and stands on a hilly terrace . In the list of what to visit in Vibo Valentia there are certainly religious buildings , among which the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and San Leoluca, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Salute and the Church of the Rosary stand out. The Norman-Swabian Castle is located in the area of the ancient Greek acropolis and today is the seat of the Vito Capialbi State Archaeological Museum.
Vibo Valentia does not directly overlook the sea, but in its surroundings there are several particularly suggestive beaches . Among these there is certainly the Marina di Zambrone beach , a long stretch of clear sand full of bathing establishments and stretches of free coast. The one kilometer long beach is bathed by a turquoise sea, with shallow waters .
And what about the beach of Tropea ? The sea of Tropea is transparent, clean and crystalline, a kind of natural swimming pool. The beach is mainly free and consists of rather thick grains of sand.
Also on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria you could also visit Scilla , a small town divided into 3 districts which represents the spearhead of the Costa Viola. In Scilla there is the splendid beach of Marina Grande , where landscape and nature blend in a single color.
As you will have understood, Calabria is a region rich in natural and cultural beauties. Both in Ionian and Tyrrhenian Calabria you will be able to find the right solution for a perfect summer holiday.
Are you ready so ready to go? Discover our offers now and organize your Calabrian summer in the best possible way!