An extraordinary journey through the 85 seaside resorts and the 137 beaches, rocks, caves, cliffs ... of Calabria
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he Tyrrhenian in the province of Cosenza is a strip of beaches and woodland known as the Riviera dei Cedri. Its coastline stretches 100 kilometres, with beautiful beaches, caves, bay and high rocks giving way to magnificent mountains. Old meets new; historic villages, harbours, marine reserves, thermal baths, an abundance of unspoiled natural beauty together with modern accommodations. It is a coastline worth discovering which enjoys a mild climate in the summer months. On the west side of the Pollino National Park, the Orsomarso mountains and the coastal ridge, paint the picture of the blue Cosentine Tyrrhenian; a melting pot of Mediterranean cultures. The ancient traditions of these lands derive from the hospitable nature of the Greeks, Roman convivial attitude and the benevolence of the Basilian monks. This region is defined by its rich history and Mediterranean flavours. This, alongside the age-old cultivation of the famous Lemon Trees, give the region its name; Riviera dei Cedri.
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Beach of Praia a Mare and Island of Dino
PRAIA A MARE Beach of Praia a Mare Praia a Mare is the second town of High Cosentine Tyrrhenian. It is situated between the Gulf of Polycastrum and the Pollino mountains and can be reached through the State Road 18. The wide sandy and shingle beach, about six kilometres long, enjoys a refreshing sea breeze. The shore stretches from the border with Tortora municipality to the beach of Fiuzzi.
Beach of Fiuzzi
Beach of Fiuzzi The beach of Fiuzzi lies to the south of Praia a Mare. It is rich in rocks, stacks, gorges and stones. The tower of Fiuzzi is situated here. The beach is characterised by the dark sand mixed with iron-grey pebbles and the sea is crystal clear, with a sloping seabed. ISLAND OF DINO - PRAIA A MARE
Beac Be ach h of Pra raia ia a Mar Maree and d Is Isla land off Dino
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Beach of Isola di Dino The island is about 1 kilometre long and 100 metres wide. Its name probably derives from the word aedine, a temple built on the island and dedicated to the Goddes Venus. A more reliable theory asserts that the name derives from the Greek word “dina”, meaning whirl, storm. The small island lies on top of wonderful seabeds, rich in flora and fauna. Its caves are beautiful: among them are the so called caves of Monaco, Sardine, Frontone, Cascate, Leone. The Grotta Azzurra, the most important one looks like the famous cave in Capri, but its water has different colour shades, from blue-green to copper-green. The island has a rich and diversified vegetation: in addition to the Mediterranean undergrowth, there are many rare plants, like the dwarf palm, Calabrian Thalictrum, Dianthus rupicola (rock carnation) and especially the endemic primrose from Palinuro. The island is part of “SIC” (site of common interest). The underwater habitat is really diversified. At a low depth it is possible to see meadows of Posidonia Oceanica, sea horses and many small shellfishes. Going in depth there are ray’s brims, octopuses and beyond 30 metres of depth there are wonderful branches of gorgonia (Paramuricea clavata), 1 metre tall.
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he Costa dei Saraceni, an expanse of sea of the Cosentine Ionian coast, is about 100 kilometres long. It stretches from Rocca Imperiale to Marina di Cariati, including the wide and fertile plain of Sibari, with its Mediterranean cultivation and long pine wood. The coastline is in the middle of the Gulf of Taranto, sheltered by the mountains of the two National parks of Pollino and Sila and in front of the crystal clear water of the Ionian Sea. It is a long coastline with beautiful golden sandy shores, wonderful bays, nature reserves and equipped harbours and marinas. Furthermore, old fortified villages on fertile hills, watchtowers, magnificent castles and suggestive monasteries, indelible proofs of old cultures. The coast faces citrus trees and old olive trees, clementine trees and liquorice shrubs . It is wild in some spots and characterized by deep blue sea, mild climate, strong religious, linguistic, folkloristic and enogastronimic traditions. It is a good starting point for naturalistic, cultural and gastronomic tours to several mountain resorts and to inland villages, to get to know the customs of rural traditions.
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he Ionian coast near Crotone is a 90 kilometre run, stretching from Torretta di Crucoli to Steccato di Cutro and including the protected marine area of Capo Rizzuto. This coastline is at the middle of Calabria, with the green mountains of Sila National Park at its back and coastal dunes, sloping into the crystal clear sea, in front of it. There are charming bays, impressive cliffs, red sandy beaches, equipped harbours and marinas and fantastic nature reserves. The protected marine area of Capo Rizzuto, established in 1991, stretches for 42 kilometres on the coast and covers a surface of about 14.721 hectares. Legends, myths, history and archaeology meet in these lands, as witnessed by many wonderful castles, old watchtowers, archaeological sites, fortified villages and old monasteries. A journey through these lands is an extraordinary run through biological, natural and historical heritage of this side of Calabria. The coast is characterized by a mild climate, important enogastronimic, religious and linguistic traditions and is a good starting point for excursions to old inland villages, where ancient customs are still alive, and to the several mountain resorts.
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Beac Be ach h off Torretta
TORRETTA OF CRUCOLI Beach of Torretta The old village of Crucoli is set on top of a hillock, where it is possible to enjoy a wonderful view: the sea on one side and the mountains on the other one. It is 8 kilometre far from the sea. Torretta di Crucoli is a famous seaside resort on the Ionian coast. The golden sandy beach, facing the town promenade, is about 3 kilometres wide and long and is between the river Nicà and Punta Alice. CIRÒ MARINA
Cirò Marina, old tower of Punta Alice
Beach of Cirò Marina Cirò Marina is well known for its fine grapes, used for the production of the famous Cirò wine. The beach of Torrenova is long and wide, with white sand and shingles, limpid deep blue water and sloping seafloors. Beach of Punta Alice The beach of Punta Alice is set in the homonymous administrative division in the municipality of Cirò Marina. It can be reached through the State Road 106. The coastline is made of sand dunes, low and fertile hills covered by flowers, grass and olive trees. In this landscape the ruins of the Doric temple dedicated to Apollo Aleo (VI century B.C.) can be admired. The fine sandy beach faces a limpid deep blue sea and sloping seabeds.
Beach of Cirò Marina
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Beac Be achh off Pun unta t Ali lice
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he Tyrrhenian coast in the province of Catanzaro is shaped like an amphitheatre and is about 35 kilometres long, stretching from Nocera Terinese to Marina di Curinga, including the Plain of Sant’Eufemia. This expanse of sea is set inside the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia, at the middle
of Calabria. The deep blue water of the Tyrrhenian Sea faces golden sandy beaches and green hills sloping to the coast. It is a land marked by rural villages, large cultivated fields, wide marine pine woods, rivers with sulphurous water, small lagoons, ancient churches and thermal baths known since the past. It is an extraordinary run through the natural and agricultural and food heritage. It is a coast with mild climate, a good starting point for natural, enogastronomic and cultural tours through the hinterland.
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NOCERA TERINESE
B ac Be achh of N Noc ocer eraa Terinese
Beach of Marina di Nocera The ancient village is set on top of a hill, among fertile valleys, cultivated with vineyards and olive groves, and rushing streams. In the old town centre, the town walls and the aqueduct are still undamaged. Marina di Nocera Terinese, by the sea, overlooks the Tyrrhenian sea with a long wide shingle beach and sloping seafloors. The promenade is equipped with many accommodations and leisure facilities. GIZZERIA Beach of Gizzeria Gizzeria is set on the steep slopes of a hill and is shaped like a Christmas crib. The beaches of the two districts, Marina di Gizzeria and Gizzeria Lido, are 8 kilometres long, with clear sand. The expanse of sea facing Gizzeria, inside the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia, is a windy spot chosen by surfers. Not far from the beach, it is possible to reach the lake “La Vota”, a small lagoon, where the salt water of the sea mixes with fresh water of the local springs.
Beach of Gizzeria
CURINGA Beach of Marina di Curinga Curinga is a rural village, set on the hill facing the Gulf of Sant’Eufemia. Every year, during summer, its villagers repeat an old tradition, reminding transhumance. In June they start building on the beach of Marina di Curinga a kind of village, made of wood and reed huts. In September the huts are dismantled and then used again the following summer. This village, about 2 kilometres wide and built following precise town-planning criteria, is an important opportunity to support the development of the community, without acknowledging social differences. The clear sandy beach is about 4 kilometres long and faces the blue Tyrrhenian sea.
Beach of Curinga
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he so called Costa degli Aranci (coast of the orange trees) or Costa dei Saraceni (coast of the Saracens), on the Ionian coast in the province of Catanzaro, is a strip of 70 kilometres, stretching from Botricello to Guardavalle Marina. The coastline is set at the middle of Calabria, with the Gulf of Squillace to the north, the mountains of Sila and Serre at its back and the crystal clear Ionian sea at its front. The coast is marked by green luxuriant hills, with the typical Mediterranean flora and fauna, beautiful bays, impressive cliffs, marine caves, high rocks, golden sandy shores, equipped harbours and marinas. Furthermore, suggestive archaeological sites, ancient monasteries, old fortified villages and magnificent castles are proofs of a glorious past. The state road 106 - E 90 runs along the coast. The whole area is characterized by a mild climate, important folk, religious and linguistic traditions. It is a good starting point for natural, cultural and enogastronomic tours through old towns and villages of the hinterland, and through mountain and seaside resorts.
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Beach of Botricello
BOTRICELLO Beach of Botricello The town has two different districts: Botricello Superiore (Upper Botricello), set on the hills, and Botricello (nuova), an important rural and tourist resort close to the state road 106. The 4 kilometres long promenade stretches from the river Crocchio to the torrent Arango; it faces a fine sandy shore, with many bathing establishments and accommodation facilities. As it is a windy spot, it fits for kite surf and wind surf. SELLIA MARINA
Beac Be ach h of Sel elli lia a Ma Mari rina na
Beach of Sellia Marina Sellia Marina is set on a rise between the cape of Stalettì and the low cliffs of Capo Rizzuto, overlooking the Gulf of Squillace. Agriculture is its main resource, owing to its geographic position, with the production of top-quality “primizie”. The beach is long and wide and has many equipped bathing establishments. The fine sandy shore, having a clear colour, faces the blue limpid water of the Ionian coast. SQUILLACE
Squillace Lido
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Beach of Squillace Lido Squillace is an old village at the centre of the homonymous gulf, on the Ionian Sea. It has a very mild climate, with sunny winters and fresh summers. The upper side of the village is surrounded by green hills. Some historians maintain that it was founded by Ulysses, others that its founder was Menesteo, a survivor of the Trojan War. In the VII century B.C. the Greek colony Skylleiton rose on the Ionian coast. During the Roman age it became Scolacium and the ruins dating to this period can be admired at Roccelletta di Borgia. The district of Squillace Marina has a nice promenade, with many accommodation facilities. The white sandy beach has many bathing establishments.
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he Costa degli Dei is a wonderful expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the province of Vibo Valentia. It stretches from Pizzo Calabro to Nicotera Marina, for 65 kilometres length. It is one of the most impressive spots in the South of Italy, set in the famous “Corno di Calabria� in one of the most beautiful areas of the region. The coast is included between the Gulf of Squillace and the Gulf of Gioia Tauro, sheltered by the mount Poro and facing a crystal clear sea. It is marked by fertile hills and wide plains, where the famous red onion of Tropea is cultivated. The coast way goes through golden sandy beaches, massive cliffs, beautiful bays, marine caves, impressive rocks and equipped harbours and marinas. There are many fortified villages, old monasteries, enchanting castles and ancient watchtowers, witnesses of a glorious past. The whole area is characterized by a mild climate, important folk, religious and linguistic traditions. It is a good starting point for cultural and enogastronomic tours through old towns and villages of the hinterland and of the coastline.
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Prrom omen enad en adee an ad and d be beac ach ac h off Piz izzo zo
PIZZO Beach of Pizzo Pizzo, an important seaside resort, is set on a tuff cliff, sheer to the Tyrrhenian sea and is a pearl inside the rocks. It is an old sea village, dating back to the Medieval age, with a wonderful old town centre. Its coastline is 15 kilometres long. The beaches close to the town centre are those of Marina, Station and Seggiòla, with white sand. North of Pizzo there are the cliffs of Prangi and Centofontane and the beaches of Malferà , Anjuni (Savelli), Praja, Marinella and Colamaio: the last one is protected by a beautiful pine wood and all of them are characterized by white sand.
Pizzo, o oolld tow o, wn cceen entre ntre
Beaches and Rocks of Piedigrotta Piedigrotta is a small and famous tourist and religious resort near Pizzo. It is a huge tuff block, with a wonderful cave inside, where the small church of Piedigrotta, called Madonneja, has been built. The cave has three mouths: the central vault and two side ones. Inside the small church it is possible to admire magnificent sculptures, representing Jesus life, the Christmas crib and the Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii. Out of the church there is the beach of Madonnella, with white sandy shore and crystal clear sea. 1 Pizz Pi zzo, o, Ara rago gone nese s ccas se astl tlle Mu Mura ratt (1 (148 486) 6)
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Piied P dig gro rott ttta, a, caavve an nd sm mal alll chur chur ch u ch
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he extraordinary expanse of sea on the Tyrhenian coast in the province of Reggio Calabria is known as La Costa Viola (the purple coast). It is a stretch of 45 kilometres, from Palmi to Villa San Giovanni set between the blue sea and the upland of Aspromonte, dominating it. It is one of the most striking spots in the South of Italy, with enchanting seaside resorts. There are rocky walls sheer to the sea, covered by Mediterranean undergrowth on the terraces, cultivated by the farmers during the years with fine grapes. The name given to this stretch of coast is related to the purple colour and to the reflections of water at sunset. It is an extraordinary run through fine sandy beaches, impressive cliffs, caves, striking rocks, equipped harbours and marinas. Furthermore, ancient fortified villages, enchanting castles and watchtowers. It is characterized by the traditional swordfish fishing, with the original “spatare�, typical boats with a tall mast. Going south, the Riviera Reggina can be reached. It stretches for 25 kilometres, from Catona to Punta di Pellaro, including the beaches of Reggio Calabria. The two strips of coast, with their cultural, religious, folk and enogastronomic traditions, are a good starting point for tours through inland villages and tourist resorts on the coast.
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Beacch of Beac Be o SSci ciirà cirà
PALMI Beach of Marinella Palmi is the biggest town in the Province of Reggio Calabria, after the chief town. It is set at the foot of Mount Sant’Elia and is a terrace overlooking the Costa Viola and the wonderful Tyrrhenian Sea. The beach, below the Mount Sant’Elia, is the natural continuation of the upland of Aspromonte. The shore with white gravel is on a warm turquoise sea, with deep seafloors and cliffs with many gorges. It can be reached by the municipal roads of Palmi. The peak of Mount Sant’Elia, with its huts in conifer and chestnut tree woods, can be reached by car from the beach in few minutes.
Scoglio dell’Ulivo
Beach della Tonnara and Scoglio dell’Ulivo The beach “La Tonnara” is set at Lido di Palmi, in the homonymous district; its names derives from an old Tonnara (the place where the tuna nets are placed) set here. It forms a small bay bounded by the harbour and some cliffs in the north, by the scoglio dell’Ulivo in the south and by the Mount Sant’Elia at its back. The 2 kilometres long shore is made of white soft sand on a limpid sea and transparent seabed. The striking Scoglio dell’Ulivo (the rock of olive tree) called Ulivarello, mirrors in the turquoise sea. Its name derives from a small olive tree growing on it and withstanding bad weather and the passing of time.
Scoglio dell’Isola
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Beach of Pietrenere and Scoglio dell’Isola The beach lies at lido di Palmi, north of Spiaggia della Tonnara, after the harbour in the district Pietrenere. It has an easy access through municipal roads. It is a long wide beach, with many accommodations and leisure facilities and a large parking space at its starting point. Its last part adjacent to the river Petrace (the ancient Metauros) is wilder and not equipped. The beautiful beach has white sand on crystal clear sea and sloping seafloors. The big rock “Scoglio dell’Isola” emerges from the sea, in front of the starting point of the beach. It is good for spectacular dives.
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he very long Ionian coastline in the province of Reggio Calabria is known as Costa dei Gelsomini (coast of the jasmines). It stretches from Capo dell’Armi to Monasterace Marina, for 115 kilometres. It is one of the most beautiful areas in the South of Italy, in the farthest curve of the Boot, with charming tourist and historical resorts, belonging to “Grecanic� (Greek Calabrian) culture. The strip of coast has golden sandy shores, often surrounded by rocky walls sheer to the sea, gravel and stony beaches with not deep seabeds, sheltered by the mountains of the national Park of Aspromonte. It is crossed by many torrents, flowing into the limpid Ionioan Sea. It owes its name to the coloured and sweet-smelling jasmines and is characterized by fertile gardens, cultivated with lemons, oranges and fine bergamots. It is a succession of bays, caves, attractive cliffs, equipped harbours and marinas. Furthermore, charming villages, ancient cathedrals, archaeological sites, watchtowers and impressive castles prove a glorious past. It is even characterized by important historical, religious, linguistic, folk and enogastronomic traditions and is a good starting point for tours through famous seaside resort and inland villages.
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Beach and Rocks of Capo dell’Armi
B ach of Melit Be ito o di Por orto to Sal alvo vo
LAZZARO OF MOTTA SAN GIOVANNI Beach and Rock of Capo dell’Armi The old village of Motta San Giovanni became a fortified town under the reign of the Angevins. The word Motta means “fortified rise”, while San Giovanni refers to a Monastery dedicated to San Giovanni Teologo, standing here. The hamlet Lazzaro, with its sandy and gravel beach, was known during the Roman Age as Leucopetra, meaning “white stone” in Ancient Greek, referring to the colour of the close Capo dell’Armi. This cape is a suggestive rocky cliff sheer to the sea and is about 135 metres high. It emerges from the Ionian Sea and shelters a lovely bay surrounded by white stones, used for the building of the temples of Magna Graecia during the past. Southwards, the beach is made of gravel and smooth stone slabs. The rocky wall is crossed by the state road 106 Jonica. ANNÀ OF MELITO DI PORTO SALVO Beach of Annà The beach is in the homonymous hamlet, set in the farthest tip of the Boot. The clear sandy shore is on a limpid sea with sandy seafloors. During low tide it is easy to see the wreck of an old ship, used by the Garibaldians on their first landing on Calabrian coasts. In ten minutes time it is possible to reach the striking village of Pentedattilo (from the Greek words Penta+daktylos meaning five fingers). The name derives from the shape of the town, looking like a gigantic hand with five fingers. MELITO DI PORTO SALVO
Pented dattti tilo lo di Melito di Porto Salvo, old town centre ree
Beach of Melito A famous town on the Ionian coast in the province of Reggio Calabria, it is set at the extreme tip of the Boot. Melito is the largest built-up area of the Grecanic district, founded by Pentedattilo inhabitants. It is a picturesque village leaning against a gigantic rock, that has almost been abandoned. Its old town centre lies on a pleasant hill, sloping gently down to the Ionian Sea. It is the ideal place for citrus cultivation, especially the fine bergamot. The sandy and gravel beach is wide and is 4 kilometres long.
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Stilo (RC), La Cattolica X century
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MONASTERACE Beach of Monasterace Monasterace is set at the extreme north of Locride, between the provinces of Reggio Calabria and Catanzaro. The town is divided in two districts: marina and superiore. Monasterace Superiore (Upper Monasterace) is a small village founded by the inhabitants of the Greek colony of Kaulon, but it also preserves the beauty of its Medieval past. The town centre, on top of a hill and 4 kilometres far from the Ionian Sea, has a wonderful medieval castle, that belonged to the Caracciolo family. In the district of Monasterace Marina there are the ruins of a magnificent Doric temple of the ancient Kaulon, founded in the VII century B.C. It is crossed by the old Roman street AppiaTraianea, that became the Rhegium Tarentum, the modern state street 106 (Reggio Calabria – Taranto). The lovely promenade, adorned with palm trees, runs along the 7 kilometres long beach, stretching up to the border with Guardavalle, first town in the province of Catanzaro. The wide sandy shore is on a crystal clear sea. Near the cape Cocinto, in the district of San Marco, it is possible to admire the Doric temple dating back to the year 420 B.C.. It measured 18x41 metres and had 36 columns in the external perimeter, but today just its basement can be admired.
Ligh g thouse of Monasterace
Citr Ci trus pla lant ntat atio ions ns iinn Mo Mona nast ster erac acee
M na Mo nast ster erac ace, e, D Dor oric ic ttem empl plee
Beach of San Marco
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