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18 19 Coasts and beaChes 20 t ourists choosing Calabria as their journey destination are for the most part (92%) attracted by its 800 km Region coasts with its well-equipped, sunny and wild beaches, offering all kinds of holidays’ solutions as well as relax, privacy, sports and animation proposals. the morphology of Calabrian coasts and beaches, from white sand to cliffs, offers different seaside resort opportunities within few kilometres distance. In the following pages we introduce you those seaside resorts and those towns on Calabrian wide coasts and beaches, which for their particular landscapes and touristic sites are first-class holiday places. 21 22 23 “Wild cliffs alternate with sandy shores” the IonIC Coast the Coast of aChaeans from Roseto Capo spulICo to Rossano 24 the coast of achaeans clearly refers to the achaeans’ settlement in this area and the relative foundation of the ancient sybaris colony. the total length of this coast is about 150 kilometres of shores in the sybaris piana within the pollino high mountain northwards and the last spurs of the Greek sila southwards, ploughed by a myriad of torrent-like water-courses. Calabrian high-Ionic beaches lie down the bulky pollino Mountain, thus offering a really extraordinary coup d’oeil. but in all the sybaris piana area there are very important archeological sites like the native site of francavilla Marittima enotri, the ancient Cossa in paludi area and sybaris itself , where the namesake archeological park is precious witness of the ancient Magna Graecia civilization. the nothern part of achaeans coast is among the seaside resort sites of Roseto Capo spulico, amendolara Marina e trebisacce. Roseto Capo Spulico HOW TO REACH BY CAR SS106 Jonica – A3 Sa-Rc BY PLANE Lametia Terme airport BY TRAIN Sybaris railway station DISTANCE From the airport 150 Km From Sybaris railway station 4 km 32.007 RoCCa IMpeRIale in tha Guida Blu with two sails. It is also known for its You can find Rocca Imperiale in the prestigious Gui- Castrum Petrae Roseti ( Roseto’ Stone Castle), a for- da Blu and Italian Touring Club since 2006 with two tified castle, one of the most important monuments sails. The Rocca Imperiale Marina is on the shores in Calabria to defend the High Ionio Cosentino co- of Ionio Sea for 7 km and its coast alternates cliffs, ast. Dating back to Norman times, this medieval ca- shingles and golden sand towards Lucania. It is only stle overlooking the sea (XIII century) is a place of 4 km far from the old town and it is a first-class holi- cultural interest at a national level. day destination thanks also to a wide range of different seaside beach facilities. Of important historical sYbaRIs significance is the massive warehouse built by the Among the most popular seaside resorts of the Duke Fabio Crivelli in the XVIII century (1731) to- Achaeans coast, Sybaris is rich in touristic villages gether with the Torre di Guardia in the XVI century offering high quality facilities. The fine sand of its be- (1563-69), both witnessing the maritime and com- aches leaves place to gravel and stones at a few km mercial relevance of Rocca Imperiale. distance. This part of the Ionic coast differs from the others for its wide beaches full of bars and kiosks Roseto Capo spulICo near the sea as well as for wild and free beaches At the time of Magna Graecia Roseto was one of the close to the pinewoods. Going southwards you can Sybaris’ satellite cities. In Roseto a lot of roses were visit the dock of the Sybaris Lake, a 420.000 square cultivated, because their petals were used to fill Sy- metres area very close to the coast with 2800 berths baritic people’s mattresses. Roseto is in the 2009 for mantainance and shelter for boats. The Achae- Guida Blu with two sails for its touristic facilities and ans coast continues southwards with Schiavonea, it has three stars out of five for its environmental Rossano Scalo and its famous Zolfara waterpark, its and landscape conservation. Again in 2010 it is still Amarelli ancient liquorice factory and museum . 25 the saRaCens Coast from CaRIatI to Isola Capo RIzzuto among the wildest and richest areas of the Ionic coast there is the very eastern one in Calabria between Cariati and the area all around the hills of the Crotone Marchesato. the different morphology of the saracens coast is characterized by alternating headlands and bays. furthermore wide areas close to the sea, often rich in plants and marine pinewoods, have permitted a very fast touristic development of high-level guest accommodations, to enjoy blue sea and natural attractions. the whole coast is rich in historical artifacts referring to the hellenic civilization and in medieval and byzantine buildings (castles, fortified cities, churches, etc). the all around landscape’s beauty, the blue sea (2009,2010 blue flag), the wide range of typical food products, the sila mountains nearby, make Cariati a very appreciated touristic site, visited every summer by thousands of people. 26 CIRò MaRIna Punta Alice, Ciro Marina, the ancient Krimisa, near Ciro, are among the most famous touristic destinations of the coast, they speak and have Greek origins. In 2010 Ciro Marina gains the Blue Flag for its beaches for the tenth time. Capo Colonna The Crotone beach area goes from the city port northwards to the Colonna Cape headland, its shoCrotone re is characterized by long sand tiziano-coloured beaches. From Colonna Cape archeological site a short but wonderful series of headlands made of sandstone mixed to clay begins alternating with plain sandy inlets. Colonna Cape, Cimiti Cape, Rizzuto Cape and Punta Cirò Marina Le Castella are the most important touristic attraction centres of all the Saracens coast. All the zone is in the Rizzuto Cape marine reserve, 40 ha long with a rigid system to protect waters and the numerous species inhabiting them. HOW TO REACH BY CAR Ionic SS106 – SS107 Sila- Crotone , connecting Crotone to Paola trough Cosenza. BY PLANE Crotone s. Anna airport Lametia Terme airport BY TRAIN railway line from Reggio Calabria to Taranto (trough Roccella, Catanzaro, Crotone, Sybaris) DISTANCES From the airport Crotone S. Anna airport 10 Km Lametia terme airport 90 km Posti letto 17.229 27 28 Copanello the oRanGes Coast the squIllaCe Gulf Whereas the geographical extreme points of this coast are characterized by low and plain beaches made of sand and shingles, mainly near the rivers ‘ estuaries, the very central part of the oranges coast is made of rocky white-granite headlands that gently slope toward the sea. opposed to the pebbly long beaches of botricello, Cropani and sellia Marina to the north, of Isca on the Ionio sea and badolato Marina to the south there is the massive headland of staletti, offering the most suggestive glimpses of the whole oranges coast. this headland rises southwards on the long squillace beach and follows northwards to Copanello beach, softly sloping toward the white sands of Montepaone and soverato. In the middle of the headland there is Caminia in the town of staletti, well known for its granite cliffs on the blue sea creating small and big coloured caves. the natural beautiful landscape of the oranges coast is the ideal frame for the whole archeological heritage of the squillace Gulf with its beautiful well-equipped seaside resorts like soverato ,Caminia and Copanello. this area also offers artistic and monumental signs of an ancient past, like the squillace 344 m high medieval town , overlooking the same gulf or the archeological park of scolacium ,where you can visit the remains of an ancient Roman colony as well as the monumental basilica in s. Maria of Roccella, built in the XI century by normans and still considered one of the most important templar churches in Italy. Copanello shortly interrupts the beach. It is in the very heart of the Oranges coast on the Its beach is wide and its marine waters, typical of Squillace Gulf and it is connected to other eight the Ionic coast, are clear and blue, because of the villages you can reach by SS 106. The most fa- presence of plankton which makes them rich in mous are: Copanello, considered the pearl of the fish. There are also many hotel facilities and re- whole coast, Caminia, Pietragrande and Soverato. sorts equipped for an elite tourism. Copanello is one of the most important seaside The other sites in the Staletti coast present more resorts in Calabria. or less the same characteristics: wide beaches in a The town is on a very high cliff on the sea which sea-hill frame of an uncontaminated nature. 29 Soverato CaMInIa of stalettI cularly clean waters of these natural tanks; the S. It is a wonderful bay which lies on a strip of coast, Gregorio cave. famous all over the world for its particular unconta- 30 minated natural beauty, representing an exclusive pIetRaGRande destination for many tourists . Its ivory-coloured In the middle of the Oranges coast, at a very few sand is surrounded by a beautiful grey- granite cliff. km from Catanzaro and Soverato, Pietragrande is In summer season it represents a touristic meeting known as one of the highest-level seaside resorts point for young people, in winter a paradise recrea- for over 30 years , one of the most famous beaches ting the man-nature fusion. in Italy and abroad for its beauty and its particular Between Caminia and Copanello there are different discos facilities. Its natural cliffs and crags end in a sites like the famous Vasche of Cassiodoro where real blue sea and some of its beaches can be rea- the Romans raised eels, whose seabed is made of ched only by boat. In summer season this is famous very white sand; the great variety of concretions on for its nightlife, in other periods of the year it offers the rocks, the presence of rocky arcs, holes and fascinating natural relaxing habits. cracks, where basses, breams and even groupers find shelters, represents a real paradise for all kind soVeRato of diving activities, mainly during the night. This area In the South part of the Squillace Gulf ,Soverato re- has a great importance from an archeological point presents one of the most known touristic centres of of view. Other places to be absolutely visited are: the Ionic coast. Its climate is mild and pleasant all the famous “Spiaggetta”, only reachable by boat; the year thanks to positive climatic factors . It has the Torre of Palombaro, famous among divers and several seaside resort and tourist accomodation fa- among those who want to swim in warm and parti- cilities. During summer time it is animated by many cultural events such as the Magna Graecia Film Fe- “Along this coast nature mixes itself with clay rocks looking at the cobalt blu of seabed, paradise of divers” stival. One of the main activities in this area is fishing, also big fish such as “veal” or “cow” fish that fishermen then sell to restaurants to delight their clients. In August its promenade welcomes lots of young people and all the beach facilities promptly change into discos. badolato MaRIna This is a developing small town also thanks to the summer touristic increase and to its port for small – medium boats. The beach is between the touristic port and a very small natural headland covered with oleanders. The sea is rich in plankton thus in fish. The sand is white and thin, you can find gravel on the shoreline from storm surges flow. The old town of Badolato is on the top of a 240 m high hill. This suggestive medieval small town is famous for its Byzantine churches built in the shape of a Latin cross full of typical lanes. Thanks to its location it offers the tourist the possibility to change his habitat in a few minutes from sea to hill, from mountain to lake. HOW TO REACH BY CAR A3 Sa-Rc BY PLANE Lametia terme airport BY TRAIN Paola – Cosenza railway line DISTANCE From the airport 50 Km 9.101 31 32 33 the JasMIne Coast from RIaCe to loCRI the most southern coast of Calabria is the Jasmine coast that is the whole coast of Reggio Calabria on the Ionio sea. It stretches along 90 km on low and sandy beaches, often closed into high rocks on the sea where you can find seaside well equipped facilities. the name of this coast comes from the typical cultivation of jasmine, a delicate and beautiful but also strong and climbing flower, spread throughout the province of Reggio Calabria but mainly here. Women (called Jasmine women – gelsominaie) collected these flowers to sell them by weight and to export them to france to make scents. In 1928 the experimental station of essences and essential oils was created in Reggio Calabria. 34 Between Punta Stilo and Spartivento Cape there is a Roccella Ionica and Marina of Gioiosa Ionica. South- part of coast characterized by marble-clay hills and wards there is the small Grotteria piana from which green terraces rich in citrus and olive trees going up the Jasmine coast starts with its towns of Siderno and to a mountainous heart that is the National Park of Locri, an ancient colony founded in the VII century Aspromonte. This is a land strip with 42 municipalities, b.C. and the small villages of Sant’Ilario in Ionio, Ardo- taking the name of a typical flower of the Calabrian re Marina and Bovalino. After the Bonamico river , the High Ionio, but little known to mass tourism. Never- most important in Aspromonte, the last part of the Ja- theless those who choose this coast are those who smine coast begins and it ends to Spartivento Cape. In like a kind of simple almost rural holiday, who prefer this area there are sites like Africo, Bianco, Brancaleo- to live in uncontaminated places but full of history, le- ne Marina and Ferruzzano cape with its cliffs interrup- gends and vivid traditions. ting the monotony of the landscape. All the Jasmine The first touristic sites this way long are Riace Marina, coast with its wide and long beaches has often been awarded with the Legambiente prestigious blue flags Roccelletta Ionica to confirm the Calabrian absolute water cleanliness. The Jasmine coast has been inhabited since ancient times and it has important historical past remains in the Archeological Park of Locri Epizefiri or in the sites of ancient Kaulon ( the today Monasterace) and in the medieval village of Gerace with its 100 churches and Stilo with its famous church of Cattolica. Gerace 35 HOW TO REACH BY CAR A3 SA – RC, SS 682 Ionio – Tirreno ( Gioiosa – Rosarno), which connects the A3 highway from Rosarno to Gioiosa Marina Ionica linking the Tyrrhenian sea to the Ionio sea in Reggio Calabria. BY PLANE Stretto airport BY TRAIN Railway line from Reggio Calabria to Taranto (through Roccella, Catanzaro, Crotone and Sybaris. DISTANCE From the airport 140 Km From the Railway 140 km 6.476 tYRRhenIan sea t 36 hose coming from the noce valley meet a succession of reefs, marine terraces, caves with fantastic names, rock arches and bridges, beaches lunettes, wall mountains with oak, heather, mastic and myrtle. the dino isle looks like a big whale, emerging from the sea waters. Walking from fiuzzi to s. nicola arcella one is dazzled by the colours and the glitter of the sea. but the landscape changes along the coast: headlands, quaternary terraces with houses like beehives and on the coast a series of artificial reefs. before reaching Cetraro the Rizzo cliff suddenly appears with its one hundred-metreshigh walls. after san lucido, among the crowded beaches of torremezzo, fiumefreddo and longobardi you can find secluded and free beaches and little southwards between the belmonte Marina and amantea the Isca rocks outcrop just off the shore and because of their wonderful seabed they are a WWf oasis. With pizzo, where you can taste delicious truffles ice cream in a lively medieval atmosphere the high Green coast made of small beaches and coves of white quartz sand begins. the parghelia stacks also known as la pizzuta, announce that tropea is near. tropea is the tyrrhenian emblem of the touristic Calabria. nature is there to reign: the sandy bays are inside a jagged coastline and the landscape you enjoy from Capo Vaticano is of a poignant beauty. the Grotticelle beach is sandy, but cliffs emerging from the sea waters make this place still more attractive; from the belvedere on there is the praia du focu, a small beach with different shape cliffs just off the blue sea. Many olive plants tell us that Gioia tauro is here to come with its important port. the CedaRs Coast from pRaIa to aMantea the Cedars coast, so called because of the cedars plant used to make drinks and candies, is the name identifying this wonderful Calabrian piece of land also known as Calabrian high tyrrhenian. It traditionally includes also a part of the mountain land over the coast. pRaIa a MaRe also try rafting on the Lao river, one of the most Dark thin sandy beaches and pebbles, jagged co- important torrent-like river in Calabria, coming astlines, depths inhabited by corals, starfishes and down by canoe or rafts. other species of fishes are some of the charac- Do not miss a visit to the Dino isle just in front of teristics that make Praia a Mare one of the most Capo dell’Arena: this massive outcrop of rock whe- famous touristic sites in Calabria mainly from the re you can admire the primrose palinuri, protected 60s years on. species among the most ancient of the Italian flora, The Praia a Mare town not so far from Maratea and is famous for its suggestive caves such as the Blue its border with Basilicata and Campania is in the Cave, the Lion Cave, the Fronton Cave , the Sardi- National Pollino Park: extreme sport lovers could nian Cave, the Monk Cave and the Waterfalls Cave. 37 38 sCalea suggestive narrow lanes. On the contrary the new town Scalea is 20 km southern from Praia a Mare and it is an develops itself along the beach with lots of resorts. important seaside resort. Its origins go back to the Paleolithic period. The Scalea village is a touristic destination dIaMante for many people for its beauty and its wonderful old he- Today Diamante is known as the Murales sea town: art town developing itself in steps along the hill (hence there are over one hundred paintings on the fisher- its name) and it maintains signs of ancient walls and men’s house walls in the old town. In the Diamante municipality there also is Cirella with its small isle. At the end of the summer season in the very first days of September there is the Red Hot Pepper Festival and all the citizens take actively part in the organization of this event together with the Italian Academy of Red Hot Pepper whose head office is just in Diamante. IsCa blue oasIs In the wonderful sea mirror between Amantea and Belmonte Calabro the two Isca rocks outcrop from the water. This is an obliged visit for those who love diving among reefs and Mediterranean corals. DeDiamante clared a WWF oasis in 1991 the blue oasis of the on the sea a few hundred metres from Amantea’s Isca rocks is a protected area, deep over 20 m with beach. To reach this area it is necessary to drive on a wonderful seabed. The mixture between rocks the Tyrrhenian SS18 from North and once reached and sand has created a very rich flora and fauna. Belmonte Calabro, just follow the WWF site’s in- In this waters you can find seagrass meadows as dication. Furthermore it is possible to do seabed well as dolphins and Caretta Caretta tortoises. The watching with diving instructors. It is also possible rocks , remains of an ancient promontory, emerge to admire the seabed from boat having glass keels. Cetraro ACCESSI BY CAR A3 Sa-Rc, SS585, SS18 BY PLANE Lametia Terme airport BY TRAIN Paola railway station DISTANCE From the airport 100 km From Paola railway station 40 km 28.799 39 the Gods Coast from pIzzo to nICoteRa the coast of Gods or the beautiful coast is the name of a coastside piece of land along the southern tyrrhenian sea in the Vibo Valentia area. Its borders create the so-called Calabria horn, 55 km long with a varied morphology. You can find long white sand beaches, jagged rocks, small bays only reachable on foot or by boat. Its name, beautiful Coast, is due to the wonderful landscapes with the aeolian Islands only 32 nautical miles far. the name, Gods coast, evokes dreamlike images of a total relax and delight. here you can live the dream of a clear sea, of blue waters, of seabed rich in precious living creatures and of very white beaches. this is also the dream of the divers for its marine flora and fauna. examples of all this are: tropea and its suggestive beaches, its blue cave but also its 12 churches; parghelia and its la pizzuta, so called for its granite pinnacles rising from sea waters, its white beaches as well as its suggestive rocks; zambrone recalling us tropical villages and its Galera cliff, rich in small cavities and cells. 40 pIzzo CalabRo Seaside and fishing resort overlooking the sea in a very particular location near the S.Eufemia gulf. According to some sources it was built on the Napitum ancient site with the castle of Gioacchino Murat; it is also famous for its delicious handmade ice-cream and for spaghetti cooked with squid ink. Pizzo Calabro 41 ACCESSI BY CAR A3 Sa-Rc, SS18 BY PLANE Lametia Terme airport BY TRAIN Lamezia Terme railway station DISTANCE From the airport 60 km From Lamezia Terme railway station 60 km 18.488 tRopea It is one of the most visited sites of the beach tourism. It has a young touristic port with ships leaving every day for Aeolian Islands particularly the Stromboli Vulcan, often visible from the southern Tyrrhenian Calabrian coast. In July there are the Bluefish Festival and the Tropea Red Onion Festival (which has been given the top quality trademark). This last festival takes place in September in the same old town of Tropea . Capo Vaticano 42 Tropea Tropea Capo VatICano The headland of Capo Vaticano is located in front of Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands. It separates the S. Eufemia gulf from the one of Gioia Tauro. It includes the coast of the Tono Bay up to the one of Santa Maria and up to Poro Mountain. On this headland there is a cylindrical-towered lighthouse since 1870. The most suggestive bay is the one in Grotticelle, made of three smaller bays close one to another. The famous Venetian writer Giuseppe Berto, after having travelled all around Italy, decided to live here describing in one of his books that “the part of coast ending to Capo Vaticano is full of history and beauty. It could be called Costabella with a hint of regret and nostalgia.” Capo Vaticano is also known as the best ground in the world producing red onion, the so-called Tropea red onion which is particularly sweet. In fact thanks to the special properties of this ground “only the one cultivated in Capo Vaticano “ results so particularly sweet that is also why it is very much requested in national and international food markets. Furthermore suggestive beaches and clear sea with a seabed rich in fish make Capo Vaticano a special destination for divers and Italian and foreign tourists also attracted by typical food products like the ‘nduja di Spilinga and pecorino del Poro’. 43 44 45 the puRple Coast from palMI to VIlla san GIoVannI the ‘small heaven’: the writer leonida Repaci so called this part of coast which from palmi goes to bagnara. It was already called ‘purple Coast’ for the particular colour that the marine waters have in certain hours of the day. We are now in the very end of the boot Italia, a coast to be discovered. the sea is opened , deep and without shelters, thus being very challenging but also generous. Clear sea waters protect in fact the rich Mediterranean life together with the archeological remains of ancient civilizations. the seabed of Cavaianculla, pietrosa, Chianiti, pietragalera, Capo barbi takes care of archeological and natural treasures. 46 palMI newood, to enjoy suggestive landscapes, to make On a sloping terrace to the sea and protected by naturalistic tours. It also offers the opportunity to the hill of S. Elia (582 m) Palmi is at the same time a visit archeological excavations in Taureana with its sea and a mountain town, benefiting of both effects. early Christian crypt of the IV century and its small Together with the golden beaches of Tonnara, Pie- church of San Fantino, the most famous saint in trenere and Scinà, the wide granite coast of Palmi, Calabria as well as to explore the Neolithic caves of full of wonderful bays and suggestive seabed, offers the great Byzantine - Monastic settlement of Tarditi the visitors the possibility to relax under a huge pi- with their stories about buried treasures, myths and legends. In Palmi there is also the diving center for Palmi those who want to explore the wonderful seabed. baGnaRa CalabRa Bagnara is famous for the beauty of its beaches. The Marturano hill divides this very long beach into two parts, which goes from the Cucuzzo mountain to Ruggiero tower. Going northwards the landscapes completely changes, the beautiful white beach disappears and the landscape is dominated by the ups and downs of the mountains which seem to join Bagnara the sea waters. In these frame we can find the won- sea, Bagnara Calabra enjoys a peculiar geographical derful natural caves among which the most famous position like an amphitheatre inside a circle made of are: the ‘Grotta del Monaco’ and the ‘Grotta delle hills, full of vineyards, facing at the Messina Stretto, Rondini, destinations of boats full of tourists and at Stromboli and Aeolian islands creating one of the divers. The glittering of the sun and of the rocks most suggestive landscape in Italy, as Eduard Lear in the sea waters is able to colour the seabed with described it in 1847. purple, hence the name Purple coast. From 1965 on, every year at the end of July in Ba- In the middle of this coast , among the hills, to the gnara Calabra there is the Swordfish Festival now ACCESSI BY CAR A3 Sa-Rc SS18 BY PLANE Stretto airport BY TRAIN Reggio Calabria railway station DISTANCE From the airport 30 km From Reggio Calabria railway station 25 km 4.873 47 48 Scilla at the 45th edition. Bagnara is also famous for the nougat. The first homemade nougat factories in Calabria were built in Bagnara Calabra and they began a tradition which still exists, making this kind of nougat one of the most appreciated calabrian products. Almonds and honey, still processed according to the original traditions make the Bagnara nougat still more delicious and original. The almonds roasting is the first step of a long handmade process ending with the nougat preparation. Almonds must cook more than six hours together with the egg white part and the honey. These ingredients must continuously be mixed until they reach a perfect cooking. Then the friable nougat must be cut in small bars with a white or dark chocolate, nougat, wafer and hazelnut or orange covering. sCIlla It is famous all over the world for Ulysses’ stories in Homer’s poems as well as in Virgilio’s . In the Reggio Calabria area Scilla is particularly famous for its location, its history and its marine culture. Considered the pearl of the Purple coast, Scilla extends its territory to the Aspromonte foothills, form which it takes crafts, food and agricultural traditions . It counts 5000 inhabitants but during summer season thousands of tourists reach Scilla for its seaside resorts and for swordfishing, carried out as Spring begins in the waters of the Stretto of Messina by using special boats, inherited by the ancient luntre, with patrol and harpoon, a fishing method dating back to the Phoenician period. 49