Capo Vaticano between Coast, History and Sea

Beaches, Terraces and Mediterranean Landscape

Grotticelle Beach is a long sandy beach with very light-coloured sand and consists of three interconnected beaches. The beaches below the Capo Vaticano promontory, on the other hand, can often only be reached via narrow paths or by sea. The different types of access are therefore just as much a part of the coastal landscape as the old vineyards on the earthen terraces. Farmers created these terraces from the rock using dry-stone walls; they slope gently down towards the sea.

The Garden of the Gods park also adds its own botanical facet to the landscape. It consists of shrubs and aromatic plants that are endemic to the Mediterranean region. For tranquil nature observation, such landscape features complement the beach and viewpoint experiences that are more strongly shaped by the sea.

Panoramic Views at Capo

The Belvedere del Capo opens out towards the Gulf of Gioia Tauro and Sicily. From there, you can see the Aeolian Islands, the Strait of Messina and the Sicilian coast with Mount Etna. The Capo Vaticano lighthouse stands 100 metres above sea level and was built in 1870. A walk to the lighthouse at the tip of the promontory leads to a viewpoint overlooking the volcano Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands at sunset.

Museo del Mare and Traces of Times Past

The Museo del Mare is located in a former naval observation post that served as a day lighthouse until the mid-20th century. Two halls display fishing and navigation equipment donated by residents of Ricadi and surrounding towns. There are also exhibitions on marine biology featuring Mediterranean and exotic shells, as well as fish, molluscs, crustaceans and whale bones.

Capo Vaticano is also home to a striking example of coastal fortification in Torre Ruffa. The tower was built as the final tower; the Codice Carratelli, created towards the end of the 16th century, still depicts it under construction. Torre Ruffa is the only one of these coastal towers that has survived. At Baia di Santa Maria, the local church was transformed in the 17th century into a rural church for the farmers and fishermen of the adjoining village. In the 18th century, it was enlarged out of devotion to Maria SS. di Loreto.

A Greek settlement stood on the northern promontory that closes off Baia di Santa Maria. It was used from the 5th century BC until the first decades of the 3rd century BC; pottery finds recovered during excavations testify to this. A Roman amphora depot dating from the 2nd to the 1st century BC was also discovered in Baia di Santa Maria in the 1980s.

Experience Capo Vaticano from the Water

A boat tour from Tropea towards Capo Vaticano takes you to coves that can only be reached by sea and includes three stops of 20 minutes each. The Capo Vaticano stop on the Tropea–Capo Vaticano tour includes a panoramic trip along Praja di Fuoco and Grotticelle. This allows you to view the coast from a perspective that differs from the paths on the promontory.

Which Location Suits Your Trip

The combination of Grotticelle, more difficult-to-reach stretches of shoreline, viewpoints, historic towers and archaeological traces offers several starting points for planning your trip. When choosing a hotel, you can first decide whether the beach, walks to the lighthouse, maritime culture, the landscape or an excursion on the water should be the main focus for you. This allows you to select the specific location of your accommodation according to the experiences in Capo Vaticano that interest you most.

More Places in the Same Region

For your further travel planning, you can also include Drapia, Torre Marino, Acquaro, Francavilla Angitola, San Costantino Calabro, Pannaconi, Nicotera Marina and Ciaramiti in your plans.

For the overview of the wider region: Vibo Valentia.