Discover Tropea: Old Town, Sea and MuMaT

Tropea lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the western side of the Poro promontory and at the heart of the Costa degli Dei. Its cliff-top old town, coastal landscape and MuMaT reveal different sides of the place. If you are looking for a hotel in Tropea, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your stay on historic lanes and views, the sea or maritime culture. The following features can help you match your interests to the destination.

Old Town and Local History

The historic centre sits on a steep cliff about 60 metres above the sea. This position above the coast is one of the defining features of the town centre. Tropea’s history dates back to the Roman era. The historic settlement was once surrounded by walls and fortified on one side, with access through defensive gates. The town’s history thus brings together an early historical period and the settlement’s defensive layout. The cliff illustrates the centre’s relationship with the sea, while the gates evoke its former fortified entrance.

Lanes and Viewpoints

The historic centre is a maze of lanes, small squares and open spaces. A walk therefore offers more than a single viewpoint: you can also experience the varied urban spaces of the old town. Largo Migliarese is a viewing terrace facing the turquoise sea, at the end of a walk through the historic centre. A walk through the town centre along Corso Vittorio Emanuele also offers a beautiful panoramic view. The two places offer different perspectives: at Largo Migliarese, the sea-facing aspect is part of the view, while at Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the panoramic outlook takes centre stage. The lanes, squares and viewpoints can each provide a different focus for your exploration.

Coastal Landscape and Underwater World

Crystal-clear water and white sand define Tropea’s coastal landscape. For travellers particularly interested in the water, there is also diving: you can explore the underwater world in the waters off Tropea, which are known for their abundant fish. This brings together two distinct aspects of the coast: the seascape and underwater exploration. As you weigh up your travel interests, you can consider these alongside the old town’s lanes and viewpoints.

Maritime Culture at MuMaT

The Museo civico del Mare di Tropea, or MuMaT for short, is located in Palazzo Santa Chiara on Via Ospedale in Tropea. Its marine biology section includes shells, algae and skeletons that illustrate the present-day marine flora and fauna of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The collection also includes remains of orcas and megalodons, large marine predators, as well as skeletons of particularly complete ancient ancestors of dugongs and of a Miocene whale. Two malacological collections round out the exhibits. Malacology is the study of molluscs, offering another perspective on the diversity of the sea. At MuMaT, present-day marine flora and fauna are presented alongside remains and skeletons from earlier times. If you are interested in Tropea’s maritime side, this range of topics takes you from biological specimens to large marine animals and their ancestors.

Regional Cuisine in July

The Sagra del pesce azzurro e della cipolla rossa di Tropea celebrates the region’s traditional cuisine. At this festival, held in July, you can sample a wide range of dishes featuring red onion and bluefish. Check the dates for the current edition before your trip so you can take the seasonal festival into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Paravati, Santa Domenica, Caria, Cessaniti, Zaccanopoli, Gasponi, Vibo Marina, Zungri

For the regional travel overview: Vibo Valentia.