Itinerary among the seaside villages of Calabria

If you want to know why they call Diamante ‘’the town of murals‘’, all you have to do is wander through the alleyways of this village on the Riviera dei Cedri, which is also famous for the Chilli Pepper Festival held every year in September.

The walls coloured by the artists are certainly not the only attraction. What will captivate you will be its beach, characterised by coves and cliffs, the Island of Cirella, which is not far from the shore and can be reached by boat.

You can stroll along the seafront and take a tour of the old town centre to admire the squares and churches, enter the numerous souvenir shops and - of course - be won over by the flavours and aromas of the local gastronomy.

San Lucido is a small jewel of the Tyrrhenian coast and its lively village full of alleys, portals, arches, squares and ancient palaces will win you over. The most striking point is the large panoramic terrace from which to admire the sea, surmounted by the remains of the ancient Ruffo Castle. The historic centre and the marina are connected by a long flight of steps, but to move from one side to the other you can take advantage of the apecars reserved for tourists.

You may come here to try the famous tartufo ice-cream, the pride of Calabrian gastronomy. But you will discover that Pizzo is a seaside village with unique characteristics and, for this reason, a favourite destination for tourists.

Take the time to visit the imposing Castle where Joachim Murat was held prisoner and then killed. The manor houses a museum dedicated precisely to the King of Naples. One last tip: there is a unique place you absolutely must visit, the Piedigrotta Church, built in a cave a few metres from the sea.

It is the pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, known the world over for its turquoise sea, its iconic panoramic view, its red onion, and for that unique atmosphere you breathe walking through its alleys.

If you have never visited this marvellous seaside village, you should know that summer is the season that consecrates it as the tourist capital, but Tropea is beautiful in every season and every sunny day gives you the chance to experience it at 360°. Stroll along the white sand and then move into the heart of the town to admire its artistic and architectural heritage, and then let yourself be won over by the flavours of the local cuisine.

Chianalea is the ‘’little Venice‘’ of the south, a fishing village immersed in an atmosphere that seems out of time. It is the seaside district of the municipality of Scilla and its peculiarity is that the houses are lapped by the water and walking around you can see and hear the sea.

Here you can choose to eat in one of the typical small restaurants that prepare fresh fish dishes served on wooden platforms submerged in the water, or opt for fast food but gourmet, in the places that prepare swordfish sandwiches.

It is among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and you will soon discover why. The beach and the sea are the main attraction, but the historic centre will win you over. Starting with what is almost a record: there are no fewer than 14 churches in Badolato.

The village is rich in culture and history and is also worth a visit for its historical buildings, the majestic Gallelli Castle, and the bell tower that offers a spectacular view of the Ionian Sea.

The crystal-clear sea at Isola Capo Rizzuto is a certainty, just think that we are in Italy's largest marine protected area. But this resort located along the Costa dei Saraceni will reveal all its beauties. Starting with its castle that seems to have come straight out of the pages of a fairy tale.

Le Castella is in fact a splendid Aragonese fortress at the water's edge, located on an islet joined to the mainland by a thin strip of sand. Nature, history and, of course, a rich and varied gastronomy.

The imposing Frederician Castle overlooking the Ionian Sea is certainly the most representative image of Roseto Capo Spulico. You will discover, however, that there is much more and that Roseto is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Calabria.

The historical centre, enclosed by walls, is rich in art and history and offers breathtaking panoramic views. A stroll through the alleyways will take in the Mother Church and the Palazzo Baronale, the evocative Church of the Immaculate Conception, better known as ‘’Santo Totaro‘’, and finally the miraculous S. Vitale Fountain, from which spring water has been gushing for over a thousand years.