Capo Vaticano
Capo Vaticano
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Capo Vaticano, the last strip of land before the Straits of Messina, thrusts dramatically from the sea, its white rocks battered and eroded by centuries of breakers that have taught sailors to respect and fear this fascinating, almost mysterious place. Capo Vaticano its majestically enthroned in a turquoise sea, as it dominates the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands to the north-west, the Gulf of to the north-east, to the south-west the Gulf of Gioia Tauro and, beyond, the Straits of Messina culminating in Mount Etna.This part of Calabria, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, contains the ancient fascination of a thousand years of history. The sea that caresses the snow-white beaches and the wildness of the rocks make visitors lose their sense of time, as it conceals beneath its waves the secrets of ancient shipwrecks, the relics of which have frequently been discovered. Life in the area is dominated by fishing; its waters are visited by the great swordfish, tuna, blue sharks etc.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Restaurants
58 within 3 miles
Attractions
70 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- EmaEva76Milan, Italy792 contributionsA heavenly locationA light breeze that caresses your skin, the boundless sea on the horizon, the beauty of the cacti, a dream panorama...Capo Vaticano does not disappoint. Parking is limited so it's best to go early in the morning (parking costs €2 per hour in Grotticelle). It's nice to rent a pedalo (€15 per hour) and get to the less crowded beaches, where the sea is truly crystal clear.Visited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten May 28, 2024
- alessandra_biondi3Ferrara, Italy30,629 contributionsA beautiful daydreamFinally I arrived at the "horn of Calabria", unsurpassed view ... in the distance the Stromboli and the Sicilian Aeolian Islands. It is like entering a dream, entering into what has been a myth. On the rock Mantineo, in front of Capo Vaticano, lived the prophetess Manto who vaticinated, gave directions to the sailors who challenged her, because they had to face the Strait of Messina threatened by currents that they believed moved by the monsters Scylla and Charybdis. Favola...favola ...favola....Visited June 2024Traveled with friendsWritten June 22, 2024
- SteveRome, Italy1,101 contributions40 anni dopo!Of course reviewing the places of the first holidays does only with friends after 40 years really great effect! Beaches always beautiful but greatly reduced by erosion. Cleanliness good but to be improved as it continues the disproportionate use of plastics. Definitely worth seeing all the locations and staying at least 4 days.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,379 reviews
Excellent
915
Very good
319
Average
88
Poor
32
Terrible
25
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JesAle
Catanzaro, Italy1,279 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Beautiful place, beautiful views, clean sea and many accommodation options for all budgets. Our last visit dates back to August, despite the crowd of tourists we had a very good time. Given the beauty of the places, we recommend visiting more beaches of the wonderful Costa degli Dei
Written September 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeGustibus67
Turin, Italy16,835 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Capo Vaticano, which is a very well-known seaside resort located between Tropea and Nicotera along the "Costa degli Dei" - develops on a promontory made of a special white-grey granite, known for its geological peculiarities.
The area of Capo Vaticano is full of accommodation facilities equipped with entertainment services. The promontory, which takes its name, reaches a maximum height of 124 meters and is made of a special granite, the white-grey one, studied throughout the world for its geological peculiarities.
The town is full of many accommodation facilities and some second homes, but not a real town center and is somewhat lacking in services.
But if we talk about scenic beauty, panoramic views, crystal clear waters and sunsets over the sea….it has very few rivals in our country and in the Mediterranean basin!
The area of Capo Vaticano is full of accommodation facilities equipped with entertainment services. The promontory, which takes its name, reaches a maximum height of 124 meters and is made of a special granite, the white-grey one, studied throughout the world for its geological peculiarities.
The town is full of many accommodation facilities and some second homes, but not a real town center and is somewhat lacking in services.
But if we talk about scenic beauty, panoramic views, crystal clear waters and sunsets over the sea….it has very few rivals in our country and in the Mediterranean basin!
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mira V
Smarje Pri Jelsah, Slovenia344 contributions
Sep 2021
We drove to the viewing point above the resort of Capo Vaticano, called Belvedere di Capo Vaticano. The road was a bit narrow, but we managed to get there by bus. The views of the beaches and clear water below are simply spectacular. Unfortunately, the visibility was not the best, so we could not see further than Stromboli. When the air is clear, many more islands are visible.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MiriamBonvino
Pietramontecorvino, Italy74 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Spectacular sea, nothing to envy of other well-known locations, but this area and all of Calabria still have a long way to go for tourism worthy of being called such. There is a bit of a closed place, little hospitality and availability, there are places with notices posted where it is written that you have to make do with the handkerchiefs provided... or others where they don't bring you the dishes for each diner, in addition the central serving dish, almost non-existent table service. Not to mention the parking issue, Tropea is not even able to accommodate the amount of people who visit it, not to mention some of the streets in the center are almost impassable, as they are not at altitude. There is a lack of services, square and seafront, unfortunately in the horeca sector the details always make the difference.
Written August 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natale G
6 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Beautiful sea but bad services and very expensive.
45€ for umbrella and two sunbeds, in addition to the bathroom and showers for a fee, and you have the boats going back and forth and coming almost under the umbrella. Go to the bar for a sandwich and a beer and, apart from the prices, they charge €1.50 of blanket each for an uncleaned table and a paper placemat. If you ask for money you must also put the services
45€ for umbrella and two sunbeds, in addition to the bathroom and showers for a fee, and you have the boats going back and forth and coming almost under the umbrella. Go to the bar for a sandwich and a beer and, apart from the prices, they charge €1.50 of blanket each for an uncleaned table and a paper placemat. If you ask for money you must also put the services
Automatically translated
Written August 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
luigi s
15 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Outstanding natural beauty, but bad roads. I stayed at Il Giardino di Capo Vaticano B&B Apartments: a terrible structure to stay away from for dirt (bathroom and bad beds), lack of services, lack of security. Bad value for money
Automatically translated
Written August 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anja F
35 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Absolute highlight! Enter the old lighthouse (Faro) into your satnav and enjoy the fantastic view. You can see not only a large part of the coast, but also Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands. Various boat tours also start here. Many go there especially for the sunset.
Written September 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna C
Bologna, Italy2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
You know the pictures on the internet? No correspondence, sea at 8 am dirty with bubbles, despite not fixed agitated, road to reach ugly with stretches of roller coaster, parking with ndrangheta tones and disorganized services. I will no longer trust the reviews, really nothing to do with Greek beaches and Puglia.
Automatically translated
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jerseygirlgonecali
Encinitas, CA17 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
My husband and I are planning our third trip back to Capo Vaticano, Ricadi, this May! We usually have gone in the fall Sept, Oct. Everything pretty much closes down mid Oct after the Germans leave. Sept is a great time to go, off price rates on hotels and beach front resorts! We stayed in Sept at Hotel Villaggio Stromboli for $37.00 euros per night with a large balcony and sea view! The next year we went, we spent a bit more, for around 60.00 euros per night we stayed at Hotel Baia del Godona Resort and Spa, it was wonderful, has its own spa and its own beach! The pool was wonderful too! Each of these resorts I mentioned has their own restaurant on site, so you can add lunch and dinner to your stay if you chose to. Breakfasts were included!
Make sure you go to Tropea and Pizzo too, both towns are wonderful. I would recommend Pizzo for dinner and to watch the sunset at night from the piazza. The town is beautiful at night when the lights come on! Tropea has large beaches with beach bars, restaurants and of course the wonderful old town. Capo is a true hidden gem! We have visited Praia a Mare and San Nicola Arcella further up the coast. Both have pebble beaches with black sand and volcanic formations, it is nice to lay on the warm pebbles, like a spa experience! Praia a Mare has Dino Island where in the summer you can take a boat tour out in the caves of the Island, there is also a primitive cave church at the top of the town that is a must see. The gem of San Nicola Arcella is the Arco Magno hidden beach and the quaint, well kept small town! There is a trail head just above the main beach there. It is maybe a mile hike to the hidden beaches but well worth it! Once there, there are 4 separate beaches separated by the mountains. One is a hidden cove like beach with an arch, boats come through the arch and if you are there at sunset, you will have the opportunity to see the sunset through the arch! It reminds me of something you would see in Pirates of the Caribbean movies! Make sure to take water and snacks with you and spend part of the day here!
Capo beaches have paddle boats for rent in summer as well as small boats with outboard engine to rent. Lounges and umbrellas are also for rent. I think we paid 20 euros per day for the 2 lounges and umbrella. Paddle boats were 10 euros per hour. You can also rent kayaks. Capo is our favorite area, the water is calm in summer and is great for snorkeling, kayaks and paddle boats.
We are planning on buying a part time retirement villa there soon! Not many Americans come here, but we have always been able to find someone who speaks English. We also use our translator on our phones to communicate. Most restaurants and resorts, hotels, have staff that speak English as well.
We encountered Germans, Brits, Scandinavians, Russians, and other Italians here on vacation. Once we did run into a couple from upstate NY here. We usually get a flight from LAX to Miami, then on to Naples, then rent a car to drive down. You can also fly from Naples or Milan to Lamezia Terme, then drive about 40 minutes to Capo. If you want to see the other towns I mentioned then driving down from Naples is recommended. You can stay a few nights in San Nicola Arcella and check out Praia a Mare, which is right next to it.
Make sure you go to Tropea and Pizzo too, both towns are wonderful. I would recommend Pizzo for dinner and to watch the sunset at night from the piazza. The town is beautiful at night when the lights come on! Tropea has large beaches with beach bars, restaurants and of course the wonderful old town. Capo is a true hidden gem! We have visited Praia a Mare and San Nicola Arcella further up the coast. Both have pebble beaches with black sand and volcanic formations, it is nice to lay on the warm pebbles, like a spa experience! Praia a Mare has Dino Island where in the summer you can take a boat tour out in the caves of the Island, there is also a primitive cave church at the top of the town that is a must see. The gem of San Nicola Arcella is the Arco Magno hidden beach and the quaint, well kept small town! There is a trail head just above the main beach there. It is maybe a mile hike to the hidden beaches but well worth it! Once there, there are 4 separate beaches separated by the mountains. One is a hidden cove like beach with an arch, boats come through the arch and if you are there at sunset, you will have the opportunity to see the sunset through the arch! It reminds me of something you would see in Pirates of the Caribbean movies! Make sure to take water and snacks with you and spend part of the day here!
Capo beaches have paddle boats for rent in summer as well as small boats with outboard engine to rent. Lounges and umbrellas are also for rent. I think we paid 20 euros per day for the 2 lounges and umbrella. Paddle boats were 10 euros per hour. You can also rent kayaks. Capo is our favorite area, the water is calm in summer and is great for snorkeling, kayaks and paddle boats.
We are planning on buying a part time retirement villa there soon! Not many Americans come here, but we have always been able to find someone who speaks English. We also use our translator on our phones to communicate. Most restaurants and resorts, hotels, have staff that speak English as well.
We encountered Germans, Brits, Scandinavians, Russians, and other Italians here on vacation. Once we did run into a couple from upstate NY here. We usually get a flight from LAX to Miami, then on to Naples, then rent a car to drive down. You can also fly from Naples or Milan to Lamezia Terme, then drive about 40 minutes to Capo. If you want to see the other towns I mentioned then driving down from Naples is recommended. You can stay a few nights in San Nicola Arcella and check out Praia a Mare, which is right next to it.
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveler04
Rome, Italy213 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
There are places in Calabria, charm our eyes.
Places unthinkable .. one of these, I was lucky enough to find it by chance while I was traveling with some friends .. I call it '' rock balcony with sea front walkway '' .. an amazing place !! do not know the name of the zone, located near Capo Vaticano (I posted a picture) .. I can only tell you to wait for the sunset in this place ........ it is really a great emotion!
Places unthinkable .. one of these, I was lucky enough to find it by chance while I was traveling with some friends .. I call it '' rock balcony with sea front walkway '' .. an amazing place !! do not know the name of the zone, located near Capo Vaticano (I posted a picture) .. I can only tell you to wait for the sunset in this place ........ it is really a great emotion!
Written October 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ely-gaia
Vallerano, Italy
Qualcuno mi può dire se il mare lì e Tropea è subito alto oppure no?? È adatto a bimbi piccoli insomma???
Written January 20, 2021
Buona sera. Il mare a Tropea è adattissimo ai bambini, non è subito profondo come quello ligure, però non è da considerare come l'adriatico. Con un po' di attenzione va benissimo anche per i bambini. Buona vacanza.
Written February 16, 2021
C’è una navetta che porta alle spiagge?? Il parcheggio e improponibile 😱
Written August 10, 2019
Si ci sono le navette messe a disposizione dalle strutture alberghiere della zona. Ma credo ci siano anche i pullman del comune che portano sul posto.
Written August 11, 2019
Quanto si paga,ombrellone e due lettini per intera giornata?grazie
Written July 24, 2018
Mi spiace, non ho mai preso lettino e ombrellone anche perchè non mi sono mai fermata tutto un giorno sulla spiaggia, cambiavo.
Written July 25, 2018
Ma le spiagge sono di sabbia o sassolini? Sono bianche?
Written July 9, 2018
Dipende, come colore direi principalmente bianche, ma alcune sono di sabbia e alcuni di sassolini
Written July 20, 2018
rrodnaya
Kyiv, Ukraine
Хотелось бы узнать о пляже в самом Капо Ватикано: пешком до него реально ходить или нет? Машина обязательно нужна?
Written July 8, 2018
спуск некрутой,прогулка в удовольствие .мы часто шатл не жлали
Written July 13, 2018
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