| Destination of the week: |
| | Tropea, Calabria |
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Just how heavenly is the resort of Tropea in Calabria, Italy? Well it has pride of place on La Costa degli Dei (the coast of the Gods). And, according to local myth, Tropea was founded by Hercules.
But accolades like that aren’t perhaps so far-fetched. After all, two of Britain’s most respected newspapers, The Sunday Times and The Telegraph, have both declared Tropea to have Europe’s best and most divine beaches bar none.
That is just one of the many attractions luring overseas investors into buying property in Tropea for sale
It isn’t just its turquoise sea and white sandy beaches, overlooked by spectacular cliffs forming a beautiful natural backdrop, that make this the most stunning resort on this part of the Tyrrhenian coast.
Tropea, like the rest of this part of southern Italy, basks in glorious sunshine almost all year round. However, this is not just another Mediterranean resort overrun by tourists and with little else to offer but sun, sea and sand. There’s that by the bucketload, of course. But there’s much more.
For a start, there is plenty to explore in the delightful labyrinth of steep streets that winds between the yellow palazzi and always seems to end either in a charming square or on the sea front.
Once you’ve done that, there is a trove of cultural and historic and treasures to discover.
For Tropea old town is a living history book of elegant churches and palazzi from various eras. Many of these palazzi buildings that make up a large part of the picturesque property in Tropea have spent centuries perched precariously on rocks overhanging the sea, their windows and balconies boasting some of Tropea’s most glorious sea views.
Property in Tropea offers a tremendous investment opportunity to overseas buyers, with a two-bedroom apartment going for around €200,000.
One can also pick up even more affordable property near Tropea for sale, in resorts such as Parghelia and Briatico a few miles to the north and Capo Vaticano to the south.
In Briatico, for instance, expect to pay as little as €85,000 for a two-bedroom sea view apartment with stunning sea view. In Parghelia, a 100sq m villa will start at about €150,000.
Visitors to Tropea will also find the Norman cathedral a real blast – it still houses two American Second World War UXBs, each now carrying a prayer of relief. Tropea old town is also packed with little shops selling local produce. The most famous is probably Tropea’s red onions, also used to make jam, but also common are wine, olive oil, dry fruits, spicy salami and fresh eggs. To sample them at their finest, pop into one of the fine local restaurants that seemingly dot every corner.
Opposite the old town is a rocky outcrop with a gothic Benedictine sanctuary, Santa Maria della Isola, dating from 370AD. In years gone by it served as a refuge for hermits and sailors as it was cut off from the mainland. These days it can be reached via a steep set of steps carved into the rock.
The church is surrounded by a beautiful garden that, thanks to its majestic view over the sea, is a favourite meeting point for romantic couples.
This spot also offers a panoramic view of the island of Stromboli as well as Mount Etna on Sicily.
While you are here it would be unforgivable not to visit nearby resorts such as Torre Ruffa and Zambrone as well as some of the ones mentioned earlier. The perfect way to do so is to head down to Tropea’s port and hire a boat and skipper to ferry you the short distance there. Absolute bliss.
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