I’ll be honest — It wasn’t love at first sight for me in Tropea, despite its obvious stunning beauty. As I walked down the main drag, it felt like Italy’s other beach resorts — stores selling swimwear, not-great bars with far-too-bright gelato, lots of cheap souvenirs made in China. Grown by hand on the clay cliffs that descend from Mount Poro towards the sea between Cape Vaticano, Zambrone, Tropea and Briatico, in the provinces of Cosenza and Vibo Valentia, the Tropea onion was brought to Calabria by the Greeks, who had discovered it thanks to the Assyrians and Babylonians. However, it was the Arabs who perfected its cultivation in Tropea, where they settled for some time, and contributed to its spreading through the region. Their Tropea onions are so good, one of the dishes was simply a chopped up Tropea onion that marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, and salt for a few minutes, then was ready to eat. It was a delicious, fresh salad. Could you imagine doing that with regular raw onions?! NO WAY!

Tropea Onion Jam | Italian Food Forever Tropea Onion Jam | Italian Food Forever

Where + When | Open seven days a week, 9am-1pm, then 3.30-7.30pm. You can find the stairway entrance here on Google Maps, starting from the small car park by the beach. Otherwise, you can drive to Capo Vaticano and visit the more easily accessible beaches on your own. Capo Vaticano is about a 20-minute drive from Tropea. The secret to an Italian summer is trying to time it so that the beaches are lined with colourful parasols and browning bodies, the sea is warm, and all the restaurants are open for the season, but that you're not there during the busiest time of year when prices are much higher and overcrowding can impact enjoyment. Tropea is a seaside resort with sandy beaches, located on the Gulf of Saint Euphemia, part of the Tyrrhenian Sea, on Italy's west coast and was named “Most beautiful village in Italy” for 2021. [4] History [ edit ] This simple but flavourful elicoidali pasta with Tropea onions recipe from Calabria in Southern Italy is one that I’m sure anyone who loves the combination of cheese and onions will enjoy! It's traditionally made with the region's famous sweet red onions but you can use other red onions too! Elicoidalicon le cipolle di Tropea.Tropea is a summer destination, but July and August are extremely crowded. May, early June, late September, and October are wonderful times to visit Tropea with summer weather but no summer crowds. Tropea has gorgeous views in every direction. Things to Do in Tropea Italy The Italian region of Calabria is famous for its sweet red onions named after the popular beach town of Tropea. The main growing area for these onions is south of Tropea, around Ricardi and Capo Vaticano, although they are grown all over Calabria. However, the ones grown closest to the sea are particularly sweet because of the sandy soil and mild climate. More about Tropea onions.

Tropea, Italy - ALONG DUSTY ROADS The Best Things To Do in Tropea, Italy - ALONG DUSTY ROADS

B&B Raponsoli, B&B Island Vista Mare, Franco's House Tropea and B&B Costa degli Dei are also great options in the historic centre. Hostaria Italiana da Nino | We had initially dismissed it as a little touristy given its location on the busy Corso Vittorio Emanuele, but you may also be seduced in by the charismatic elderly gentlemen with the moustache. A really nice setting outdoors for an occasion meal and people-watching, and the food we had was pretty good on the whole (however, the seasoning could have been better). Find it here.The red can also be eaten raw accompanied with a little pecorino cheese and makes an excellent, if unusual, lunch. Tropea’s unique setting, with breathtaking lookout points and a soft pastel palette, is probably a key reason why it was awarded the prestigious Il borgo più bello d'Italia a couple of years ago, giving it the title of ‘The Most Beautiful Small Town/Village in Italy’.