Places of interest
in the surrounding
Tropea is the crown jewel of the Costa Degli Dei.
Situated on a rock above the sea, the old town
attracts thousands and thousands of visitors every
year. You can stroll through the narrow streets or
relax in the central square with an espresso or a light
lunch or dinner.
Worth seeing is the Norman cathedral from the 12th
century with the diocesan museum in the
neighbouring bishop's palace. Not to miss is the
photogenic view of Tropea’s Santuario di Santa Maria
dell'Isola located on a peninsula below the old town.
Several vantage points offer stunning views of the
Tyrrhenian Sea, the harbour and the white sandy
beaches of Tropea. An evening stroll through the old
town is a rewarding endeavour that can be concluded
in style with a Campari soda or an Aperol spritz in
one of the numerous restaurants.
TIP: From Torre Marino, for a small fee there is a
shuttle bus to Tropea several times a day. Just ask at
the reception.
The street market in Tropea next to the cemetery,
which is worth a visit by itself, is on Saturdays. And
on Mondays you can go the market in neighbouring
Santa Domenica which can be reached with the
hotel's own shuttle bus as well.
From Torre Marino it is about 10 km or about 15
minutes by car to Tropea.
Note: In summer the old town of Tropea is closed for
cars.
Tropea
Capo Vaticano creates a Caribbean flair in Calabria:
crystal clear water, beautiful bays and white beaches
in a landscape alive with flowering oleanders and
cacti.
A particularly beautiful view of Capo Vaticano can be
enjoyed from the viewpoint at the lighthouse (keep
right at the entrance to the village). Besides a
fantastic view of the bays and beaches of Capo
Vaticano, there is also an establishment where you
can have refreshments, with a tree from which
sausages and hams seem to grow (and which you
can buy along with oranges, tomatoes, wine and oil).
TIP: On the way to Capo Vaticano, about halfway,
there is a pesceria where you can buy fresh fish and
seafood as well as deliciously prepared dishes. With a
Bianco della Casa often a pleasure! And at very civil
prices.
From Torre Marino about 4 - 6 km or about 10 minutes
by car.
Capo Vaticano
Little known and certainly not overcrowded: the
Santuario Madonna della Fontana (or delle Fonti)
near the town of Spilinga, where the Nduja comes
from, a typical Calabrian sausage spread of pork and
pepperoni. This sanctuary, originally a small hide out
in one of the many caves in the area, today is a place
of pilgrimage with lots of flowery green, shaded from
direct sunlight. Over the grotto a chapel has been
erected near a spring of which the water is said to be
wholesome. The scenically landscaped gardens
include a pond with goldfish. Not far away, on the road
to Vibo Valentia, there is an old aqueduct where
Roman tombs have been found. From Torre Marino
about 6 - 8 km or about 15 minutes by car.
Santuario Madonna della Fontana
In Zungri, a small country town not far from the coast,
there are cave dwellings from the 12th to 14th
centuries, carved directly from the volcanic tuff. There
are almost one hundred dwellings, some of which are
built on top of each to form a network, which served
as a shelter for the local population from the
Saracens, who at that time raided the coasts shores.
The caves are an interesting sight and easily
accessible. Recommended is a visit to the small
museum directly at the entrance to the cave area with
exhibits about the life of the rural population. TIP:
While you are there, consider stopping over in
Spilinga on the way to Zungri and visit the Santuario
Madonna della Fontana, which is also worth seeing.
From Torre Marino about 20 km, about 30 minutes by
car.
Zungri
Pizzo, home of Tartufo, is situated on a cliff in
the Gulf of Sant Eufenia, about 40 km north of
Tropea. Worth seeing is the Castello Murat,
where in 1815 Joachim Murat, king of Naples
and brother-in-law of Napoleon, was shot after
having been held captive for a short while, and
the church San Giorgio from 1632, where he
was buried. There is also the Chiesa di
Piedigrotta, a cave hewn into in the tuff, said to
have its origins in the 17th century. Around 1900
it was decorated by Angelo and Alfonso Barone
with tuffstone statues of saints. By no means
should you miss out on the legendary Tartufo
which is said to have been invented here. At
best in the sun at one of the many cafes in
Piazza della Republica. And what here counts
too, as almost everywhere along Calabrian
coast, don't forget your bathing suit.
From Torre Marino about 50 km, about 1 hour by
car.
Pizzo
Scilla, situated on the Strait of Messina, owes its
name to the sea monster Scylla. According to
Homer, it lured sailors into a deep cold watery
grave with its beguiling song 3000 years ago.
Today, Scilla's main attraction is the fishing
district of Chianalea, at the seafront directly
below the city. Several years ago, it was
beautifully renovated with the help of EU
funding. Also worth seeing are the castle of the
Ruffo family, who ruled the city from the 16th to
the 19th century, and the cathedral, like the
castle, situated above the fishing quarter.
One of Scilla's specialities is the swordfish
caught off the coast with boats with a high mast,
with a lookout for spotting the fish.
Recommendation is a stopover in Nicoterra and
as always: don't forget your swimsuit. At the
coast there are dozens of wonderful beaches
with white sand and crystal clear water.
From Torre Marino about 80 km or 1 1/2 hours
by car.
Scilla
Partly along the coast, partly through the
mountains, the road leads to Nicotera, a
charming little town that has become famous
especially for its former Jewish quarter. Over
hundreds of stairs the path leads through
narrow alleys, past old palazzi and it reveals
breathtaking views of the coast and the sea.
Also worth seeing are the Castello dei Ruffo and
the Museo Civico Archeologico in the upper
rooms of the Castello, as well as the old
Norman cathedral.
TIP: Take your swimsuit with you, only 1 km
away from Nicotera the Marina Nicotera invites
you for a swim.
From Torre Marino about 22 km or 35 - 40
minutes by car.
Nicotera
Serra San Bruno is located in the interior
surrounded by mountains at about 800 m
altitude. The road first winds through ancient
olive groves and then through a dark forest until
it finally leads to the city of Serra San Bruno,
and then to the monasterie in the middle of a
dense and pleasantly shaded pine forest.
Founded in the 11th century by Bruno, a
Carthusian monk born in Cologne, the
monasteries of Serra San Bruno are the place of
pilgrimage of Calabria and one of the most
important spiritual centres This is mostly owed to
the water to which healing powers are
attributed,.
In addition to visiting the Certosa di Serra Bruno
Museum (with monk's cell), we recommend a
walk through the park to the church of Santa
Maria nel Bosco Santuary higher up the hill
where there is also a small lake. Also worth
seeing is the old town of Serra San Bruno with
its numerous churches.
TIP: Excellent antipasti can be found in the
Cascuna del Monastero near the museum. In
addition a Bianco della Casa. What more could
you ask for?
From Torre Marino approx. 65 km or approx. 1
1/2 hours by car.
Serra San Bruno