Capo Vaticano: Where To Find The Best Views
There you are face-to-face with one of Mother Nature’s masterpieces and you are speechless. Capo Vaticano needs to be experienced to truly understand its natural wild beauty.
Standing on the rocky bluffs, you overlook the immense blue-green colours of the sea below. The coastline is a mesmerizing mix of enchanting coves, intriguing grottos, and secluded beaches.
As you gaze off into the distance, the cliffs seem to go on forever. You understand instantly why they call this Calabrian coastline the “Coast of the Gods”.
The rugged beauty of Capo Vaticano is what makes it so unique. I try and take it all in, but the intensity of the colours and the incredible natural landscape that surround me leave me in a state of awe and wonder.
The world we live in is spectacular, and there is no denying it when you find yourself in places like this.
And guess what? All it takes is a short drive from Tropea, and you will find yourself in Capo Vaticano. Whether you want to spend a day on the beach or just admire this captivating coastline from the cliffs, a visit to Capo Vaticano is worth it.
So, where can you get the best views of Capo Vaticano?
The Capo Vaticano Lighthouse
The lighthouse, currently owned by the military, is where you need to go to find a path that takes you along the edge of the cliffs overlooking the seaside. The viewpoint isn’t marked with signs, so the lighthouse will be your point of reference as you make your way there.
If you are coming from Tropea, the most straightforward way to get there is to follow the SP22 for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) and turn right on Viale Giuseppe Berto. Continue on this street for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles). The road will end at the lighthouse where there is some parking.
Just before the parking area, you’ll see a cobblestone road leading down to a path. From there, follow the walkway along the edge of the cliffs and admire the impressive views all around you.
The sandy white beaches below are only accentuated by the vibrant colours of the sea and sky. Some of these beaches you can only access by foot or boat. If you don’t feel like making the hike down to the beach, you can get to Grotticelle beach by car. There is public parking located near public and private beaches.
Parco Belvedere
We discovered this small green space thanks to a local who told us about it when we asked for directions to the lighthouse. From this park, you get another one of the best views of Capo Vaticano. And, just like the lighthouse, there aren’t well-marked signs. To get to the Parco Belvedere in Capo Vaticano, just follow the directions to get to the lighthouse. Just before the lighthouse, you’ll see a street on your right with a handmade sign that says Belvedere. There’s a good chance you’ll pass right by it. But, no worries. If that does happen, just visit the lighthouse first. Then, on your way back, it will be the first street on your left.
Turn down this narrow street and follow it to the very end. At the end of the road is a small parking lot where you can leave your car and then follow the path to the lookout point. On a clear day, you’ll get an incredible view of Stromboli and quite possibly some of the other Aeolian Islands.
You are literally on the edge of the cliffs here. The plunging view straight down to the sea below is breathtaking. You can get a glimpse of some really secluded beaches that you can only get to by boat. And, to make your trip to Capo Vaticano truly magical, have a seat on one of the benches and bask in the magnificent colours of the sunset.
What adjectives come to mind when you see Capo Vaticano? Please, share them in the comments below.
Want to see what a Calabrian road trip is like? Hop in the car and join me on a road trip along the Coast of the Gods with stops in Pizzo Calabro, Tropea, and Capo Vaticano. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel – it really helps me out! 🥰
If you want to find out what I’m up to, you can keep up with my daily life and musings over on the Calabrisella Mia Facebook Page and Instagram!
Comments are closed.
Kevin
February 24, 2022 at 4:12 pmHi. We’re planning a trip thru Calabria to Sicily in May thinking of staying in Civita then 2 separate nights along the coast. We’re more focused on hiking than beach and staying local vs touristy so any recommendations for Amantea vs Pizzo vs Tropea? We’re thinking of Scilla for other night. Also, any amazing must do hikes in the area? Thanks so much in advance
LuLu
March 5, 2022 at 11:58 amHey Kevin, thanks for visiting the blog and getting in touch. I’m not sure I understand, what type of recommendations are you looking for? Amantea is less touristy than Pizzo or Tropea but you are also going in May when it’s not quite peak season. Scilla is a lovely town – I definitely recommend spending some time there.
I’m not very familiar with hiking in Calabria (at least not yet, I want to discover more of this aspect of the region). You can visit this website – it’s a hike across Calabria but maybe you can just do parts of it.
https://www.kalabriatrekking.it/il-cammino-coast-to-coast/
For the Pizzo or Tropea area, try contacting https://www.instagram.com/cicciofurci/ He has done some pretty amazing hikes along the coast – I’m sure he could give you some advice!
Hope this helps!
A presto and enjoy your time in Calabria! 🙂
Gerald Godinho
July 20, 2021 at 1:51 pmA fantastic writeup on a great place in Calabria. I like the pics and the weather is wonderful.
LuLu
July 20, 2021 at 1:53 pmThanks! I’m glad you liked the pics, they don’t do the beauty of this place justice – you have to come see it to really capture it all! 🙂
Erica (The Prepping Wife)
July 20, 2021 at 8:57 amYour pictures always make me wish things would open up soon! Those views are simply stunning. I am definitely ready to travel, and Calabria is a perfect destination that I keep telling my husband about after reading your posts.
Lyosha
July 19, 2021 at 7:11 pmthe place looks great, it feels like any view would be fantastic! But being a seasoned traveler I really appreciate tips on best views, it means a lot
Image Earth Travel
July 19, 2021 at 8:30 amIn 4 years of living in Cosenza, it’s a shame I haven’t made it to Capo…missed the turnoff on a day trip from Cosenza one time and continued to Ricadi instead, for lunch. There’s always next time…
LuLu
July 20, 2021 at 11:23 amOh that’s a shame! You’ll have to put it on your places to see next time you are here! 🙂
Melanie Williams
July 16, 2021 at 2:34 pmOh wow Capo looks like a lovely place to visit. Love your photos as they are give me serious travel inspiration xx
LuLu
July 17, 2021 at 4:57 pmThanks, Melanie! Capo Vaticano takes my breath away every single time I visit! 🙂
Britt K
July 16, 2021 at 2:00 pmOh wow, the views here are absolutely incredible. I know that we haven’t been able to travel for a while now and I don’t know when we’re going to see the travel industry open back up again, but I am IN LOVE with the pictures that you shared here. My husband and I have been making a list of places that we want to visit when things open back up again and I’m going to have to add Capo Vaticano to it!
LuLu
July 17, 2021 at 4:58 pmThanks, Britt! I really hope we can start traveling again soon without this virus looming over our heads!
Seriah Sargenton
July 16, 2021 at 12:37 pmThese views look amazing!
LuLu
July 16, 2021 at 1:27 pmThey are! Calabria has an amazing coastline!
Arti
July 16, 2021 at 10:09 amBeautiful place. I am certainly going to add this in my bucket list for when things are back to normal.
LuLu
July 16, 2021 at 1:27 pmIt’s a must-see when in Calabria! 🙂
Patrick Castagna
July 13, 2021 at 1:20 pmVery beautiful. I hope to visit Capo Vaticano one day.
Do you know why its called Capo Vaticano?
LuLu
July 16, 2021 at 1:26 pmGood question, Patrick! I did a bit of digging and this is what I managed to find. Capo means cape, which is what it is. Vaticano comes from the Latin word “Vaticinium” which means oracle. There is a Greek legend that tells the story of a prophetess named Manto, who lived in the cliffs of the cape and would give prophecies in exchange for gifts. I have to admit, this is the first time I’ve heard of this and I want to try and find out more – maybe I’ll write a post about it! 🙂
Heidi Walker
July 12, 2021 at 7:12 pmAlas, covid has scuttled my planned 2021 trip to Calabria. Wonderful post, as always
LuLu
July 16, 2021 at 1:15 pmI’m so sorry to hear that Heidi! 🙁 I hope you can come and visit soon.