Calabria’s Coast of the Gods
Pizzo’s cave church and ice cream, Tropea on its cliff, the Capo Vaticano headland and the Riace Bronzes at the toe of Italy.
- Distance
- 116 km (72 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 36 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 6
- Countries
- Italy
- Updated
- September 10, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 116 km (72 mi) with 6 stops, from Pizzo to Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria. About 1 h 36 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Italy · More road trips from Lamezia Terme
Route description
Pizzo stands on a cliff with a castle where Joachim Murat, once King of Naples, was executed in 1815; its piazza is the home of the tartufo ice cream. The Piedigrotta cave church is on the shore just outside the town.
Follow the coast round to Tropea, whose old town sits on sandstone cliffs above the beach and the sanctuary of Santa Maria dell’Isola. The roads around the promontory are narrow and parking near the centre is limited, so use the car parks on the edge of town.
Capo Vaticano, a few kilometres south, has viewpoints over clear coves and, on a clear day, the Aeolian Islands. Continue on the SS18 or the toll-free A2 motorway to Scilla, where the Chianalea fishing quarter stands with its feet in the sea beneath Castello Ruffo.
End in Reggio Calabria to see the Riace Bronzes in the archaeological museum and walk the seafront facing Sicily. Ferries to Messina leave from nearby Villa San Giovanni if you want to continue across the strait.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Pizzo
Italy - 21 km
Piedigrotta church
OdditiesPizzo, ItalyA small church carved into a sandstone cave by the sea, filled with statues cut from the rock. Combine it with an ice-cream tartufo in Pizzo’s piazza.
- 331 km
Santa Maria dell’Isola
ViewsTropea, ItalyA sanctuary on a rock above Tropea’s beach, the emblem of Calabria’s coast. Watch the sunset from the old town’s cliff-top balconies opposite.
- 411 km
Capo Vaticano
ViewsRicadi, ItalyA granite headland with a lighthouse and coves of clear water below. On a clear day Stromboli and the Aeolian Islands show on the horizon.
- 552 km
Scilla
Italy - 621 km
Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria
HistoryReggio Calabria, ItalyTwo bronze Greek warriors of the 5th century BC, found in the sea in 1972, in the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia. Then walk the seafront promenade facing Sicily.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Pizzo → Santa Maria dell’Isola · 32 km · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Piedigrotta church.Overnight nearby, for example: Da Ciccio Parking (< 1 km); Marina dell'Isola (< 1 km).
- Day 2: Santa Maria dell’Isola → Capo Vaticano · 11 km · 0 h 09 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping Uliveto (< 1 km); Marina del Convento (9 km).
- Day 3: Capo Vaticano → Scilla · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOvernight nearby, for example: Area sosta camper Capo Peloro (7 km); Area camper Il Tracciolino (14 km).
- Day 4: Scilla → Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria · 21 km · 0 h 17 minOvernight nearby, for example: Villaggio Turistico Magna Grecia (16 km); Area sosta camper Capo Peloro (17 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Calabria’s Coast of the Gods?
4-day road trip of about 116 km (72 mi) with 6 stops, from Pizzo to Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria. About 1 h 36 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Calabria’s Coast of the Gods?
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 36 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Calabria’s Coast of the Gods start and end?
It starts in Pizzo and ends in Riace Bronzes, Reggio Calabria.
Which countries does Calabria’s Coast of the Gods pass through?
Italy.
Where can you camp along Calabria’s Coast of the Gods?
OpenStreetMap lists 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Da Ciccio Parking, Marina dell'Isola and Marina del Convento.
When is the best time for Calabria’s Coast of the Gods?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
