Is This One of the
Best beaches in Italy?
While snow covers Scandinavia, I’m trying to get some warmth from the memory of the best beaches in Italy. One of them is Praia a Mare in Calabria that has been listed on a top 10 of Italy’s most secluded beaches.
I was actually quite surprised to see Praia a Mare on that list. I mean, Praia a Mare is a nice seaside destination, and I’ve been there a couple of times over the years, but it does get rather crowded in summer with water parks and about 50 lidos crammed into the relatively limited area of black sand beaches between the sea and the mountains. So where’s the seclusion?
Dino Island sits as an outcrop close to the Calabrian coast
Calabria’s Blue Grotto
The answer lies on Dino Island 100 m from the coast south of town. This rocky outcrop, that happens to be the largest of the two islands in Calabria, features a number of sea caves, steep cliffs and secluded beaches accessible only by boat or ‘pedalone’. The island has a Grotta Azzura named after the intense blue colour of the water like the Blue Grotto on Capri; a Grotte delle Sardine where shoals of fish can be seen;and a Grotta del Leone with a stone resembling a sleeping lion. The most interesting cave is Grotta Gargiulo that opens 18 m below the surface of the water. This cave is only accessible to experienced divers.
In rough weather people are warned against approaching any of the caves. Instead they can take a stroll along Praia a Mare’s main street with lots of cafes, shops and bars. Or visit nearby Diamante or Aieta up the hill.
Have you been to Dino Island by Praia a Mare or other secluded Italian beaches, you’d like to recommend?
Well that’s warmed us up nicely, too. Not that it’s too cold here yet but the weather broke this morning and we’re in the middle of rather hefty thunderstorm. 🙂
Julia
Thanks. I can use the thought of Fethiye – even in a thunderstorm – to suppress December.
Sadly I haven’t been to ANY Italian beach yet, let alone a secluded one. This one looks lovely, it just sounds like you have to know where to go to escape the crowds.
There are thousands of beaches in Italy, but still they do get pretty crowded in the high season. That’s part of the charm, I guess.
Beach… – 16 °… hm, tough choice. Not! Even a crowded beach sounds good now. My favourite secluded Italian beaches are probably on Sardinia – tiny white beaches, don’t think they have names even, all of them.
I’m more for 36°, but right here right now 16° would be a blessing. And tiny, unnamed Sardinian beaches sound like a perfect dreamscape.
We have a couple of pretty secluded ones we like along the coast of Latina….small, quiet, nice clientele. And, for the first time in history, they have nearly all been awarded the Blue Flag (clean sea and beaches, well-maintained beach clubs, safe swimming, rubbish collection etc..). Anywhere pretty much from Anzio down to Gaeta and the islands of Ponza and Ventotene. Quite a lot of choice. So enjoy!
There are fabulous beaches all over Italy. I personally find it hard to pick a favourite. Depends on what you want from a beach.