Spiaggia Santa Maria dell'Isola, Mediterranean beach in Tropea, Italy
Spiaggia Santa Maria dell'Isola is a sandy beach along the Tyrrhenian Sea backed by tall limestone cliffs crowned with a monastery. The water displays deep blue tones that contrast sharply with the pale stone formations rising above the shoreline.
The monastery on the cliff dates from the 6th century and was built by Byzantine architects. Its presence gave the beach below its lasting name.
The beach is home to a working fishing community where fishermen practice their daily craft and sell fresh catches to nearby restaurants that serve local specialties.
Reaching the beach requires descending roughly 300 stairs from the upper town, which demands physical effort and time to navigate. Umbrella and chair rental services operate during the warmer months to help visitors settle comfortably on the sand.
A small cave called Linguata opens onto a larger grotto named Palombaro during low tide, creating an underground passage network beneath the cliffs. Few visitors know to look for this hidden feature or understand when it becomes accessible.
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