There’s no denying the beauty that is the Amalfi Coast, but with the heaving crowds populating this Italian gem, finding alternatives is high on the list of many traveller’s agendas.
Fortunately, one Italian local has shared the best kept secret when it comes to finding a seaside town equally as beautiful but with far less crowds.
Liliana Mascolo is a third-generation employee of her family’s hotel in Positano.
She says that a nearby town called Tropea offers similar beauty, but it sees a fraction of the visitors.
“Positano has always been popular, but what’s changed are the types of guests,” explains Mascolo.
She added: “Instead of staying for weeks or even months to relax, people visit for a few days, rushing to tick everything off of their Amalfi Coast must-see list.”
Mascolo has watched this stunning region evolve from being a popular destination for wealthy Italians, to a more accessible location for both day-trippers and long-stay travellers.
One spot known as Tropea is a quaint town that’s perched high above the majestic Tyrrhenian sea.
Tropea, on the Tyrrhenian Sea’s Costa degli Dei, is Calabria’s most famous resort town and is among Italy’s most beautiful towns
Tropea has miles of pristine white beaches that sits prettily on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
Mascolo said: “I know that families from other Italian cities visit Tropea again and again but don’t know of many foreign travellers going there.
“There’s not many people around, and the landscapes are gorgeous, so it’s such a peaceful environment.”
The region is so breathtaking it even was the proud winner of the 2021’s Borgo dei Borghi competition being called the pearls of the Tyrrhenian.
For Mascolo, Tropea remains a true hidden gem in Italy offering picture perfect beauty that rivals the Amalfi Coast but with a peaceful serenity.
One review on TripAdvisor wrote of Tropea saying: “Fantastic scenes of a bluer than blue sea.
“One of the best beaches I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen a lot – highly recommended.”