Grotticelle Beach
A breathtaking Calabrian gem with three white-sand bays, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic sea caves, offering stunning views from Capo Vaticano.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Tranquil waters, fewer crowds
Grotticelle Beach
Best Time
Tranquil waters, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A breathtaking Calabrian gem with three white-sand bays, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic sea caves, offering stunning views from Capo Vaticano.
"The most scenic views of the coast with crystal clear waters."
🚗 Parking Hassles
Parking can be expensive (€10/day). Arrive early or consider alternative transport if possible. :car:
🚤 Boat Tour Essential
Rent a pedal boat or join a tour to explore the caves and smaller coves. Highly recommended for a unique perspective! :boat:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Three Bays
Grotticelle Beach
Three distinct coves with fine white sand and incredibly clear, multi-hued waters. Perfect for swimming and soaking up the sun.
Natural Caves Exploration
Along the coastline
Discover hidden sea caves and grottoes by renting a pedal boat or joining a boat tour. A truly magical experience.
View from Capo Vaticano
Capo Vaticano viewpoint
Witness the breathtaking panoramic view of Grotticelle Beach and the coastline from the heights of Capo Vaticano.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds for Pristine Views
Explore Beyond the Shoreline
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Hassles
Parking can be expensive (€10/day). Arrive early or consider alternative transport if possible. :car:
🚤 Boat Tour Essential
Rent a pedal boat or join a tour to explore the caves and smaller coves. Highly recommended for a unique perspective! :boat:
🤿 Snorkeling Paradise
The clear waters are fantastic for snorkeling. Bring your gear to explore the underwater world. :fish:
📸 Photo Opportunities
Capture stunning photos from the beach and especially from the Capo Vaticano viewpoint. :camera:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Hassles
Parking can be expensive (€10/day). Arrive early or consider alternative transport if possible. :car:
🚤 Boat Tour Essential
Rent a pedal boat or join a tour to explore the caves and smaller coves. Highly recommended for a unique perspective! :boat:
🤿 Snorkeling Paradise
The clear waters are fantastic for snorkeling. Bring your gear to explore the underwater world. :fish:
📸 Photo Opportunities
Capture stunning photos from the beach and especially from the Capo Vaticano viewpoint. :camera:
🍽️ Dining Options
Two restaurants offer food and rentals. Restaurant Grotticelle has good prices, free WiFi, and WC. :forkandknife:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Grotticelle Beach is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear waters and unique rock formations creating a picturesque paradise. Visitors rave about the breathtaking views from Capo Vaticano and the adventurous exploration of sea caves. While some find the beach a bit touristy and parking expensive, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, especially when enjoyed early or late in the day.
"Beautiful and very authentic beach more than Tropea’s beach. Made by rocks, you can reach some small beaches as well, but many of them are not reachable and it will be dangerous. Sea is blue and green! Boat tour is recommended!"
Valentina Marino
"So beautiful beach in Calabria... Close the Tropea and Ricadi... You can come by train and walk so much, by car better option and for me best option is with rent boat or with some tour for tourists from other towns... This is sand beach, white sand, clear water, good for swimming, snorkeling and play on the beach... There is two bar on the beach where you can rent ambrella or buy some drink... All recommendations for visit and take some nice pictures and videos if you are in that part of Calabria.."
VLAJKO PETROVIĆ
"It looks better when observed from the height of Capo Vaticano. Once you come down you see that the beach is not so clean and pretty touristic. However in the early morning it is still nice place to walk and enjoy the waves. But if you look for clean beach this is not the place."
Ewa K. Malia
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Grotticelle Beach is located in Capo Vaticano, near Ricadi. You can reach it by car, but parking can be expensive. Alternatively, you can arrive by train to Ricadi and then walk or take a taxi. Boat tours from nearby towns are also a popular option.
There is parking available, but it can be quite expensive, around €10 per day for private parking. Arriving early in the morning can help secure a spot.
Yes, you can take a train to Ricadi station. From there, it's a walk or a short taxi ride to the beach.
Yes, the Capo Vaticano area has other beautiful beaches. Parghelia, close to Tropea, and beaches in the Soverato area on the Ionian coast are also recommended.
Many visitors arrive by car for flexibility. However, renting a boat or joining a tourist tour from other towns is highly recommended for exploring the coastline and caves.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Grotticelle Beach itself is free to access. However, there are costs associated with parking, renting sunbeds and umbrellas, and boat tours.
The beach is accessible throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset. The restaurants and rental services typically operate during daylight hours in the tourist season.
No advance booking is required for beach access. However, if you plan to rent equipment or join a popular boat tour, booking ahead during peak season is advisable.
While generally open, access to some smaller coves or caves might be restricted due to safety or weather conditions. It's always best to be cautious when exploring.
There are two bars/restaurants on the beach offering food, drinks, and rentals for umbrellas, sunbeds, and pedal boats. Some also offer free WiFi and restrooms. +1
📸 📸 Photography
The most iconic photos are taken from the viewpoint at Capo Vaticano, offering a panoramic vista of the beach and coastline. 
Early morning offers soft light and fewer crowds, ideal for capturing the serene beauty. Late afternoon, especially during golden hour, provides warm, dramatic lighting.
Drone photography is popular here, offering stunning aerial views of the coastline and caves. Ensure you are aware of and comply with any local drone regulations.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive views from Capo Vaticano. Underwater cameras or waterproof phone cases are useful for exploring the clear waters and caves.
Don't miss capturing the unique rock formations, the vibrant blue and green hues of the sea, and the views of Stromboli on a clear day.
🎫 🏊 Onsite Experience
You can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, and explore the sea caves by renting a pedal boat or joining a boat tour. The beach is also great for relaxing and enjoying the scenery. +1
Absolutely! The water is exceptionally clear and shallow near the shore, making it perfect for swimming. It's also a great spot for snorkeling due to the clear visibility.
Yes, there are two restaurants on the beach that also offer rentals for umbrellas, sunbeds, and pedal boats. They serve food and drinks. +1
Yes, you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds from the establishments on the beach. Pedal boats are also available for rent, which is a fun way to explore the coastline.
The shallow, clear waters are generally good for children. However, some areas can have rocks, and exploring caves requires adult supervision. The main sandy areas are pleasant for families.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
While the beach has amenities like restaurants and restrooms, it's advisable to bring plenty of sun protection and snacks. Be mindful of the rocky areas and caves, ensuring children are supervised closely when exploring these natural features. The view from Capo Vaticano is also a spectacle that kids might enjoy, offering a grand perspective of the sea.
💰 Budget Travelers
Visiting during the shoulder seasons (May, September) can mean lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds, making the overall trip more budget-friendly. If arriving by train, factor in the cost of a taxi or be prepared for a walk from Ricadi station.
📸 Photographers & Content Creators
+2 Capture the vibrant turquoise and emerald waters, the dramatic rock formations, and the stunning sunsets. +1Don't miss the opportunity to explore the sea caves by boat or pedal boat, which provide incredible opportunities for unique shots with dramatic lighting.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Grottoes and Caves
Some of the caves are accessible directly from the beach during low tide, but caution is advised. The vibrant blue and green hues of the water inside the caves create a magical, almost ethereal atmosphere. It's an experience that truly sets Grotticelle apart from more conventional beaches.
When exploring, remember to bring waterproof gear for your phone or camera to capture the unique beauty of these underwater landscapes. The experience of gliding into a hidden grotto is often cited as a memorable part of a visit to Grotticelle.
The Iconic View from Capo Vaticano
+1On a clear day, the view extends to the Aeolian Islands, including the active volcano Stromboli, which can sometimes be seen smoking in the distance. This dramatic landscape, characterized by sheer cliffs, turquoise waters, and the unique rock formations of the beach, makes it a photographer's dream.
Many visitors recommend visiting the Capo Vaticano viewpoint both during the day for its vibrant colors and in the late afternoon for the magical golden hour light. It's a perfect spot to appreciate the raw, natural beauty of the Calabrian coast and capture postcard-worthy images.
+1Beach Amenities and Dining
Visitors have noted that Restaurant Grotticelle provides delicious dishes, including fresh fruits, at reasonable prices. They also offer amenities like free WiFi and restrooms, adding to the convenience.
For those looking for a bit more activity, pedal boats are available for rent. This allows visitors to leisurely explore the coastline, discover smaller, more secluded coves, and enjoy the crystal-clear waters at their own pace.
Social
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