Capo Vaticano

The rocky promontory of Capo Vaticano is located in the municipality of Ricadi (VV) just a few kilometres away from Tropea, on the estreme peak of the Majestic promontory that rises in the southern part of the Tyrrhenic Coast between the gulfs of Lamezia Terme and Gioia Tauro pointing to the Eolian Islands. Capo Vaticano is one of the most enchanting locations of the province of Vibo Valentia.
Capo Vaticano is part of the municipality of Ricadi and vaunts an incredibile colourful and crystal-clear Sea and an extraordinarily beautiful coastline: right in the South of Tropea the sand banks of the bays of Riaci and Formicoli are extending and carry the small hamlet of Santa Domenica di Ricadi on its shoulders positioned on a terrace of tufa; continuing southwards, you will find the beaches of Torre Marino, Torre Ruffa, Tono and Tonicello, and further on, plunging down to Sea level, the beautiful cliffs of Praia di Fuoco, full of caves and pretty coves, often accessible only by boat or pedal boat.
Here, where the steep rocky spurs fall to peak from a height of over 100 meters, just behind the hamlet of San Nicolò di Ricadi, stands a lighthouse whose light is visible from a distance of 23 miles. Continuing more southwards where the slope is more softly, there are the charming bays of Grotticelle and Santa Maria with its characteristic fishing village.
Beautiful, finally, the seabed, where the game of currents that cross off, coming from two gulfs, protects and nurtures a botanical heritage among the most varied and rich of the peninsula that can also be called the Eighths Wonder of the World.

Tourism in Capo Vaticano.
The emigration has gradually depopulated this territory and wars have destroyed many young lives – nevertheless there has always been among the population a big desire to restart to build a welcoming and prosperous environment. Consequently, the rural civilization gradually transformed into a generation of small business owners, service specialists and professionals who considerably modified the existing structures, costumes and economic activities which in recent decades have developed mainly around tourism. The old hamlet of Ricadi is today a well-equipped modern town that values its natural position and tries to bind its fractions with fervent initiatives seeking to exploit ancient traditions with new knowledge and new opportunities of work and productivity. ( "Tourism does not only consist in diving, admiring landscapes, monuments and foreign cities. It also consists in coming into contact with peoples and civilizations other than ours, understanding and, possibly, loving them." Giuseppe Berto).