The province of Vibo Valentia sits in the heart of the Calabria region of Italy. The province includes a small peninsula on the Tyrrhenian Sea and stretches along the Tyrrhenian coast and the Serre Mountains. Its capital is also known as Vibo Valentia.

Sights and Attractions

Pretty coastal towns include Briatico, Pizzo, Ricadi and Parghelia. The scenic town of Tropea is home to the stunning Monastery of Santa Maria dell’Isola, which is built on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Originally a Greek colony, the capital Vibo Valentia is an important economic centre. The town’s castle was built in the eleventh century on the site of a Greek acropolis, and the medieval centre has lovely buildings, including the tower of San Michele. Other major sights include the Walls of Hipponion, the ninth century Church of Santa Marai Maggiore e San Leoluca and the eleventh century Church of Santa Ruba.

Praia a Mare in the north of Calabria is a beautiful resort town with plenty of beaches and places to enjoy the outdoors, including Dino Island, Pollino National Park and the cave sanctuary of Madonna Della Grotta. Soverato to the east is a dazzling seaside town on the Ionian Sea.

Activities

Diving is a great way to explore the underwater world off the Costa degli Dei. The area is also a great destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing, too, thanks to good winds. Inland, lush woodland provide idyllic settings for hiking and camping. The area around Capo Vaticano has more than 300 different plant species and picturesque trails. There are also grottoes to explore close to Tropea, which is another excellent area for hiking and biking.