Amantea is a coastal town on the Tyrrhenian side of Calabria, in southern Italy. It sits between the sea and the hills, and the two halves of the place are easy to tell apart: the old town on the slope above, and the shore below.
The old town and the coast
The historic centre climbs a hillside and looks out over the water, so the views open up as you walk its streets. Its medieval character is the first thing many visitors notice. Below, the sandy beaches and the harbour give the town its seaside side, and the water is clear enough to make a swim or a slow walk along the shore an easy part of the day.
What a visit suits
- A half day or a full day on foot, moving between the hill streets and the beach.
- A quiet Mediterranean stop for people who prefer small towns to large resorts.
- Time spent looking out over the sea from above, then from the sand.
Because Amantea combines the old hill town with the shore, it works well as a base for a day in this part of Calabria, or as a place to stop on a longer journey along the coast. Check current details of access, opening times and beach facilities before you go, as these can change with the season.