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Grand tour · 4 days

Grand Tour of the Riviera dei Cedri

The full route of the Upper Tyrrhenian Cosentino coast, from Praia a Mare down to Paola: you head south one town at a time, alternating sea, old towns and devotion. The days are built for a relaxed pace, with a base that shifts south to shorten the transfers.

View of the coast and modern town of Scalea from the Norman castle.

Practical information

At a glance
4 days · 11 stops
When to go
May–October

Full route from May to October. Swimming (Arcomagno, beaches) is feasible from June to September; outside summer, focus on towns and sightseeing.

Getting around
Car recommended: the stops follow the coast along the SS18 and local roads.

Other months

Outside this window, consider:

  1. Day 1 — The north and the island of Dino

    Start at the northern end of the coast: a morning by boat to the island of Dino and its caves, an afternoon between the seafront and the town’s rock sanctuary.

    Suggested base: Praia a Mare.
    1. Morning · 1 hour
      Praia a Mare

      Starting base: get your bearings on the seafront before the boat trip.

    2. Same town, a short walk away

      Morning · 2–3 hours
      Island of Dino

      The offshore island and its sea caves, to visit by boat.

    3. Same town, a short walk away

      Afternoon · 1 hour
      Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grotta

      The rock sanctuary carved into a natural cave.

    Lunch break · Praia a Mare

    Look for somewhere to eat in town. Live results: we don’t hand-pick individual venues we can’t verify.

    Find restaurants ↗

    Tip: Boat trips to the island of Dino leave from the seafront: mornings are best, when the sea is calmer.

  2. Day 2 — Scalea and the citrons

    A central day between the most photographed rock arch on the coast and the historic towns: you head down into the land of the citron.

    Suggested base: Scalea. Open the day’s route on the map ↗
    1. Morning · half day
      Arcomagno

      The roughly 20-metre rock arch framing a small beach in San Nicola Arcella.

    2. Transfer: ~7 km · ~10 min by car (estimate)

      Afternoon · 2 hours
      Old town of Scalea

      The terraced Norman old town, among alleys, stairways and palaces.

    3. Transfer: ~9 km · ~10 min by car (estimate)

      Afternoon · 1 hour
      Archaeological area of Laos

      The ancient city of Laos at Santa Maria del Cedro, at the foot of the coast.

    Lunch break · San Nicola Arcella

    Look for somewhere to eat in town. Live results: we don’t hand-pick individual venues we can’t verify.

    Find restaurants ↗

    Tip: The Arcomagno is reached by a short walk down: comfortable shoes and an early start, it fills up in high season.

  3. Day 3 — Murals and castles

    Street art in the morning at Diamante, then castles and islands to the south: a day that alternates colour and history.

    Suggested base: Diamante or Belvedere Marittimo. Open the day’s route on the map ↗
    1. Morning · 2 hours
      The murals of Diamante

      The murals decorating the alleys of the centre and the seafront.

    2. Same town, a short walk away

      Afternoon · 1 hour
      Island of Cirella

      The uninhabited islet offshore, to admire from the coast.

    3. Transfer: ~12 km · ~15 min by car (estimate)

      Afternoon · 1–2 hours
      Castle of Belvedere Marittimo

      The Aragonese castle dominating Belvedere Marittimo.

    Lunch break · Diamante

    Look for somewhere to eat in town. Live results: we don’t hand-pick individual venues we can’t verify.

    Find restaurants ↗

    Tip: Diamante is best explored on foot: leave the car and follow the murals covering the houses in the centre.

  4. Day 4 — South and the sacred

    Final leg towards the southern end of the coast: the marina of Cetraro in the morning, then a grand finale at the Sanctuary of Paola.

    Suggested base: Paola. Open the day’s route on the map ↗
    1. Morning · 1–2 hours
      Marina of Cetraro

      The marina and centre of Cetraro.

    2. Transfer: ~22 km · ~30 min by car (estimate)

      Afternoon · half day
      Sanctuary of Saint Francis of Paola

      Grand finale at the Sanctuary of Saint Francis, patron saint of Calabria.

    Lunch break · Cetraro

    Look for somewhere to eat in town. Live results: we don’t hand-pick individual venues we can’t verify.

    Find restaurants ↗

    Tip: The Sanctuary of Paola is a place of pilgrimage: allow enough time and dress modestly for the visit.

Distances and times between stops are rough road estimates; the exact route is on the map.

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