Little-known holiday destination is 'as beautiful as Amalfi Coast – but way cheaper'

A seaside town situated in Italy's southern Calabria region is turning heads as a budget-friendly alternative to the bustling Amalfi Coast.

Though millions flock to the Amalfi Coast every year, Tropea remains a well-kept secret to non-Italians. With more than 430,000 TikTok followers, travel influencer @haylsa recently shed light on Tropea with a breath-taking video of the beachside haven's majestic shoreline and crystal waters. In her accompanying caption she said: "This place is insanely beautiful!! It's only a six hour train from Rome and is cheaper and more quiet than the Amalfi or Cinque Terre."

Another travel aficionado on TikTok going by @alidalifetravel visited Tropea last year and called it "one of the most beautiful and unique gems" in Italy. She told her followers: "If you love small towns like the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and similar, you're going to absolutely love this!

"The beach? White sand! Gorgeous, gorgeous, clean waters! And the town itself? Super cute [...] If you're looking for the next spot to explore in Italy, I definitely recommend Calabria and Tropea."

Travel blogger Adventurous Kate has also heaped praise on the town, describing it as "one of the most spectacular seaside towns in the Mediterranean". She said: "Tropea is a much better version of what an Amalfi Coast beach vacation is. You still get stunning scenery - an old town perched on top of dramatic cliffs. But here you also get large, sandy beaches with plenty of room to enjoy them. Best of all? It's significantly cheaper than the Amalfi Coast."

While Tropea doesn't have its own airport, UK holidaymakers can easily reach this gem by flying directly to Lamezia Terme International Airport, situated approximately 25 miles away. Flights are