Take photos of the “Coast of the Gods” before descending to the base of the scenic pockmarked cliffs to get drinks from the beach bar and discover hidden coves.
Grotticelle Beach is a secluded bay at the foot of large rock formations on the Capo Vaticano of Ricadi. It offers stunning views of white sand, blue-green water and verdant cliffs. Find your own section of sand and rent a deck chair and a colorful umbrella for the afternoon.
Go for a swim in the clear Tyrrhenian Sea to stay cool on a hot summer afternoon. Lie on a sun bed and enhance your tan in the scenic sandy haven. The bay is fairly isolated at the bottom of the cape’s imposing, jagged cliffs, providing an idyllic and serene setting, sheltered from the wind. Spot some of the landmasses off the coast, such as the Aeolian Islands.
Enjoy snacks and drinks from the lively beach bar. Gaze up at the impressive verdant hills at the back of the strand, covered with quaint buildings and vacation residences. You can also embark on pleasant walks and clamber up steep inclines along the tops of the rocks. Discover hidden beach areas between the crevasses and grottoes.
Remain at the beach until sunset to witness the moody hues of dusk spreading across the sky. It is also picturesque at sunrise, when the beach is likely to be less crowded. Go snorkeling to spot the array of colorful fish here and rent a pedal boat to take out on the water.
Note that some sections of the beach are private, belonging to the exclusive hotels in the region. In these parts, seafront apartments and hotel rooms line the back of the stretch of sand. The public beach is open for free at all times.
Grotticelle Beach is on the Capo Vaticano that juts out from the western side of the Ricadi province. Walk south from the Ricadi Railway Station for about 30 minutes to get here. You can also drive and leave your car in the pay-per-hour parking lot. See nearby natural landmarks, such as Godano Rocks and Galea Rocks.
