Le Castella Beach

Nestled along Calabria’s eastern coastline, with a front-row view of the Ionian Sea, this peaceful spot packs a whole lot of history into its beachside village.

The beach itself is a sand-and-shingle mix, with a distinctly rocky backdrop and clingfilm-clear waters for company. There’s not a ton of space to move around in, but with its off-the-beaten-track feel and a mostly local crowd, it rarely feels overwhelming.

Unsurprisingly, there’s little by way of amenities, with no watersports to speak of and a shortage of toilets and changing facilities. However, you’ll find plenty of places nearby for food and drink, from ice-cream kiosks to pizzerias. 

Without doubt, the standout feature here is the village’s imposing castle. The centuries-old structure juts out into the sea, with just a narrow causeway connecting it to the mainland. You can wander over there and snap some selfies from the rooftop or walk around the interior and check out many of the original features that remain in place. And if you fancy getting a full 360 degrees view of the fortress, you can sail around it on a glass-bottomed boat trip.