Praia a Mare

Praia a Mare rests along the Calabrian "Rivieri dei Cedri" or Cedar Coast at the northwest part of the region. It abutts with Tortora Marina and with Aieta, and indeed was tied to Aieta in the past. The town was called Praja d'Ajeta up until 1928, indicating it was the waterfront section of Aieta, and it was a frazione under the jurisdiction of that hill town. It was called Plagia by the Greeks when they settled here in the 7th century BC. Praia a Mare has been a fishing town for many millennia.

Its defining feature is the evocative Isola di Dino rock island just off the beach, with its hulking mass and intriguing sea grottoes. The Grotta Azzurra is like the famous one on the island of Capri, a marine cave that refracts sunlight inside it and gives off a shimmery shade of blue. Up above on the hill is the Rocca di Praia (also called il castello) a stronghold castle built in the 13th century by the Normans, while back at the waterfront is a pretty, historic watch tower built on a rock, the Torre di Fiuzzi. Just to the south is the Arco Magno, a majestic natural arch right at the water, a trail leads there and its a nice place to swim, too.

The town ambles along the seafront with five kilometers of beaches, while the main street is a block over, with its kilometer-long pedestrian walkway that is lined with cafes and gelaterias, as well as restaurants and shops. It's a pleasure to stroll and is lively, especially during the warmer months. The town of 6,600 people offers plenty of services and shops, and lots of dining opportunities.

The town is welcoming and the beaches are wide and sandy; the most interesting are those to the north and south, with the natural rock formations adding interest, but all in between are long sandy stretches. They're popular with families, as Praia has the coveted Bandiera Blu for cleanliness and Bandiera Verde for its shallow water and beach facilities for children and families.

On the hill is the charming Santuario della Madonna della Grotta, the church built right into a grotto. An annual procession takes place for the devoted every August. There are summer festivals and music events, while the year-round Museo Comunale offers an artful diversion of 200 contemporary works.