Pizzo is a small cliff-top fishing town on Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast, known for its gelato speciality (tartufo — a chocolate and hazelnut ice cream ball), its dramatic cliff setting, and the castle where Joachim Murat met his end. It's less famous than Tropea (20 minutes south) but has more historical substance and a stronger sense of being a working town rather than a tourist destination. The harbour is lively with fishing boats, the old town has authentic trattorias serving the day's catch, and the beach below the cliff is perfectly adequate without being spectacular. Pizzo works well as a lower-key alternative to Tropea or as a combined visit with it.
Why Stay in Pizzo
- Tartufo di Pizzo: A hand-formed ball of chocolate and hazelnut gelato, dusted in cocoa powder, invented here in the 1950s. The gelaterie in Piazza della Repubblica compete fiercely. It's Italy's most famous ice cream speciality and genuinely good.
- Castello Murat: The 15th-century Aragonese castle where Murat (Napoleon's brother-in-law and former King of Naples) was tried and executed in 1815. The museum tells the story. The castle's cliff-edge position is impressive.
- Chiesetta di Piedigrotta: A small church carved into the tufa rock on the beach below the town, with statues sculpted from the cave walls. It's unusual and atmospheric — reached by steps from the road or the beach.
- Fishing harbour: The marina has working fishing boats and restaurants serving their catch. The swordfish and tuna are particularly good. Prices are low and quality is high by any Italian standard.