Crapolla Cove
Crapolla Cove
4.5
What people are saying
Scotlandmac
By Scotlandmac
An hour each way, a wee toughie amidst lovely scenery
4.0 of 5 bubblesMar 2023
Beautiful hike once you leave the woodland area below Torca village and come onto the flat path and the built steps.Before that, I nearly gave up as I thought it was going to be rocky all the way with no views. Well described in a small book on hiking we picked up for free at Massa Lubrense tourist office. Small parking area in the village of Torca beside the church(paid parking though free from 1pm till 5pm.) Route starts off on tarmac down through the village then becomes a rocky track for 20 mins through woods.A signpost suggests it will take 1hr 20 but we were much less than this. Then the path crosses a small bridge and evens out thankfully before heading for a lovely balcony area with terrific views over the hillside and the coast and the sea.Even walking to here would be well worth it! The landscape is very wild and unspoiled, no houses or wires or other detritus of human habitation.I loved the area for that. The really hard work then begins… 700 beautifully made steps down to the cove! Each 50 steps is marked with an indicator so you know how far you have to go. Lovely old chapel above the cove.Wildflowers all around. The cove is just ok…pleasant enough, not wow.Quite narrow and I wouldn’t fancy swimming there with the swell that comes in, though people do. It was 23C in March when we did the hike and I would hate to do it in higher temperatures as there’s little shade for the hardest section.It’s a thought to have to slog all the way back up! That said, it felt shorter going up somehow. We are in our 60s and used to hillwalking and were under an hour down and about the same up plus 15 mins for water and a rest at the cove.5 mins at the delightful little chapel. Beautiful hike but not one I’d necessarily do again all the way.Onto the open hillside would still be very rewarding with a nice picnic.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles89 reviews
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Jellyfish1000
London, UK1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Family
I am 9 years old and I went to Crapolla and I thought that it was amazing. My dad found a little grotto tucked into the side of the cove. I walked down the stairs and there were lots of lizards. My sister started climbing up the rocks and couldn't get herself down. There is a small chapel near the end of the steps.
Written 3 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mavellio
London, UK2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Family
Try Crapolla! And the reason the beach isn't crowded becomes evident when you've descended the 700 odd steps in full summer sunshine enticed by the twinkling blue of the cove below and remark to yourself - this won't be so good coming back up. When we got down to the beach (stony) there were a few kayakers and another couple and child. That's it. Before long our party of 3 represented half the folk on the beach. After seeing the incredibly crowded beaches of Positano, Sorrento and Marina Piccolo (Capri) this was a revelation. And the cost? A little blood (some sharp rocks), lots of sweat but certainly no tears. We parked up by Torca near the large area by the church and for a cost of 1 Euro and seemed to get hours and hours of parking (?). I suppose I had thought it would be a popular beach parking spot but after doing the walk up and down I think few people actually do it on foot and take a boat instead.

If you like your beaches empty, the setting dramatic, the water clear and the added bonus of small swim in and swim out grotto on the left hand side then this is the place.
Written 3 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kent W
Huntsville, AL312 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2011
This is just an unbelievable day hike! Fairly steep, but we had three people in their 50s, in average physical condition at best, and they made it just fine, albeit a bit slowly. The teenagers flew up and down with no problem at all. Bring water and food. Took us about 90 minutes down, and about 2 1/2 hours back up. Spent about an hour at the cove itself. Start in Torca, at the church. You will see a sign pointing you to Crapolla. Go downhill from there, turn left at the bottom of the first alley and you will see signs pointing the rest of the way. The route is steep and a bit slippery in places, so take it easy! This is an old roman path from the old fishing village of Crapolla to market. Absolutely incredible views! We met a few local old timers on the way and they were obviously so proud of their land and heritage. This was the highlight of our visit!
Written 12 January 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TheRor13
North East England, UK25 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2018 • Couples
Crapolla Cove is absolutely stunning. We walked from Sant Agata down to the cove. It is a very steep walk down from the town to reach the steps, of which there are about 650.

The beach is secluded and there are some old fishing huts built into the side of the cliffs at the bottom. When we arrived there was a couple of locals sunbathing in the tranquility. We sat on the beach but it was notable how many boat tours came into the cove. The boats all then let passengers off to swim in the cove and come to shore. It was great to watch but also not quite the isolation we were expecting.

The walk back up is hard, particularly in the hot sun. There is no shade on the steps but once you start climbing the footpath from the top of the steps back towards the village the trees do provide some shade.

On the way back up you pass numerous houses, one local stopped us on the way back up and was genuinely interested in where we were from and how our holiday was going. He gave us a strawberry each from his garden to keep us going on the steel climb back up.

If you are fit, love to get off the tourist trail and to see beautiful places then definitely make the trip!
Written 14 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EllieO
Near London, England53 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Family
The path to Marina di Crapolla runs past our holiday apartment and I'd read previous reviews so we just had to visit. Down was easy but it's a good half hour of mainly steps til you reach this small secluded cove. It wasn't particularly quiet when we went (August) but nothing like the beaches you see elsewhere here with about a square inch of sand between everyone. There were around twenty of us. It's a pebbly beach so you pick your way down to the sea with care but oh, the sea when you get there! Wonderful. Boats occasionally come in but the Italians were telling them to back off in no uncertain terms!
Shade can easily be found until 11 am but then you have to go round the corner of the left side of the marina to avoid the sun. It's south facing so there's not much relief from the sun generally. The cove itself has boats and buildings built into the rock and a beautiful shrine further up the path.
We are not great sun/sea worshippers so we enjoyed a relaxing hour or so swimming and reading before attempting the return journey. Someone else has mentioned that as you come down you're thinking 'this won't be fun going back' and it's not. It took my husband forty minutes to return. Me? Well down is easy for me, going up in the heat of the day is not! The first bit up from the cove involves 700 steps (marked in fifties so you have some idea of how much torture is left) and there's no shade. Once past that you find shade and it becomes easier. There I was, puce in the face and resting, as a British guy jogged down past me. Did he jog back up I wonder? Another two guys (German I think) passed by asking whether the sea was good. Saw them again later as they passed me again going back up having had their swim! It took me two hours to get all the way back up but I couldn't have rushed it in the heat. There is an area nearer the top where some people had driven and parked their cars. Our path went on up from that to our apartment.
Wouldn't have missed visiting Marina di Crapolla and I'm very pleased I did it but don't underestimate the effort required coming back. Reminded me of our mountain trek in Peru but a lot hotter!
Written 7 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Della C
Pontardawe, UK50 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
This bay is almost inaccessible. The path leading down is steep and very difficult without good shoes and plenty of water as there are no shops at this location. Boats come and go all day but you can be sure there is plenty of privacy all day, until the sun disappears at 3pm.
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carla M
Bradford, UK108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017
Natural beauty of a place this is! We walked it down from Sant'agata. Takes a good hour and includes the 650 steps down a steep hill. There were a few signs for 'Crapella' so follow these. Nowhere to buy drinks so just take loads of water, sun cream and a towel. Swimming here is amazing. Beware of jelly fish - my 8 year old got stung here and apparently I should have had vinegar to pour on the sting and pain relief. I always lose out on prepared mother awards though, but if you can learn from me then all the better! The 'beach' is pebbled but you can manage without water shoes. I can't recommend this place enough if you want to see somewhere natural and truly impressive.
Written 27 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dorkster
Alexandria, VA27 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2013 • Family
Wow, wow, wow.
Very strongly recommended.
Hike starts from church parking lot in Turca, which is also the bus stop for Turca, with a big sign that says "Crapolla," so you can't miss it. Get a good local map, the one they give out at the tourist office is fine. You'll notice that shortly into the hike, there are two ways through Turca that meet up and then continue along the main path. We took the one that was marked scenic and seemed "larger," but it was overgrown with thorns. On the way back, we took the other path, which was fine.

The hike is "easy" and if you go the non-thorny route, should take no more than 60-90 minutes (we had small children) going down. At the end, to descend into Crapolla cove, are nearly 700 stairs, piece of cake going down, not as much fun going up. BUT --

It is absolutely worth it. One of the best beaches we've ever seen. A private little cove, crystal clear turquoise water, and tremendous views from the hike going down (and then, up). Bring lots of water/food/etc, there's nothing to buy, it's just a corner of the coast. Some people arrive by boat. Not very crowded.
Written 27 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ZarZar210684
Derby, UK1,524 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2019 • Couples
I thought it would be a good idea to walk from our hotel (Hotel Jaccarino) to this beautiful Cove. Little did I realise the half an hour walk before you get to the 1,000 descending steps in 29C heat and then having to ascend all the way back up. However, the views were absolutely stunning and would definitely do it again but not in extremely hot weather
Written 27 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jennifer_2508
Blaby, UK18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2018 • Couples
The walk down to the abandoned fishing village of Crapolla is a considerable downhill hike through steep rocky terrain, before reaching the 650 or so steps down the cliff face. You have to work hard to be rewarded with the stunning views and secluded cove. This cove seems to be a desirable spot for locals, and it’s a great alternative to the tourist filled beaches of the Amalfi Coast. The sun disappears from the cove at around 3pm, so it is best to get an early start. Remember to take LOTS of water with you, as the climb back up is undoubtably much harder, and there are no shops until you get back up to Torca or Sant’Agata. Not for the feint hearted, but definitely worthwhile for adventurous types. A beautiful spot for swimming and sun bathing, but be prepared for the climb back up!!
Written 4 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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