Gioia Tauro is a practical base for exploring the southern Tyrrhenian coast. The Cittadella, the oldest quarter, has baroque buildings and the church of Sant'Antonio. In contrada Petra you can see ruins of a Roman necropolis and villa.
The Monday morning street market on Viale Don Sturzo runs from 8 AM to 1 PM and is a good place to find local produce, clothes, and household goods. Along the lungomare, the century-old Gaslini citrus plant makes an atmospheric backdrop for evening walks, especially in summer when free concerts are held there.
From here, day trips to Tropea, Scilla, and the ceramics workshops of Seminara are all straightforward.