Maratea: Italy’s Best-Kept Secret on the Tyrrhenian Coast

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Most visitors to southern Italy stick to the Amalfi Coast or the heel of the boot. Maratea sits quietly between the two — a small coastal town in Basilicata that draws far fewer crowds, costs less, and offers some of the most dramatic sea views on the peninsula. If you have not heard of it yet, that is about to change.

Where Is Maratea?

Maratea is a small town on the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Basilicata region of southern Italy. Basilicata is one of Italy’s least-visited regions — a landlocked area of mountains and ancient villages. Maratea is its only stretch of coastline, running for about 32 kilometres along the sea.

Geographically, it sits between Campania to the north (south of the Amalfi Coast) and Calabria to the south. The nearest large city is Salerno, roughly two hours by car. Naples is about two and a half hours away. The location means Maratea gets a fraction of the tourist traffic of more famous southern Italian destinations — even in peak summer.

The area is made up of several distinct settlements: the hillside old town known as Maratea Paese, the seafront area called Porto di Maratea, and a handful of smaller hamlets and beach coves spread along the coastline. Each has a different character, and together they make up what locals simply call Maratea.

The Cristo Redentore Statue

The single most recognisable feature of Maratea is the Christ the Redeemer statue — Cristo Redentore — that stands at the summit of Monte San Biagio, 634 metres above sea level. The statue is 21 metres tall and made from white Carrara marble. It was created by sculptor Bruno Innocenti and unveiled in 1965.

The comparison to Rio de Janeiro is inevitable, but Maratea’s version predates the Brazilian icon and is technically taller when measured from base to fingertip. More importantly, it stands in a completely different kind of setting — a rocky mountain peak with views stretching across the Tyrrhenian Sea, the coastline below, and the mountains of Calabria in the distance on a clear day.

To reach it, you drive or walk up a winding road to the summit of Monte San Biagio. Just below the statue stand the ruins of the Castello di Maratea, an ancient castle that dates back to medieval times. The combination of the statue, the ruins, and the panoramic views makes the summit one of the most striking spots in all of southern Italy.

There is no entrance fee to visit the statue or the castle ruins. The road is open during daylight hours, and the walk up from the old town takes around 45 minutes on foot if you prefer not to drive. Early morning visits are worth the effort — the light is better and you are likely to have the summit to yourself.

The Old Town: Maratea Paese

Maratea Paese sits on a hillside at around 300 metres above sea level, a short drive inland from the coast. The town is small — a few hundred residents — and its streets are narrow, steep, and largely car-free. Stone steps connect the different levels, and the buildings are a mix of pale plaster and exposed stone.

The main square, Piazza Buraglia, is the social centre of the old town. There are a handful of cafes, a couple of restaurants, and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which dates to the 13th century. The town feels lived-in and unpolished in the best possible way — this is not a place that has been renovated for tourists.

Walking through the old town takes no more than an hour or two, but the views at every turn make it worth slowing down. The town faces west, so sunsets from the higher streets and terraces are particularly good. If you are staying in Maratea, the old town is worth visiting at least twice — once during the day and once in the evening when the streets are quieter.

Porto di Maratea: The Seafront Village

Porto di Maratea is the fishing harbour at the base of the hillside, and it is the most photogenic part of the area. The harbour is small and functional — colourful boats, fishing nets, a few seafood restaurants — but the setting is beautiful. The Cristo Redentore statue is visible from the harbour, high above on the mountain, giving the whole scene a slightly surreal quality.

The restaurants around the harbour are among the best places to eat in the area. Fresh fish is landed here daily, and the menus reflect that. Expect grilled branzino, linguine with clams, and frittura di pesce. Prices are reasonable compared to more tourist-heavy parts of the Italian coast.

The beach at Porto di Maratea is small and mostly pebble, but several other beaches are within easy driving distance along the coastline. Fiumicello, Acquafredda, and Fiumara are all worth visiting, and the rocky coves between them offer swimming spots with clear water and very few other people.

What to Eat and Drink in Maratea

Basilicata has its own food identity, and Maratea sits at the crossroads of the region’s mountain cuisine and its coastal ingredients. A few things are worth seeking out specifically.

Peperoni cruschi are dried red peppers from the town of Senise, just inland. They are fried crisp in olive oil and used as a topping for pasta, fish, and bread. If you order a plate of pasta in almost any restaurant in Basilicata, you will encounter them. The flavour is sweet and smoky, and slightly addictive.

Lagane e ceci is a simple pasta dish — flat noodles with chickpeas and olive oil — that dates back to ancient Roman times. It is comfort food in the truest sense, and very easy to find in local restaurants around Maratea.

Seafood is the other pillar of Maratea’s table. The fish comes fresh from the Tyrrhenian Sea daily, and the local approach is to keep it simple — grilled, fried, or in a light sauce with local olive oil and garlic. Avoid anywhere with photographs on the menu and you will eat well.

For wine, look for Aglianico del Vulture — a bold red from the volcanic soils of northern Basilicata. It is one of Italy’s most underrated wines and pairs well with the region’s meat dishes.

Getting to Maratea

Maratea has its own train station — one of the few in the region — on the Salerno–Reggio Calabria line. From Salerno, the journey takes around two hours. From Naples, change at Salerno. The station is at the base of the hillside, about three kilometres from the old town. Taxis are available, but they are not always easy to find — book in advance if arriving by train.

By car, Maratea is accessible from the A3 motorway (Salerno–Reggio Calabria). Take the Lagonegro Nord exit and follow the SS18 road south along the coast. The drive from Naples takes around two and a half hours. The roads around the town itself are narrow and steep, so a smaller car is preferable.

The nearest airports are Naples (Capodichino) and Lamezia Terme in Calabria, both roughly two and a half hours by road. Car hire from either airport is the most practical option.

When to Visit

June and September are the best months. The weather is warm and settled, the sea is swimmable, and the crowds are manageable. July and August bring more visitors and higher prices, though Maratea never reaches the saturation levels of the Amalfi Coast. Accommodation books up fast in August, so reserve early if that is when you are going.

Spring (April and May) is a good time to visit the old town and the Cristo Redentore. The weather is mild, the wildflowers are out on the hillsides, and almost no tourists are around. The sea will be too cold for most swimmers, but it is worth coming for the scenery alone.

October and November are quieter still, and much of the accommodation closes for the season. If you go in autumn, check in advance that your chosen place is open.

Maratea rewards those who go looking for it. It is not on the standard southern Italy circuit, and it does not try to compete with the places that are. That is exactly what makes it worth the trip.

Photo: PP Archive / Shutterstock

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