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    Maratea

    Italy

    Maratea

    CityNatureBeachCultureFor FamiliesCulinary

    Maratea is the only town in Basilicata situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the Gulf of Policastro.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Italy
    7. Basilicata
    9. Maratea
    Maratea is the only town in Basilicata situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the Gulf of Policastro. The municipality stretches for approximately 32 kilometers along a steep coast and comprises several districts: the old town on the hillside, and along the coast, among others, Acquafredda, Fiumicello, Porto, and Marina.Monte San BiagioAbove the old town, on Monte San Biagio, stands the Christ statue from 1965 next to the pilgrimage church of the town's patron saint. From there, you can overlook the coast and the hinterland.CoastBetween steep rock faces lie sand and pebble beaches and small coves, some of which are only accessible from the sea. Over 130 grottoes are recorded within the municipal area.

    Sights in Maratea

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Cristo Redentore
    Attraction

    1Cristo Redentore

    Approx. 22-meter-high Christ statue on Monte San Biagio's summit above the Old Town, created in 1965 by Florentine sculptor Bruno Innocenti. The summit offers views over the coast and hinterland.
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    2Historisches Zentrum (Centro Storico)

    The medieval-style town center is situated on the hillside above the coast. Narrow alleys and staircases lead to Piazza Buraglia; numerous churches have earned Maratea the moniker "City of 44 Churches," the most important of which are Santa Maria Maggiore and the Annunziata.
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    Hafen von Maratea (Porto di Maratea)

    3Hafen von Maratea (Porto di Maratea)

    Tourist harbour in the namesake district of Porto, below the old town. Maratea's main train station is also nearby.
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    Spiaggia Nera (Cala Jannita)

    4Spiaggia Nera (Cala Jannita)

    Marina di Maratea bay, with very dark, fine-pebble sand between dark rock faces. Accessed via a path and a final staircase descent; beach facilities offer loungers. It has received multiple Blue Flag awards.
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    Basilica di San Biagio
    Church

    5Basilica di San Biagio

    Pilgrimage church of the city's patron saint Blasius on the summit of Monte San Biagio near the Christ statue. From the first Saturday to the second Sunday in May, the transfer of his relics is celebrated with processions.
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    Grotto of Marina di Maratea
    Attraction

    6Grotto of Marina di Maratea

    Small natural cave with stalactites and stalagmites, opening below the SS18 coastal road near the Marina district.
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    City walks in Maratea

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Maratea's Majesty: Panoramic Views and the Cristo Redentore

    Climb Monte San Biagio and experience Maratea from a new perspective. This walk takes you to the iconic statue of Christ and the historic basilica, with unforgettable views of the coast along the way.

    ~2 Std.
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    Stops (5)

    Restaurants & Cafes

    1

    Lanterna Rossa

    Fish restaurant at the port of Maratea with dishes from the day's catch and water views.
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    2

    Don Pasquale Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

    Restaurant with a cocktail bar on Via Cardinal Gennari in the Old Town.
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    3

    La bella Lucania RistoBottega

    Restaurant and gourmet shop in the Old Town with products and dishes from Basilicata.
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    Food and Drink

    On the coast, fish and seafood take center stage; in the hinterland, it's Lucanian farmhouse cuisine.

    Salted Alici

    Salted anchovies are among Maratea's traditional products.

    Peperoni cruschi

    Dried sweet peppers from Senise, a hallmark of Lucanian cuisine.

    Aglianico del Vulture

    The most famous red wine of Basilicata from the north of the region.

    Culture

    Maratea is known as the "City of 44 Churches" due to its many churches and chapels. The Basilica di San Biagio on the mountain is the sanctuary of the city's patron saint, Blasius. From the first Saturday to the second Sunday in May, the transfer of his relics to Maratea is celebrated with processions.The statue of Christ was created by the Florentine sculptor Bruno Innocenti in 1965 at the suggestion of entrepreneur Stefano Rivetti. Rivetti came to Maratea in the mid-1950s, built the first modern hotel, and made the town known as a holiday destination.

    On the Go

    Trains on the Tyrrhenian coastal line stop at Maratea Central Station near the port, as well as in Acquafredda and Marina di Maratea.The coastal road SS18 leads along the districts on the coast.

    Accommodations in Maratea

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    Campgrounds in Maratea

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      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Trip to Maratea

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      • 1Cristo Redentore3 days
      • 2Historisches Zentrum (Centro Storico)4 days
      • 3Hafen von Maratea (Porto di Maratea)5 days
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    Nearby

    Basilicata

    Basilicata

    Basilicata, nestled between Campania, Apulia, and Calabria, is Italy's second least populated region after the Aosta Valley. It has two short coastlines: on the Tyrrhenian Sea near Maratea and on the Ionian Sea near Metaponto. Mountains and hills make up most of its area.MateraKnown for the Sassi of Matera, cave districts with rock churches, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.LandscapeThe south features Pollino National Park, bordering Calabria; the center has the Piccole Dolomiti Lucane rocks, with the villages Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. Craco is an abandoned ghost town.AntiquityOn the Ionian coast, Greeks founded colonies like Metapontion; remains are in Metaponto and Policoro.
    Paestum

    Paestum

    Paestum is located in the coastal plain south of Salerno. Greek settlers from Sybaris founded the city around 600 BC as Poseidonia. Three Doric temples from the period between approximately 550 and 450 BC are preserved in exceptionally good condition.The archaeological site is surrounded by an approximately 4.75-kilometer-long, largely preserved city wall and, together with the Cilento National Park, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Matera

    Matera

    Matera in Basilicata is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its old town, the Sassi, comprises cave dwellings, rock churches, and houses carved over centuries into the tufa stone on the edge of a deep gorge. In the 1950s, the Sassi were evacuated due to poverty and poor hygiene; since 1993, they have been a UNESCO World Heritage site and are now re-inhabited, with hotels, restaurants, and museums in the caves. In 2019, Matera was a European Capital of Culture. Opposite the city, across the Gravina gorge, lies the Murgia Park, featuring more cave churches and the most famous view of the Sassi. The alleys and stairs are steep; comfortable shoes are necessary.
    Amalfi Coast

    Amalfi Coast

    The Amalfi Coast is the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the Gulf of Salerno, with approximately 40 kilometers of coastal road stretching between Positano and Vietri sul Mare. The mountains here drop steeply into the sea; lemon groves cling to the slopes, and densely built towns perch in the bays and on rocky promontories.The most famous are Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, and Ravello. Since 1997, the coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.
    Ravello

    Ravello

    Ravello is situated on a rocky plateau about 350 meters above the Amalfi Coast, above Atrani. This small town of around 2,300 residents is known for its villas, gardens, and panoramic terraces.In the Middle Ages, Ravello belonged to the Duchy of Amalfi; merchant families like the Rufolo built their palaces here. Today, Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, and the summer Ravello Festival define the town.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI