The brief stretch of Basilicata’s Tyrrhenian coast is the most visually ravishing part of the entire region, its tall, sheer cliffs rising dramatically above rocky coves and some first-rate beaches. Though these get overcrowded in summer, the encircling mountains mean that there has been minimal development by the holiday industry. The obvious stop here is Maratea, a dispersed settlement stretching for some 20km along the beautiful rocky coastline, including the hamlets of Castrocucco, Marina, Porto, Fiumicello, Cersuta and Acquafredda. Most of the action – and accommodation – is in or around the little seaside area of Fiumicello, 5km north of Maratea Paese (the inland centre), though the chic elite who have colonized much of the area prefer to be seen in the bars and restaurants of Marina di Maratea, directly south of Maratea Paese – if nothing else, a pleasant place to stroll around and gawp at the yachts.
Around Maratea, the coast has enough variety to reward more than a quick beach stop. Sandy stretches at Fiumicello and Acquafredda are well signposted, while less obvious coves invite a slower search along the shoreline. The area is also known for its many grottoes, most of them reachable only by boat, making local rentals or excursions a useful way to see the coast from the water.
For a more active day, the climb to Monte San Biagio, the highest point above Maratea at 624 meters, adds a mountain contrast to the beaches below. The summit is dominated by the Redentore, an enormous marble Christ facing inland toward the mountains, with the eighteenth-century Santuario di San Biagio nearby. In 13-day Italy trips that include Basilicata as more than a transit point, Maratea works especially well because it combines beaches, boat trips, religious landmarks, and a manageable hike in one compact coastal base.
Top image: Old town of Maratea, Basilicata, Italy © mRGB/Shutterstock
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