Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Maratea
POP 5220
Maratea is a charming, if confusing, place at first, being comprised of several distinct loc-
alities ranging from a medieval village to a stylish harbour. The setting is lush and dramat-
ic, with a coastal road (narrower even than the infamous Amalfi Coast road!) that dips and
winds past the cliffs and pocket-size beaches that line the sparkling Golfo di Policastro.
Studded with elegant hotels, Maratea's attraction is no secret and you can expect tailback
traffic and fully booked hotels in July and August. Conversely, many hotels and restaur-
ants close from October to March.
Sights & Activities
Your first port of call should be the pretty
Porto di Maratea
, a harbour where sleek yachts
and bright-blue fishing boats bob in the water, overlooked by bars and restaurants. Then
there's the enchanting 13th-century medieval
borgo
(small town) of
Maratea Inferiore
,
with pint-sized piazzas, wriggling alleys and interlocking houses, which offers startling
coastal views. Attractive little shops sell ceramics and artisan food.
It's all overlooked by a 21m-high, gleaming white statue of
Christ the Redeemer
- don't
miss the roller-coaster road and stupendous views from the statue-mounted summit - be-
low which lie the ruins of
Maratea Superiore
, all that remains of the original 8th-century-
BC Greek colony. Another option is the waymarked woodland path, which leaves the vil-
lage from just beyond the Cappelle dei Cappuccini, and takes you to the statue in 45
minutes; where the path divides near the top, fork right.
The deep green hillsides that encircle this tumbling conurbation offer excellent walking
trails and there are a number of easy day trips to the surrounding hamlets of
Acquafredda di
Maratea
and
Fiumicello
, with its small sandy beach. The
tourist office
( 0973 87 69 08;
Piazza Gesù 40; 8am-2pm & 5-8pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm & 5-8pm Sat & Sun Jul & Aug, 8am-2pm Sep-
Jun)
is in Fiumicello.
Centro Sub Maratea
( 0973 87 00 13;
www.marateaproloco.it/it/centro_sub_maratea
; Via Santa Ca-
terina 28)
offers diving courses and boat tours that include visits to surrounding grottoes
and coves.
A worthwhile day trip via car is to pretty
Rivello
(elevation 479m). Perched on a ridge
and framed by the southern Apennines, it is a centre for arts and crafts and has long been
