Is Maratea, Italy Worth Visiting? (By a Local)
Is Maratea, Italy worth visiting?
Absolutely! Maratea might not be as famous as some of Italy’s other destinations, but it holds a charm that is worth exploring. It is a hidden gem with a historic center, a gorgeous marina, picturesque beaches, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue perched high above the sea.
This is where we bring our guests when they are visiting us in San Nicola Arcella. Maratea is known as the ‘pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea’, and I will show why Maratea, Italy, is worth visiting.
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Where is Maratea?
Maratea is in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, along the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline. To the north is Naples (Napoli) and to the south is Reggio Calabria. Our village, San Nicola Arcella, is in Calabria, about 45 minutes south of Maratea.
The historic center, known as the “centro storico” of Maratea, sits on a hillside, overlooking the sea and the marina, Porto di Maratea. Dominating the skyline above the town is Monte San Biagio, crowned by the majestic Christ the Redeemer Statue.
How to Get to Maratea, Italy
You can get here by car or train. Ideally, a car is the best mode of transportation for getting to Maratea. This is a mountainous region, and the roads will wind along the coastline. But the views are spectacular!
Maratea is two hours south of Naples (Napoli) and four hours south of Rome (Roma). The Maratea train station is in the lower part of the town. There are several trains, daily, from Naples or Rome. I recommend using Rail Europe for planning your train travel.
Starting the Summer of 2024 through September, the Frecciarossa train line from Milan, Rome, and Naples will stop in Maratea on Saturdays and Sundays.
The closest airport is Naples (NAP), approximately 2½ hours north of Maratea.
Things to Do in Maratea
You can visit Maratea throughout the year, but the summer months are when the town is full of life and the weather is warm and sunny. Like so many towns in southern Italy, Maratea is fortunate to maintain its authentic Italian charm, offering a genuine experience to all who visit.
So, is Maratea, Italy worth visiting? Let’s find out.
Fun Fact: Several scenes from the James Bond movie, No Time to Die, and the TV series, Trust, were filmed in Maratea.
1. Explore Old Town Maratea (Centro Storico)
The old town of Maratea is a traditional Italian village with cobblestone streets and alleyways. The streets are lined with cafes, restaurants, gelato shops, and stores selling a variety of gifts, linens, ceramics, and wine. Throughout the town and surrounding area are 44 churches in various forms (buildings, caves, chapels, grottos).
We enjoy wandering through the narrow streets and appreciating the historic buildings. Afterward, we unwind with a pre-dinner drink or treat ourselves to gelato while people-watching.
Practical Tip: Maratea is in the south where most towns shut down for the afternoon siesta from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. I recommend coming to the old town in the late afternoon when everything is starting to reopen. It will also be cooler if you are visiting during the summer months.
2. Christ the Redeemer Statue – Statua del Cristo Redentore di Maratea
This is the highlight of your visit and is why Maratea, Italy is worth visiting. The Christ the Redeemer Statue is on Monte San Biagio. The sculpture was created by Bruno Innocenti in 1965. It is 70 feet tall (21.20 meters) with outstretched arms spanning 62 feet (19 meters). The statue is made of reinforced concrete covered in Carrara marble.
The statue faces east towards the Basilica of San Biagio. A lot of people compare Christ the Redeemer of Maratea to the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro which is 98 feet tall (30 meters).
How to Get to the Christ the Redeemer Statue
If you are driving to visit the statue, follow signs for Redentore. The road winds its way up the mountain to a parking lot. Parking costs 5 Euros per hour.
Generally, there is a shuttle bus that will take you from the parking lot to the entrance of the site. The ride is 2 Euros per person roundtrip and is worth it. You can walk but the path is steep. The shuttle is operational from 8:00am to 10:00pm and runs every 10 minutes.
While on the shuttle, you will see the ruins of the ancient Maratea castle (Castello) that was destroyed by the French after a siege in 1806. Once you are at the top, there is a walking path with steps to the Christ the Redeemer statue.
You can walk all around the statue and stand next to it. From this position, you will have incredible views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the coastline stretching into Calabria, the marina and Old Town Maratea. If you are there in the evening, you can watch the sunset over the sea – a memorable site!
At night, from our town in San Nicola Arcella, standing on the terrace overlooking the sea and coastline, we can see the Christ statue lit up in the distance.
3. Basilica di San Biagio
The Basilica di San Biagio sits opposite from the Christ the Redeemer Statue. San Biagio is the patron saint of Maratea and his relics from 732 A.D. preserved inside the basilica. The church is built on the site of a former pagan temple dedicated to Minerva.
This church has some unique features, like arches in the neoclassical style and a small statue of San Biagio in marble. Overall, the interior is simple but a nice place to take a rest, get out of the heat and pay your respects.
Between the Basilica and Christ the Redeemer Statue are a few shops selling souvenirs, a small restaurant, an ice cream shop, and restrooms.
4. Maratea Marina – Porto di Maratea
This marina is picturesque, with its shops and restaurants along the street. With 600 berths available, you can leisurely stroll along the marina, admiring the various boats and yachts docked there.
One summer, a good friend stayed on his boat in the marina while vacationing in Maratea. We enjoyed cocktails and snacks aboard his boat before heading out to dinner – it made for a delightful and memorable evening!
We like going to the marina after visiting the Christ the Redeemer Statue for dinner. The are several very nice restaurants. They are listed in our Where to Eat section of this post. Parking around the marina can be challenging at times and you will need to purchase a parking ticket from the kiosk.
5. Cave of Wonders – Grotta della Meraviglie
The Cave of Wonders is the smallest in Italy. It was discovered in 1929 while building the SS18 roadway, which goes down the Basilicata and Calabria coastline. It is a single room, 210 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 24 feet high, with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is well lit and a guide will answer all of your questions.
The cave is along the roadway, and you must take steps down to the entrance. The cost is 5 Euros per person (cash only), and it is open during the summer months until the end of September. The hours are 10:30am to 1:30pm and 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
Parking is along the SS18, in a pull-off just south of the cave entrance.
6. Private Tour of Maratea
If you would prefer to have a private tour of Maratea, without having to drive up the mountain, Viator offers a group tour for up to 15 people. They will work with you on arranging a meeting spot. It is a two-hour tour, and you will visit the Christ the Redeemer Statue, Basilica di San Biagio and Old Town Maratea (centro storico). If you are interested in this tour, click on this Viator tour link for more details.
Where to Stay in Maratea
Maratea, Italy is worth visiting, so why not stay here for a few days? You can go to the beaches, check out the old town, and try the local food. You’ll have a wonderful time experiencing the charm and friendliness of Maratea. This is a beautiful and welcoming spot for a memorable vacation.
Most of the hotels have sea and mountain views. They also offer a shuttle service from the train station.
Hotel Options
Grand Hotel Pianeta Maratea Resort – This 4-star resort is in the hills to the south of the Christ the Redeemer Statue (can see the resort from the statue). It has restaurants, pools, access to their private beach, and outdoor activities. Breakfast and parking are included.
Romantic Hotel & Restaurant Villa Cheta Elite – A 4-star hotel focused on exceptional service, with great views, a pool, beach access, and a restaurant.
Santavenere Hotel – A 5-star hotel with 34 rooms, a spa, pool, private beach, restaurant and more.
Hotel Martino – A 3-star hotel overlooking the sea, with an indoor pool and shuttle service to and from the train. They are pet-friendly and can arrange local tours and water activities.
La Locanda Delle Donne Monache – A 4-star hotel that was previously a convent. It is within walking distance to Old Town Maratea and has a beautiful swimming pool. Breakfast and parking are included. The property is pet-friendly.
My Trip Planning Resources
These are the companies that I use when planning our trips:
– Flights: WayAway
– Hotel Reservations: Booking.com & Hotels.com
– Vacation Rentals: VRBO
– Portable Wi-Fi: Ryoko Pro
– Rental Cars: DiscoverCars.com
– Train Tickets: Rail Europe
– Tours: Viator, Get Your Guide and GuruWalk
– Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage
– Airport Lounge Access Program: Priority Pass
If you choose to buy through any of the provided links, we may receive a commission without any extra charges to you. Explore our Travel Resources page for additional service suggestions.
Where to Eat in Maratea
In Maratea, Italy, you can enjoy delicious local dishes reflecting the region’s flavors. Seafood plays a prominent role in the cuisine, with dishes like fresh sea bass (spigola), swordfish (pesce spada), or seafood pasta freshly caught from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
You can also indulge in traditional Lucanian pasta dishes, as well as Calabrian specialties such as ‘nduja, a spicy spreadable sausage, or peperoncino, fiery red chili peppers used to add zest to various dishes. Don’t miss out on trying the local cheeses, like pecorino or caciocavallo, paired with crusty bread and olives. And of course, the wine is delicious and local.
Here are a few restaurant recommendations to consider while in Maratea. Keep in mind that dinner typically starts after 8pm in Italy. It’s a good idea to make reservations, especially during the busy summer months.
Restaurants in Porto di Maratea (Maratea Marina)
- Lanterna Rossa (one of our favorites!!!)
- 1999 il Ristorante Porto di Maratea
- Scialuppa 25
- Ristorante Za’ Mariuccia
- Tre Nodi – Ristorante sul Porto di Maratea
Maratea Centro Storico (Old Town)
- Don Pasquale Ristorante & Cocktail Bar
- La Bella Lucania RistoBottega
- Manà Bristrot (vegan options)
Local Things to Know
Drinking Water:
The local water is fine, but I always stay with bottled water to be on the safe side.
Beaches in Maratea:
Most of the beaches in Maratea are dark stone and gravel due to the volcanic nature of the area. The stone will get very hot in the summer, so make sure you wear flip-flops to the water’s edge.
Voltage and Plugs:
The standard voltage is 230V, 50Hz. The power plug sockets are Type C, which has two round pins.
International Driver’s License:
Also known as an International Driving Permit, and it is mandatory in Italy. You can obtain the permit, in the U.S., at AAA. It is good for a year from date-of-issue.
Travel Insurance:
Yes, you should have travel insurance when traveling. We recommend VisitorsCoverage. They provide comprehensive plans for global travel, including options for additional medical coverage when traveling within Europe.
Final Thoughts: Is Maratea Italy Worth Visting?
In conclusion, Maratea, Italy, overlooking the crystal blue sea, truly deserves a visit. This charming town embodies the essence of an authentic Italian village, untouched by mass tourism. Despite limited English proficiency, the locals welcome visitors with warmth and friendliness.
The food is delicious, featuring traditional, fresh, and locally sourced ingredients that vary with the seasons. A highlight of the area is the awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer Statue, offering unparalleled views of the Basilicata and Calabria coastlines.
Despite being lesser known among Americans, Maratea’s beauty and allure make it a destination worthy of exploration. Without a doubt, Maratea has rightfully earned its title as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and is worth visiting.
As I always say, if you want your fill of tourist attractions, go to the major Italian cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. When you are ready to relax and enjoy the authentic Italian lifestyle, come south!
If you would like assistance in planning your trip to Maratea, Italy, we would be happy to help. Please refer to our Travel Planning services for further information or send us an email.
If you want to explore more in Southern Italy, check out our following posts:
10 Beautiful Towns to Visit in Calabria Italy in 2024 (By A Local)
29 Best Things To Do In Napoli (Naples, Italy 2024) By A Frequent Visitor
Day Trip to Paestum Italy 2024 – Ancient Greek Temples
Is San Nicola Arcella in Calabria Italy Worth Visiting? (By A Local)
Is Tropea in Calabria Italy Worth Visiting? (By A Frequent Visitor)
