Luxury holidays in Maratea

Basilicata’s verdant, vertiginous hills meet abruptly with the Tyrrhenian coast, creating a dramatic backdrop for the diminutive town of Maratea. Many of the surrounding beaches meet the untamed brief — hugged by high cliffs with shingled shores tapering to balmy shallows. In Maratea itself, visiting all 44 of the town’s churches might feel a touch over-zealous, so trade them in for a hike to Maratea’s Christ the Redeemer for more altitude and fewer crowds.

When to go

This beachy region comes into its own between June and September, when the sun shines and the Tyrrhenian glimmers. May brings vibrant wildflowers and brilliant blue seas.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Naples and Lamezia Terme are each around two and a half hours by road from Maratea. In summer months, seasonal flights will take you as far as Salerno’s Costa d’Amalfi airport, which is a closer two-hour drive.

  • Trains

    Maratea sits on the Rome to Reggio Calabria line, with the station situated just below the town centre. To spare yourself the steep uphill trek, you can take a bus or taxi to reach central Maratea.

  • Automobiles

    A set of wheels comes in handy for exploring the coastline, but keep in mind that — as with many coastal Italian towns — parking can be a challenge.