Maratea & Cilento Coast
Why go?
Sitting on a 20km stretch of the stunning Tyrrhenian Coast, Maratea
is often called a mini Amalfi. It has several distinct localities
from the ruins of a medieval village to a stylish,
yacht-filled harbour, and its coastal road twists and climbs past
soaring cliffs and little turquoise coves. A popular holiday
destination for Italians in July and August, it's wonderfully
peaceful in the balmy months of May, June, September and October,
and so quiet from November to March that many hotels and
restaurants close. The locals are genuinely friendly - but keep
your phrasebook handy as many speak little English - some none at
all!
The highlight is the 13th-century medieval borgo (small
town) of Maratea Inferiore, all steep cobbled alleyways,
cafe-lined piazzas, softly-clanging bells from 44 churches, and
panoramic coastal views. High above stands the 21m Carrera marble
statue of Christ the Redeemer, reached by a lovely woodland
walk.
Maratea is a delightfully gentle place, which has preserved its
authentic Italian character. The traditional siesta means
shops and restaurants tend to close for a large chunk of the
afternoon, but then stay open late into the evening, and there are
a number of cultural and religious festivals through the summer
too.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, from
trekking and riding through paragliding, rafting and canoeing to
sailing, diving and snorkelling. There are also the pretty and
historic hilltop towns of Rivello, Fiumicello, Nemoli and Lagonegro
to explore - all within a 30km radius.
Any Downsides?
- It's expensive to get around by taxi, so bring your own car or
hire one. But be aware that the twisting mountain roads could prove
a little bit scary, particularly if you feel you're driving on the
wrong side of the road!
- Thanks to the steep gradients, it's not a good town to explore
if you've got weak legs or rickety knees
- The spectacular coast road attracts the occasional
noisily-tannoyed bicycle and motorbike convention
- The town sits in shadow from November to Februrary thanks to the looming of Mt St Biagio above