🏛️ The City of 44 Churches (and a Giant Christ)

Let’s begin at the top—literally. Towering 21 metres above Monte San Biagio, Maratea’s Christ the Redeemer stretches its arms in a solemn embrace of the coastline below.

Only Rio de Janeiro has a taller Redeemer, but here, in this quiet Lucanian town, it’s more than a monument.

It’s a symbol of serenity watching over a land laced with forty-four churches, hermitages, and shrines—each whispering a story of devotion, seafaring saints, and silent prayers.

Wander through the old town and you’ll stumble into unexpected chapels tucked between artisans’ shops and romantic piazzettas.

Lose yourself in the labyrinth of cobbled lanes and you might emerge in front of the Hermitage of the Madonna degli Ulivi or the timeworn Church of San Vito, where history hums softly from the stones.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maratea Welcome (@marateawelcome)

🏖️ Maratea’s Beaches: Where Mountains Kiss the Sea

If there’s a place where the cliffs flirt shamelessly with the waves, it’s here.

Maratea boasts over 30 kilometres of Tyrrhenian coastline, an undulating theatre of hidden coves, black-sand beaches, and sea-carved grottoes. Locals call it the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian”, and it’s easy to see why.

🐦 Santa Teresa Beach: Sheltered by cliffs and watched over by peregrine falcons.

🌊 Cala Jannita (aka the Black Beach): A sultry expanse of volcanic sand, wrapped in myth and mystique.

🏰 Castrocucco & a’ Gnola Beach: Home to the ruins of a castle and a beach where land, sea, and history embrace.

And for those in search of Robinson Crusoe-style solitude? I Vranne, accessible only by boat, is your secret paradise.

Want more? Kayak excursions reveal Maratea’s 131 grottoes, cliffs, and islets like Santo Janni, whose underwater treasures include Roman amphorae and ancient vats of garum.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maratea Welcome (@marateawelcome)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maratea Welcome (@marateawelcome)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maratea Welcome (@marateawelcome)

🌅 Skywalk di Cersuta – A Balcony Between Heaven and the Tyrrhenian

Just a short detour off the coastal road, near the tranquil hamlet of Cersuta, awaits a lesser-known marvel that’s literally breathtaking—the Skywalk di Cersuta.

This suspended panoramic terrace hovers above the cliffs, outfitted with a transparent glass floor that lets you walk on air—or so it seems.

Beneath your feet: a plunging drop to the rocks below. Around you: an endless view of the Maratea coastline, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the forested slopes that cradle the coast.

At sunset, it becomes a natural amphitheatre of light, sea, and sky. Watch the water turn gold, the cliffs glow pink, and the mountains behind you fall into quiet shadow. This is not just a photo stop—it’s a meditative moment carved from the edge of the Earth.

Location: Cersuta, ~10 minutes by car from Maratea

Best time to visit: Late afternoon or golden hour for dramatic lighting

Ideal for: Nature lovers, romantic wanderers, and amateur photographers

Insider tip: Combine the visit with a stop at the tiny Rena d’a Carruba beach, accessible only by sea, or a short coastal walk along the nearby trails

The Skywalk is free to access, and its serene setting makes it a perfect pause between beach-hopping and inland adventures. Bring a camera. Bring a breath. And don’t be surprised if you stay longer than planned.

🚗 Featured Day Trip: A Walk in the Sky—Castelsaraceno & Its Tibetan Bridge

Looking to spice up your seaside stay in Maratea with a dash of mountain air and a touch of adrenaline? Just an hour inland by car, the quiet village of Castelsaraceno offers an adventure quite literally off the beaten path.

Suspended above a gorge between two national parks lies the world’s longest Tibetan bridge—a narrow, swaying ribbon stretching 586 metres through the sky, with views that will make your heart race (and not just from the height).

🍽️ Extend the Day: Local Flavour & Culture

Once your feet are back on solid ground, enjoy the slow life in Castelsaraceno:

Lunch Tip: Ristorante da Peppe – known for local lamb, porcini mushrooms, and handmade pasta with wild herbs.

Stroll the historic centre: cobbled alleys, quiet piazzas, and murals telling the story of local life.

Cultural Add-On (30 minutes away): Visit Rivello, a charming medieval village with a Byzantine-Latin past and the stunning Convent of Sant’Antonio.

Want to go deeper? Have your driver take you through Trecchina or Lagonegro on your return—two off-the-radar towns where old Basilicata quietly thrives.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Castelsaraceno (@visitcastelsaraceno)

🥾 Beyond the Coast: Into the Wild Heart of Basilicata

Maratea isn’t just about beaches—it’s the perfect springboard into southern Italy’s most dramatic landscapes.

Head inland and you’re suddenly in the realm of Bosnian pines and ancient forests. The Pollino National Park—Italy’s largest protected area—unfurls with a wild beauty: millennia-old trees, UNESCO-listed beech forests, and valleys carved by streams perfect for rafting.

Trekking through the Cozzo Ferriero beech forest or standing atop Monte Coccovello, you’ll see Basilicata in all its raw glory—silent, green, and grand.

And don’t miss the Albanese villages of San Costantino and San Paolo Albanese. Come spring, they bloom with colour and culture during their traditional tree rituals—a folk festival unlike any other in Italy.

🚘 Scenic Drive: The SS18 – Maratea’s Coastline as a Moving Masterpiece

Some roads aren’t just routes—they’re destinations in themselves. The SS18 Tirrena Inferiore, which kisses the cliffs of Maratea’s coastline, is one of them.

Stretching just under 30 kilometers along the Basilicata coast, between Punta dei Crivi and Secca di Castrocucco, this stretch of the historic Strada Regia delle Calabrie once carried kings, pilgrims, and traders. Today, it offers one of Italy’s most thrilling drives—a sinuous ribbon of asphalt woven into the rocks, balancing between sea and sky.

22 km of scenic engineering brilliance, navigating cliffs, gorges, and sea stacks

Endless views of the Gulf of Policastro, with the turquoise Tyrrhenian shimmering far below

Dozens of hidden beaches and panoramic pullovers, just waiting to be discovered.

A rare chance to experience the drama of the southern coastline without ever leaving your car seat

This is not just a road. It’s an open-air gallery, a slow-travel dream, and one of Italy’s most cinematic coastlines—ideally enjoyed in the comfort of a private car with stops planned for scenic selfies, local seafood, and maybe a cheeky gelato.

🎵 Why Maratea?

Maratea isn’t flashy. It doesn’t shout. But it sings—a soft, captivating song of sea breezes, church bells, and the rustling of pine forests. It’s a place where you can kayak past Roman ruins in the morning, trek ancient mountains by noon, and sip local wine under starlight in the evening.

It’s where time slows down, and your heartbeat starts to match the rhythm of the waves.

So if you’re searching for a corner of Italy still kissed by mystery and grace, follow the coast south, descend toward the Tyrrhenian, and let Maratea seduce you—one pebble beach, one almond pastry, one sunset at a time.