Maratea, Basilicata

Beautiful Maratea, Basilicata, Italy

Overview

Discover Maratea: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Maratea is a beautiful region that far too few tourists who ever visit Italy get to experience, but those that have, can attest to the fact that Maratea deserves to be called "the pearl" of the Tyrrhenian sea, for this hill top town and all its counterparts (Acquafredda, Fiumicello, and the Port of Maratea), are colorful, charming and splendidly untouched by tourists for most of the year.  Maratea has, blessedly kept her true Italian character intact, and this means that prices are good and the locals are genuinely friendly (even if they don't speak perfect English).

The Coast of Maratea is one of the most geographically beautiful coasts in Italy and would rank high on a list of mesmerizing places, the world over.  
The hidden beaches which occupy the shores along this tiny bit of Basilicatan coast (only 30 KM)  from Sapri (in Campania) and Tortora (in Calabria), are of rare beauty, a climb to get to, but well worth the trek any time of year.  Swimming is only possible from May to November, but the scenery is spectacular all year round.  
 
Recognizable from anywhere along the coast of Maratea, is the large figure of Christ, second only to Brazil's Rio de Janiero figure. 
 
Visitors from all over the world, particularly during the summer months, come to take in the spectacular views availble from the head of the statue.  Admittance is free and the views truly are incomparable.  At this same position, is the church of San Biagio and an ancient village of Lucanians, who inhabited the area before the romans.  
 
In the town of Maratea itself, wine bars, cafés, stores, restaurants, and gelato shops line the streets.  The town itself and the entire area is clean, safe and well-serviced.  
 
As in most towns in Southern Italy, the town continues to shut down everyday from 1:00 to 5PM, as shop owners prepare hearty lunches and venture to the beaches themselves.  However, stores and restaurants stay open well into the night every night of the week during the summer months and shopping is literally an "all-night activity".  Take your pick of terraces within the labrynth of back streets, to enjoy any number of local wines and specialty foods, which include fresh seafood and lucanian pasta dishes. 
 
Maratea is famous for numerous goods, including: wine, sandals, ceramics, embroidery and leather work.  You can often barter with the store owners for better prices-
 
Not surprisingly, Maratea, because of her natural beauty and chic locales, has gained considerable attention amongst the Italian elite, who have bought villas along the coast and in the hills.  However, hotels of all varieties are still available.    The best options, we feel are those listed on the right, because the provide incomparable services for excellent rates. 
 
We think that Maratea is one of Italy's most fantastic cultural and scenic destinations.  It really should not be avoided if possible.   Maratea is well-serviced by trains, offers a large port for docking purposes and is only 2 hours south of Naples.   Getting here is easy and staying is cheap (especially during the off season).  Right now, we are offering tours from Maratea, which will bring visitors face to face with some of Italy's most spectacular scenery. 

Our own photographs

Maratea Through Our Eyes

Photographed during our own travels and research, these images follow the journey through Maratea, from the first view of the landscape to the small details that give the place its character.

Beautiful Maratea, Italy
Beautiful Maratea, Italy
Truly Spectacular - Maratea
Truly Spectacular - Maratea
Glorious Maratea, Italy
Glorious Maratea, Italy
Incredible Vacations in Italy
Incredible Vacations in Italy
Christ figure at Maratea
Christ figure at Maratea

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Calabria and the Cedri Riviera Mini-Stay including Cooking Class, Wine Tour and Full Day Tour to the Coast of Maratea multi-day tour in Maratea with curated itinerary

Calabria and the Cedri Riviera Mini-Stay including Cooking Class, Wine Tour and Full Day Tour to the Coast of Maratea

This 4 day, 3 day package is ideal for those wanting to get to know the incredible culinary traditions of Calabria famous for the 'hot pepper" and fussili dishes. Our package includes accommodation in a private villa located in the center of town....

Private
4 Days / 3 Nights
STARTING FROM
€1,250 per person
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Basilicata: Luxury Tour of Undiscovered Italy multi-day tour in Maratea with curated itinerary

Basilicata: Luxury Tour of Undiscovered Italy

Despite its beautiful coastline and dramatic mountains, most of Basilicata remains undiscovered by visitors to Italy. This incredible week of luxury accommodation and private guides and drivers will introduce you to this amazing region, its stunning...

Private
7 Days / 6 Nights
STARTING FROM
€4,010 per person
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Kingdom of the Sun: Undiscovered Calabria & Basilicata || Highlights include Maratea and the mountain-top redeemer, Praia a Mare and the Madonna Della Grotta, Diamante the city of murals. Cooking, food and wine and highlights with chef Michelangelo multi-day tour in Maratea with curated itinerary

Kingdom of the Sun: Undiscovered Calabria & Basilicata || Highlights include Maratea and the mountain-top redeemer, Praia a Mare and the Madonna Della Grotta, Diamante the city of murals. Cooking, food and wine and highlights with chef Michelangelo

Join us for an 8-day package in Calabria and explore the deep south of Italy, including the regions of Calabria and Basilicata. Our tour is centered around the charming town of Tortora, and from there, we embark on daily excursions to some of Calabri...

Private
8 Days / 7 Nights
PRICING
Contact us for pricing
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Experience a New Paradise South of the Amalfi Coast: Cilento, Mountain Monasteries, Blue Grottoes, the Coast of Maratea and Dino Island multi-day tour in Maratea with curated itinerary

Experience a New Paradise South of the Amalfi Coast: Cilento, Mountain Monasteries, Blue Grottoes, the Coast of Maratea and Dino Island

For those who want to enjoy an authentic experience in southern Italy away from the masses, this experience is for you! Explore the majestic Cilento Coast and incredible white sand beaches, blue grottoes, unspoilt coastlines and nearly deserted coas...

Small Group
9 Days / 8 Nights
PRICING
Contact us for pricing
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Hotels

Rooms we would happily sleep in again

Hotel San Diego Maratea hotel accommodation in Maratea Italy,Basilicata,Maratea
Hotel

Hotel San Diego Maratea

★ ★ ★

The full service, 4 star SAN DIEGO HOTEL is located in Acquafredda di Maratea, the last bay of the i...

Buffet Breakfast +15 more
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La Locanda delle Donne Monache, Maratea hotel accommodation in Maratea Italy,Basilicata,Maratea
Hotel

La Locanda delle Donne Monache, Maratea

★ ★ ★ ★

Nestled in the heart of Maratea, La Locanda delle Donne Monache is a beautifully restored 18th-centu...

24h reception +32 more
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Maratea in the press

What magazines, papers and shows have written about Maratea and the trips we plan here

Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre at dusk Appetito Our Founder in Appetito: A Culinary Journey Through Calabria and Basilicata May 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews writes for Appetito on the food and coast of southern Italy, from the sea caves of Praia a Mare in Calabria to Maratea, the town of 44 churches in Basilicata. Read the story The skyline of Florence at dusk, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Duomo Italian American Life with Frankie D Our Founder on the Italian American Life Podcast: 20 Years of Living and Breathing Italy March 2025 Our founder Jesse Andrews joins Frankie D on Episode 144 to tell the story behind Italy Vacation Specialists, from a summer job in Calabria to planning custom trips across Italy. Read the story

All press & recognition

Explore Towns and Cities in Basilicata

Every town here has its own personality. We know them by name.

travel experience in Castelmezzano Italy with private tours and local guides
Castelmezzano
travel experience in Lago / Lake Sirino Italy with private tours and local guides
Lago / Lake Sirino
travel experience in Lake Monticchio and San Michele Monastery Italy with private tours and local guides
Lake Monticchio and San Michele Monastery
travel experience in Maratea Italy with private tours and local guides
Maratea
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Matera
travel experience in Melfi Italy with private tours and local guides
Melfi
travel experience in Pietrapertosa Italy with private tours and local guides Pietrapertosa travel experience in Rivello Italy with private tours and local guides Rivello travel experience in San Fele Waterfalls Italy with private tours and local guides San Fele Waterfalls travel experience in Venosa Italy with private tours and local guides Venosa
travel experience in Castelmezzano Italy with private tours and local guides Castelmezzano travel experience in Lago / Lake Sirino Italy with private tours and local guides Lago / Lake Sirino travel experience in Lake Monticchio and San Michele Monastery Italy with private tours and local guides Lake Monticchio and San Michele Monastery travel experience in Maratea Italy with private tours and local guides Maratea travel experience in Matera Italy with private tours and local guides Matera travel experience in Melfi Italy with private tours and local guides Melfi travel experience in Pietrapertosa Italy with private tours and local guides Pietrapertosa travel experience in Rivello Italy with private tours and local guides Rivello travel experience in San Fele Waterfalls Italy with private tours and local guides San Fele Waterfalls travel experience in Venosa Italy with private tours and local guides Venosa

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Getting here

The Road to Maratea

Most of our guests arrive by private car, with a driver who knows these roads and where it is worth stopping along the way. These are the journeys we arrange most often.

Matera Basilicata Bari Puglia, Bari Airport Alberobello Puglia Salerno Campania Brindisi Puglia, Brindisi Airport Naples Campania, Capodichino Airport
Beautiful Maratea, Basilicata, Italy Matera - Basilicata, at Dusk Italy Bari region of Apulia, Italy Big ferris wheel on the waterfront of Bari Alberobello - Puglia Best of Salerno, Italy Brindisi, Puglia with Italy Vacation Specialists Incredible Naples Italy

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Beautiful Maratea, Basilicata, Italy

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Stories that stay with you

What our guests write to us once they are home again

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