If you adore the Amalfi Coast, but abhor the crowds, Maratea is for you. The road in is even bendier and narrower than the infamous Amalfi Coast road, and at the end of it there’s a similarly stylish harbour, with a charming medieval village and a run of pretty, sandy coves. If you’re here for a beach break these coves are where you’ll find many of the best places to stay in Maratea, and from these our Gurus have chosen a selection of stylish villa conversions, chic traditional hotels, and a meticulously converted monastery in the heart of Maratea.
The lovely port is a collection of white and yellow buildings, full of charm, while on the water you'll usually see a smattering of glitzy super yachts. The historic centre is at the top of the hill – a whitewashed town with 44 churches, arranged underneath Maratea's answer to Rio's Christ the Redeemer. This is where you’ll find some of the best hotels in Maratea, the rest you’ll find tucked away along the coastline.
Maratea’s location, on the top of a hill overlooking the sea, means it will probably never become a destination for mass-tourism, and will always be better suited to travellers looking for a more Italian-style beach break, with a more relaxed pace of life, and overgrown charm. Like Capri’s piazzetta, the town has a main square dotted with bars, cafes and restaurants — the place to see and be seen!
Maratea might not be quite the headline destination of the Amalfi Coast, but it still gets plenty of visitors – it was much lauded by Frank Sinatra, Princess Diana and Fabio Cannavaro – and because there are fewer hotels to choose from here it’s worth booking up the best places to stay in Maratea in advance if you want to visit during the peak summer season.