Along the SS 18 [Strada Statale 18] | Maratea

SS18. Hairpin turns clinging to the cliff above the sea

Our itinerary winds along the beautiful panoramic road SS18 in the section that crosses the territory of Maratea, from north to south, that is, from Acquafredda to Castrocucco, with the suggested stops, including a pause at the Porto and a visit to the Grotta delle Meraviglie.

This stretch of the SS18 may be one of the most beautiful in Italy, both for the breathtaking views it offers and from the standpoint of the engineering solutions found to tackle the truly difficult terrain.

Our tour on State Route 18 begins at the border between Campania and Basilicata, at the Canale di Mezzanotte, perhaps one of the most beautiful and evocative points of our route.

From here on, you can take advantage of the small lay-bys on your right along the road, which allow you to enjoy the views and take photos.

Take as much time as you need for this, because every view is different and behind every curve you may find new treasures to admire.

It would be too long to describe here all the things that are worth seeing, so for brevity we will limit ourselves to pointing out only the most important ones.

Treasure Hunt

From Midnight Channel to Torre Santavenere

After the Channel of Midnight before reaching Acquafredda find the Crivi Tower, on the cliff jutting out over the sea.
If you have time visit the Luppa beach otherwise continue to find, at the level of the railway station square, the Nitti Palace.

Continue along the SS18 and, once past Acquafredda’s hotel district, stop briefly at the first lay-by near the Canale della Monaca ravine. Look down into the small bay below and see if you can spot the freshwater spring bubbling up into the sea…

At Cersuta, once past the inhabited center, stop just before the tunnel to walk on the abandoned stretch of road, right under the Tower of Appreciate the Donkey.

If you have time, go back a couple of hundred meters and take the little road down to admire the Nastru Beach, one of the most beautiful in Italy.
Continue south under a dense pine forest and then leave the SS 18 at Fiumicello and continue on the road that goes down to the sea all the way to the beach.
On your way back, stop for a drink or to buy yourself a little gift in the shops along the way.

At this point, continue in the direction of Porto, where you can stop to enjoy a walk in the nautical atmosphere among boats and yachts, and savor a drink or lunch at one of the many establishments present.

From Porto to the South

Returning from the Port, head south, and after a few turns, you will rejoin the SS18.

From now on the road becomes a bit more linear but is no less stingy with suggestive panoramas: take advantage of every opportunity to stop and enjoy the view.

From one of the first parking spots that you find on the right, for once look inland and upwards: you will be directly below the statue of Christ the Redeemer that dominates the entire coast.

Looking towards the sea, you will find the island of Santojanni, and to the right ahead, the northern tip of the Gulf of Policastro.

Continuing along the road you will find the various lanes that lead to the beaches of Marina, starting with Cala Jannita or Black Beach.

Take advantage of it, if you have managed to resist until this point, to take a nice dip in the water.

After Marina, the road again clings precipitously to the sea until it frees itself toward Calabria at Castrocucco.

To be seen, in one of the last rest areas, the profile of the entire coast of Maratea that you have just traveled.
Below you, one of Maratea's pearls, the Secca, and above, the ruins of the Castrocucco Castle, while to the south you will see the large Gnola Beach and the island of Dino in the distance.

ps: if you're lucky on the right day with a clear sky, by straining your eyes towards the horizon you will be able to see Stromboli, which is less than 80 nautical miles from Maratea!

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