Maratea

The high, twisty road into the Maratea region affords breathtaking glimpses of the turquoise sea and a gigantic statue of Cristo Redentore (reminiscent of the one in Rio de Janeiro) atop a hill. Steep crags separate the area into villages that include Maratea Porto, Marina di Maratea, Fiumicello, and Cersuta. The main inland town of Maratea proper is a tumble of cobblestone streets, where the ruins of a much older settlement (Maratea Antica) can be seen. Between the rocky headlands, there's no shortage of secluded beaches, which can get crowded in August. A summer minibus service connects all the different points once or twice an hour.