Macarro Beach
A pine-backed cove of dark sand and clear water on the Maratea coast, split between a free strip and a long-running beach club.
Overview
Macarro sits in a natural bay just south of Marina di Maratea, enclosed by two rock walls and backed by a steep pine wood. Locals also know it as Cala Grande or Cala 'i Don Nicola - Macarro is actually the name of the wooded area behind the beach, which stuck as the common name. It's one of the busier beaches on this stretch of coast, and one of the more sheltered.
Good for
Public access
Split beach. A free section runs just after the staircase down and along a strip in the centre
Beach clubs available: Yes — sunbeds and umbrellas can usually be rented in season.
How to get there
By train: Marina di Maratea station, on the Battipaglia–Reggio Calabria coastal line, is about 1.1 km from the beach, roughly a 15–20 minute walk along the SS18 and the pinewood path. Locals call this coastal service the "Metro-Maratea"; it also stops at Acquafredda and Maratea Centrale, with tickets around €1
By bus: Maratea's SUTA Sud summer urban shuttle covers the frazioni in high season
Parking: A small car park sits just off the SS18, a few hundred metres before the entrance to Marina di Maratea. It's free in winter; in summer it's a mix of paid public and private spaces. From the car park, it's a walk of a few hundred metres through the pine wood and down to the cliff-top before the final descent to the sand
On foot: From Marina di Maratea village centre, it's about 1.1 km - 15–20 minutes along the SS18 and the wooded path
Facilities
Practical tips
More about Macarro Beach
Macarro is one of the best-known beaches on the Maratea coast, and one of the more sheltered, the cove sits between two rock walls with a steep pine wood rising behind it, part of the protected marine area along this stretch. The name itself has layers: older locals still call it Cala Grande for its size, or Cala di Don Nicola after the priest who bought the land behind it around the turn of the 20th century. The sand here is darker than most Tyrrhenian beaches, mixed with pebbles and gravel of what's thought to be volcanic origin. The water is clear and good for both swimming and snorkelling, with small caves and rocky shallows off to the sides, though a few regular visitors mention cold currents cutting through on some days, so don't expect uniformly warm water even in August. Macarro gets busy. It's popular with both locals and visitors, and weekends in high season can mean a full beach and a full car park. The trade-off is a well-run beach club behind the free section, with a food kiosk doing cold dishes, granite and gelato, plus pedalo and glass-bottomed canoe hire if you want to see the seabed without diving in. For the best experience, come in the morning before the crowds build, and consider renting a canoe to explore the small coves either side, Ilicini and Calavecchia, close by, are worth the detour if you're already in the area.
Location
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