Discover Marina di Santa Maria del Cedro

During a stay in Marina di Santa Maria del Cedro, it is worth getting to know the coast and cedar culture as two defining features of the destination. The municipality also has archaeological sites.

Coast and beach sections

Santa Maria del Cedro is at the center of the Riviera dei Cedri Regional Marine Park on the upper Tyrrhenian Sea in the province of Cosenza. The beach at Santa Maria del Cedro is about 2 km long. Chiatta in Ferro refers to the southern section; Abatemarco lies to the north at the mouth of the river of the same name. The beach consists of fine sand, which in places, especially near the water's edge, gives way to pebbles. The seabed gradually deepens toward the open sea.

Along the seafront promenade in Santa Maria del Cedro, there are free beach areas, managed beach clubs and equipped bathing establishments. The 2026 Blue Flag programme lists the Santa Maria del Cedro, Chiatta in Ferro and Abatemarco beach sections. To help you explore the coast, you can refer both to the names of the sections and to the different categories of beach services.

Museo del Cedro and cedar culture

The Museo del Cedro presents the history of the citron and its close connection with Jewish religious tradition. It is housed in a 15th- to 16th-century building historically known as the Carcere dell’Impresa. Its year-round programme includes permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as cultural events, guided tours, meetings with citrus growers and tastings of artisan-made citron products. Individual activities may change; check the current programme before your visit.

The programme also includes a guided tour of citron groves with a meeting with a citron grower. Booking conditions for this activity may change, so check them in advance. This allows you to plan the tour as a separate offering rather than treating it as part of a general museum visit.

The Liscia Diamante citron variety is grown in Santa Maria del Cedro and is considered the region's most valuable citron variety. Cedro di Calabria PDO is the product that gives the Riviera dei Cedri its name. Citron from Santa Maria del Cedro is used, among other things, in liqueurs, extracts, creams and jams, as well as in yoghurt, desserts, ice cream and sorbets. Cedar culture is reflected both in the region's product traditions and in a range of culinary uses.

Its cultural significance also includes an annual tradition: rabbis come to Santa Maria del Cedro, after which citron fruits are taken to other countries and used for the Sukkot festival, the Feast of Tabernacles. This connection between citron and religious tradition gives the museum a theme that extends beyond the history of cultivation and the fruit's use in food.

Archaeology, events and a cycling route

In the hamlet of Marcellina, the Parco Archeologico di Laos documents the ancient settlement of Laos, dating to 510 BC. Excavated areas include the Casa della Rampa and the Casa della Zecca. The park is considered an ancient colony of Magna Graecia and features remains of houses and walls, as well as archaeological finds that offer insight into the lives of past civilizations.

For cycling enthusiasts, a route listing updated on 12 August 2024 describes the Marina di Santa Maria del Cedro circular cycling route: it is 19.7 km long, involves 120 metres of elevation gain, is rated easy and runs mostly on paved paths. Distance, elevation gain, surface and difficulty rating are different points of reference for planning your own ride; check the route information before setting out.

The Arena dei Cedri is an open-air venue in Marina di Santa Maria del Cedro for major cultural and music events. It was listed in this capacity in connection with the 2026 summer programme. If an event is important to your trip, check the dates for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Crosia, Rovito, Belmonte Calabro, Aieta, Maierà, Marina Di Sibari, Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Belvedere Marittimo

For the broader travel overview: Cosenza.