Basilicata Travel Guide

Cave cities, mountain villages, and two seas: Basilicata is located in southern Italy between Apulia, Calabria, and Campania—covering an area of about 10,000 km² with a population of approximately 530,000 and Potenza as its capital. Its most famous town is Matera: The Sassi cave settlements have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993; in 2019, Matera was the European Capital of Culture—and is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

On this page, you'll find an overview of all the articles about Basilicata from italien.news: from the Highlights in Maratea about the The Ghost Town of Craco all the way to the Greek temples of the Magna Graecia near Metaponto. Here you'll find key facts, lodging options, and answers to frequently asked questions—updated regularly.

Which places in Basilicata are worth visiting?

The short version: Matera for world culture, Maratea for the sea, the Dolomiti Lucane for mountain villages with a thrill—and in between, places that hardly anyone knows about.

• Matera: The Sassi, a neighborhood of caves carved into the tuff rock, have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993—and in 2019, Matera was also named the European Capital of Culture.
• Maratea: The only place in the region on the Tyrrhenian Sea—about 30 kilometers of coastline, small coves, and the 21-meter-tall statue of Christ on Monte San Biagio. You’ll find all the tips in the 10 Highlights in Maratea.
• Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa: Two mountain villages nestled among the rocky peaks of the Dolomiti Lucane—connected by a zipline Flight of the Angel.
• Craco: The Abandoned The Ghost Town of Craco It sits on a steep cliff about 400 meters above sea level—one of the most impressive "lost places" in southern Italy.
• Metaponto: On the Ionian Coast stand the Tavole Palatine, the remains of a Greek temple dedicated to Hera—more on this in the article about the Magna Graecia.
• Aliano: The mountain village where Carlo Levi set his novel *Christ Stopped at Eboli*—the quiet South, as unspoiled as it could possibly be.
• Melfi: In the Vulture area in the northern part of the region stands the Melfi Castle towering over the Old Town, a Norman castle where Frederick II had his collection of laws proclaimed in 1231.

What makes Basilicata so special?

Hardly any other region encapsulates Italy’s history quite like Basilicata: In Matera, people have lived in tuff caves for millennia—the Sassi make the city one of the oldest continuously inhabited in the world. At the same time, the region has remained largely untouched by mass tourism: nestled between Potenza, the inland mountains, and the two coasts along the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, you’ll experience southern Italy in its most authentic form.

The film industry discovered this long ago: Matera served as the backdrop for Mel Gibson’s *The Passion of the Christ* and for the opening sequence of the Bond film *No Time to Die*. You can read about which filming locations you can visit in our article on Set jetting in Italy.

What are some worthwhile activities to do in Basilicata?

The region's most famous adrenaline rush is the Flight of the Angel: Suspended from a steel cable, you’ll glide between the mountain villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa over the rocky peaks of the Dolomiti Lucane. Hikers will find secluded trails in the Pollino National Park in the southern part of the region, while beachgoers can choose between the coves of Maratea on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the long sandy beaches near Metaponto and Policoro on the Ionian Sea. And those seeking tranquility can wander through the empty streets of the ghost town of Craco.

What should you eat and drink in Basilicata?

The hallmarks of Lucanian cuisine are Crispy Peppers – Dried, briefly fried bell peppers, crispy like chips, served on their own or over pasta. Accompanying these are the large loaves of bread from Matera bearing the IGP seal, the lucanica sausage—whose name traces back to the ancient region of Lucania—and, in a glass, the Aglianico del Vulture, the full-bodied red wine from the slopes of the extinct Vulture volcano.

What events are worth checking out in Basilicata?

The most important date is the Festa della Bruna On July 2 in Matera: The city celebrates its patron saint with processions and a magnificent float, which the crowd traditionally tears apart in the evening—the fragments are considered good-luck charms.

Basilicata rewards anyone who wants to go a step beyond the usual Italian tourist spots. Browse the article list above—and continue planning your route through the south with our guides for Apulia and Calabria.

Note: Disclaimer – Italien.news is not the owner or organizer of the attractions, accommodations, and events listed here and is therefore not responsible for changes to the program, event cancellations, or any incorrect information. The editorial team at Italien.news always endeavors to provide detailed and accurate information. However, it is possible that events, attractions, etc. may be changed and not updated promptly. Exact details of dates, times and programs can be obtained directly from the owner of the attractions and accommodation.

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