If you are going on holiday in Southern Italy, you absolutely cannot miss the magnificent Basilicata region, full of history and enchanting places. Here is what you absolutely must visit.

Nestled between the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian, Basilicata has nothing to envy to other regions of Southern Italy. An oasis rich in landscapes, ecosystems and historical and artistic riches. Spending your holidays in this land is an unforgettable experience. A place perfect for everyone, which can meet the desires and needs of anyone, thanks to the immense roads of unreal peace, the high mountains that lead to the sea through centuries-old woods; and still centuries-old olive trees, orange groves and gentle hills covered with vegetation

 

There is a place for breathtaking views, for sea and mountain lovers, full of delicious dishes and friendly people, in short, it is a place that will make you fall in love.

If you are thinking of setting out to discover this magical land, here are the places you should definitely visit. 

1. The Sassi of Matera

It was impossible not to start from one of the most fascinating places in this land. 

 

Thousands of huts stacked on top of each other, creating a labyrinth of narrow streets and stairways carved into the rock. Two districts, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, dug into the rock of the Murgia of Matera inhabited by prehistoric times. The huts among monasteries, rock churches, frescoes and baroque palaces, give life to one of the masterpieces of this fantastic land. Elected in 2019 European Capital of Culture, it offers landscape rich testimonies in Paleolithic. 

 

2. The village of Venosa

The homeland of the poet Orazio Flacco, is a real treasure trove of history starting from the house that is said to have belonged to the Latin poet. The archaeological area is one of the most precious testimonies of the Roman age, with the baths embellished with a mosaic floor, the amphitheater and the basilica. 

Also worth visiting is the Jewish necropolis, the Aragonese Castle, which houses the Archaeological Museum, and the Complex of the Holy Trinity, with the tombs of illustrious Norman nobles.

 

Every monument, every street, every alley of the city of Venosa is a symbol of that culture which, for centuries, has been the heart of the city.

3. Maratea

Even for lovers of the sea, Basilicata offers places not to be missed such as the enchanting beaches of Maratea.

 

A breathtaking landscape, where cliffs plunge into the blue and fade into the green of the luxuriant Mediterranean vegetation. Do not miss the enchanting white beaches but not only; coves, bays and islands extend over 32 kilometers of coastline. One of the most loved places by lovers of the sea, the sun and crystal clear waters. 

After the last dive into the sea, definitely worth visiting is the top of Mount San Biagio which houses the huge Statue of Christ the Redeemer, a construction built by Bruno Innocenzi in 1965 that recalls that of Rio de Janeiro. 

 

4.Pollino National Park

Surely among the things to visit in Basilicata you cannot miss a walk inside the Pollino National Park. This expanse of 192,565 hectares of land makes this park the largest in Italy. A wonderful unspoiled natural oasis, where we are lucky enough to admire the last Italian examples of Pino Loricato from Western Europe.

A perfect place for excursions between karst caves, gorges, cliffs, meadows, volcanic times and rivers that flow giving life to medicinal herbs that grow naturally. A place loved by hikers but also by sportsmen, thanks to the beautiful rafting and canyoning routes it offers. 

5. The ghost town of Craco

Surrounded by gullies and centuries-old olive trees, Craco is an abandoned town on a hill.

Also called "ghost town", it was abandoned as early as the 1960s due to continuous landslides and tremors that forced the inhabitants to leave the village. 


A surreal and mysterious landscape, which attracts travelers and filmmakers in search of evocative sets, from Neorealism to Mel Gibson. Thanks to the guided tours, it is possible to safely explore the old streets and learn about all the secrets of the constructions made entirely of tuff, such as the Norman tower and the 13th century castle.