Holiday in Basilicata

What makes Basilicata special as a destination?

Basilicata is Italy's wild south – a region that long stood in the shadow of its neighbors Apulia and Calabria and only came into the international spotlight with the designation of Matera as the European Capital of Culture in 2019. This sparsely populated, mountainous region between two seas has a fascination that leaves a deep impression: archaic landscapes, medieval ghost towns, lonely mountain forests, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Matera is the heart of Basilicata and a place that leaves you speechless. The Sassi di Matera – a labyrinth of cave dwellings, rock churches, and winding alleys carved into the limestone gorges – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest settlements of humanity. Even in the 1950s, families lived here under miserable conditions in the caves, as described by Carlo Levi in his book "Christ Stopped at Eboli." Today, the Sassi is a stylish district with boutique hotels in former caves, restaurants in grottos, and an exciting art scene. Beyond Matera, Basilicata unfolds its wild beauty. The Pollino National Park, the largest national park in Italy, extends across the border into Calabria and is home to the last specimens of the Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii), wolves, and eagles. The Dolomiti Lucane with their bizarre rock towers resemble the real Dolomites and offer spectacular hikes and via ferrata. The two coastal sections – the Tyrrhenian coast near Maratea and the Ionian coast near Metaponto – could not be more different: Maratea is a jewel with steep cliffs, hidden coves, and a giant statue of Christ, while Metaponto attracts visitors with wide sandy beaches and Greek temple ruins. Basilicata is best reached from Germany via Bari Airport (1.5 hours to Matera) or Naples (2.5 hours). By car, the journey takes about 13 hours via the Brenner Pass and the A3 – a long trip that is more than justified by the extraordinary reward at the destination.