The 5 most beautiful places in Basilicata

Basilicata is one of those Italian regions that are completely unjustly unknown to the general public. An excellent opportunity to enjoy an authentic piece of Italy far from mass tourism. Basilicata stands for white beaches and clear blue sea, but also for inhospitable areas where the untouched nature and deserted villages surprise you during your journey of discovery. Fancy exploring this southern Italian region? We help you on your way and have already compiled a list of five most beautiful places in Basilicata. These are the must see sights.

1. Material

The absolute highlight of Basilicata is Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The city is on the World Heritage List by UNESCO and has been declared the 2019 Capital of Culture.

When you walk around and taste the enchanting atmosphere, you immediately understand why. Matera is world famous for the 'Sassi', the old part of the city with cave houses partly cut into the rock and built on top of each other.

The narrow streets and stairs, underground mazes and caves form a labyrinth in which you suddenly find yourself in front of monasteries, cave churches, Byzantine frescoes or Baroque palaces. The architecture is unique and has provided a beautiful backdrop for films such as The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson.

Many cave houses became vacant in the 50s. Fortunately, they are now used again as a restaurant, hotel or art studio and sometimes even as a home.

Matera therefore really resembles a fairytale at night: the lights that illuminate the city and the glow of the setting sun enhance the magical atmosphere that hangs there.

Knockin' on heaven's door. Check out these stunning drone shots of Matera:

2. The Lucanian Dolomites, Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa

The Lucanian Dolomites are located in the interior of Basilicata. The nature reserve of this mountain range and the sleepy villages sandwiched between the mountains are really worth a visit.

Castelmezzano is one of those at first sight sleepy towns. It is a beautiful town to stroll around, with its colorful houses and narrow streets, the square from which you can take beautiful pictures and the Chiesa Madre with the wooden Madonna statue from the 14th century.

From Castelmezzano you can see Pietrapertosa in the distance. This town, the highest in the whole region, is also not to be missed with its old fortress, the churches and the castle that gives you a beautiful view.

angel flight

But what is the fastest way to bridge the distance, about a mile as the crow flies, between the two places? With the spectacular 'Angel Flight'!

Between Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa hangs one of the fastest ziplines in the world. Hanging from the steel cable, you fly at 120 km/h from Castelmezzano over valleys and ravines to land in Pietrapertosa.

A nice video of the Angel Flight:

You can get tickets for the flight book online (if you dare). If you find the adrenaline rush a bit too much of a good thing, you can also just walk through the ravine from Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa via a beautiful hiking trail. An experience that is almost as beautiful!

3. Maratea

Basilicata is not just 'mountains, rocks and green forests'. Basilicata is also 'beautiful beaches'. Certainly the coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea is one of the most beautiful you can find in Italy.

The coast near the old fishing village of Maratea with its spectacular bays and caves is a good example.

The village is located at the foot of Monte San Biagio and has a beautiful historic center, an enormous number of churches and churches to visit (44 in total!), alleys that are intertwined and squares with balconies full of flowers.

The most important monument of the city is the Sanctuary of San Biagio, the patron saint of Maratea. During the sunset the view over the landscape is breathtaking.

Christ the redeemer

Not far from the Sanctuary, atop the top of Monte San Biagio, is the huge statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Italian Rio de Janeiro, beautiful drone images of Christ the Redeemer:

The artist Bruno Innocenti made it between 1963 and 1965 from a mixture of cement and marble chips from Carrara. With its 22 meters it is the highest statue in Italy and is of course immediately reminiscent of the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro. But where the statue in Rio overlooks the sea, in Maratea it overlooks Basilicata and its inhabitants.

10 things to do in Maratea:

4. The calanchi, Pisticci and Craco

They are reminiscent of the American badlands, the Italian badlands which lie in the southeastern part of Basilicata.

The slow erosion of the clay soils by rain creates special landscapes. You get the feeling of being in a moonscape!

During a trip through the calanchi's terrarium it is a good idea to make a stopover in Pisticci. The town is located on a hilltop and with its white houses and red roofs, it is reminiscent of an Andalusian town. Walk past the castle and the old city gate and visit the Chiesa Madre or one of the other churches in the town before getting back in the car to continue your journey.

Another city in the calanchi that you must see when visiting Basilicata is Cracow, which is less than 20 kilometers from Pisticci.

Craco, beautiful ghost town in Basilicata:

The residents had to leave the city after a landslide in the 60s. The abandoned houses that are slowly decaying give this ghost town something surreal and mysterious at the same time. You can explore Craco accompanied by a guide.

5. Metaponto

On the Ionian coast of Basilicata are towns that were once part of Great Greece. Metaponto is one of the most important of these.

The city has a history dating back to the 7th century BC. and people even think that Pythagoras lived there!

In the Archaeological Park of Metaponto you can see remains from that time. You will find the theater, a Roman army camp, but also the temples of Apollo, Demeter and Aphrodite and the 'Tavole Palatine', the Doric temple to the goddess Hera.

Video of the Archaeological Park Metaponto:

And even that is not all that Metaponto has to offer: after a visit to the park it is wonderful to relax on the sandy beach in the shade of two large pine forests.

Your most beautiful places in Basilicata?

That was it, our tips for the most beautiful places in Basilicata. Are you one of those lucky travelers who has already been to Basilicata? Maybe you have tips for other beautiful places that you should not miss. Let us know in a comment below this article. You are doing your fellow Italy enthusiasts a great service with it!

Also watch: the most beautiful places in Italy.