Basilicata: Stone Cities, Mountain Villages and Sea
Basilicata is a largely mountainous region of southern Italy with a character that changes noticeably from one area to the next. Matera draws travelers to its ancient rock-cut districts, while the interior offers hilltop villages, rugged landscapes and a slower pace of travel. The region also reaches two seas: a short, cliff-lined Tyrrhenian coast and a flatter Ionian coast with long beaches and traces of ancient Greek settlement. A trip here often combines walks through historic streets, drives between small communities, regional food and time outdoors. Basilicata rewards travelers who leave room in their plans for winding roads and places that take a little longer to reach.
Places in Basilicata
25 places
Brienza
Get to know Brienza, a small Basilicata town with a medieval castle, an old hilltop quarter and a quieter modern center below.
Brindisi Montagna
Explore Brindisi Montagna, a hill village in Basilicata with a hilltop castle, quiet streets and the seasonal performances of Parco della Grancia.
Calvello
Explore Calvello, a small Basilicata town with a hillside historic center, a pottery tradition and easy access to the mountain landscapes of southern Italy.
Calvera
Get to know Calvera, a small Basilicata village near Pollino National Park, with a compact old center, rural scenery and practical travel considerations.
Campomaggiore
Explore Campomaggiore in Basilicata, where the ruins of a planned 18th-century town stand near the present-day village and the Lucanian hills.
Cancellara
Get to know Cancellara, a small hill town in Basilicata with a castle, quiet old streets and a strong tradition of making local sausage.
Carbone
Get to know Carbone, a small Basilicata village with monastic roots, hillside streets and access to the landscapes of Pollino National Park.
Castelgrande
Get to know Castelgrande, a mountain village in Basilicata with an astronomical observatory, old streets and wide views across the surrounding hills.
Castelluccio Inferiore
Get to know Castelluccio Inferiore, a small Basilicata town in the Mercure Valley, with an older center and access to the Pollino landscape.
Castelluccio Superiore
Explore Castelluccio Superiore, a small Basilicata village above the Mercure valley, with an old hilltop center and access to Pollino's mountain landscapes.
Castelmezzano
Explore Castelmezzano, a mountain village in Basilicata, with rock-cut streets, Lucanian Dolomites trails and the Volo dell’Angelo zipline.
Castelsaraceno
Explore Castelsaraceno, a mountain village in Basilicata known for its Tibetan bridge, steep historic center and trails near two national parks.
About Basilicata
An interior shaped by hills and mountains
Much of Basilicata lies inland, where wooded slopes, cultivated valleys and exposed ridges separate its towns. The peaks of the Pollino area rise in the south, while the jagged rock formations of the Lucanian Dolomites give another part of the region a striking profile. Villages often sit high above the roads below, so travel between places can feel slower than a map suggests. That geography is part of the experience: viewpoints appear along ordinary routes, and a short stay in a village can reveal how closely local life is tied to the surrounding countryside. Walking is a good way to appreciate the terrain, whether on a mountain trail or through steep lanes within a town.
Stone, history and local food
Matera’s Sassi are Basilicata’s most recognizable historic setting. Their homes, passageways and churches are cut into or built against the rock, forming a layered urban landscape rather than a conventional old town. Elsewhere, castles, churches and archaeological sites reflect the region’s varied past, including Greek settlement along the Ionian side. Food offers another way into local culture. You may encounter peperoni cruschi, dried peppers often served crisp, alongside breads, legumes and hearty pasta dishes. In the Vulture area, volcanic soils are associated with Aglianico wine. These traditions vary across the region, making meals in smaller towns as worthwhile to explore as its better-known sights.
Two very different coastlines
Basilicata’s two stretches of coast suit different kinds of seaside trip. On the Tyrrhenian side around Maratea, mountains meet the water, and the shoreline is marked by coves, rocky views and roads that climb above the sea. The Ionian side is lower and more open, with broad beaches and coastal plains near the ancient Greek site of Metaponto. Neither coast tells the whole story of Basilicata: the interior remains central to understanding the region. Travelers can pair beach time with historic sites or mountain villages, but should allow for the winding routes between them. Choosing one coastal area as a base usually makes for a more relaxed visit than trying to cover both in a hurry.
What is Basilicata known for?
Rock-cut districts and churches
Matera’s Sassi combine dwellings, lanes and religious spaces within a landscape shaped by the rock itself.
Mountain villages
Small settlements set among steep hills and valleys offer a close view of inland Basilicata’s landscapes and daily life.
The Lucanian Dolomites
Distinctive rocky peaks provide a dramatic setting for villages, viewpoints and walking routes.
Contrasting seasides
The rocky Tyrrhenian shore around Maratea differs markedly from the broad beaches of the Ionian coast.
Ancient Greek heritage
Archaeological remains near the Ionian coast recall the Greek communities that once settled this part of southern Italy.
Distinctive regional flavors
Peperoni cruschi, rustic breads, legumes and Aglianico del Vulture wine are among the foods and drinks associated with the region.
Why visit Basilicata?
Mountain scenery and historic towns can fit into the same trip.
The two coasts offer notably different seaside experiences.
Matera provides an unusually immersive historic urban landscape.
Local food traditions are easy to encounter beyond major visitor areas.
Inland villages suit travelers who enjoy exploring at an unhurried pace.
Things to know
A car is useful for reaching many inland villages and natural areas; public transport may require careful planning.
Winding mountain roads can make journeys slower than they appear on a map.
Matera is more visitor-oriented than many smaller towns elsewhere in the region.
The Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts have different terrain, so choose a base according to the seaside experience you want.
Summer can be hot inland, while mountain areas may feel cooler, especially outside the main summer months.
English may be less widely spoken in smaller communities than in major visitor centers.