Ancient cave cities carved into limestone ravines, Italy's largest national park, and a hidden Tyrrhenian coastline — stay sustainably in southern Italy's most surprising region from just €35/night
Basilicata, historically known as Lucania until 1932, is one of Italy's most dramatically beautiful and least visited regions. Tucked between the heel and toe of the Italian boot — bordering Apulia to the east, Campania to the west, and Calabria to the south — it remains blissfully free of the mass tourism that swamps Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre. With just two provinces (Potenza and Matera), a population of barely 550,000, and 60 km of Tyrrhenian coastline plus 35 km along the Ionian Sea, Basilicata rewards the traveller who ventures off the beaten path with raw, ancient and profoundly authentic experiences.
The undisputed star is Matera, whose Sassi — a labyrinthine complex of cave dwellings, rock-hewn churches and narrow alleyways carved into a dramatic limestone ravine — were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Once described by Carlo Levi in his 1945 book Christ Stopped at Eboli as a place of shameful poverty where families and livestock shared unlit and undrained cave shelters, the Sassi have undergone one of Europe's most remarkable urban transformations. In 2019, Matera served as the European Capital of Culture, cementing its journey from "shame of Italy" to must-see global destination. The Sassi have also served as cinematic Jerusalem in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004), and as locations for Wonder Woman (2017) and the James Bond film No Time to Die (2021). Today, former cave dwellings house some of Italy's most extraordinary boutique hotels — sleeping in these 9,000-year-old spaces is an experience unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Beyond Matera, Basilicata's wild interior is dominated by Pollino National Park (Parco Nazionale del Pollino), Italy's largest at 192,000 hectares, straddling the Calabrian border. Established in 1993, Pollino is a biodiversity hotspot sheltering ancient Bosnian pines (Pinus heldreichii) over 1,000 years old, Apennine wolves, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, wildcats and otters in the Lao and Raganello river gorges. The Dolomiti Lucane — jagged sandstone pinnacles rising between the medieval villages of Castelmezzano (985 m) and Pietrapertosa (1,088 m) — offer via ferrata climbing, the Sentiero delle Sette Pietre walking trail, and the Volo dell'Angelo zipline: a 1,452-metre cable sending riders at over 120 km/h across the valley, making it the highest zipline in Europe.
On the western flank, the Maratea coastline gives Basilicata its sole Tyrrhenian shoreline — a 30-kilometre ribbon of rocky coves, turquoise water and pine-scented cliffs crowned by a 22-metre Cristo Redentore statue on Monte San Biagio. The beaches of Fiumicello, Macarro and Cersuta are the region's finest. Further inland, Craco — a medieval ghost town abandoned after catastrophic landslides in 1963 and now accessible only by guided hard-hat tour — is one of Italy's most haunting hilltop attractions, used as a set in Quantum of Solace. The Vulture wine region around Monte Vulture (an extinct volcano) produces Aglianico del Vulture DOCG, one of southern Italy's most acclaimed reds. The Ionian coast at Metaponto preserves the Tavole Palatine — 15 Doric columns of the Temple of Hera, recalling the days when this was Magna Graecia.
Basilicata is Italy's last authentic frontier — a place where the tourism infrastructure is modest, the interior feels genuinely remote, and the rewards for slow, curious travel are immense. Every booking through IMPT removes 1 tonne of CO₂ at no extra cost, you get EUR 5 free credit on your first stay, 5% cashback in IMPT tokens, and you pay the same price as Booking.com across 8M+ hotels worldwide.
The Sassi di Matera are among the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on Earth — predating the pyramids. Walk through cave churches with 13th-century Byzantine frescoes, sleep in converted Neolithic grottoes, and eat dinner in a cave restaurant carved into the same limestone that sheltered Palaeolithic and Bronze Age humans.
Pollino spans 192,000 hectares of forested peaks, river gorges and ancient Bosnian pines. White-water raft the Lao River (Class III–IV rapids), hike to the 2,248-metre summit of Monte Pollino, and watch for wolves and golden eagles from the Piani di Ruggio plateau with views of both seas.
Basilicata gave Italy lucanica sausage, peperoni cruschi (PDO Senise peppers — "Basilicata's red gold"), and Aglianico del Vulture DOCG. Taste strascinati pasta, caciocavallo podolico cheese, and pane di Matera IGP sourdough in agriturismi where the ingredients come from fields you can see from your table.
The most atmospheric choice: your hotel carved into a 9,000-year-old cave dwelling in the UNESCO Sassi. All the famous cave hotels are here (Sextantio, Palazzo Gattini, Locanda di San Martino, Hotel San Giorgio). Steps from rupestrian churches, cave restaurants and the cathedral. Quieter by evening when day-trippers leave.
The modern upper town where most locals live — free parking, supermarkets, train station, and more conventional hotels (Hotel del Campo, MH Matera). A 5–15 minute walk down to the Sassi. Better choice if driving or needing ground-floor accessibility. Cheaper than Sasso cave hotels.
Regioneal capital at 820 metres altitude — one of Italy's highest provincial capitals. Less touristy, more authentically Lucanian. Gateway to Dolomiti Lucane (40 min), Vulture wine country (30 min), Laghi di Monticchio (25 min) and western Pollino National Park. Snow in winter.
Basilicata's Tyrrhenian holiday hub with boutique seaside hotels (Santavenere Hotel, Locanda delle Donne Monache). Stay in Maratea town (historic centre, restaurants) or a cove (Fiumicello, Santavenere). Best June–September. Quieter and significantly cheaper than the Amalfi Coast.
Every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂, costs the same as Booking.com, and earns EUR 5 free credit plus 5% cashback in IMPT tokens. Same hotels, better impact.
A 16th-century noble palazzo on Matera's cathedral square, converted into a refined five-star property. Rooms blend original tufa stone walls, vaulted cave ceilings and exposed rock with contemporary Italian design. Rooftop terrace with panoramic Sassi sunset views, underground spa carved into tufa rock with hammam and sauna, and fine dining at Il Cantuccio.
Spa Rooftop Terrace Fine Dining Historic Building 5-Star
The world's most famous cave hotel: 18 rooms carved into ancient Sassi grottoes, furnished with rough-hewn antiques, handwoven linens and candlelight — no televisions, no minibars. An "albergo diffuso" spreading accommodation across restored cave buildings. Cave breakfasts with local cheeses, honey from Murgia pastures and freshly baked pane di Matera. The honesty bar pours Aglianico del Vulture.
Cave Rooms Heritage Hotel Albergo Diffuso No TV Cave Breakfast
A restored 16th-century courtyard in the quieter Sasso Caveoso quarter, backing onto the Gravina gorge. The courtyard features lemon trees, climbing jasmine and stone arches. Some rooms have original tufa walls and vaulted ceilings. Rooftop terrace with stunning views. Two minutes from the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario museum.
Courtyard Garden Rooftop Terrace Quiet Location Historic Building
A four-star boutique hotel combining original cave architecture with clean, modern interiors. Exposed stone walls, forest green furnishings and rainfall showers. The rooftop San Giorgio Sky Bar serves cocktails and local wines with views over the entire Sassi — one of Matera's best aperitivo spots. Three-minute walk from the cathedral.
Rooftop Bar Cave Architecture Central Location Sky Bar
An "albergo diffuso" spread across multiple restored Sassi caves. The standout feature is the underground thermal pool carved directly from the rock, heated to 32°C and atmospherically lit. Rooms range from deep cave suites with vaulted tufa ceilings to lighter rooms overlooking the Gravina gorge. Attached Enoteca San Martino wine bar with enomatic pour-your-own machines.
Underground Thermal Pool Cave Suites Wine Bar Albergo Diffuso
A five-star luxury property occupying a monumental 16th-century palazzo in the Sasso Caveoso. Among the most spacious rooms in the Sassi with vaulted stone ceilings, heated bathroom floors, deep soaking tubs and Frette linens. The terrace directly overlooks the Gravina gorge. Spa with grotto sauna, salt room and Turkish bath.
Luxury Spa Gravina Views Grotto Suite 5-Star Historic Palazzo
A reliable four-star on the edge of Matera's modern upper town. Clean, spacious rooms (larger than cave hotels), free parking (true rarity in Matera), fitness centre and on-site Ristorante del Campo serving local cuisine. A ten-minute downhill walk to the Sassi. Excellent value for drivers.
Parcheggio gratuito Fitness Centre Restaurant Conference Rooms
Potenza's best-known four-star, located in the commercial district with easy motorway access. A practical base for Vulture, Dolomiti Lucane and Pollino excursions. Contemporary rooms, well-regarded restaurant serving local mountain cuisine, conference facilities and fitness centre. Upper-floor rooms have Basento Valley views.
Business Facilities Restaurant Parking Mountain Views
A grand five-star perched on the cliffs above Maratea's Fiumicello beach, surrounded by six hectares of Mediterranean macchia. Originally a 1950s private villa. Infinity pool overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, private pebble beach, full-service spa with grotto sauna, and two restaurants including the formal Il Santavenere.
Infinity Pool Private Beach Sea Views Spa 5-Star
A self-guided loop through both Sassi quarters (Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso), descending through narrow stone stairways and alleyways to the Gravina gorge floor. The route passes the Madonna de Idris rupestrian church, the Casa Grotta museum, and the medieval Ponte della Gravina at the gorge bottom — the best viewpoint for photographing the entire cave city. Grip-soled shoes essential — the limestone steps are polished mirror-smooth by millennia of footfall.
The classic Murgia hike on the plateau opposite the Sassi, offering the iconic panoramic view of Matera across the Gravina gorge. Passes rupestrian churches (including the Crypt of the Original Sin — book ahead), dry-stone walls, ancient olive groves and shepherd trails. Spring wildflowers (wild orchids, irises, asphodels) are spectacular in April–May. The plateau is a Natura 2000 site supporting lesser kestrels and stone curlews.
A protected climbing route with iron rungs, ladders and steel cables traversing the sandstone spires of the Lucanian Dolomites. Involves exposed traverses, a dramatic suspension bridge, and vertical ladder sections. Equipment rental (harness, helmet, via ferrata kit) at both villages' Pro Loco offices. Take the Volo dell'Angelo zipline back for the ultimate finish.
The "Path of the Seven Stones" connects the two Dolomiti Lucane villages along a scenic family-friendly trail. Seven contemporary art installations by local artists tell stories from Basilicata folklore. Far gentler than the via ferrata — walk one way, zipline back for the perfect half-day adventure.