The southern Italian region of Basilicata is lucky enough to have access to two different seas; situated in the “instep” of what is commonly called the boot of Italy, Basilicata has a longer coastline on the Gulf of Taranto in the south-east and short stretch on the west coast and the Tyrrhenian Sea too. Both coastlines boast excellent beaches, pretty seaside villages and plenty of history and culture.
Basilicata is not one of the most popular tourist areas in Italy, despite having all the ingredients for an excellent holiday – plenty of beaches, a warm climate and a good selection of accommodation and restaurants. The town of Maratea is the only one that could realistically be described as a “resort” and has a selection of beaches to choose from, as well as a beautiful rocky coastline, forests and the traditional harbour which is still used by local fishermen. If you are staying in Maratea or the surrounding area, you should try not to spend all your time lying on the beach, though it is tempting with ten different stretches of sand to choose from along this short stretch of coast. Hiking is a popular sport and there is an impressive network of caves within walking distance of the town. The path to the “Cave of Wonders” offers an impressive view over the Mediterranean, while the actual cave itself is often very hot in the summer months
If freshwater is more your scene than sea water, you can always head inland to the Monticchio Lakes. High in the mountains that dominate most of Basilicata, you can find this collection of several lakes, formed by volcanic activity over the centuries. The lakes themselves are ideal for swimming and other water sports, while there are dozens of walking and cycling paths in the surrounding woods and hills.
The inland town of Matera, not to be confused with the similar-sounding coastal village of Maratea, is one of the largest communities in Basilicata, and has one of the best choices of accommodation and other amenities in the region. It is also an interesting and pretty old town, particularly the ancient houses or 'sassi' that were cut into nearby cliffs to provide shelter for some of the poorest residents. These were still lived in as recently as the 1950s, but are now just a tourist attraction. The sassi have become quite famous over the years, appearing in many movies as an alternative to the Middle East in biblical epics.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Basilicata? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Basilicata and villas in Basilicata that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
