September 24, 2025, 5:13 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Which regions in Europe are still true hidden gems? And which area is particularly suitable for a vacation? TRAVELBOOK recently asked its readers to vote on this. The results were announced at this year’s TRAVELBOOK Award on September 23, 2025. Among the nominees was Basilicata in southern Italy. TRAVELBOOK reveals what makes the region so special.
Overview
The Basilicata Region in Southern Italy
The Basilicata region is located in southern Italy between Apulia, Campania, and Calabria. It has two provinces, Potenza and Matera. Potenza is the regional capital of Basilicata. Most of Basilicata consists of forested mountains, with two areas directly bordering the sea. One is on the Tyrrhenian Sea, where you can find small bays with fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear water along the approximately 30-kilometer coastline.
Between Calabria and Apulia, there is also a larger stretch of coastline on the Ionian Sea. There you will find the resort town of Policoro with wide sandy beaches and turquoise sea.
A unique feature is Lake Monticchio, formed from a double crater of the Vulture volcano. It is located in a nature reserve and is surrounded by forests and thermal springs that feed the lake.
While the Basilicata region is still somewhat under the tourist radar, there is at least one place that is known to some. The city of Matera was named the European Capital of Culture in 2019. It is considered one of the longest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with human traces dating back 10,000 years. The old town is especially famous, largely consisting of cave dwellings, the Sassi, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
What Can You Experience in Basilicata?
The aforementioned cave dwellings in Matera are definitely worth a visit. The caves are built directly into the rock and were used as homes until the 1950s, when they were finally evacuated. Some caves have now been restored and are used by artists.
The capital of Basilicata, Potenza, also has several attractions and museums that are of interest to tourists. There are two archaeological museums, a cathedral, and a church.
The Basilicata region has been used as a film location several times in recent years—including for the James Bond film “Quantum of Solace.” Filming took place in 2007 in the ghost town of Craco. The town, perched on a hill at nearly 400 meters high, has been deserted since the 1970s. Landslides, earthquakes, and floods forced residents to leave their homes permanently.
If you don’t want to miss the sea during your Italian vacation, you should visit the coastal town of Maratea. It is located on the slope of Monte San Biagio and is surrounded by bays and steep cliffs. In addition to fine sandy beaches, there are also unique beaches to experience. Near Maratea is the black beach Spiaggia Nera. The black sand is due to volcanic activity.
Since most of Basilicata is inland, there is much to experience away from the coast. Around the extinct Vulture volcano and the adjacent crater lakes, you can hike and walk. The Lucanian Dolomites, a mountain range between Potenza and Matera, are surrounded by a nature reserve filled with picturesque villages and numerous hiking trails.
According to the local tourist information, you can also enjoy many other outdoor activities. The region is particularly popular with cyclists. Thanks to suspension bridges and ziplines, adrenaline junkies will also find excitement. Numerous horseback tours are offered. At the coasts, you can also go kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, and engage in many other water activities.
The Best Time to Visit Basilicata
Basilicata is worth visiting year-round. While you can enjoy a classic summer vacation on the coasts during the warm months, fall and spring are ideal for outdoor activities like cycling or hiking.
But the region also offers plenty in winter. In the higher areas, it can even snow, allowing for snowshoe hikes and winter sports in the mountains.
Arrival by Plane
There is no airport in the Basilicata region. However, travelers can still arrive by plane—the nearest airport is in Bari, just 67 kilometers from Matera. If you plan to vacation in the Potenza province, the Naples airport is a good option, located 158 kilometers from Potenza.
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Location of Basilicata
Methodology for the TRAVELBOOK Award
We say it every year: All nominated regions, countries, and others for the TRAVELBOOK Award are already winners, even if they didn’t achieve overall victory. This also applies to the Basilicata region in Italy. Every country has already made it to the shortlist, selected from a large number of contenders in a category.
The TRAVELBOOK editorial team asked the community on Facebook and Instagram for help and consulted experts from the travel industry to create the shortlist. TRAVELBOOK readers then cast nearly 150,000 votes and chose their trend travel destinations for 2026.