In Basilicata, very different traces lead through history and landscape: in Matera, homes and religious buildings are set in natural caves, while Venosa and Metaponto preserve monumental remains of ancient cities. The region also offers the gorges of Pollino, vineyards, and experiences along rivers and the coast. When planning a trip, you can discover its culture, nature and regional characteristics from a variety of perspectives.
Matera and the Cave Landscape of the Murgia
The UNESCO World Heritage Site “The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera” is located in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. It includes homes, churches, monasteries and hermitages built into the natural caves of the Murgia. Here, living spaces and religious buildings form part of the same cave landscape; the focus is therefore not only on individual structures, but also on how they are integrated into the rock.
The Murgia is a limestone plateau with deep gorges, rocks and caves. The landscape also includes rock churches, shepherds’ paths lined with wells, and fortified farmhouses. This blend of natural features and human traces gives the area a character distinct from the ancient city sites found elsewhere in the region.
Ancient City History in Venosa and Metaponto
The Archaeological Park of Venosa preserves the monumental remains of ancient Venusia, founded in 291 BC. Its visitor route spans more than a millennium of history, from the Republican era to the Middle Ages. The park also includes a Roman thermal complex, built in the 1st century AD and renovated up to the beginning of the 4th century AD. In Venosa, a long period of history can thus be explored through a variety of architectural remains.
The Archaeological Park of Metaponto focuses on a different period: it preserves the monumental remains of a city founded by the Achaeans in the second half of the 7th century BC, and is one of the important archaeological sites of Magna Graecia. The sanctuary area contains the remains of altars, small shrines and major temples dating from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The theater also stands out for its distinctive construction: it is considered unique in Magna Graecia because it was built on an artificial embankment.
The “Massimo Pallottino” National Archaeological Museum complements these discoveries with a tour of the area’s history arranged by topography and chronology. It spans from the earliest traces of settlement in the archaic period to modern times. As of August 2026, the museum was accessible to wheelchair users via a ramp, an elevator and internal ramps. If this accessibility is important for your plans, it is advisable to confirm the latest information before your visit. In August 2026, a digital tool with interactive maps, audio content and information on the main monuments was also available at the Archaeological Park of Venosa to help visitors find their way around and learn more about the site’s history.
Contrasts of Pollino, Rivers and Coastlines
Pollino National Park lies between Basilicata and Calabria and covers almost 200,000 hectares. Its peaks reach 2,200 meters above sea level. The natural area includes dolomite rock, rock faces, cliffs and deep gorges, as well as plateaus, meadows and high-altitude pastures. This landscape offers a striking contrast to the inhabited caves and archaeological sites.
The Basilicata-Coast-to-Coast route also links contrasting landscapes: it runs from the rocky Tyrrhenian coast to the dunes of the Ionian coast. For water sports, the Lao is considered a top destination for rafting and canoeing thanks to its clear water and long stretch of gorge. Local conditions and providers may vary, so check the options available before taking part in an activity. On the Volo dell’Angelo, visitors fly over the landscape, secured by a special harness attached to a steel cable. Operating conditions may vary.
Wine and Peperoni Cruschi
The Basilicata wine tour includes walks through vineyards, offering a way to learn about the region’s history and wines. The experience is connected with the welcoming wineries of Movimento Turismo del Vino. Another culinary discovery is the August festival “Le giornate del Peperone di Senise. U Strittul ru Zafaran,” where visitors can try peperoni cruschi prepared in various ways. The wine tour and the festival highlight different aspects of the region’s food and wine culture.
Practical Information for Your Trip
As of August 2026, FrecciaLink connected Salerno and Matera with a single train-and-bus ticket. Stops along the way were Potenza Centrale and Ferrandina-Scalo Matera. Timetables and stops may change, so check the service before your trip. This makes it possible to plan your journey alongside your cultural discoveries, without reducing Basilicata’s very different landscapes and experiences to a single focus.
Discover more destinations: Matera, Potenza, Tuscany, Friuli Venezia Giulia, South Tyrol, Apulia, Lake Maggiore, Veneto.
See the overview of destinations: Italy.
