The southern Basilicata region has been crowned by Forbes as an ideal destination for all seasons, with two locations among the top five to visit in Italy: Maratea and Metaponto.
Two charming towns untouched by mass tourism
After presenting itself to the world with the splendid Matera, European Capital of Culture in 2019, Basilicata continues to be at the centre of international interest. Now it is the prestigious US magazine Forbes that has recommended not one but two locations in southern Basilicata to visit: Maratea and Metaponto. The interest in charming Italian towns untouched by the crowds of mass tourism, demonstrates how there is a new focus on authentic places and experiences. And even the international fashion bible Vogue has included Basilicata among the 12 best destinations in the world to visit in 2023.
Idyllic inlets and swith pale to deep turquoise waters
Maratea and Metaponto, are on different shores of southern Basilicata, which although small has two seas, not to mention the splendid Lucanian Dolomites mountains. Maratea is described as a “splendid seascape bordered by Campania to the north and Calabria to the south. Dotted with idyllic inlets and splashed with pale to deep turquoise waters, this coastline offers numerous beach and club options. A few hours’ drive eastwards, you will arrive at the Ionian coast of Basilicata, with gentler terrain and wide, pale sandy beaches. The town of Metaponto is well located, close to Greek ruins and water.
Close to Francis Ford Coppola's Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda
Francis Ford Coppola's beautifully restored Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda, Borgo San Gaetano, is a splendid boutique hotel created in the spaces of an old oil mill using green building techniques and recovering the original materials. It has just seven delightful accommodations, including two-storey suites and one-level cottages, all equipped with every comfort, and an atmosphere of relaxed luxury. Borgo San Gaetano staff are available to organize tours and guided visits with qualified guides. The price for a stay at Borgo San Gaetano ranges from €90-150 for two people per night, with a hearty breakfast included.
A ghost town and the city of the Sassi
The elegant town of Bernalda can be the ideal base from which to explore southern Basilicata, with Metaponto only a 15-minute drive away with its magnificent sea, park and archaeological museum. About forty minutes' drive away is the enchanting Matera, the city of the Sassi that has conquered the world with its uniqueness. Then there is the ghost town of Craco, the villages of San Costantino Albanese and Tricarico, and pushing further north, the province of Potenza with its mountains, the Lucanian Dolomites. Maratea is a little further away, but you must make room for it on a visit to southern Basilicata.
