Basilicata is in Italy’s glamorous instep, bordered by Campania, Puglia and Calabria, with coastlines on both the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Taranto, and incorporating a fair stretch of the Apennine Mountains. Add to this spectacular geographic range the fact that this region occupied a priceless position between ancient Rome and its Byzantine empire, and you have a rocky, mountainous country built up with a forest of historic hill-fortresses. These wonderfully dramatic locations are the best places to stay in Basilicata for anyone with any kind of interest in history, art, or architecture. But Basilicata’s picturesque coastlines have plenty to offer too, and our Guru’s recommendations include a wonderfully varied collection of hotels, ranging from converted ancient cave dwellings, to state-to-the-art beach resorts, and celebrity-owned hideaways.

Matera, Melfi and Venosa are the places to head to if it’s ancient history, art and architecture that interests you. Each of these destinations has impressive museum collections of relics from Basilicata’s Roman, Byzantine and Norman inhabitants, along with fascinating ruins and remains to explore. Matera’s “sassi” cave dwellings are worth seeing wherever you’re staying: these ancient caves have been cut from the mountains themselves, and are sophisticated and airy homes, even by today’s standards. Foodies should explore the gently wooded slopes of the north, where olives, grapes and wheat grow abundantly, along with other local specialities.

Basilicata’s mountains, the Lucanian Apennines, offer a spectacular backdrop for hikers and bikers, and some peaks are definitely worth the effort of getting to the top. If you’re here to hike, we recommend basing yourself in Pollino, Sila or Aspromonte. Maratea is the best known beach resort on the Tyrrhenian Sea, and Policoro is probably the best known on the Gulf of Taranto. Bernalda is a good pick if you’re not sure and you want a bit of all of the above! What might surprise you most about this reagion is that, despite its charms, this is not a well-trodden tourist destination, so even our ‘best known’ picks will actually be relatively quiet compared to other, and less incredible, Italian regions. So (fingers crossed!) you may find it easier to reserve a room in one of the best places to stay in Basilicata.

The Best Places to Stay in Basilicata

For a Special Occasion

• The Hotel Sant'Angelo is a five-star hotel in the historic heart of Matera, with incredible views from many of the 21 rooms and suites. Converted from “sassi” cave dwellings, the hotel is a combination of elegant villa architecture, and traditional rooms cut from the rock. We love the beds hewn from the limestone, vaulted ceilings, and incredible views. The restaurant specialises in local cuisine.
• Le Grotte della Civita is another hotel which manages to be both luxurious and elegant, while also being created from a series of cave dwellings cut from the limestone Matera is built upon. Its 18 very original rooms and suites, are vaulted caves, with log fires, and gorgeous bathrooms with stand-alone bathtubs. The excellent restaurant feels like a medieval lair, but turns out excellent cuisine, and they offer cooking classes. Le Grotte definitely has the wow factor.
• The Palazzo Margherita is an elegantly converted Rococo palazzo in the sleepy town of Bernalda, owned by Francis Ford Coppola. Its nine rooms are a real escape from busy living, cool and artfully decorated with touches both rustic and glamorous. All of them are unique and all are laid out around a central courtyard lush with lavender and rosemary beds. You can dine in the courtyard too, or in the beautiful kitchen. There’s also a pool and a private cinema, and you’re only 20 minutes from the coast.

For Historic Matera

• Only 350 yards from the cathedral, La Dimora di Matello is ideally located for exploring Matera’s historic sights and sites; indeed it’s an historic site itself, converted from villas and “sassi” hewn into Matera’s stone. There are just four rooms and suites, all spacious, and, aside from the stunning original features, decorated with contemporary design pieces. The views are pretty good too.
• Also historic, and centrally located, Maison D'Ax is a more ornate pick, with decorative tiles in the spacious bathrooms, Persian rugs, and a range of artwork. The views are wonderful. Family rooms are available, and while there’s no restaurant, they do offer breakfast.
• The Basiliani Hotel is a fantastically stylish, minimalist hotel converted from a collection of “sassi” cave houses. The ten rooms and suites are spacious and serenely monochrome, and all offer views of historic Matera (some are ideal for families) and there’s a spa too.

For Romantics

• The Hotel Torre Fiore is a totally charming, and remotely positioned, 16th century fort conversion with views of the Ionian sea and the Gulf of Taranto. The all-white buildings house 13 rooms and suites, arranged around a central courtyard dotted with palm trees. Inside, the rooms are spacious, with wonderful original features, like terracotta tiled floors, exposed beams on the ceilings, whitewashed walls, and open fireplaces. The infinity pool is a more recent addition, as is the gourmet restaurant.
• Matera’s Antica Torre di Luso has just two rooms, both with murals on the walls, antique furnishings, vaulted ceilings and hot tubs, so it’s a romantic choice in the centre of town. There’s no restaurant, but there are lots of places to eat and drink locally.
• The Palazzo del Duca is a beautifully 14th century palazzo in Matera, converted from “sassi” cave dwellings. As a hotel has nine rooms and suites, some carved right into the rock, and all decorated with contemporary features. The restaurant and bar serve local cuisine, and they offer cooking classes to anyone who wants to replicate the recipes at home.
• Also converted from Matera’s “sassi” dwellings and villas, the Locanda di San Martino has 32 rooms and suites. In addition to the large rooms decorated with antiques and original features, there's an indoor pool, a Turkish hammam bath, an excellent spa, and a roof terrace with incredible views.

For a Beach Break

• Maratea’s Santavenere Hotel is a beautiful, five-star villa hotel, surrounded by lush gardens, and directly overlooking the sea. Its 34 rooms and suites offer classical elegance, with lots of space, and in the case of our Gurus’ favourite rooms, fantastic water views from a private balcony or terrace. There’s a wellness centre with indoor and outdoor pools, and a fine-dining restaurant which also offers indoor and outdoor facilities.
• The Villa Cheta is an Art Nouveau villa, tucked into a hillside overlooking the Mediterranean near Maratea. Expect genteel charm in the 23 rooms and suites, plus the tiered gardens and roof terrace. There's a private, pebbled beach too. Relaxing, and elegant.

For a Rural Retreat

• The Orangery Retreat is a rustic choice in Tursi, which is about half an hour inland of Policoro. Its two apartments are located in different parts of town, and are designed with escape in mind, with traditional details, but a sense of relaxed luxury too – think claw-foot bath, open fires and peaceful private patios. Food may be a big part of your stay here, and part of the offering is a cooking experience, where the owner will help you shop for, and create a Southern Italian speciality.
• Borgo San Gaetano has been converted from a collection of old mills and workhouses about 45 minutes outside Matera. Now its seven rooms and suites are comfortable and spacious, with original features and rustic details, complemented by all the mod cons. Some of the rooms are ideal for families too.

For Families

• The Corte San Pietro is another of Matera’s magically converted “sassi” cave dwellings, turned into a ten bedroom hotel. Some of the rooms and suites are ideal for families, with lots of living space on mezzanine levels. Aside from the original features, the décor is rustic, with stylish details. Pets are welcome too.
• In the medieval heart of Maratea, La Locanda delle Donne Monache, offers a comfortable stay in a converted convent, with 27 rooms and suites. Expect views of the mountains and the sea from the shaded pool and gardens, plus gourmet cuisine in the restaurant. A great all-rounder.

For a Spa Break

• Matera’s Palazzo Gattini has been converted into an elegant, five-star hotel with 20 comfortable, contemporary rooms. They’ve also added a rooftop pool and terrace, and an excellent restaurant serving local specialities. The spa boasts a hammam, flotation tank, chromatherapy showers, whirlpool tub/indoor pool and comprehensive range of massages and treatments.

For Great Value

• Like many of our hotel recommendations in Matera, Thymus Residence Nei Sassi has been part carved from the rock the town sits upon. Converted from a collection of historic buildings in the heart of town, including a 13th-century church – which is now the breakfast room – the Thymus Residence has just five rooms and suites, all spacious, and decorated with contemporary comforts. Some of the rooms are quite romantic (one has a hot tub), but there are some very family friendly options too. Room rates start at very reasonable levels.
• Matera’s L'Hotel in Pietra has borrowed all of its architecture from a religious building: its eight rooms and suites have been converted from a 13th century monastery, complete with vaulted ceilings, mezzanine levels, and incredible views over the town. Expect lots of space and incredible original features.
• Maratea’s Hotel Villa Delle Meravigile is a wonderfully affordable waterside villa hotel, with just 16 rooms and suites, and beautiful gardens, at the bottom of which is the Mediterranean. The décor is classical, and the rooms come in a range of shapes and sizes that include family rooms. There are also two pools onsite and a sauna.

Best B&Bs

• Converted from a 19th-century-built villa in the historic centre of Matera, Casastella is an elegant and affordable B&B. Some of the rooms feature exposed stone walls, and some are hewn from bare rock, all are painted in soft, muted colours, and decorated with rustic-minimalist style. The location is ideal, and the B&B will organise romantic meals in a “sassi” cave restaurant nearby.
• With just two rooms, Slow Living is an even smaller B&B, also well located in the historic part of Matera, and converted from a villa. These two rooms also benefit from small balconies, overlooking the rock churches, and a welcoming communal area. This would be a good choice if you’re staying for more than a week, and it’s conveniently close to the Museum of Medieval Art and the Museo Archaeologicalico Nazionale Ridola.
• The Antica Civitas is another two room option, with more spectacular views over Matera. Also converted from an historic villa, complete with terracotta-tiled floors and vaulted ceilings, but decorated with contemporary fixtures and fittings. Stylish and intimate.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Villa?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Being in the ‘instep’ of Italy’s boot, and bordered by Campania, Puglia and Calabria, the region of Basilicata is close to several international airports and numerous train stations. If you’re flying in to Italy, and aiming for Basilicata, Naples International Airport, Lamezia Terme Airport and Bari International airport are all worth considering. It’s easy enough to catch the train down from Rome too.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Basilicata’s varied terrain and appeals, mean the best time to visit is even more dependent than usual on what you’re planning to do. If you’re here for the beaches then summer is the obvious choice, when you can linger in the piazzas and laze on the coast. Italian holidaymakers tend to book July and August, while international visitors opt for May through June, or September and October, to avoid the school holiday crowds. If you’re here to hike the best time to visit is between March and June, and if you’re here to see the ancient sites there’s really no bad time. Even during the winter months the humidity keeps the region fairly cool, rather than cold. In the winter months some attractions have reduced opening hours, with some only open weekends, or mornings, or requiring booking in advance, and the public transport timetable is reduced, so it’s well worth checking for the latest information before you book.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could refine your search to one of Basilicata’s main centres, and consider the best places to stay in Matera or the best places to stay in Maratea
• Or you could expand your search to include the best places to stay in Campania, Basilicata’s neighbour.
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

Weather

Monthly Weather in Basilicata