Camping Basilicate

Basilicata, located in the south of Italy, has plenty of hidden gems that everyone should see at least once in a lifetime. It is not the most famous Italian region, but thanks to its ancient cities, amazing beaches, stunning national and beautiful archaeological parks, it is totally worth a visit. It is a great mix of beautiful and wild nature, well-preserved beaches, fascinating mountains, and a large number of ancient Greek monuments.

Basilicata is an administrative region in Southern Italy, bordering Campania to the west, Apulia to the north and east, and Calabria to the south. It has two coastlines: a 30-km stretch on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania and Calabria, and a longer coastline along the Gulf of Taranto between Calabria and Apulia. The region can be thought of as the "instep" of Italy, with Calabria functioning as the "toe" and Apulia as the "heel". 

Known in ancient times as Lucania, the region was under Lombard rule in the early Middle Ages. It was controlled by the dukes of Benevento and then by the princes of Salerno. After an interval of Byzantine control, the Normans took over and made Melfi the capital of one of their dominions. Until the fall of the Swabian Hohenstaufens (1254), Basilicata played a significant part in the affairs of southern Italy. Later, passing through Angevin and Spanish hands, it followed the variable fortunes of the Kingdom of Naples until united with Italy in 1860. The region was coextensive with Potenza province until the establishment of Matera province in 1927. Potenza, the regional capital, and Matera are the only sizable cities. The region suffered severe damage in a disastrous earthquake in 1980. The main railroad line of Basilicata links Potenza with Naples and Battipaglia in the northwest and with Taranto in the east, also connecting with the Ionian railroad.

Potenza 

The capital and major city of Basilicata offers interesting sights: the cathedral of San Gerardo, renovated in the 18th century, the church of San Francesco, founded in 1274, which houses the De Grasis sepulchre and a Madonna in the Byzantine style (13th century), the Torre Guevara, and the Palazzo Goffredo.

Matera

It is a city on a rocky outcrop in the region of Basilicata, in southern Italy. It includes the Sassi area, a complex of cave dwellings carved into the mountainside. Sassi now houses museums like the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, with period furniture and artisan tools. Nearby rock churches include St. Lucia alle Malve, with 13th-century frescoes.

Policoro 

Situated on the coast, it is a popular place in the summertime due to an influx of tourists who come to enjoy the Lido di Policoro.

Melfi

In this midway city between Naples and Bari, the main sights are the castle, the cathedral, Palazzo del Vescovado, the Norman walls, an archaeological museum, and the rock church of Santa Margherita.

Pisticci 

It is the fourth most populous town in the region and the most populous in the province after Matera. It is known for being the production site of Amaro Lucano, one of the most famous Italian liqueurs. 

1. Marina di Maratea

The Maratea beaches are one of the many scenic treasures that can be admired on the Tyrrhenian shores of Basilicata. It stretches over 30 km, from the Midnight Channel to the north (border with Campania) at the mouth of the river Noce or Castrocucco, to the south (border with Calabria).

2. Rionero in Vulture

Vulture is famous for its cultivation of grapes and olives. The DOC wine Aglianico del Vulture is produced in the region, as are Aglianico dolce, a dessert wine, Aglianico di Filiano, Malvasia del Vulture, and Moscato del Vulture. The area of Monte Vulture has numerous springs, and several brands of mineral water are bottled there. 

3. Monticchio Lakes

These two volcanic lakes, situated at the foot of Monte Vulture, a small volcano, are surrounded by a luxurious flora and inhabited by rich fauna. There are many hiking trails around that offer amazing natural landscapes. 

4. Murgia Materana park

The Murgia National Park is characterised by a varied and wild nature that includes approximately 1,200 botanical species. In this magnificent place, crossed by the river Bradano and the streams Gravina and Jesce, there are about a hundred rare and extremely rare species.

5. San Fele cascades

These cascades and waterfalls are located along the Bradano stream. The various waterfalls offer a spectacular natural setting that has apparently remained unchanged for centuries. It is a perfect place for nature lovers. 

1. Admire the Nature in Pollino National Park.

It is the largest national park in Italy. Nature enthusiasts must visit the Pollino National Park, a stunning area with prehistoric caves, cave drawings, burial sites, and natural hot springs. If you need to spend some quality time in silence and relaxation, there is no better place to go than Latronico. This stunning hamlet, which looks like it is straight out of a fairytale, is home to the most important thermal springs in Basilicata.

2. Admire the amazing panorama in the Vulture Melfese Area.

For heartbreaking panoramas and spectacular natural views, head to the northern area of Basilicata, called Vulture Melfese. This part of the region also offers high-quality red wines, such as Aglianico, and excellent gastronomic delicacies. The small town of Bernalda, located here, is the former home of Francis Ford Coppola’s grandfather.

3. Walk Through the Ancient Site of Metaponto. 

Founded by Greeks in the second half of the 7th century BC, Metaponto is one of the best destinations in Basilicata. Not only for its pristine and fabulous beaches but also for the archaeological park with an ancient Greek theatre and a Doric temple.

4. Visit the little Pompeii.

The Archaeological Park of Grumentum is also known as the "Little Pompeii of Basilicata." With its amphitheatre, theatre, Roman baths, temples, villa, mosaics and forum, is considered one of the most beautiful ancient parks in the south of Italy.

The cuisine is mainly based on the use of pork and sheep meat, legumes, cereals, and vegetables, with the addition of aromas such as hot peppers, powdered raw peppers, and horseradish.

You cannot leave Basilicata without trying some of its traditional dishes, like pasta with pepperoni cruschi, baccala alla lucana, rafanata, pizza rustica, lampascioni, and many other delicious foods. 

There are weekly open-air markets in the majority of cities in Basilicata, offering fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing, antiques, and other nice things. 

Several traditional celebrations and street festivals take place in Basilicata, lots of them dating back centuries:

Metaponto Beach Festival in August (Metaponto). 

Combining sun, sea, and a healthy zest for music, the Metaponto Beach Festival is held in the high summer at the historic location of Castello Torremare. The Beach Festival offers you the chance to hit the beautiful beaches of the Ionian Coast while sampling some of the best music. As the old saying goes, life is a beach – and this festival is always worth a visit.

Luciana International Film Festival in August 10-13th (Pisticci, Matera). 

A fantastic celebration of international experimental filmmaking, the festival is now an annual fixture in Pisticci every August, falling between the 10th and 13th of the month. Each section of the festival plays host to a number of competitors, both from Italy and from all around the world. The categories include international competitive feature and short films; animation; Italian-only films; and documentaries. Expect a wide range of innovative and exciting films to hit the screens this August as well!

Festa Della Bruna in July 2nd (Matera). 

The region honours its sacred patron saint, the Madonna Della Bruna. It is said that these celebrations can be traced all the way back to 1389. Today there are over a week's worth of events and initiatives to mark the occasion. There are markets, stalls, and musical performances. 

Pollino Music Festival in August (San Severino Lucano).

The Pollino Music Festival has presented a slew of live shows over the years with a number of famous artists from the contemporary music field. Many kinds of music are represented at the festival, ensuring that visitors can broaden their horizons beyond good old pop and rock to experience new types of music such as electronica and reggae. 

Campsites in Basilicata are well-equipped and usually have everything you need for your stay. The most popular campsites are those with outdoor swimming pools. And, most of the campsites are pet-friendly. So, if you are planning to go camping in Basilicata, do not leave your faithful friends at home, bring them along! The most popular accommodation types are pitches, mobile homes, and bungalows. 

Camping with your own camper or caravan can be a very comfortable way to camp. All you need is your camper or caravan, while other things like sanitary facilities, camper services, restaurants, bars, and other services are at your disposal at the campsite. In Basilicata, RV campsites are well-equipped and usually come with electricity connections and water drainage.  

In Basilicata, glamping is not very popular yet. However, you can find a few campsites that provide stays in furnished tents. 

Choose the ideal camping type with fantastic facilities, comfortable accommodation, many activities and much more to ensure a super sun-kissed escape. Holiday parks are the best choice for quality camping. Although in Basilicata there are not so many holiday parks, they welcome you with a combination of comfortable accommodation, many shops, a wide choice of restaurants and bars, and a variety of activities blending harmoniously with the beauty of nature. Thus, many holiday parks are pet-friendly. It is the best choice if you are planning a holiday with your friends or family. Do not wait and book your holidays now!