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One of the best regions for your holidays is Basilicata. The region, bathed by two seas, the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea, guarantees an exceptional tourist offer among the first in Italy.
The Basilicata is one of the main destinations for beach tourism, just think of the locations of Maratea and Metaponto. The varied territory of this region is able to meet the needs of all types of tourists, such as those looking for rocks and unspoiled landscapes, but also those looking for sandy beaches on which to sunbathe in complete relaxation.
However, Basilicata is not just sea and seaside tourism, but it is certainly a territory rich in cultural attractions. First of all, the city of Matera, Capital of European Culture 2019. Every year, in fact, there are hundreds of thousands of tourists who choose to spend a holiday in the famous city of Sassi, already included in 1993 in the list of cultural heritage of humanity 'Unesco.
The city of Maratea, just over 5,000 inhabitants, is the only town that overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and is the main tourist center of Basilicata, both for the numerous tourist facilities that stand on the city's promenades, both for landscapes that for the artistic and historical patrimony.
The main attraction is definitely the Lido del Macarro, one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. In 2017 it was awarded the Blue Flag. It is an inlet between two rocky walls and consists of a large green area that ends gently on the sand.
Another locality that surely can not miss in an itinerary dedicated to the holidays in Basilicata is Metaponto, a seaside resort characterized by soft golden sandy beaches. The Lido di Metaponto, in the hamlet of Bernalda, grants an excellent tourist offer able to satisfy all the needs of tourists.
However, Metaponto is not just a seaside resort. The legacies of the ancient polis of Magna Graecia that still insist today make the city a mixture between sea and exceptional culture. The Temple of Hera, or the most famous Tavole Palatine and the interesting National Archaeological Museum in which many finds from the Greek world are hosted in the rich past.
Metaponto plays a strategic role for tourists who choose Basilicata for their summer holidays. The city is located in the center of the Ionian coast of Basilicata, so the main seaside resorts, among which stand out Castellaneta Marina, Marina di Ginosa, Lido di Scanzano and Policoro, are easily reachable.
Matera is certainly the real jewel in the cap of Basilicata. In recent years the city has undergone a real injection of tourism: the city has been declared Capital of Culture 2019. Tourism flows have increased exponentially and thousands of tourists choose to visit the incredible city carved into the tufa. The city is wonderful and one thing is certain: it leaves every visitor speechless.
The main things to see in Matera are surely the Sassi, the Cathedral, the rock churches and the Crypt of the Original Sin.
For the stones of Matera, specifically Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, we mean the ancient settlement that constituted the city in antiquity. There is talk of an intertwining of caves, tunnels, alleys, steep stairways, gardens and recesses. An architectural complex that testifies to an ancient history and a perfect harmony with the surrounding environment. If it is true that in the '50s Matera was defined as a "national verona" due to the poor hygienic conditions and the overcrowding of the entire housing complex, today the Sassi are almost uninhabited and host completely renovated accommodation facilities. A unique architectural jewel that is absolutely worth seeing.
Walking through the alleys of the city you arrive at the highest point and here, in addition to enjoying an exceptional view of the Sasso Barisano you reach the Cathedral of Matera, dating back to the thirteenth century. Inside, many works of inestimable value.
Another point of extreme interest are the rock churches. In the Middle Ages, the Christian community made space for monasticism and the Benedictine monks began to settle in hundreds of natural caves existing on the territory. Matera rises on a ravine. The soil is very porous, because it consists of tuff, so it is not uncommon to find yourself in front of a cave or a small natural ravine. The majority of these ravines were used as crypts, sanctuaries, hermitages and spartan and characteristic places of prayer. In a stay in Matera is absolutely not to be missed the archaeological complex of the rock churches, a pedestrian path between a hundred caves, not very far from each other, in which very well preserved frescoes can be appreciated.
Like every region of Italy, Basilicata also offers a series of typical food and wine specialties. The typical cuisine of Basilicata originates in the rural tradition and therefore most of the typical dishes are composed of easily available foods, among which stand out legumes, meats, vegetables and homemade pasta. The bread of Matera has obtained the IGP mark. The typical dishes not to be missed are certainly the Pignata, a complete meal made of oven-baked sheep's meat in an earthenware pot and the Crapiata, a dish made with legumes.
Choosing Basilicata for your holidays is the ideal choice for those who want a holiday between sea and culture without deprivation, but without spending a fortune. In fact, Basilicata is one of the regions with the best quality-price ratio.
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