Craco ghost town
Craco, Italy
A hilltop village abandoned after a landslide in the 1960s, its tower and houses still standing against the badlands. Entry is only on guided tours with a helmet.
Craco is a ghost town on a clay hill above the calanchi, the eroded badlands of Basilicata. The Norman tower of 1040 is the oldest building, and the village is first mentioned in 1060. The ground is unstable: landslides are recorded for 1600, 1805, 1857 and 1933. Between 1892 and 1922 about 1,300 residents emigrated to North America; after the severe landslide of 1963 and further quakes, the rest moved down to Craco Peschiera in the valley.
You can enter the fenced area only on a guided tour, with a helmet and safety briefing provided. The village served as a film set, for example for “Quantum of Solace” and “The Passion of the Christ”. Honestly, little survives: the palaces have lost most of their decoration, bare stone dominates, and the effect comes from the decay and the landscape around it.
The approach runs through Craco Peschiera. The sources on tours date from 2014 to 2019, so confirm dates and booking in advance.
- Nearest town
- Craco, Italy
- Category
- Roadside oddities
- GPS
- 40.3780, 16.4390
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Area Sosta Camper Agriturismo Il CalancoMotorhome stopover7 km from Craco ghost town · 10 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposalFree
- Area AlianoMotorhome stopover19 km from Craco ghost townMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Motorhome stopover · CracoMotorhome stopover24 km from Craco ghost townMotorhomesWaste disposal
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Craco ghost town?
Craco ghost town is in Craco, Italy, at GPS 40.3780, 16.4390. It is about 10 km from Pisticci.
Can you camp near Craco ghost town?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Area Sosta Camper Agriturismo Il Calanco, about 7 km away; within 25 km there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Craco ghost town?
Craco ghost town is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Basilicata: Matera, ghost towns and the Lucanian Dolomites.
What is there to see near Craco ghost town?
Places worth a stop nearby: Sassi di Matera (35 km), Belvedere Murgia Timone (35 km), Castelmezzano (37 km) and Gravina aqueduct bridge (49 km).
When is the best time to visit Craco ghost town?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and August–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)