The 8 Best Things to do in Castelmezzano, Italy

Are you considering visiting Castelmezzano, Italy? If so, you’ll want to be sure to read this complete guide to the 8 best things to do in Castelmezzano. 

The mountainside village of Castelmezzano is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. Hidden in plain sight, but really not near much else, Castelmezzano is a popular destination for Italian tourists, but receives few international visitors. It’s the literal definition of a hidden gem. 

But after reading this article you’ll be wondering why it’s not a more popular destination and dying to get to Italy and visit Castelmezzano! 

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Castelmezzano – What You Need to Know

Where is Castelmezzano? 

Castelmezzano is in southern Italy in the province of Potenza. It’s essentially in the middle of nowhere, which is saying a lot, as Italy doesn’t have a whole lot of open, empty spaces. It’s sort of in between Naples and Taranto, but really, it’s not near anything. 

The nearest major city is Bari, about a 2-hour, 150 km drive away. It’s a mountain village built below spectacular rock formations. The 700 or so inhabitants live much the way they did in the old days, as the majority of the village is inaccessible by car.  

How to get to Castelmezzano

Being so isolated and remote, the only realistic way to get to Castelmezzano is by car. It’s possible to get there on public transportation, but it’s a real pain in the you know what. 

You can take the train to Albano Di Lucania, which is about 10 km north of Castelmezzano. That’s the easy part. The bus from the train station only runs to Castelmezzano once a day though. If you’re taking the train, you’d have better luck hitchhiking a ride with a local than trying to time the arrival of the bus.   

If you’re driving yourself, getting to Castelmezzano is not difficult, it just involves a drive up a winding road through the mountains to get there. There is no vehicle traffic in the majority of village, but there is street parking available just outside the village as well as a few paid parking lots.  

The nearest airports to Castelmezzano are Naples and Bari, neither of which operate any transatlantic flights. We flew direct to Rome and drove about 4.5 hours to Castelmezzano on our way to an awesome road trip in Puglia where we saw tons of amazing things. Once you pass Naples it’s a beautiful, peaceful drive. 

For renting cars in Europe we use Rentalcars.com. You can find a great deal on a rental car from Rome or elsewhere in Italy using the search bar below. 

How long to spend in Castelmezzano

Castelmezzano is small and it’s easy to fully explore in a half day (unless you’re doing a hike). Many people visit as day trips and it’s pretty quiet after dark. It’s not totally dead at night, but don’t be expecting to find a busy pub or anything like that. 

If you’re not hiking or doing one of the adventure activities we discuss in this post, an entire day in Castelmezzano is a bit much. But it will give you time to taste some local wine, try a couple restaurants or cafes, and take your time walking the old streets. 

Best time of year to visit Castelmezzano

Castelmezzano is lovely any time of the year, but is best in the summer, when the sun is high and the temperatures are warm. The village is about 1000 meters (3280 ft) high in the mountains, so it never gets too hot.  

The summer high in July is only 79 degrees (26 C) and summer nights can get quite chilly. When visiting in summer, it’s advised to still bring a jacket. Winters are quite cold compared to elsewhere in southern Italy, but offer chances to see the mountains covered in snow. 

Unlike popular Italian destinations like Venice and Tuscany, Castelmezzano is not overrun with tourists, and even if you visit in peak summer you won’t feel overcrowded. If you want great weather with even less tourists, consider visiting in September, after the Italians are back to work and school after their summer holidays. 

Where to stay in Castelmezzano 

There are only a few hotels but a few dozen small private guest houses in Castelmezzano. If you’re staying in the old village, there is no vehicle access, so you’ll either have to lug your bags up and down stairs to your hotel or get a local with a motorbike to help you. Depending on where you’re staying, your hotel might have a motorbike or small vehicle that can help you with your bags.

For such a small village, there are actually dozens of places to stay in Castelmezzano. Most of these are small rental properties with just a few rooms though. The largest hotel is Hotel Dolomiti, which also features a bar and a restaurant. 

Money and Language

Most places in Castelmezzano accept credit cards, but it’s a good idea to carry cash just in case. Compared to major tourist destinations in Italy, Castelmezzano is incredibly affordable. It’s still possible to get a liter of local wine for 5 euros and rent an apartment for 80 euros. It’s night and day compared to visiting somewhere like Rome or Milan. 

In terms of language, you should expect the locals to only speak Italian. Castelmezzano does not receive many foreign tourists, so English is not common. In most places in Italy, at least the hospitality workers will speak English, but don’t count on that in Castelmezzano. We didn’t encounter a single person who spoke better English than my Italian. And I don’t speak Italian. 

Quick history lesson

The origins of Castelmezzano date back to the 6th century BC, though the original settlement is believed to not be in the same location as the current village. The Castelmezzano we know today was founded in the 10th century AD when the inhabitants started building a settlement on the mountainside, backed by the sharp rocky peaks that made it impossible to invade from the north. 

Castelmezzano gets its name from the castle that was constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries on the mountainside. The remains of the castle walls are still partly visible at the edge of the village. The castle gave the town its name and it still retains its medieval charm. 

Things to do in Castelmezzano

Castelmezzano is a small village that packs a big punch. There are quite a few things to do, all of which can be done in the same day. We will now go over all the best things to do in Castelmezzano.  

1) Take in one of the most beautiful views in all of Italy

Castelmezzano is unarguably one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and even the world. It’s repeatedly included in lists of the most beautiful Italian villages, no matter who is creating the list. 

When you stop by the Castelmezzano Panoramic Terrace (exact location here) you immediately see what all the hype is about. The view from this terrace is nothing short of spectacular.

You’re at the edge of the car-free city center overlooking the old village and all the yellow houses. But what really makes it so special is the geological wonders of the cone-shaped pinnacle rocks in the background. It provides a stunning backdrop to the beautiful old village. 

The terrace is located right in front of the Santa Maria dell’Olmo cathedral and has a few benches you can just sit on to relax and take in the view. 

Should you be staying the night in Castelmezzano, the view after dark is also spectacular. 

2) Walk the charming streets of the village

The best thing to do in Castelmezzano is to just set out walking the old streets, up and down the stairs through the maze of old buildings. The village is small, and can easily be fully explored in less than two hours.  

In terms of amazing views, there actually are not a whole lot apart from the panoramic terrace we already discussed. All of the other nice views are from private residences or guest houses.  

Starting at the panoramic terrace, if you follow the main road (via Roma), in a few minutes you’ll reach the end of the road, which is essentially the end of town. To your left there are a few stairways that will take you up to Via Domenico Volini. Keep walking east and you’ll pass the final houses of Castelmezzano on your way up to the mountains. 

You’ll now find yourself right beside those pinnacle rocks that you saw from the panoramic viewpoint below. Climb 100 or so more stairs and you’ll reach a clearing with some benches and views of the expansive mountains. 

Keep on going a few more steps (steel stairs in this case) and you’ll reach Castelmezzano’s other main viewpoint, Gradinata Normanna. You get a much different vantage point up here, high above the village. It’s not nearly as beautiful a view as the panoramic point below, but it’s worth the climb.

Up here you’ll also find some steps carved into one of the rocks. Climbing the steps is possible, but takes prior arrangements and safety equipment. You can arrange to climb it with Il Volo dell’Angelo (the same company that runs the zipline, see below). You can find further information on climbing the steps on their website here.

3) Take the Zipline

Castelmezzano has one of the most spectacular ziplines you’ll find in Italy. Il Volo dell’Angelo (Italian for “the angel’s flight”) is a long zipline that takes you flying across the mountains between Castelmezzano and the neighboring village of Pietrapertosa.

The “flight”, as they call it, is short, but you get to do it twice, once in each direction, and you reach speeds up to 120 kmh. The whole experience takes about 2 hours and includes riding on a shuttle from Castelmezzano up the mountain a bit, followed by a short 20-minute hike up the mountain to the zipline station. 

From there you’ll zoom over to Pietraperosa, where you’ll have a little time to explore the village before walking to the launch station that will set you on your way back to Castelmezzano. You can start from either Castelmezzano or Pietrapertosa, but most people do it from Castelmezzano. 

The ticket cost 45 euros for a single person or 78 for a couple (as of fall 2023). Unfortunately Il Volo dell’Angelo does not operate every day. Flights are available from May till November on seemingly random days. It’s too complicated to explain here so be sure to consult their schedule website. 

The only month it operates every day is August. So if you want to do the zipline, be sure to align your trip to Castelmezzano with one of the days that the zipline is operating. 

If you’re planning on doing the zipline or any other sort of adventure activity in Italy, just be sure you have a good travel insurance program. We use World Nomads when we travel internationally. World Nomads provides coverage to travelers in over 100 countries.  You can find a great policy on World Nomads by using the link below. 

4) Take a hike through the mountains

As you’re in the Lucanian Dolomites, why not go for a little hike? The location of Castelmezzano is splendidly located in a sparsely populated mountainous area of southern Italy. The village is situated totally within Parco Regionale di Gallipoli Cognato Piccole Dolomiti Lucane, which is basically just a regional park with a ridiculously long name. 

The main hike in the area is known as the Seven Stones Path and it connects Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. It’s 1.25 miles (2 km) each way, and it’s quite steep in parts. There is an informative story along the walk, telling the legend of a local farmer who believed his wife to be a witch. 

If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge you can make this figure-8 route through the mountains. It’s a challenging hike, however. And the locals recommend renting climbing gear in town if you want to try this hike. The total distance is 4.8 miles (7.7 km) and you’ll climb 1850 feet (565 km) along the way. 

If you’d like a hiking guide, you can book an organized hike where a local will take you along the Seven Stones Path and teach you about the legend on the way. You can book this tour with GetYourGuide here.

5) Skip the day trip and spend the night 

While Castelmezzano is mostly a day trip destination, it isn’t totally dead at night. Staying overnight in Castelmezzano allows you to experience the sleepy little village much as it would have been back in the day. Stroll the quiet streets and stop for a gelato. Embrace the simplicity of it all. 

The rock spires in the mountains are lit up at night, and along with the houses all lit up, it provides a beautiful after dark scene. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful night time view in all of Italy. 

Staying the night allows you to taste the flavors of Potenza at one of Castelmezzano’s wonderful restaurants as well. There are not a whole lot of options when it comes to dining in the village, but the restaurants that do exist offer affordable prices, good food, and wine by the carafe.

Some restaurant recommendations follow, as provided to us by our host in Castelmezzano. Note that the restaurants in Castelmezzano do not have English menus. The servers might speak enough English to translate for you, but best have the Google Translate app on your phone. Reservations are usually not needed but might be wise in July and August. 

• Trattoria da Spadino: a favorite among the locals, Trattoria da Spadino is simple, yet effective. They offer a variety of pastas and local meats and river fish. They also sell a liter of house wine for only 5.50 euros (as of 2023)!
• Trattoria dal Vecchio Scarpone: A cozy little restaurant, Trattoria dal Vecchio Scarpone serves hearty Italian specialties in a warm environment. Located right next to the panoramic terrace, if you’re looking for a filling meal with a beautiful view, this is the place to be. 
• Al Becco della Civetta: A more upscale restaurant, Al Becco della Civetta features similar food as the previous restaurants with a bit more style and elegance. There is also a fantastic view of the mountains from their small outdoor terrace. 

Lastly, staying overnight means you’ll get to spend the night at one of the cozy guesthouses in town. There are tons of privately owned rentals and the owners are truly hospitable. You’ll also have the luxury of being able to wake up in town and get some amazing sunrise views before the day trippers arrive. 

6) Visit the cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Olmo

The main cathedral in Castelmezzano is Santa Maria dell’Olmo. Located just behind the panoramic terrace, it was built in the 13th century. It’s a simple church with a stone façade and a basic interior, but that simplicity gives it the feeling of authenticity. 

You don’t need long at the church unless you attend a service. It’s easy to walk in (free entrance), admire the sculptures and statues, then be on your way. If you’re going to go inside one building in Castelmezzano, make it Santa Maria dell’Olmo. 

7) Ride an ATV through the mountains 

The Dolomiti Lucane mountains between Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa are perfect for off-roading on a quad ATV. There are few outfitters that will take you riding through the mountains for about an hour, like this tour you can book on Viator.

You’ll meet the outfitter in Castelmezzano and be given a safety briefing before getting out onto the trails. The guides are even bilingual and can speak English, a rarity in Castelmezzano. 

After an hour of off-roading you’ll return back to the village, a bit dusty and maybe a bit sore too. But you’ll be delighted you went on this adventure in the Dolomiti Lucane mountains. 

Note that while children can’t drive the ATVs, they are welcome as passengers on this tour. One passenger is allowed per vehicle. 

8) Explore the sister city of Pietrapertosa

By this point you’ve heard me say Pietrapertosa more times than you can count. So why not spend some time checking out Castelmezzano’s sister city as well? 

Pietrapertosa has been named by CNN as one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. A stone’s throw from Castelmezzano, it’s also flanked by massive rock peaks to the north and east. In reality, it’s very similar to Castelmezzano. It just doesn’t have a panoramic terrace in the village that gives an amazing view, like in Castelmezzano. The best photos of Pietrapertosa are taken from drones. 

There are still some pretty nice viewpoints, but if you want a view of the entire village you’ll need to hike up a little mountain to the Belvedere Pietrapertosa viewpoint. You’ll also get a lovely view of the surrounding mountains from up here too. 

Now, while Pietrapertosa is pretty darn close to Castelmezzano as the crow flies, driving between the villages takes about 25 minutes on winding, roundabout mountain roads. If you’re a fast hiker, you might be able to walk the Seven Stones path quicker!

Castelmezzano – Frequently Asked Questions

Final Word 

Castelmezzano is one of the most beautiful and underrated villages in all of Italy. Out of the way to get to, but totally with it. Now that we have gone through the best things to do in Castelmezzano you should have a head start on planning a perfect trip in the south of Italy!