Craco at a glance
Craco stands on a hill in the south of Basilicata, with the old village crowning the top. It is known as a ghost town, because the old center, Craco Vecchia, is not a living town. Today it is run as a museum park, and you visit it with a guide at a reserved time.
That is the main point to understand before you go. You cannot wander freely among the ruins. The operator sells the visit as a reserved product, and the ticket does not open any building you like. Stay with the group and stay out of areas that are closed.
Craco and nearby tours
Guided visits to Craco and day trips that combine the ghost town with Matera and the surrounding area, with live prices and availability.
How the visit works
What the operator asks of you.
Reserve a time
The visit is sold as a reserved product. The meeting point is the Convento di San Pietro in Craco Vecchia. Arrive 30 minutes before your slot. Show the confirmation email from your online booking at the entrance.
Wear a helmet
A protective helmet is mandatory. If you do not have one, you can rent one for €2 at the ticket desk. Pay this separately from the ticket.
Bring the right gear
The operator asks for non-slip shoes and water, and for you to keep to the visiting hours. Surfaces in the old village are uneven. Sunscreen and a hat help in summer.
Stay with the guide
Do not enter areas that are closed or fenced. The guided, reserved visit is the way in.
Ticket and opening hours
The complete ticket covers the museum park and the Museo emozionale and costs €16.20 in 2026. The price includes a booking fee of €0.70 per person, so do not add it again. Helmet rental is a separate €2.
The operator publishes two seasonal schedules, without a year. Confirm them when you book.
| Season | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 October | Daily | 09:30–17:30 |
| 1 November to 31 March | Friday to Sunday and public holidays | 10:00–15:00 |
Children under 5 enter free, according to the ticket overview. Another page says "up to 5 years", so ask the operator if your child is exactly 5.
Bad weather and changes
Know the rules before you pay.
The operator does not refund tickets because of bad weather. Instead you can agree on another visit date. Do not count on an evening slot: one product page mentions a tour at 18:30, but the season overview ends at 17:30, so book a time you can see in the calendar.
Clay hills surround the village. Their pale, eroded slopes are called calanchi. For more places in the region, see our list of things to do in Basilicata.
The clay hills around Craco give the landscape its bare, folded look. Low evening or morning light shows their shapes best.
Combining Craco with other stops
Craco works as a half-day stop.
With Matera
You can base yourself in Matera and add Craco on another day. See Matera for the city and getting there for routes through the region.
With Metaponto
The Greek temple ruins and the Ionian coast are nearby, and Calabria's beaches continue along the same sea. Read our Metaponto guide for the Tavole Palatine and the museum situation.
With Calabria
If your trip continues south, Calabria's things to do list more places along the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas.
Plan your own transport to Craco, and check how to get there and where to park before you go.
Before you book: a checklist
Five things to settle first.
- Date and time: pick a slot inside the published season hours and keep the confirmation email on your phone.
- Arrival: allow the 30 minutes before the slot, plus time to find the Convento di San Pietro and, if needed, to rent a helmet.
- Shoes and water: non-slip shoes, a bottle of water and sun protection for the warm months.
- Accessibility: surfaces in the old village are uneven. Ask the operator about the route before you book if you have limited mobility.
- Weather: there is no refund for bad weather, so choose a day with a stable forecast if you can.
The visit is a guided product and not a public park, so it behaves more like a museum visit than a walk in the countryside. Respect the guide and the fences, because the buildings are not safe to enter freely.
Craco: frequently asked questions
Can I walk around Craco on my own?
No. The operator sells the visit as a guided, reserved product. Closed areas are not open to visitors, and the ticket does not give access to any building.
Do I need a helmet in Craco?
Yes, a protective helmet is mandatory. You can rent one for €2 at the ticket desk.
How much does the Craco visit cost?
The complete ticket for the museum park and the Museo emozionale is €16.20 in 2026, including a €0.70 booking fee.
When is Craco open?
From 1 April to 31 October daily 09:30–17:30. From 1 November to 31 March Friday to Sunday and public holidays 10:00–15:00. Confirm the current schedule when you book.
What happens if the weather is bad?
There is no refund for bad weather, but the operator can arrange another date.