Major city · Italy
Craco
A half-day stop: see the abandoned hilltop ghost town, then move on. Not a base for sleeping.
Craco is a ghost town abandoned after landslides in the 1960s, now a film set and tourist attraction. You can see the empty streets, churches and castle tower in 2–3 hours. There is no accommodation in the old town; sleep in Pisticci or Matera.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded), Nov–Feb (cold, some closures)
- Airports
- BRI · CTA
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
- Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
- Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
- Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
- Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Craco112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Craco, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Italy-wide
- SIM or eSIMTIM, Vodafone, WindTre and Iliad sell prepaid SIMs in shops and at airports; a passport and an Italian tax code (codice fiscale…Italy-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe unless signed otherwise; Rome's nasoni fountains run all day.Italy-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Coperto or service may already be on the bill; leave €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) a person or round up for good service.Italy-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Italy-wide
- SafetyCraco is safe; the main risks are uneven ground, loose stones and summer heat.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €1 (≈ US$2).Italy-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 115 fire · 118 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany state museums close on Monday; the Vatican Museums close on most Sundays.Italy-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBRI Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (About 1.5 h by car; bus to Matera then local train/bus to Craco.).
- Getting aroundOn foot only in the old town.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BRI Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (About 1.5 h by car; bus to Matera then local train/bus to Craco.) · CTA Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (About 3.5 h by car; check.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Dec (9 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Craco: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot only in the old town. Car or taxi to reach the entrance.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Matera
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or bus via SS176/SS7, about 45 min
Combine Craco with a full day in Matera's Sassi.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Car via SS407, about 1 h
Another hilltop town with rock dwellings.
Metaponto
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car via SS176, about 40 min
Greek ruins and beach.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Pisticci
Closest town with accommodation; 10 min drive from Craco.
Matera
About 45 min drive; more options and Sassi sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €30–50 (≈ US$35–60) (day trip from Matera)
- Mid
- €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) (day trip with lunch in Pisticci)
- High
- €80 (≈ US$95)+ (private tour and dinner)
Watch out
Safety
- The old town is a fragile site: stay on marked paths, no climbing.
- No shops or restaurants inside the ghost town; bring water.
- Check opening hours and guided tour requirements on the official site.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire
- 115
- Ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CracoCraco
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A questo indirizzo, per favoreTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire115
- Ambulance118
Embassy
Embassies in Rome; consulates in Naples and Bari.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bari Airport → Matera bus: about €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), 1 h (check)
- Matera → Craco by car: about 45 min, 40 km (25 mi)about 45 min, 25 mi (40 km)
- Craco entrance fee: about €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) (check)
Say or show
- Ciao — Hello / Goodbye (chow)
- Grazie — Thank you (GRAHT-see-eh)
- Quanto costa? — How much? (KWAN-toh KOH-stah)
- Dov'è l'ingresso? — Where is the entrance? (doh-VEH leen-GRES-soh)
- Posso pagare con carta? — Can I pay by card? (POH-soh pah-GAH-reh kon KAR-tah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Craco. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, crowded), Nov–Feb (cold, some closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialComune di Craco
- secondaryWikivoyage: Craco, revision 5309990 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Craco
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