Nestled in the Apenine Mountains of Central Southern Italy, the city of Potenza is a great base to explore the region of Basilicata. With its hilltop villages, white sandy beaches, wild mountainous national parks and fine local cuisine, Basilicata is still relatively unknown. There is a sense here that you are stepping back in time in a region that has so far avoided mass tourism.

If you are looking to explore this remote and beautiful part of Italy, our friendly Avis team at Potenza is on hand to offer advice and provide the perfect rental car for your trip.

You’ll find our Avis rental location just off the Strada Statale 7 (SS7) cross country highway on the outskirts of Potenza. The office at 366 SS7 is set back from the road.

From Avis Potenza City it’s just a 10min (7.7km) drive into the centre of Potenza. Continue along the SS7 highway and join the European Route (E)847 turning off after 7km towards Potenza Centro.

The hilltop town of Potenza, capital of Basilicata gives you a slice of ‘real Italy’ with a sense that this is a hidden gem, enjoyed by locals. At 819m above sea level, Potenza is the highest regional capital in Italy.

Climb to the top of the honey-coloured old town to enjoy the views of the surrounding countryside, visit the 12th century cathedral, check out the small archeological museum with its Greek and Roman artefacts and stroll along Via Pretoria, its chic, main shopping street.

With its central location in the Basilicata region, Potenza is well placed for some great road trips whether it’s heading for the mountains or the sea or going off the beaten track to discover some of Italy’s most remote villages and historical sites.

The iconic limestone ‘cave’ city of Matera, the European City of Culture in 2019, is just over 1hr away to the south east on the E847.

Continue along the E847 and you reach the Ionian Sea. Small resort towns like Metaponto, once the home of Pythagoras, combine beautiful empty beaches with a laidback lifestyle.

Another day, head southwest to Rotonda, a 1hr45min drive away on the SS19. Surrounded by the forested Pollino National Park, Rotonda is a picturesque hilltop town with a rich cultural history and a great place to enjoy the local Basilicata cuisine.  

Potenza is at the intersection of several major highways but given its relatively remote location, this accessiblity comes with a pace of life that is rarely rushed or too busy making it a great base for Italian road trips. Public transport in this part of Italy is sparse and so hiring a car to explore the vast Basilicata region is a must.

If you are heading out on a road trip across Basilicata from Potenza, our friendly Avis team is on hand to help. If you are new to driving in Italy, we’d advise familiarising yourself with the latest advice plus the road rules in Italy.

Across Italy, Limited Traffic Zones (Zona Traffico Limitato) are in operation to reduce pollution and congestion. In ZTLs only local residents or permitted vehicles have access at certain hours so check your route before you drive.