The freedom to be.
The freedom of a holiday.
The freedom to express oneself…
MAD suite&apartments was born out of precisely this: the desire to fulfil one’s potential. The owner is a young entrepreneur who has travelled widely and, over the years, has experienced both the reality of having to adapt to sometimes hostile environments and that of being warmly welcomed in others.
So, he decided to recreate that atmosphere of serenity and openness towards everyone. And of love.
A couple’s holiday
These facilities are designed for anyone wishing to enjoy a moment of relaxation. For those seeking a family atmosphere, in a setting that may seem “closed off” – as is often the case in southern Italy – but which is, in reality, open to all.
Couples, lovers, fuitine, families… both traditional and rainbow!
MAD suite is a facility that is entirely gay-friendly in Basilicata, You’ll feel right at home and well looked after here.
MAD suite&apartments is an intimate venue, offering high standards and… completely Instagram-worthy!
In Matera and Power, furthermore, the LGBTQI+ life It’s quite lively.
A variety of venues, both day and night; beaches, designated for gay people or tourists non-binary.
But also organisations dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people
A Bernalda Love reigns supreme and triumphs in all its forms. And that is why we have decided to devote time and love to all the gay couples.
Treat yourself to a holiday that is the essence of life, not just a break from it…
A building gay-friendly It’s not a commercial decision, but the choice of those who believe in love in every sense of the word!
The owners have designed the stay to be centred on emotions, regardless of who feels them. We wanted to create a little corner of paradise, a place of relaxation, dedicated mainly to couples, to enhance love and romance.
And indeed, many newlyweds choose us for their wedding night. Just like the couple in love who asked us specifically to create the perfect setting for “the” proposal.
And what about those comrades who celebrate one anniversary after another, basking in the tranquillity of their suites?
The watchword: discretion
The holiday accommodation in Bernalda (both the flat and our suites) has been designed to ensure the utmost discretion for guests. Both to ensure the greatest possible relaxation and because we care about our guests’ wellbeing. Nothing else.
We can therefore assure everyone that they can be themselves and travel in peace amongst the spectacular wonders of the Lucania region!
There is absolutely no prejudice whatsoever at Mad Suite; we are, and always will be, all about love in every sense of the word.
Welcome to Basilicata for your gay-friendly holidays with complete carefree ease.
The best gay venues in Basilicata. Where to meet other gay people in Matera and Potenza
As mentioned, Basilicata is very welcoming towards the LGBTQI+ community. Here are some gay venues you can visit for a night out in Matera and Potenza
Gay-friendly venues in Matera
Bar
- Boccadoro: a very cosy spot where, they say, they serve the best cocktails in Matera!
Address: Via del Corso 96 - Wine & Coffee 9.1: Rita and Pasquale are a fixture in Matera’s gay community, putting everyone at ease!
Address: Via Annunziatella, 91
Restaurants
- Ocio Sandwich Room: a new addition to the city’s historic centre. A bar and bistro serving excellent Venetian tramezzini – but that’s not all! Among the delicacies on offer is the Apulian puccia.
Address: Via Alessandro Volta, 14, 75100 Matera MT - Il Calanco: just outside the town centre, in the area around Craco (the ghost town) and Pisticci. Il Calanco is a farmhouse offering superb cuisine and unexpected encounters! With its eclectic and sociable owner, it’s a thoroughly pleasant place.
Address: Contrada S. Lucia, Pisticci
Venues
- Charlie’s Speakeasy: now a staple of Matera’s gay community. A brilliant spot for an aperitif!
Address: Via Casalnuovo, 14, Matera - Area 8: a cosy little spot perfect for an aperitif with a view! Traditional nibbles and tables on the terrace… every detail has been thought of! The perfect place for gay meet-ups.
Address: Via Casalnuovo, 15, Matera
Associations\Circuits
- RiSvolta – LGBT+ Association
The RiSvolta Association is the main hub for Matera’s LGBT community and organises a wide range of cultural and social events throughout the year. It frequently organises drinks evenings and nights out at venues in Matera, and there are plenty of cultural events featuring book and film presentations. Check out the full calendar on the official Facebook page. - MateraFriendly – Gay tour
Since June 2017, the RiSvolta Matera Association has also set up the MateraFriendly network, which lists all the gay-friendly bars, clubs, restaurants and shops in Matera and the surrounding area.
Gay-friendly venues in Potenza
Potenza, given its proximity to Salerno and, above all, to Naples, has never really had much of a gay-friendly scene in terms of venues and organisations. However, in recent years it has undergone a significant transformation, even going so far as to host its first Gay Pride in 2017.
Bar
- Terra Satis: situated in the beautiful village of Lagopesole, near the county town. This venue is a restaurant and cocktail bar where you can enjoy a pleasant and relaxing time. Over time, Terra Satis has become a beacon for Potenza’s LGBTQI+ community.
Address: Piazza dei Ponziani, Lagopesole, Avigliano
Associations
- Officine Macondo: the ARCI Potenza club, which organises meetings, evening events and happenings, and hosts artists from all over the country.
Address: Vico S. Lucia, Potenza - ArciGay Basilicata: based in Potenza, it is the hub of the city’s LGBTQI+ community. Although its premises are currently closed, the association continues its work by organising events, demonstrations and so on.
Address: Arcigay Basilicata’s Facebook page. - Artemide LGBTQI+ Service Centre: established following a call for proposals from the UNAR ministry, it is Basilicata’s first service centre dedicated to combating discrimination. Its primary aim is to promote and protect the rights of LGBTQI+ people.
Address: Artemide’s Facebook page.
Gay-friendly beaches and swimming pools in Basilicata
Basilicata’s heart lies in its inland areas, but as we all know, it also boasts many wonderful beaches. And as the gay scene grows, so does the action on the coast!
Here are some of the gay-friendly beaches in Lucania.
Gay-friendly beaches in Basilicata on the Ionian Sea
- Terzo Cavone: a nudist beach located in Scanzano Jonico. It is now one of the best-known gay-friendly and naturist beaches in the Lucania region. It’s ideal for relaxation, as well as for numerous parties lasting until sunset… There are plenty of surprise parties and LGBTQI+ visitors. The naturist section, however, is about 1 km away, south of the River Cavone, and is a public beach. It is a naturist area, although not officially designated as such.
Address: Google Maps coordinates 40.278531, 16.770647 - Idrovora Beach: a nudist beach not far to the south of Terzo Cavone. It isn’t strictly speaking a gay-friendly beach, but it is nonetheless quite popular with gay men seeking discretion and seclusion.
Address: Google Maps coordinates 40.165225, 16.696807
Gay-friendly swimming pools in Basilicata
- Alvino 1884 Swimming Pool: it was established in a former flour mill in Matera. Now an exceptional resort, it features a swimming pool well hidden from view, discreetly sheltered by lush palm trees, with plenty of white sun loungers for relaxing.
Address: Via San Vito, 28, 75100 Matera MT
