It rises at 680 m a.s.l. in the northern part of the province. It borders the municipalities of: Oppido Lucano (10 km), Vaglio Basilicata (11 km), Acerenza (12 km), Pietragalla and Tolve (13 km). It is 23 km from Potenza and 77 km from the other Lucanian province of Matera.
In the municipal area of Cancellara, in the locality of Bòfete, there are some small mud volcanoes. The municipal territory of Cancellara preserves a conspicuous cultural heritage, widespread in the historic center and in the neighboring districts [5]. Important testimonies tell its history from an archaeological, architectural, artistic and productive point of view [6]. The castle of Cancellara, the churches, the monumental stone fountains, the entrance doors to the village, the portals of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and in general the historic center [7], entirely made of stone over the centuries, are of considerable value. and still almost intact, even if in some places in a state of decay because it is not very densely inhabited.