MATERA, ITALY: A TRAVEL GUIDE TO ITALY’S OLDEST CITY
Carved into the cliffs of southern Italy sits the sweeping stone city of Matera. This dazzling UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest city in Italy, and they say the third oldest city in the world. Matera is a dizzying labyrinth of alleyways and stone staircases that lead to cave hotels, rock churches and epic viewpoints that look straight out of a movie. I’ve visited three times, and it never gets old. Below is my complete travel guide to Matera including the best places to visit, viewpoints, photo locations, Matera cave hotels, restaurants, travel tips and more.
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The views in Matera are absolutely epic. Google coordinates for this viewpoint linked here.
WHEN TO VISIT MATERA
- APRIL, MAY, SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER – Shoulder season is the best time of the year to visit Matera. The weather is the most comfortable in spring and fall, particularly in May and late September.
- NOVEMBER – MARCH – Travel during low season for reduced prices on lodging and fewer tourists. Temperatures are chilly this time of the year with most businesses open reduced hours for low season.
- JUNE – AUGUST – Avoid summer season. The heat waves make July and August particularly miserable with 90+ degree temperatures that typically last from 9 AM to 6 PM. June offers a bit more relief if summer travel is the only option.
The picturesque Sassi is bursting with charm and character. OUTFIT DETAILS: Petal + Pup linen jumpsuit linked here.
HOW MANY DAYS IN MATERA
TWO FULL DAYS / THREE NIGHTS. Matera can definitely be visited as a long day trip from Puglia or other cities in the Basilicata region of Italy. The historic Sassi isn’t huge, and you can cover a lot with a full day. That said, while a day trip offers a nice taste of the city, I highly recommend a three-night stay. Two full days is the perfect amount of time to really immerse yourself in the stone city. And to be honest it’s just a different experience to start and end your day in such a dreamy setting. I’ve visited Matera both as a day trip and multi-night stay, and the longer stay was by far the better experience.
Details surrounding the Matera Cathedral.
MATERA TRAVEL TIPS
- CURRENCY – The official currency of Italy is the Euro. Cash is always handy for small purchases, but pretty much everywhere in Matera accepts card.
- DINNER RESERVATIONS – The restaurants in Matera are small. It’s best to make dinner reservations in advance, especially during high season.
- LODGING TIP – Mid-week hotel prices are usually cheaper than weekend prices.
- BOOK A GUIDE – This is one place where I recommend hiring a guide. Matera is the oldest city in Italy and a local guide provides history, color and context to all the amazing sights.
Viewpoint is located in front of the Santa Maria de Idris Church. OUTFIT DETAILS: Crop top linked here.
PLACES TO VISIT IN MATERA
BELVEDERE LUIGI GUERRICCHIO DETTO DEI TRE ARCHI
This viewpoint sits at the gateway to the Sassi, next to the Piazza Vittorio Veneto. It’s worth a stop to soak in the majestic panorama of the stone structures, green shutters, cathedral and bell tower.
BELVEDERE MURGIA TIMONE
Belvedere Murgia Timone is another viewpoint of Matera, only this one is located on the across the ravine. It can be accessed directly from the Sassi via a hike that crosses the Tibetan Suspension Bridge. Alternatively, it’s possible to drive out and around to the opposite side of the ravine.
MATERA CATHEDRAL
This 13th century Roman Catholic cathedral is the prettiest church in Matera. It sits at one of the highest points in the city boasting a towering bell tower that has become iconic to panoramas of the stone city. The cathedral actually divides the Sassi into its two neighborhoods Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.
PIAZZA DUOMO
Piazza Duomo is the large square located in front of the Matera Cathedral at the top of the Sassi. The ambiance is lovely, and the cathedral backdrop is absolutely beautiful.
PIAZZETTA PASCOLI
This bustling square sits above the Sassi surrounded by boutiques, cafes, bars, gelato shops, restaurants and museums. It’s a popular spot in the evenings.
SAN’AGOSTINO CHURCH
Another beautiful church in Matera that sits to the far side of the Sasso Barisano, at the edge of the ravine. San’Agosostinio dates back to the 16th century dripping in beautiful Baroque architecture.
SAN BARISANO CHURCH
San Barisano is the largest rock church in Matera dating back to the 12th century before undergoing modifications in the 18th century. The church is a marvel, home to frescoes, catacombs, alters and a cellar that was used to drain corpses.
SANTA MARIA DE IDRIS CHURCH
The facade of Santa Maria de Idris Church is one of the most picturesque spots in Matera. The church is built into a towering rock, a short climb up in the Sasso Caveoso. The interior is a small space to visit, and more epic from the outside, if you want to avoid paying the admission entry ticket.
THE SASSI
You’ll spend most of your time in Matera exploring the rock cut city known as the Sassi. The word “sassi” refers to the two “stone” districts in the historic part of Matera. Sassi Caveoso in the north and and Sassi Barisano in the south are the two old neighborhoods separated by the Matera Cathedral. Get lost in the maze of stone corridors that lead to ancient churches, old houses, picturesque stairways and spectacular viewpoints.
VIA FIORENTINI
This is one of the main boulevards in the Sassi, lined with restaurants, cafes and a little shops.
Rustic high-end luxury at Sextantio Le Grotta Della Civita, one of the best hotel stays in Matera.
WHERE TO STAY IN MATERA
Il Belvedere is a beautiful boutique cave hotel perched above the Sasso Caveoso where guests are treated to stunning views of the rock cut city. It’s an intimate setting that consists of just nine rooms, as well as granaries, cisterns and a panoramic terrace. Note that rooms are a mix of cave suites and non-cave rooms, and not all rooms have Sassi views.
IL PALAZZOTTO RESIDENCE & WINERY
Located in the Sasso Barisano is the lovely Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery. The property is home to 10 dreamy residences carved out of stone designed with details that give each room loads of character including barrel vaults, high ceilings and matte stone walls.
This former palazzo has been converted into a 20-room luxury hotel, located just steps away from the Matera Cathedral. While guests miss out on a cave room experience and the furnishings are a bit dated, the Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel suites are spacious and offer a mix of private balconies, pools and stone vaulted ceilings.
Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort treats guests to some of the best hotel views in Matera overlooking the Piazza San Pietro Caveoro and Murgia Park. There are 23 rooms and 10 residences that boast a mix of private balconies, white tuff interiors, cavernous seating and sunken tubs. One of the best hotel options in Matera.
SEXTANTIO LE GROTTA DELLA CIVITA
Sextantio Le Grotta Della Civita is the most luxurious stay in Matera, and it’s worth every penny. It sits just below the Matera Cathedral, built into the rocks that overlook the ravine. And the location in between the two sassi districts is ideal. The property houses 18 unique rooms and caves suites scattered around a 13th century rock church and cavern lobby, all spaces oozing with ancient authenticity. It’s the perfect balance of rustic and luxurious. Only drawback is the hotel views are of the ravine, and not the Sassi.
The opening of James Bond: No Time to Die was filmed in Matera. OUTFIT DETAILS: Abercrombie + Fitch linen shorts linked here, Petal + Pup top linked here and Tkees slides linked here.
EAT IN MATERA
CONZATO NORCINERIA
Great spot in the Sassi for lunch that serves fresh local salads, bruscettas and sandwiches.
CRIALOSS CAFE
A lovely little restaurant with sweeping views of Matera that serves drinks and light eats including bruschettas, crostinis, salads, cold cuts and sandwiches. Note that they are open from 1 PM to 10 PM, but only accept reservations from 1 PM to 6 PM.
IL RUSTICONE
Delicious, authentic pizza spot located above the Sassi. There are only a few tables, so best to arrive before Il Rusticone opens, or be prepared to wait a bit.
I VIZI DEGLI ANGELI GELATO
One of the best gelato shops in town sits above the Sassi. There are usually more than a dozen flavors include stracciatella, pistachio, mango, lemon, chocolate and more.
LA BRUSCETTA
An affordable solid lunch and dinner spot, also above the Sassi. Menu highlights include the bruscetta and fresh orcchiette pastas.
OSTERIA AL CASALE
This is one of my favorite restaurants in town, located on one of the main boulevards overlooking the ravine. Menu includes a variety of classic starters, fresh pastas, pizzas and a few meat dishes. The tomato bruschetta and pastas are particularly tasty. Reservations recommended, and request a table outside.
REGIACIRTE
Upscale restaurant worth visiting for the best dinner views in Matera. The restaurant is on the pricier side, and offers both tasting and a la carte menus. Reservations recommended, and request a table on the terrace with a view.
ZIPA CAFE
The coolest little cave bar that overlooks beautiful views of the Sassi. Cushions are scattered around a rocky terrace for guests to sit and enjoy cocktails. The best time to visit is sunset.
Delicious fresh pasta and bruschetta at Osteria Al Casale.
GET AROUND MATERA
The Sassi di Matera is a pedestrian zone closed off to most vehicles. There are paid parking garages in the upper part of the city where visitors can leave their car while in Matera.
Be prepared to explore on foot and traverse lots of stone and steps. It’s a lot of walking, but not difficult, especially if you go slow. If climbing and descending steps all day isn’t your jam, there are tuk tuk tours available.
Unlike other parts of Italy, Matera never feels overly touristed or crowded.
GET TO MATERA
The closest airport to Matera is the Bari Palese International Airport (BRI). It’s a one-hour drive, and most major car rental brands have locations on-site at the airport.
The close proximity of Matera to Puglia make it a popular destination to include as part of a road trip through southern Italy. It’s an easy one hour journey through the countryside to reach Matera from most towns in North Puglia including Alberobello, Ostuni and Polignano a Mare. And to reach Lecce in the south it’s about 90 minutes on the road.
Be prepared to climb lots of stone steps on Matera.
Lovely views of the Sassi from Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio detto dei Tre Archi.
