Matera travel guide

Italy

An ancient cave city carved into tufa stone, Europe's oldest continuously inhabited settlement.

Matera's Sassi, cave dwellings carved out of tufa limestone, served as homes until the 1950s when authorities declared the conditions unacceptable, before a 1980s government-funded rehabilitation turned the rustic caves into one of Italy's most striking tourism draws.

Matera — TL;DR

Matera at a glance

What are the best things to do in Matera? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Matera trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Matera? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Matera — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Matera? April to June and September to October offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the sassi on foot.
Where should I stay in Matera for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Matera? Matera rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network.

Matera overview

April to June and September to October offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the sassi on foot.
Matera's Sassi districts are entirely walkable, though steep steps and uneven stone paths make comfortable shoes essential.
Euro (€)
Italian. English is common in tourist areas.
CET (UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer)
Former cave dwellings continue being repurposed into unique luxury hotels for sophisticated travellers, with properties like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita pairing ancient stone with modern amenities like heated floors and Philippe Starck bathtubs.

Where to eat, drink & do in Matera

Matera neighborhoods

Sasso Caveoso One of the two main cave districts, considered the more atmospheric and less renovated of the two.
Sasso Barisano The other main cave district, home to many of the boutique cave hotels.
Civita The hilltop area between the two Sassi districts, home to the cathedral.

Practical info for Matera

Getting around in Matera? Matera's Sassi districts are entirely walkable, though steep steps and uneven stone paths make comfortable shoes essential.
When to go in Matera? April to June and September to October offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the sassi on foot.
What's changing now in Matera? Former cave dwellings continue being repurposed into unique luxury hotels for sophisticated travellers, with properties like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita pairing ancient stone with modern amenities like heated floors and Philippe Starck
Seek out Casa Grotta museum houses in Matera? Preserved cave dwellings furnished as they were when families and animals lived together, offering a quieter, more intimate view of Sassi life.
Base yourself in Sasso Caveoso in Matera? One of the two main cave districts, considered the more atmospheric and less renovated of the two. Known for atmospheric cave dwellings.

Frequently asked questions about Matera

What are the best things to do in Matera? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Matera trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Matera tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Matera? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Matera — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Matera? April to June and September to October offer comfortable temperatures for exploring the sassi on foot.
Where should I stay in Matera for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Matera? Matera rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.

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