Why visit Matera
The Sassi cave dwellings: 9,000 years of continuous habitation, the 3rd-oldest city in the world. Once Italy's shame, now a UNESCO site and 2019 European Capital of Culture.
Matera stands out as one of the most authentic places to discover in Basilicata. Unlike the obvious tourist routes that funnel travellers through Italy's three or four mega-cities, Matera offers a slower, deeper experience — the kind of journey that lets you feel the rhythm of a region, taste its specific food, and understand its history without crowds blocking your view.
ItalyGo's curated itinerary planner includes Matera alongside nearby hidden gems, with realistic travel times and seasonal recommendations — building you a personalised route through Basilicata in seconds, completely free, no signup required.
Top things to do in Matera
- Sasso Caveoso & Sasso Barisano
- Casa Grotta (museum cave house)
- Cripta del Peccato Originale (rock church)
- Belvedere Murgia Timone (sunset)
- San Pietro Caveoso
- Palombaro Lungo (underground cistern)
- Rupestrian rock churches park
- Day trip: Castelmezzano
At dusk, walk to Belvedere di Murgia Timone (across the gorge). The lights of Matera turn the entire ravine into the most cinematic sight in southern Italy.
Where to stay in Matera
Inside the Sassi if possible — cave hotels (e.g. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Locanda di San Martino). The experience of sleeping in a cave dwelling is unique. Stay at least 2 nights to see the lights at dusk and dawn.
What to eat in Matera
Pane di Matera DOP (sourdough bread, 1kg loaves, lasts 1 week). Crapiata (mixed legumes soup). Cialledda (peasant salad with stale bread). Caciocavallo podolico (rare cow cheese, 1 year aging). Try Vitantonio Lombardo for fine dining, or Trattoria Lucana for traditional.
August (extreme heat). Sundays in low season (most restaurants closed). Sundays evening in July when the Madonna della Bruna festival ends with mass crowds.
Best day trips from Matera
Castelmezzano + Pietrapertosa (1h30): the Lucanian Dolomites + the Volo dell'Angelo zip-line. Aliano (1h): Carlo Levi's village. Altamura (45 min): bread capital. Trani (1h30): Romanesque cathedral on the sea.
Best photo spots in Matera
Belvedere di Murgia Timone at dusk (across the gorge — Matera lights up like a nativity scene). Sasso Caveoso looking up from the Sasso Barisano staircase. The 4 AM photographer's dawn from the cathedral steps.
Times to avoid Matera
Easter weekend — booked solid 1 year ahead. August daytime heat in the Sassi is brutal (no shade). Mondays — many cave restaurants closed.
Where to stay in Matera
Sleep in a cave hotel — that's the whole experience. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is iconic (€300+). Locanda di San Martino has thermal cave bath. Budget cave B&Bs €100-150.
Food specialties of Matera
Pane di Matera IGP (cone-shaped bread), peperoni cruschi (crispy fried peppers), cavatelli con cime di rapa, capocollo di Martina Franca. Eat where: Vitantonio Lucia, Trattoria Lucana, La Stalla.
Day trips from Matera
Altamura (40min, famous bread), Castelmezzano (1h, Lucanian Dolomites), Pietrapertosa (1h, Flight of the Angel zipline), Trani (1h45, Romanesque cathedral on sea), Alberobello (1h30).
How to reach Matera
Bari airport (BRI) — 75 km, 75 min by car or bus
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Matera?
The best months are April, May, June, September, October. These periods offer ideal weather, smaller crowds than peak summer, and the most authentic local experience.
How many days do I need in Matera?
Plan for 2 days. ItalyGo can integrate Matera into a full multi-day Basilicata itinerary with nearby hidden gems.
How do I get to Matera?
Bari airport (BRI) — 75 km, 75 min by car or bus
Where should I stay in Matera?
Inside the Sassi if possible — cave hotels (e.g. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Locanda di San Martino). The experience of sleeping in a cave dwelling is unique. Stay at least 2 nights to see the lights at dusk and dawn.
What food is Matera known for?
Pane di Matera DOP (sourdough bread, 1kg loaves, lasts 1 week). Crapiata (mixed legumes soup). Cialledda (peasant salad with stale bread). Caciocavallo podolico (rare cow cheese, 1 year aging). Try Vitantonio Lombardo for fine dining, or Trattoria Lucana for traditional.
Is Matera worth visiting?
Matera is one of the highlights of Basilicata. The Sassi cave dwellings: 9,000 years of continuous habitation, the 3rd-oldest city in the world. Once Italy's shame, now a UNESCO site and 2019 European Capital of Culture. It's included in ItalyGo's curated Basilicata itineraries.
Is ItalyGo really free?
Yes — ItalyGo is 100% free, with no signup required. Build personalised itineraries for Matera and all of Italy's 20 regions.
Periodo migliore per la visita
Visitabile tutto l'anno. Primavera (apr-mag) e autunno (set-ott) sono ideali per clima mite e meno folla rispetto all'estate.
Posti simili in Basilicata
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