Matera, Italy

Matera

Ancient cave dwellings carved into a ravine, now hotels and restaurants.

  • All year
  • 2 nights
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Matera

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk through the Sassi cave districts and visit a cave house.
  2. AfternoonVisit the rock-cut churches and the Belvedere viewpoint across the ravine.
  3. EveningSee the Sassi lit up at night from Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

Day 2

Hike into the Murgia park opposite the town.

What to eat

Pane di Matera and crapiata, a bean and grain soup.

Local tips

Make the most of Matera

Beat the crowds

Matera is calm early in the morning and magical after dark when the Sassi are lit. Midday in summer is hot and busy.

Best photo spot

Cross to the Murgia park on the other side of the ravine for the view of the whole city. Inside the town, the terrace near Santa Maria de Idris church.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Bari, about an hour away. Cars are restricted in the Sassi; park above and walk down.

Don't miss nearby

The rock churches in the Murgia park, some with old frescoes, reached by a footbridge over the ravine.

Good to know

The Sassi are full of steps: bring good shoes. Some cave houses can be visited to see how people lived until the 1950s.

Plan your visit

Getting to Matera

Getting there

  • Bari Airport (BRI)55 km away
  • Brindisi Airport (BDS)115 km away
  • Bari55 km away
  • Lecce135 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypePopular town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryItaly

Questions

Matera: good to know

Is Matera worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. Ancient cave dwellings carved into a ravine, now hotels and restaurants.

How many days do you need in Matera?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Matera?

You can visit all year. Matera is calm early in the morning and magical after dark when the Sassi are lit. Midday in summer is hot and busy.

How do you get to Matera?

The nearest airport is Bari Airport (BRI), about 55 km away. The nearest airport is Bari, about an hour away. Cars are restricted in the Sassi; park above and walk down.

What is there to see near Matera?

Nearby hidden places include Bari (55 km), Alberobello (55 km) and Polignano a Mare (63 km).

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