Overview
Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, tucked into a ravine in the southern Italian region of Basilicata. Its defining feature is the Sassi — two ancient neighborhoods, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano — carved directly into the tufa rock of the Gravina gorge. Families lived in these cave dwellings for millennia, and the city was famously designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
For much of the 20th century the Sassi were seen as an embarrassment: residents were relocated by government order in the 1950s, and writer Carlo Levi called them a national disgrace. Today those same caves have been carefully restored into hotels, restaurants, museums, and private homes, and Matera served as a European Capital of Culture in 2019.
Beyond the cave architecture, Matera offers rupestrian (rock-cut) churches painted with Byzantine frescoes, a handsome hilltop civic center around the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and a dramatic landscape that has doubled as a stand-in for ancient Jerusalem in numerous films. The city rewards slow exploration on foot, and its compact historic core means most key sights are within comfortable walking distance of each other.
Before You Go
Visas
Matera is in Italy, which is part of the Schengen Area. Visa requirements vary significantly by nationality. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult Italy's official immigration authority or your nearest Italian consulate well before travel.
Health
No vaccinations are specifically required for Italy beyond routine immunizations. EU residents should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU travelers should arrange comprehensive travel health insurance before departure. The nearest major hospital with a full emergency department is in Matera itself; verify current service details locally.
What to pack
- Comfortable, gripged walking shoes — the Sassi involve steep, uneven stone paths and staircases
- Layers: the gorge can be noticeably cooler than the surrounding plateau, especially in spring and autumn
- Sun protection for summer visits; midday heat in July–August can be intense
- A modest cover-up for visiting churches
Getting There
By air
Matera does not have its own commercial airport. The nearest practical options are Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (roughly 60–70 km away) and Potenza, though Bari is far more served by domestic and international routes. From Bari, travelers typically continue to Matera by bus, shuttle, or hire car; the journey takes approximately one hour. Verify current timetables with bus operators directly, as schedules change seasonally.
By train
Matera is served by the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) regional rail line connecting to Bari. Journey times and frequency are modest — check current schedules on the FAL or Trenitalia websites before travel. The main Italian rail network (Trenitalia) does not serve Matera directly, so connections via Bari or Potenza are standard.
By car
Driving gives the most flexibility for exploring the wider Basilicata region. The SS7 and connecting roads link Matera to Bari and Potenza. Note that the historic Sassi zone has significant traffic restrictions; most visitors park at the perimeter of the upper town and walk in.
Getting Around
Matera's historic center is best explored entirely on foot. The Sassi neighborhoods are largely car-free and filled with steep stone lanes, stairways, and narrow passages that no vehicle could navigate anyway. Sturdy walking shoes are genuinely essential, not merely recommended.
The upper civic town (Piano) and the Sassi below are connected by a series of staircases and ramps. Distances are short, but the terrain is relentless. Visitors with limited mobility should research accessibility carefully before planning, as much of the historic zone presents real challenges.
For day trips to the surrounding Basilicata countryside or the Gravina gorge paths, a rental car is the most practical option. Local taxis are available; verify current contact details on arrival or through your accommodation.
Where to Stay
Matera's most distinctive accommodation option is a cave hotel (albergo diffuso or grotta hotel) — rooms carved into or built within the tufa of the Sassi. These range from intimate bed-and-breakfast operations to boutique properties with modern amenities set inside ancient cave structures. Quality and price points vary considerably; read recent traveler reviews and confirm amenities before booking, as cave rooms can feel very different from conventional hotel rooms (e.g., no natural windows in some).
More conventional hotels and guesthouses are also available in the upper Piano district, which offers easier vehicle access and a more standard urban-hotel experience. For independent travelers, apartments and vacation rentals within the Sassi have proliferated and can offer good value for longer stays.
Book accommodation well in advance for summer (July–August), Easter week, and any major local festival period. The city's popularity has grown significantly since the 2019 European Capital of Culture designation.
Things to See & Do
The Sassi
Simply walking through Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano is the defining Matera experience. No single ticket or fixed route is required — the neighborhoods are open public space. Guided tours (available through local agencies; verify current providers on arrival or via the official Matera tourism portal) add historical context and grant access to caves that are otherwise closed.
Rupestrian Churches
Scattered throughout the Sassi and the surrounding Murgia Plateau are dozens of rock-cut churches, many preserving Byzantine-era frescoes. The Church of Santa Maria de Idris (built into a rock outcrop) and the Cripta del Peccato Originale (outside town; verify access arrangements locally) are among the most visited. Admission arrangements and opening hours vary — check locally before visiting.
Museo Nazionale Ridola
Housed in a former convent, this state museum covers the prehistory and archaeology of the Basilicata region. Verify current opening hours and admission fees on the Italian Ministry of Culture website or locally.
Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the Underground
The main civic square of the upper town sits above a complex of underground cisterns, churches, and urban infrastructure dating back centuries. Guided visits to this underground system are available; check current tour operators locally.
Gravina Gorge Walks
The gorge flanking the Sassi offers walking trails with views back toward the city — a perspective used by many filmmakers. Trail conditions vary by season; ask locally about current path status before setting out.
Food & Drink
Materan and broader Basilicatan cuisine is rooted in peasant tradition: simple, robust, and ingredient-led. Bread is culturally central — Matera's IGP-designated bread (Pane di Matera), made with durum wheat semolina and baked in a distinctive horn or crescent shape, is a local staple worth seeking out.
Look for dishes featuring peperone crusco (dried, crispy red pepper), a defining ingredient of Basilicatan cooking used in pasta sauces, with baccalà (salt cod), and as a garnish. Pasta shapes such as cavatelli and orecchiette appear frequently on local menus.
Lamb and kid (young goat) are common in meat dishes, often slow-cooked with local herbs. Aged pecorino and other local cheeses are widely available. Aglianico del Vulture, a structured red wine from northern Basilicata, is the region's most celebrated DOC wine and pairs well with the local cuisine.
Restaurants and trattorias range from casual spots near the Sassi to more formal dining options. It is worth booking ahead in peak season (July–August and holiday weekends). Many establishments observe a riposo (midday break) and close one day per week — verify hours before making a special trip.
Shopping
Matera's craft traditions center on ceramics and papier-mâché, and small workshops and galleries are scattered through the Sassi and the civic center. Locally made pottery — often featuring earthy tones referencing the tufa landscape — makes a practical souvenir.
Food products worth bringing home include packaged Pane di Matera (check transport regulations for bread products if flying), peperone crusco, local pasta shapes, and small-format bottles of Aglianico wine. A handful of delicatessens (alimentari) in the center stock well-packaged local products suitable for travel.
Shopping hours generally follow Italian norms — shops often close midday for a few hours and may close Sunday afternoons or Mondays. Verify locally.
Practical Information
Money
ATMs (Bancomat) are available in the upper town area. Card payment is widely but not universally accepted, particularly in smaller cave restaurants and artisan shops — carrying some cash is advisable.
Connectivity
Most hotels and many cafes offer Wi-Fi. Mobile coverage (Italian and EU roaming) is generally reliable in the town center; signal in deep ravine areas may be patchy.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency (EU standard): 112
- Police (Carabinieri): 112 or 113
- Ambulance: 118
- Fire: 115
Electricity
Italy uses 230V AC, 50Hz. Standard European two-pin (Type F/L) plugs. Travelers from outside Europe should bring an appropriate adapter.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory in Italy. A small tip (rounding up the bill or leaving a few euros) is appreciated but not expected. A coperto (cover charge) appearing on restaurant bills is standard and not a tip.
Safety
Matera is considered a safe destination for travelers. Petty theft is a relatively low concern compared to larger Italian cities, but standard precautions apply — keep valuables secure, be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas, and do not leave items visible in parked vehicles.
The primary practical hazard in Matera is the terrain itself. The stone paths of the Sassi can be slippery when wet or worn smooth, and the steep staircases are unlit in some areas after dark. Take care after rain and use a torch/flashlight if exploring at night. The Gravina gorge paths require appropriate footwear and common sense — do not venture off marked trails without local knowledge.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Matera's relationship with its past is layered and at times ambivalent. The forced evacuation of the Sassi in the 1950s — when the Italian government deemed the cave dwellings unsanitary — is within living memory for older residents, and the subsequent rehabilitation of those same neighborhoods as a heritage asset and tourism draw has not been without tension.
Religious life remains visible and active. Matera's patron saint is the Madonna della Bruna, celebrated with a major festa on July 2 each year involving a procession and the ritual dismemberment of an elaborate paper-mâché float. This is a genuine community event, not primarily a tourist spectacle, and visitors attending should be respectful of that context.
When visiting churches — even the ancient rupestrian ones — dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Photography policies vary by site; look for posted notices or ask before photographing frescoes or interiors. The standard pace of southern Italian life applies: lunch is taken seriously, afternoons are quiet, and evenings are for socializing.
