19 Unmissable Things To Do In Matera, Italy
Looking for the best things to do in Matera in 2025?
Matera is one of those places you instantly fall in love with – and we did just that! We crammed so much into our long weekend that we honestly wish we’d had an extra day or two.
With stunning landscapes, delicious food and beautifully preserved rock churches, it’s easy to see why Matera was named a European Capital of Culture back in 2019 – a big turnaround for a city once known, in the 1950s, as a national embarrassment.
The old city is quickly becoming the place to visit in southern Italy. When I first saw photos of this ancient cave city a few years ago, I knew I had to go.
In this guide, I’ll run through the best things to do in Matera, along with tips, local highlights and a few things I wish I’d known before going.
Things To Do In Matera
There’s more to Matera than just the caves. From rock-hewn churches and panoramic viewpoints to local food and cave hotels, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Here’s a list of the best things to do in Matera – whether you’re here for a couple of days or planning a longer stay.
I’ve added all the key spots to the map in the section below so you can easily find your way around.
1. Explore the Sassi Di Matera
In my opinion, this is one of the best things to do in Matera for first-time visitors. Not only is it a free activity, but it’s also good exercise.
The Sassi is a labyrinth of small streets and stairs is perfect for your social media feed. But it’s worth every effort, as around each corner will be another building or view you won’t get anywhere else. Just don’t forget to stretch your calves!
The northern Sasso Barisano seemed a little more developed than Sasso Caveoso to the south. We noticed many of the dwellings were uninhabited in Sasso Caveoso. Probably waiting to be turned into some nice cave hotel in the future.
💡Pro Tip: Although I can be seen in flip flops in the photos, it didn’t take long to change these for more suitable footwear! The cobbled streets are bumpy and uneven, so comfortable footwear is recommended.
2. Stroll through Piazza Vittorio Veneto
If you arrived from the train station, then one of the first places you’ll see is the main square of Piazza Vittorio Veneto. There is a chance to catch your first glimpse of the Sassi from the (sometimes busy) lookout point.
There are also museums, cafes, and souvenir shops in the square as well as an impressive fountain. The square is particularly lively at night, and we couldn’t believe how busy it was compared to the day.
4. Visit Duomo di Matera
Sitting on top of the Civita Hill, the highest point between the two Sassi, is the Matera Cathedral. You’ll know it very well as its bell tower can be seen from all around the Sassi!
Built in the 13th century in Apulian Romanesque style, the cathedral has recently been reopened to the public after a long 10-year renovation project. Inside, there are sculptures and frescoes dating back centuries. Make sure you take in the magnificent views of the Sassi too, as it’s a long way back up.
5. Learn about Matera at Casa Noha
Casa Noha is a locally run, small museum where you can watch a 25-minute multimedia presentation. Being the only two non-Italians there, we were given English language headsets as we learned about the history of Matera. For some strange reason, the film is broken up into four parts, and we moved into a different room for each part.
If you really want to understand the history of Matera, then Casa Noha should be one of the first places you visit. The building is small and can be difficult to find, but if you leave from the cathedral, you can just follow the signposts for 5 minutes and you’re there. Entry is €6.50 and the presentations are every 40 minutes.
6. See How The People Lived At Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario
You may have noticed the many Casa Grotta signs as you walk around Matera. Literally meaning cave house, there are many of these grotte located around Matera, and they’re a great way to experience what it was like to live in these dwellings.
Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario is the most popular and is the one we visited. Entry is €3 and you have access to the main room, a video presentation room and a rupestrian church. Just be aware that the commentary in the main room is in Italian, although the video presentation does have subtitles.
7. See The Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso
The Chiesa di San Pietro (Church of Saint Peter) is the only church in the Sassi not to be built into the rock surface. Located at the Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, it’s a great place to visit as you can walk around the church and take in the views of the ravine and the rupestrian churches on the hill opposite.
8. See Frescoes Of Madonna de Idris & San Giovanni
On top of the limestone rock, Monterrone, are two connected rock churches – the Madonna de Idris and the San Giovanni. These stunning churches are carved into the rock face and located next to the Piazza San Pietro Caveoso. Guided tours are available to learn more about the frescoes that date back to the 12th century (although no photography is allowed). Entry is €3.50, but you can save money and buy a combined ticket for €7 that also includes entry to Santa Lucia alle Malve and San Pietro Barisano.
9. Enter A Rupestrian Church at Santa Lucia alle Malve
The cave church of Santa Lucia alle Malve dates back to the 8th century and is probably the best example of an ancient rupestrian church. During our visit, part of the church was closed off for restoration, but we could still view some wonderfully preserved frescoes. Photography is not allowed in the church, even without flash.
10. Take In The Views From Chiesa di Sant’Agostino
On the northern edge of Sasso Barisano, you’ll find the Chiesa di Sant’Agostino, a church dedicated to Saint Augustine. This has to be one of the best viewpoints of the Sassi as you’ll be able to see the ravine and all of Sasso Barisano, including the duomo.
11. Admire Sculptures at MUSMA
MUSMA, or the Museum of Contemporary Sculpture, is located in the heart of the Sassi. There is an impressive collection of sculptures here, and you get a unique experience as they’re located inside a cool cave palace. Entry is €5.
12. Learn About Cisterns At Palombaro Lungo
Lying under the city square of Piazza Vittorio Veneto is the giant cistern of Palombaro Lungo. Due to the low rainfall in the region, it was essential to conserve the water that fell. Guided tours are €3, but the English-speaking guides are only available on a few tours each day.
13. See The Sunset From Belvedere Murgia Timone
You may have noticed some small caves across the ravine on the hillside. That is Parco della Murgia, a national park of over 150 rupestrian churches. The park is also great for hiking, but unfortunately, the rope bridge was closed off during our visit. To access some of the churches, you will need to hire a local guide.
We did manage to get to Belvedere Murgia Timone viewpoint for a fantastic view of Matera from across the river.
Try and time your visit for the late afternoon. After exploring the churches, you can witness one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see. As the sun sets, you’ll see the Sassi light up across the ravine! It’s absolutely magical! Just remember to bring mosquito repellent!
14. Eat A Lot Of Pane di Matera
The ancient bread of Matera is something you’ll try many times. There are many stores with huge, odd-shaped, dark, crusted lumps on their shopfront. Made from local ingredients, the crumb has a slightly yellow colour and is very similar to sourdough. One local told us that the thick crust meant that the bread won’t start to spoil until it is cut. We’re not sure if this was true or not, but it didn’t stop us from enjoying the bread many times during our stay.
15. Visit the Crypt of the Original Sin
This one’s a little outside the city, but well worth the trip. About 15 minutes from Matera, the Cripta del Peccato Originale is a cave church known for its incredible 8th-century frescoes – often nicknamed the “Sistine Chapel” of rupestrian art.
You’ll need to book a guided tour in advance and, just a heads-up, photos aren’t allowed inside. But if you’re interested in early Christian art or rupestrian churches, this one’s pretty special.
16. Stay In A Cave Hotel
One of the things you absolutely have to do when visiting a cave city is, of course, stay in a cave! Many of the dwellings have been made into clean, comfortable and even luxurious rooms for visitors, making it one of the most unique experiences in Matera.
The cave hotels do tend to cost more due to their popularity, but there are now even budget and luxury options. Those on a day trip to Matera will certainly miss out on this cool little experience.
17. Eat In A Cave Restaurant
Many of the cave dwellings have also been expertly converted into restaurants. There are many to choose from and, being in Italy, you know that you can’t really go wrong as the food is always delicious. Just be aware that you may have a Euro or two added onto your bill just for sitting!
18. Watch A Movie… Being Made
The Sassi di Matera has retained a Biblical look, and this has led to many films using the stunning backdrop for their movies. Films such as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and Wonder Woman were shot in the Sassi, and it’s surprising that the film crew of Game of Thrones didn’t visit during their eight seasons.
We literally just missed the filming of the new James Bond movie. Although we were told, we were lucky to avoid the cameras as whole streets were closed off during the shooting of the scenes. We did see a rather strange film being shot at the Duomo that involved a lot of religious-looking men dancing on squashed tomatoes!
19. Witness The Festa della Bruna
This is a festival we learned about at Casa Noha. As well as the usual fireworks and celebrations that go along with festivals, it was the finale that really stood out!
For the last 600 years, on the 2nd of July, Matera celebrates the feast of Bruna. It is one of the most important days in the calendar for the residents of Matera and involves a chariot being escorted into the main square before being torn apart by the locals. Coming away with a piece of the wagon as a trophy will bring good luck for the year to come.
Matera Italy Map
To help you get your bearings, here’s a map of Matera with all the main sights mentioned in this guide. Most places are within walking distance, especially around the Sassi – but it’s still handy to see where everything is before you head out exploring.
What is Sassi di Matera?
The main city of Matera itself is like your typical southern Italian city. However, it’s the unique landscape of the historical centre that everyone comes to see! The Sassi, or stones, are named after the two districts – Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. These districts make up the area known as Sassi di Matera.
The Sassi are a maze of grottoes, or dwellings, that are dug into the rock surface. There is even evidence that people were living in these caves as early as 7000 BC. The caves would potentially be continuously inhabited until modern times. Imagine living in the same place that your ancient relatives lived in, thousands of years ago!
Up until the 1950s, Matera was relatively unknown to the rest of Italy. Large families lived together with their farm animals in their disease-ridden caves without electricity or clean running water. That all changed with Carlo Levi’s memoir, Christ Stopped at Eboli.
The word was out, and Italian prime minister Alcide De Gasperi then forced out most of Matera’s residents to the ‘new town’. Meanwhile, the government, with the help of the EU, began the regeneration of the Sassi.
Some 70 years later, and Matera, along with Parco della Murgia, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! A result of the continued work in making Matera an attractive choice for tourists. And the number of visitors, especially internationally, are increasing every year too. Not bad for a city once known as ‘the shame of Italy’.
How To Get To Matera
Flying to Matera
If, like us, you’re visiting Italy just to see Matera, you’ll probably be flying into Bari International Airport. It’s the closest major airport and a good option if you’re coming from most major European cities. From the airport, getting to Matera is quite straightforward.
Taking the Train from Bari To Matera
We caught the train from Bari to Matera, and while it wasn’t the quickest journey, it was simple enough once we figured out where to go.
The train is run by Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) – which is separate from Trenitalia – and the station isn’t inside Bari Centrale, which threw us off at first. To find it, head outside the main station so you’re facing the big fountain, then walk to the building on your left. The FAL entrance is on the far right-hand side – the sign above the door is faint, so keep an eye out.
Tickets cost around €5, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. It starts slow, but that gives you time to ease into the day. You can check the timetable on the FAL website – just look for BARI C.le when searching (the rest of it can be a bit confusing… or maybe that’s just me?).
From Matera Centrale, it’s around a 10-minute walk to the Sassi – just follow the signs.
💡 Pro Tip: You might need to change trains at Altamura depending on the route. We did, and since the announcements are only in Italian, we ended up asking another passenger. She didn’t speak English, but we managed to figure it out together.
Taking the Bus
If you don’t fancy the train, there’s a direct Pugliairbus from Bari Airport to Matera. It takes around 1 hour 15 minutes and costs €5, which is great value if you’re heading straight there after your flight.
There are also buses to Matera from other major cities like Rome, Florence, Milan and Naples, and the bus station is about a 10-minute walk from the Sassi.
Driving to Matera
If you’re on a road trip through southern Italy, Matera makes a great stop between Puglia and the Amalfi Coast. Just be aware that you can’t drive into the old town, so you’ll need to park outside and walk in.
There are a few public car parks nearby, like Parcheggio Via Vena and Parcheggio Saragat, and some hotels offer private parking and transfers into the Sassi.
Best Restaurants In Matera
Matera is full of amazing restaurants (Italy does some of the best food after all), and it’s easy to find somewhere good to eat using a map app. We do try to eat at well-reviewed or popular restaurants when we can, as we like to think that the food is quite an important part of any trip.
A proper coffee and pastry at the laid-back Caffè Borghese is an ideal start to the day. For lunch on the go, grab a big tasty sandwich from Il Rusticone, near Piazza Vittorio Veneto (they also do great pizzas). Perfect if you’re short on time but still want something decent.
In the evening, Trattoria del Caveoso is a great shout for traditional Lucanian food in a cosy cave setting. Another, more expensive, option is Ristorante Vitantonio Lombardo – a Michelin-starred option with creative tasting menus.
We enjoyed a cocktail (or three) at the popular Area 8. Excellent for an aperitivo or drinks later in the evening.
Where To Stay In Matera
There’s a good mix of places to stay in Matera depending on your budget – from simple guesthouses to more stylish spots near the Sassi. If your budget allows, I’d definitely recommend staying in a cave hotel for the full experience.
➡️ Budget Option: Hydria Rooms
Just a stone’s throw from Sasso Barisano, Hydria Rooms offers a comfortable stay in a restored tuff-stone building. The rooms are modern and clean, and the location is perfect for exploring the Sassi. Plus, the friendly staff and free Wi-Fi make it a great budget-friendly choice.
👉 Check out the latest prices for Hydria Rooms here!
➡️ Mid-Range Option: Palazzo Degli Abati
Nestled in the heart of the Sassi, Palazzo Degli Abati offers unique rooms carved into the rock or set in an 18th-century building. The terrace provides stunning views over Matera, and the central location makes it easy to explore the city’s historic sites. It’s a perfect blend of history and comfort.
👉 Check out the latest prices for Palazzo Degli Abati here!
➡️ Luxury Option: Palazzotto Residence & Winery
Nestled within Matera’s historic Sassi, Palazzotto Residence & Winery offers uniquely designed rooms that blend traditional charm with modern comforts. Guests rave about the exceptional breakfast and the attentive, friendly staff. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Matera’s rich history.
👉 Check out the latest prices for Palazzotto Residence & Winery here!
FAQs: Visiting Matera
Planning a visit to Matera? Here are some frequently asked questions to help you prepare – from getting around to what to expect when exploring the Sassi.
How Difficult Is It To Walk In Matera?
Matera’s historic Sassi districts are a maze of narrow, winding streets and numerous staircases. The terrain can be challenging, especially for those with mobility issues. Comfortable walking shoes are a must, and be prepared for some steep climbs. However, navigating these ancient pathways on foot is the best way to fully experience the city’s unique charm.
How Long Should I Spend In Matera?
To truly appreciate what Matera has to offer, plan to spend at least two to three days. This allows ample time to explore the Sassi districts, visit key sites like the Rupestrian churches, and perhaps take a guided tour to delve deeper into the city’s rich history. An extra day provides the opportunity to explore the surrounding Basilicata region, which is well worth it.
Is Matera Expensive To Eat?
Dining in Matera caters to various budgets. A meal at a mid-range restaurant typically costs between €15 and €20, while a three-course meal at a more upscale establishment ranges from €30 to €40. Local markets and cafés also offer affordable and delicious options for budget-conscious travellers.
Do People Still Live In The Caves Of Matera?
Yes, many of the ancient cave dwellings in Matera’s Sassi have been restored and are inhabited today. These caves have been continuously occupied for thousands of years. While some serve as private residences, others have been transformed into boutique hotels, restaurants, and shops, blending history with modern living.
Wrapping Up: Things To Do In Matera
Matera really is one of the most unique places we’ve been to in Italy. Exploring the Sassi felt like stepping into a film set – and at times, it was hard to believe places like this still exist.
It’s not completely undiscovered, but it also doesn’t feel overrun by tourists yet. Even at popular spots like the Duomo or Casa Grotta, most of the other visitors were small Italian tour groups rather than big international crowds.
Whether you’re here for the cave churches, the food, the history, or just to wander and take it all in, Matera certainly leaves a lasting impression. We could’ve easily stayed longer – and we’ll probably say the same thing next time we go back.
If you’re planning your own trip, I hope this guide helps you make the most of it.
