Planning to spend one day in Matera, Italy? This ancient city is a must visit destination on any trip to Puglia. From exploring the Sassi di Matera to staying in a cave hotel, this itinerary covers the best things to do in Matera in one day!
A few years ago, some photos of Matera on Instagram caught my eye and I knew I had to visit! A gorgeous city in southern Italy made up of ancient caves and a fascinating history? Sounds incredible! Since then, Matera has only grown in popularity — it was named European Capital of Culture 2019 and was even featured in the latest James Bond movie, No Time to Die.
So when I planned a trip to Puglia over the summer, I made sure to include Matera on the itinerary… and I’m so glad I did.
Here’s how to spend one day in Matera, Italy!
About Matera
Matera, Italy, located in the southern region of Basilicata, is a city with a rich history and unique architecture. And by architecture, I mean caves. That’s right, the city is known for its cave dwellings, called Sassi… pretty unique, right?
The cave dwellings are divided into two neighborhoods or districts: Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Sasso Caveoso is home to some of the city’s iconic churches and Sasso Barisano is where many of the shops, restaurants and hotels are located.
The history of Matera dates back to prehistoric times, and the city has been inhabited continuously for thousands of years. In fact, it’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world!
In the late 1800s to the early 1900s, the Sassi were occupied by the poverty-stricken where poor sanitation led to widespread disease. Matera became known as “the shame of Italy” until the people were relocated to modern housing in the 1950s.
Today, the Sassi have been restored and transformed into hotels, restaurants, and museums. The caves and buildings are connected by narrow streets and alleys, which create a labyrinthine network that is fascinating to explore.
In 1993, Matera and its rupestrian churches were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural significance, making it a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.
In addition to its beauty and interesting history, Matera is also known for its delicious cuisine. The city is located in the heart of the Mediterranean, and the local cuisine is influenced by the flavors of the sea and the land. Some of the most popular dishes in Matera include homemade pasta with lamb ragù, roasted vegetables, and a variety of seafood dishes.
Overall, Matera is a charming city that offers visitors a unique glimpse into Italy’s rich history and culture — and absolutely worth a visit!
Where is Matera?
Matera is located near the “heel” of Italy’s “boot” in the southern region of Basilicata, Italy. It’s quite close to the border of the Apuglia region which makes it a popular stop on many visitor’s Puglia itineraries.
Matera is inland; about 45 minutes from the coast and it’s about an hour drive to Bari. From Naples, it’s close to a two-hour drive and a three-hour drive from Rome.
How to Get to Matera
If you are flying into Italy, the closest airport to Matera is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport. From there, you can take a bus or train to Matera. Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive to Matera from Bari or another nearby city.
If you are coming from Rome, you can take a train to Bari or Taranto and then transfer to a train to Matera. The journey takes about four hours.
I visited Matera as part of a road trip through Puglia where we flew into Bari. We drove to Matera from Alberobello (about 1 hour) and then drove onward to Bari (about 45 minutes) and found the drive to be very easy!
Just note that there aren’t any cars allowed in the Sassi of Matera (or the ancient neighborhoods) so visitors will need to leave their car in a parking lot outside. Our hotel gave us directions to a parking lot for guests and set up a shuttle to bring us in.
The Best Time to Visit Matera
The best time to visit Matera is from April to October when the weather is nice and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. However, Matera can be quite crowded during the summer months, so some people prefer to visit in the shoulder season (April to May or September to October) to avoid the crowds.
My visit to Puglia in September was perfect as the weather was still warm enough to swim in the sea and the crowds weren’t too bad. On the days that I visited Matera, it was quite hot but not unbearable by any means. Although, I may be concerned that visiting in peak summer it might be a little too hot since the city is made of stone and there aren’t any beaches super close!
Is One Day Enough for Matera?
If you only have one day in Matera, you can easily explore the city’s historic Sassi district, take an Ape Calessino tour, dine at a local restaurant, and even stay in a cave hotel. However, you’ll need to prioritize which attractions you want to see and plan your time carefully.
While many people visit Matera on a day trip, I think it’s worth staying overnight so that you can experience staying in one of the cave houses!
If you have more time, it’s worth considering spending an additional day or two in Matera to explore the city at a more relaxed pace. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s culture and appreciate its unique architecture and cuisine. And, if you have the time, you may want to explore the surrounding region of Basilicata, which is known for its stunning countryside, picturesque villages, and delicious food and wine.
How to Get Around Matera
Matera is a small city and it’s relatively easy to get around on foot, especially in the historic Sassi of Matera where there are no cars allowed!
So, walking is the best way to explore Matera’s Sassi district, where many of the attractions are located within walking distance of each other. Just make sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for some steep uphill climbs and staircases!
Another way to explore the city is on an Ape Calessino tour, which I’ll go into more detail on in the one day Matera itinerary below.
How to Spend One Day in Matera
Matera is a small city, but it’s packed with beauty, history, culture, and charm with lots of things to see and do. Here are some of the best things to do with one day in Matera!
Take a Guided Ape Calessino Tour
One of the best ways to see Matera is on a guided Ape Calessino tour.
An Ape Calessino is a traditional Italian three-wheeled vehicle, similar to a tuk-tuk, that can take you on a guided tour of the city. It’s a fun and unique way to explore Matera’s narrow streets and alleys with the knowledge of a local guide.
During the tour, you will visit some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including the ancient cisterns, the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and the Madonna delle Virtù church. It was a great way to see the highlights of the city in both the ancient Sassi district and the modern side where most locals live.
The tour lasts about an hour and costs around €70 per person. It’s a great way to get an overview of the city in a short amount of time!
Marvel at the Church of Saint Peter Caveoso
The Church of Saint Peter Caveoso (also known as San Pietro Caveoso) is a historic church located in the Sassi di Matera district and is one of the most impressive examples of the cave churches in the city. It’s named after Saint Peter, the patron saint of Matera, and Sasso Caveoso, the name of the neighborhood where the church is located. The church was built in the 13th century and features a Romanesque style with some Gothic and Baroque elements.
The church itself it beautiful… but don’t miss the breathtaking views to the left of the church where you can overlook the large ravine on the edge of the city. It’s a great place to snap some photos!
Aperitivo at Regiacorte
Since we were staying at the Sant’Angelo Resort, we decided to pop into their terrace restaurant, Regiacorte, for some drinks in the late afternoon. We were delighted to find that the terrace had spectacular views of the city and the Santa Maria di Idris church, one of Matera’s iconic rock churches. I’d highly recommend stopping by for drinks at sunset during your trip to Matera!
Dinner at Vitantonio Lombardo
Since it was the last night of our Puglia trip, we decided to make it a memorable one with dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. And, honestly, it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip!
Vitantonio Lombardo is located in the heart of the city and is set within a thousand-year-old cave. How many people can say they’ve dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant inside a thousand-year-old cave? Pretty incredible!
The entire dinner was an experience — from the unique setting to the service to the imaginative menu and presentative of dishes.
For example, to start, we were given an amuse bouche course that was showcased on a gorgeous ceramic tower. And the courses just got better from there! The “Pizza in Black” was an incredible standout (hint: it’s not pizza) and the “Last Kiss” dessert was a pair of lips (that were delicious!) accompanied by a soundtrack.
Dining at Vitantonio Lombardo is certainly a special experience to end your one day in Matera. But, if you’re looking for something a little more low-key — and I wouldn’t blame you, especially after a long day of exploring! — Trattoria del Caveoso also came highly recommended as one of the best restaurants.
Stay in a Cave at Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort
To make your Matera experience truly unforgettable, stay at the Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort. This five-star hotel is located in the heart of the Sassi district and offers guests the opportunity to stay in a traditional cave dwelling.
→ Book a Stay at Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort
The rooms are spacious and luxurious, with modern amenities such as air conditioning and Wi-Fi. The hotel has many different rooms; each room has a unique layout and design (makes sense for a cave, right?) and the shared patios have sweeping views.
Staying in a cave hotel was on my bucket list so this one-of-a-kind accommodation really checked all the boxes for me!
Matera has many incredible hotels to choose from! I’ll include some of the other hotel options we considered below:
- Palazzo Degli Abati: This hotel is not only carved out of ancient caves but it also has luxurious amenities and gorgeous views of Matera.
- Locanda Di San Martino Hotel & Thermae Romanae: This cave hotel features an indoor pool… and swimming in a pool inside a cave is definitely a bucket list experience! Also, guests can expect a home-made breakfast and incredible views of Matera.
That’s everything you need to know about spending one day in Matera, Italy… Now you can go ahead and start planning your trip to the ancient city!
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