Matera is a captivating city in Southern Italy, renowned for its ancient cave dwellings, known as the Sassi, which are a UNESCO World Heritage site. It offers visitors a deep dive into thousands of years of human history, with a unique landscape of carved-out homes, churches, and stunning panoramic views.
The revitalized Sassi area provides various opportunities to socialize, with many cave dwellings now hosting charming hotels, restaurants, and cozy wine bars. Evenings can be spent enjoying local wines and cuisine in atmospheric settings, or at modern bars found within the historical districts, with Piazza San Francesco noted as a lively spot.
Top 6 Things to do in Matera
Activities in Matera primarily involve exploring ancient cave dwellings, historical sites, and the surrounding natural park, complemented by engaging with local culinary traditions.
1. Exploring the Sassi di Matera and Matera Cathedral
Wandering through the ancient Sassi districts of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso reveals a unique landscape of cave dwellings, narrow alleys, and impressive architecture. The experience is like stepping back in time, with every turn offering a new perspective on this historic city. Reaching the Matera Cathedral, perched atop Civita hill, provides breathtaking panoramic views over the Sassi. Opting for a guided walking tour enriches the visit by offering deep insights into Matera's complex history and the daily life of its former inhabitants.
Cost: Exploring independently is free. A guided group walking tour typically costs around €20-€25 per person, often including entry to a cave house and a rock church. Private walking tours start from approximately €130 for a group. The Matera Cathedral entrance is generally free.
Transport: The Sassi and the Cathedral are within walking distance of each other and the modern city center. Comfortable walking shoes are essential due to steep and uneven terrain.
2. Visiting Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario
Stepping into Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario offers an authentic and poignant glimpse into the living conditions of Matera's cave dwellers up until the mid-20th century. This meticulously preserved cave house, furnished with original items and tools, illustrates how families often shared a single room with their animals, providing a profound understanding of their resilience and ingenuity. An audio guide is available in multiple languages for a self-guided, immersive experience.
Cost: Entry fee is typically €3-€5 per person.
Transport: Located in the Sasso Caveoso district, it is easily reachable on foot from the city center.
3. Discovering the Rupestrian Churches
Matera is home to numerous rupestrian churches, ancient places of worship carved directly into the rock. Exploring these churches, such as Santa Maria di Idris and San Giovanni Monterrone, reveals early Christian frescoes and a unique architectural style adapted to the cave environment. These sacred spaces offer a deep connection to Matera's spiritual past and its Byzantine influences.
Cost: Some rupestrian churches are included in guided Sassi tours. Individual entry fees, when applicable, are typically around €3-€5 per church.
Transport: Many are located within the Sassi districts and are accessible on foot.
4. Exploring Palombaro Lungo
Descending into the Palombaro Lungo, a massive underground cistern beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto, unveils an impressive feat of ancient engineering. This hand-dug water system, once vital for Matera's inhabitants, provides a fascinating insight into the city's innovative solutions for water collection and storage. Walking along the constructed pathways within the cavernous space highlights the scale and importance of this historical infrastructure.
Cost: Entry is approximately €3 for adults; minors (not school groups) are free.
Transport: Located directly beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the modern center, it is easily accessible on foot.
5. Hiking to Murgia Materana Park and Belvedere Murgia Timone
For an unparalleled panoramic view of Matera's Sassi, one can venture across the Gravina ravine to the Murgia Materana Park. The hike, which can be moderately challenging and includes crossing a Tibetan suspension bridge, offers stunning vistas of the ancient city from a distance and leads to other rupestrian churches. This experience provides a different perspective of Matera, contrasting the dense urban Sassi with the wild, natural landscape of the Murgia. For those preferring less strenuous travel, a taxi ride offers direct access to the viewpoints.
Cost: Hiking independently is free. A taxi ride from Matera to Parco della Murgia Materana costs around €30-€40. Guided tours, including shuttle service and church entrances, are around €79 per person.
Transport: Accessible by a challenging hike (approximately 1.5-2 hours round trip) or a 26-minute taxi ride. Public transport options are not widely detailed for direct access.
6. Participating in a Matera Cooking Class
Engaging in a cooking class provides an immersive cultural experience, allowing one to learn the secrets of traditional Lucanian cuisine. Under the guidance of local chefs, visitors can prepare authentic dishes such as fresh pasta, bruschetta, and regional specialties using local ingredients. This hands-on activity culminates in enjoying the prepared meal with local wines, offering a taste of Matera's rich food heritage. Some classes are held in unique settings like Sassi cellars or traditional farms.
Cost: Prices vary widely, typically ranging from $60 to over $100 per person, depending on the class type (group, private, location).
Transport: Many cooking classes are held within Matera's city center or in easily accessible nearby farms, often including pickup services.
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Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
