Matera

The ancient cave city of Italy

Matera stands out as a place where history and modern life share space in unexpected ways. The town is known for its ancient cave dwellings carved into rock cliffs, showing how people adapted to the landscape over thousands of years. Today, streets are lined with cafes, shops and homes built within these historic spaces. Walking through Matera feels like moving between past and present, where stone walls tell stories while new life fills the rooms above them. The atmosphere remains calm and open, inviting visitors to explore at their own pace.

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Town in Italy

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.8

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	9

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3/5

English is spoken in most tourist areas, particularly in hotels, restaurants, and guided tours. However, outside the main attractions, Italian is more commonly used, so learning a few basic phrases is helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Matera Summary

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Unique for cave dwellings and history. Explore ancient stone houses, visit rock churches, walk dramatic alleys and enjoy panoramic viewpoints.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Historic sites

Guided tours

Walkable

Large cities

Cosy towns

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 9

Couples

Italy – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in Italy, particularly in cities. While larger establishments and chains are fully cashless, smaller shops may still prefer cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Italy, especially in restaurants where 10-15% is typical. Tipping for taxi drivers is usually rounded up or 5-10%. Small tips for hotel staff are also appreciated.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Italy, especially in public squares and during festivals. In some regions, it is illegal to drink alcohol in certain areas like public transport or near schools.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are available outside.

Ferragosto (August)	Many businesses close, and Italians take holidays. It’s very busy in tourist areas.
Christmas (December)	Christmas markets and festivities are popular, expect higher prices and crowded attractions.
La Befana (January)	Celebrated on January 6, the Epiphany is a public holiday with festive events, and some businesses close.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Free Now, ItTaxi
Other:	Italy's tourist infrastructure is well-developed, but some rural or historical areas may require extra planning for accessibility.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Matera, Italy

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - June, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, July - Aug., Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Midday summer heat makes the steep Sassi stairs tiring, so explore early morning or evening

Festa della Bruna on July 2: patron saint festival with a parade and the festive cart destroyed at night

Italian holiday weekends (Easter, 25 April, 1 May, 2 June, 15 August) bring crowds, book rooms ahead

Don't miss

🏞️ Explore the ancient Sassi di Matera cave dwellings
🎨 Visit the frescoed Crypt of the Original Sin
🥾 Hike through Murgia Materana Park for breathtaking views
⛪ Tour the Rock Complex of Madonna della Virtù
🏰 Admire architecture at Matera Cathedral and Piazza Duomo

You've been here?

Why travel to Matera?

Matera is a truly unique destination, offering a glimpse into an ancient world. The Sassi district, with its rock-hewn churches, narrow alleys and cave hotels, creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Italy. The city’s transformation from poverty-stricken past to cultural treasure makes it even more fascinating. However, be prepared for lots of walking and uneven terrain. The steep staircases and rocky paths make it less suitable for those with mobility issues and summer heat can be intense.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Sassi di Matera
2 Casa Grotta nei Sassi
3 Palombaro Lungo - Cisterna Ipogea
4 Casa Noha

🎡Places for activities

1 Sassi di Matera
2 Musma

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Gravina
2 Belvedere di Murgia Timone
3 Grotta dei Pipistrelli
4 Riserva naturale orientata Bosco Pantano di Policoro
5 Oasi WWF Bosco Pantano di Policoro

🛍️Shopping

1 Bar Pasticceria Schiuma
2 Libreria Dell'Arco

🎈Events

Festa della Bruna (July)
Matera Balloon Festival (October)
Presepe Vivente nei Sassi (December)
Matera Jazz Festival (Summer)
Women's Fiction Festival (September)
Lumen Light Festival (December)
Rock Festival of Matera (August)
Mediterraneo Festival (July)
Matera Film Festival (September)
Holy Week Processions (Easter)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Explore the Sassi districts on foot; wear comfortable shoes for steep, uneven streets.
Park outside the historic center and walk in; car access is limited in most old streets.
Time your visit for early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy lighting.
Consider a guided walk to understand the ancient cave dwellings and rupestrian churches, including the canyon overlook.

How to travel to Matera

Matera doesn’t have its own airport; the closest is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI), about an hour away. From Bari, you can take a direct bus or train to Matera. Renting a car is another option, especially if you plan to explore the surrounding countryside.

Access summary

From Bari Airport (BRI): Direct shuttle bus or car, about 1–1.5 hours.
From Bari city: Regional train or bus to Matera, usually around 1.5 hours.
From Naples or Rome: Long-distance buses or car, roughly 3.5–6 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Matera

Staying in a cave hotel is a must for a truly immersive experience. Matera has accommodations ranging from budget guesthouses to luxury cave suites, mostly located within the Sassi. Some countryside agriturismos nearby also offer scenic stays.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita Hotel

9.4

Locanda Di San Martino Hotel & Thermae Romanae

9.3

B&B Donna Eleonora

9.5

Fra I Sassi Residence

9.4

Hotel Del Campo

8.2

Palazzo Gattini - The Leading Hotels of the World

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Matera

Walking is the best way to explore, but be prepared for many steps and steep paths. Public transport within Matera is limited, though taxis and guided tuk-tuk tours are available. Renting a car is useful for visiting nearby attractions, but parking in the city center is tricky.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-17 %

Daily expenses in Matera are around 17% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£57	£127	£335
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£60	£135
🍝 Food per day	£27	£60	£175
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£7	£25

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£24
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£11
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£9.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£16
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.60

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£9
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£10.50
💇 Basic haircut	£10.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Matera is a safe destination with low crime rates. The biggest hazard is the uneven terrain, which can be slippery after rain. At night, some remote paths may feel isolated, so stick to well-lit areas.

Health & Medical

There are medical facilities in Matera for basic care, but larger hospitals are in Bari. Pharmacies are available for minor health issues and the emergency number is 112.

Accessibility

Matera is challenging for those with mobility issues due to its steep stairs and uneven stone paths. Some modern hotels and restaurants have better accessibility, but the historic Sassi district is difficult to navigate with wheelchairs or strollers.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink, but some prefer bottled water due to its taste. Public fountains are available in some areas, but it’s a good idea to carry a reusable bottle.