Hotels in Matera

Matera: Stone City of the Sassi

Matera sits on a ravine in Basilicata, southern Italy, roughly 65 km from the Ionian coast. The city is defined by its Sassi di Matera — two ancient cave districts, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano — carved directly into the Murgia plateau's limestone. Continuously inhabited for at least 9,000 years, Matera is among the oldest settled places in the world. UNESCO added the Sassi to its World Heritage List in 1993; Italy named Matera a European Capital of Culture in 2019.

Where to Stay in Matera

Most visitors base themselves inside the Sassi, where cave hotels occupy former dwellings cut into the rock face. The Civita district — the elevated historic core — sits between the two Sassi and provides walkable access to the Duomo di Matera (13th-century cathedral) and the viewpoint at Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Hotels outside the Sassi cluster along Via Roma and the modern Piano district, typically at lower rates.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Matera has no rail connection; the nearest major station is Potenza Centrale (~100 km west). Buses from Bari (Puglia) take about 1.5 hours.
• Footwear: Sassi streets are steep, uneven stone — flat, closed-toe shoes are essential.
• Best months: April–June and September–October avoid summer heat above 35 °C.
• Rock churches: The Cripta del Peccato Originale, 15 km north, holds 8th-century Byzantine frescoes and requires a separate visit.