Matera Travel Guide
Matera Travel Guide
Matera is one of the most underrated Italian cities to visit in my opinion. The epic, historical city is located in the Basilicata region of Italy, closer to the center of the country than the nearby Puglia region, although I recommend combining the two in one trip!
Matera is an ancient city that originally consisted of a series of cave dwellings, or Sassi, carved into the rocky landscape. The Sassi were inhabited by lower income families until the 1950’s when families were relocated to new housing.
The impressive city has been built around the Sassi, which are now home to museums for visitors to explore. I cannot recommend a trip to Matera enough, it’s one of the most unique places I’ve visited.
Jump To:
- *Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Picks for Drinks With A View*
- Where to Stay in Matera
- Top Things to do in Matera
- Best Restaurants in Matera
- Getting to Matera
- Parking in Matera
- How Many Days to Spend in Matera
- Safety for Solo Female Travel in Matera
- Matera – Top Blog Posts
Disclaimer: This article contains some links where I earn commission through booking. There is no extra cost to you, and I only recommend things I’ve used and love or places I’ve stayed and enjoyed!
*Backpacks & Bubbly – Top Picks for Drinks With A View*
Madame Giulia
Madame Giulia offers some best panoramic views over the Stassi of any restaurant/bar in Matera. The views are stunning at all hours of day, but sunset & golden hour are unreal.
Runner Up: Regiacorte – Restaurant & Lounge Terrace
Regiacorte is a close runner up here with similarly stunning views, particularly over Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.
Where to Stay in Matera
L’OSPITE – LIFESTYLE RESIDENCE
I stayed at L’OSPITE – LIFESTYLE RESIDENCE during my recent trip to Matera and I cannot recommend this place enough! The pictures absolutely do not do it justice, it’s much nicer in person, and very reasonably priced (I paid about $150 per night)
The location cannot be beat, it’s about a 3 minute walk from the entrance to Sassi Barisano, one of the two Sassi districts that make up Matera. They have street parking or offer paid parking in a locked lot (this was super convenient for having a rental car)
The man who checked me in was also that absolute nicest host. He drove with me to the private parking so I didn’t get lost, and then he walked me through a guide to the city and hand drew all the best places to see and visit in 2 days.
He also provided a list of his favorite restaurants, all of which were amazing recommendations! I cannot say enough nice things about this hotel!
Top Things to do in Matera
Find the Best Viewpoints of the City
While you’ll want to wander down into the Stassi districts themselves (see below) The highlights of Matera are the stunning viewpoints along the roads that surround the Stassi districts. These roads are up the stairs from the Stassi districts and offer the most epic views of the landscape.
See this map I’ve created on Google Maps for the best viewpoints. All of these are close to one another and walkable as you explore the city with the exception of Belvedere Murgia Timone. This viewpoint is across the deep valley that separates Matera from the nearby area, you can easily drive to the viewpoint
Viewpoints (referred to as Belvedere in Italian)
- Belvedere Luigi Gureicchio
- Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli
- Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
- Piazza Duomo
- Convent di Sant’Agostino
- Belvedere Murgia Timone
Explore the Infamous Sassi Districts
Matera consists of two Sassi districts, (they connect to one another) Sasso Caveoso & Sasso Barisano. The most epic thing to do in Matera is wander from the roads that encircle the Sassi into the heart of the Sassi themselves and get lost among the winding streets and alleys.
Tour a Traditional Sassi
If you’re interested in learning more about what life in Matera was like when the Sassi were still inhabited you have several options in Matera to tour a traditional Stassi. I visited Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera.
This tour is quick & informative, and you can buy tickets at the entrance. It wasn’t too long of a wait when I went, shorter than 10 minutes.
Visit Some of Matera’s Most Famous Churches
Best Restaurants in Matera
Basquiat
One of the best meals I had in Matera! Basquiat is modern and chic with a great selection of pastas and steaks. The food was amazing!
Trattoria Lucana
An amazing traditional spot in Matera, the owner of the hotel recommended this place to me as one of his favorites and it did not disappoint! Trattoria Lucana is a cozy spot with many regional dishes.
Ristorante Baccus
Ristorante Baccus is a great spot to try locale cuisine (the orecchiette is amazing!) If you can grab a table outside they also have great views of the Sassi.
Madame Giulia
Madame Giulia offers some best panoramic views over the Stassi of any restaurant/bar in Matera. The views are stunning at all hours of day, but sunset & golden hour are unreal. They also have a large food menu.
Regiacorte – Restaurant & Lounge Terrace
Regiacorte also offers stunning views, particularly over Piazza San Pietro Caveoso. They offer an a la carte and tasting menu to go with the views! This is a bit more of an upscale place price and menu-wise.
Giù a Sud | Bistrot nei Sassi
Giù a Sud | Bistrot nei Sassi is a great little spot in the Sasi districts. Their antipasti and pasta dishes are both amazing!
900 Ristorante Casa Taccardi
Another great spot for dinner is the Sassi district is 900 Ristorante Casa Taccardi. They offer a variety of local dishes in a typical stassi-style cave that is bright & cozy, overall great atmosphere!
altrapizza
Best pizza in Matera! Altrapizza is a great spot to grab lunch or a casual dinner.
Girotondo
Another great pizza spot in Matera! Girotondo’s menu is super casual in a cool vibe-y spot. Great place to grab dinner & drinks.
Ristorante Spaghetteria Miseria e Nobiltà
This was another spot recommended to me by the owner of the hotel I stayed at. Ristorante Spaghetteria Miseria e Nobiltà is located right outside the Sassi district of Matera, where many of the hotels are. The pastas are amazing!
Fermento Wine Bar Restaurant
Fermento Wine Bar Restaurant is one of the best spots for aperitivo or cocktails in Matera. This place has a cute patio, and has live music. It’s a great spot to unwind after a long day of exploring.
Osteria Belvedere al Vecchio Frantoio
This is a great, casual spot to grab a traditional meal. Osteria Belvedere al Vecchio Frantoio is a great spot to grab lunch after exploring the Basilica Cattedrale di Matera. They have amazing pastas!
Ristorante Bell’Agio
Ristorante Bell’Agio is an upscale spot that offers great views of the Sassi. The menu is small, but the food and the views were both lovely!
Pietra Viva
I had a great meal in Matera at Pietra Viva. Highly recommend the meats. The steak was delicious!
Osteria MateraMì
Some of the best pasta I had in Matera. Osteria MateraMì is a great spot, they also have a lovely patio with views of the Sassi, highly recommend sitting outside if the weather is good!
Getting to Matera
Depending on where you are coming from, there are several ways to reach Matera. The largest nearby city with an airport and major train station is Bari. I’d recommend traveling to Matera through Bari if your itinerary allows.
From Bari you can drive or take a bus. There is a train, but it will take about an hour longer than the bus and I don’t recommend taking it.
By Car
The drive from Bari to Matera takes about an hour. If you’re ok with renting a car this is definitely the most convenient way to travel to Matera.
By Bus
There are several busses running a day between Bari and Matera. The bus takes roughly an hour. Tickets, timetables & station details can be found here.
Parking in Matera
Many accommodations in Matera will offer parking (at an additional cost) this was what I did and it worked out well. Parking was 25 euro a night.
Outside of the main, historical area of Matera there was also plenty of street parking when I visited, so it wouldn’t have been an issue if I didn’t book parking. This was in April during the week, I’d imagine weekends and summer are busier.
You can also find a series of paid parking lots/garages on Google maps.
How Many Days to Spend in Matera
2-3
I spent two days in Matera, and while it was enough to see everything I really wish I had a third day to explore. It was just a super unique and cool landscape and I would have loved to have more time to wander.
I also was working, so two days might have been more efficient if that weren’t the case, as it limited my time to explore!
Safety for Solo Female Travel in Matera
5 out of 5
Matera was extremely safe for solo female travel. I felt totally safe exploring both during the day and at night. I’d just make sure you have google maps if you’re heading down into the sassi, especially at night, navigation can get difficult.
One note about traveling solo to Matera, while it’s totally safe, I did find that restaurants seemed a bit unaccustomed to solo travelers compared to other areas of Italy and were hesitant to sit tables of one, which was a bit odd. I haven’t experienced this elsewhere in Italy.
