Last Updated on 19 May 2026 by Vanessa

Thinking about adding Matera to your Southern Italy itinerary and wondering if it’s truly worth visiting?

For me, it’s easily the most beautiful city in Italy. Ancient cave dwellings, dramatic cliffside settings, lots of cats, and the iconic Sassi districts carved directly into limestone rock make it unlike any other place in the country.

And I’m not the only one who thinks about Matera that way. When directors Marc Forster and Cary Joji Fukunaga needed a striking European filming location for the James Bond movies Quantum of Solace (2008) and No Time to Die (2021), this Basilicata city turned out to be the obvious choice.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip to Matera, including the best things to do, where to stay (It has cave hotels!), where to eat, how many days you need, and plenty of tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Is Matera worth visiting? Ultimate guide to the most beautiful city in Italy

Short on time? These are my top picks for Matera

• Best hotel: B&B Al Convento
• Best restaurants: Il Terrazzino & Osteria Al Casale
• Best things to do: Walk around the Sassi (historic center) and check out the different viewpoints
• Best time to visit: Spring or autumn

Where is Matera

Matera is located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, not far from Puglia. Matera is approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) inland from the Adriatic Sea and about 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the Ionian Sea.

A short history of Matera

Matera has been inhabited for over 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuously settled places in the world.

Much of its history centers around the Sassi, a network of ancient cave dwellings carved into the steep cliffs of the Gravina River valley. People lived in these rock-cut homes for centuries, and they stand as one of the strongest examples of long-term human settlement in Europe.

Matera changed dramatically in the mid-20th century. At that time, living conditions in the Sassi had declined significantly. The area became overcrowded and lacked basic infrastructure such as running water, sewage systems, and electricity. Poverty and poor sanitation were widespread, and families often lived in extremely cramped cave homes.

As a result, the Italian government relocated much of the population in what became known as the “Sassi di Matera shame.” The evacuation remains one of the most controversial episodes in the city’s modern history.

In recent decades, however, Matera has gone through a major transformation. Restoration projects and preservation efforts have brought new life to the Sassi, improving living conditions and protecting the historic structures.

Today, only a few thousand people live in the Sassi, but the city as a whole has around 60,000 residents.

 In 2019, the European Commission’s European Capital of Culture program gave Matera the title European Capital of Culture because of its remarkable transformation from one of Italy’s poorest and most neglected cities into a major cultural destination. UNESCO also recognized the Sassi of Matera in 1993 as a World Heritage Site due to their extraordinary historical and architectural value.

6 reasons why Matera worth visiting

1. The Sassi and cave houses of Matera

The Sassi is the historic district of Matera.

“Sassi” itself means “stones” and refers to the characteristic stone-carved buildings, tunnels, and caves.

What makes the Sassi exceptional is its dramatic and picturesque appearance: stone dwellings perched on the edges of deep ravines and wide views over the surrounding valley.

To this day, people still live in the Sassi, and they are truly the reason why Matera is the most beautiful city in Italy.

Things to do in the Sassi of Matera

You don’t need a checklist to visit the Sassi of Matera. In fact, chances are you’ll find all the main “attractions” automatically, just by walking through the historic center. But just in case, here are a few things to look out for:

• Santa Maria de Idris (rock church): One of the most striking churches in Matera (see photo just above), carved directly into the rock and perched above the Sassi. Inside, you’ll find faded frescoes and a quiet, cave-like interior. Outside, the viewpoint looks over the rooftops and stairways below.
• The walking routes through Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano: There’s no single “main street.” It’s just a network of alleys, staircases, and passages. Getting slightly lost is part of it.
• Piazza Vittorio Veneto (upper city overlook): A good transition point between the modern city and the Sassi below.
  From here, you get your first full view into the cave districts before descending into them.
• Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario (traditional cave home): This restored cave house shows how families actually lived in the Sassi before the evacuation in the 1950s. It’s simple, cramped, and surprisingly revealing—helpful for understanding why living conditions became such a major issue in the mid-20th century.

📍 Limited on time? Join this top-rated walking tour through the Sassi of Matera to see all the highlights in only 2 hours.

2. Cave hotels

Did you know that you can spend the night in one of the cave hotels of the Sassi?

These rooms sit inside former dwellings that have been used for centuries, and they still keep much of the original rock-cut structure. Stone walls, arched ceilings, and uneven natural contours give each room a layout that feels completely individual.

No two cave rooms are the same. Some open onto terraces with views over the Sassi, while others sit deeper into the rock with smaller, more enclosed spaces. It’s very different from a standard hotel stay.

Restoration projects have made these spaces comfortable without stripping away their character. Most cave hotels now include modern essentials like air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and well-designed interiors that work with the original structure instead of against it.

B&B Al Convento

My partner and I stayed at B&B Al Convento in the heart of the Sassi, and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. The quality of the room was exceptional and the atmosphere super cozy, with ambient, colored lighting emanating from the bathroom floor. Breakfast was generous and delicious as well.

You can step out of your accommodation and be right within the Sassi’s charming alleyways.

A cute white and ginger cat spent mornings and evenings with us (and would have even spent the night if we let him). Even though B&B Al Convento isn’t officially his home, he really seemed to love hanging out there with us.

Our experience at B&B Al Convento was truly outstanding, and I wholeheartedly recommend it for a remarkable stay in Matera. You simply can’t go wrong with this choice. You can check out prices, availability, and more photos here.

Palazzo Gattino aka the James Bond Hotel

Another fun possibility is the so-called “James Bond Hotel.” This is the Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel that was featured in the James Bond movie No Time to Die. This famous accommodation is located in the heart of Matera and offers luxurious room with stunning views of the historic Sassi district.

📍 Tip: You can stay outside the Sassi for much less—we did that on our first night in Matera—but I wouldn’t recommend it. Spending the night in a cave hotel is absolutely worth considering, even if it feels like a splurge at first. Many good options are available for under €150 per night, and you can always balance your budget by opting for cheaper accommodation in other cities.

3. Cave restaurants

Matera is renowned for its food scene, and it’s hard to go wrong when selecting a restaurant.

I suggest trying two distinct styles of dining experiences.

The best view: Il Terrazzino

First, consider dining at a restaurant with a view overlooking the Sassi. During our first night in Matera, we had a fantastic experience at Il Terrazzino. Our meal was delicious (we ordered orecchiette with fresh tomatoes – the local specialty).

The photo below is the view we had from our table.

The best food: Osteria Al Casale

The second recommendation is to savor a meal at one of Matera’s many cave restaurants; my partner and I chose Osteria Al Casale for our second night, and it was once again exceptional (we ordered orecchiette with pumpkin and crusco peppers, which we now continue making at home). What makes this option even more intriguing is the opportunity to explore their wine cellars and storage rooms, along with a charming underground museum.

📍 No time to stay for dinner? You can also opt for a wine tasting with local cheeses and cured meats inside one of the cave restaurants.

Whichever restaurant you pick, don’t forget to indulge in the delightful local Primitivo wine, which is a true culinary delight.

4. Iconic filming locations

Matera’s unique landscape has attracted filmmakers from around the world. The James Bond movie No Time to Die (2021) in particular now attracts many film fans to Matera, and you find many references to the film throughout the city. You can even join a James Bond 007 guided tour, which takes you to all the different filming locations in the city.

However, No Time to Die wasn’t the only movie that used Matera as its iconic film setting. Other notable movies filmed in Matera include:

1. Wonder Woman (2020)
2. The First King: Birth of an Empire (2019)
3. Mary Magdalene
4. The Omen (2006)
5. Quantum of Solace (2008)
6. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
7. King David (1985)
8. Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)
9. The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)

By the way, during our time in Matera, we stumbled upon the filming of the Bollywood action movie Viswam (2024) right in front of the restaurant Keiv.

5. Gravina di Matera

Did you know that you can go hiking outside Matera?

This takes place in the Parco della Murgia Materana, a protected natural area located on the opposite side of the Gravina di Matera ravine from the historic Sassi.

This is not a formal hiking park with marked trails. The terrain is a dry limestone plateau shaped by erosion and long-term human activity. Walking routes are mostly informal and connect viewpoints, rock churches, and open areas overlooking the ravine and the city.

What you shouldn’t miss

• Viewpoint of the Sassi from the Murgia plateau: The Murgia Timone plateau is located on the Murgia side of the Gravina ravine and is the most famous viewpoint facing Matera. It was used as a filming location for the James Bond movie No Time to Die and is the clearest vantage point to understand how the city is built into the cliffside.
• Rock churches in the Parco della Murgia Materana: The park contains several rock-cut churches carved into the limestone. Some are accessible on foot, and a number preserve traces of medieval frescoes.
• Open limestone landscape of the Murgia plateau: Much of the hiking area consists of open scrubland and rocky terrain. Some of the walking paths follow the edge of the ravine. In certain sections, informal tracks lead partway down toward the canyon slopes, but most routes remain on the plateau above.

Check out the following guided hiking trails in around Matera:

• Sassi, Murgia, and Tibetan Bridge trip
• Palomba Park, Murgia Sanctuary, and Rocky Churches tour
• Alpaca experience in Murgia

6. Cats

Matera is an absolute delight when it comes to cats. They are everywhere, especially in the Sassi.

The city even boasts a higher concentration of cats compared to many other areas in Italy. They even earned a chapter in Jeff Bogle’s book Street Cats and Where to Find Them.

This makes Matera absolutely worth visiting if you’re a cat lover.

Why are there so many cats in Matera?

Part of the answer comes down to the city itself. The Sassi’s maze of cave dwellings, stairways, and narrow alleys creates plenty of quiet corners where cats can shelter and move around unnoticed. Combined with the Mediterranean climate, it’s an environment where they can live comfortably year-round.

There’s also a practical reason. Cats have been part of daily life in Matera for a long time because they help keep the rodent population under control. In a place built around caves and stone homes, that mattered even more because rodents could damage stored food and make already difficult living conditions worse.

The rise in tourism has grown the cat population even more. Many visitors feed the cats, which naturally encourages them to stay around the Sassi and central areas.

Locals clearly have a strong affection for them as well. It’s common to see residents petting them, picking them up, or simply sharing space with them in a relaxed way. This felt very different from my previous experiences in Italy, especially in Cozze and Pogliano a Mare, where I often met cats that appeared hungry, sick, and in generally poor condition.

Some shops and restaurants also have resident cats that greet customers at the door or nap in window displays. In a few places, you’ll also notice photos or decorations featuring their cats inside.

Additionally, there have been efforts by locals and organizations to care for and protect the city’s cat population. Most of these organizations in Matera focus on spaying and neutering programs to control the cat population and ensure the welfare of these animals.

How much time should you spend in Matera?

You can see the highlights in a single day, but staying overnight changes the experience completely.

What I wouldn’t waste time on are the paid activities. You’ll find plenty of guides listing paid attractions in Matera, but most of them aren’t worth your time and money. Visiting a cave house, for example, is redundant since shops, restaurants, and hotels throughout the city are already built inside caves. The miniature Sassi attraction is also underwhelming compared to the real thing.

What actually makes Matera stand out is simple: walking and exploring. The Sassi is larger than it first appears, and it’s best experienced on foot without a fixed plan. Slow walks through the stone streets, stopping at viewpoints over the ravine, and taking in the atmosphere with the city’s many cats is where Matera really comes alive.

f you only cared about the Sassi, you’d already have a strong case for visiting. They’re the historic heart of Matera and the most visually striking part of the city.

We also spend a half day hiking around the Gravina di Matera canyon system, which I would definitely recommend as well.

Overall, we spent two nights in the city, which is more than we originally planned. That said, two nights isn’t necessary for most visitors.

A good itinerary is usually a half to a full day exploring the Sassi, one night in a cave hotel, and then half a day hiking around the surrounding area before continuing your trip.

In our case, however, we enjoyed Matera so much that we decided to extend our stay.

Best time to visit

To avoid the crowds, try visiting Matera in the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). If you go during the peak summer months, chances are you won’t be able to actually see the views or to get a table at the best restaurants.

If you decide to go in winter, daytime temperatures are usually around 8–13°C, and they can drop to 0° at night.

Day trips from Matera

Matera’s strategic location makes it relatively easy to combine with day trips to several other popular destinations in southern Italy. It’s particularly convenient to include Matera as a starting point or stopover on a roadtrip itinerary that explores the nearby regions of Puglia, Campania, and Amalfi. For us, it turned out to be the perfect stop to bridge the gap between Puglia and Campania, after which we visited the Amalfi coast.

Here are some places to visit near Matera along with their approximate distances from the city:

Puglia

• Alberobello (Approx. 55 kilometers): Known for its unique trulli (traditional Apulian dry stone huts with conical roofs). Just like Matera, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can read our guide to Alberobello here.
• Bari (Approx. 50 kilometers): The regional capital of Puglia. A busy coastal city with an old town, seafront promenade, and strong food culture. It also serves as a major transport hub.
• Monopoli (Approx. 60 kilometers): A coastal town with a compact old center, small beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere along the Adriatic.
• Polignano a Mare (Approx. 75 kilometers): A coastal town with stunning cliffs, a gorgeous beach, and photo stops around every corner.

Campania

• Herculaneum (Approx. 225 kilometers): An ancient Roman town buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, preserved in remarkable detail.
• Naples (Approx. 230 kilometers): A lively city known for its history, street life, and food culture, especially Neapolitan pizza.
• Pompeii (Approx. 230 kilometers): One of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, Pompeii offers a full snapshot of Roman life frozen in time.
• Portici (Approx. 220 kilometers): A coastal town near Naples. It is home to the only cat café in the region, Gatto Bistrot, where you can enjoy a coffee break in the company of friendly rescue cats. It’s a relaxing stopover before continuing your journey to the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi Coast

• Salerno (Approx. 220 kilometers): A practical gateway to the Amalfi coast. Salerno has a historic Old Town and a beautiful waterfront promenade.
• Amalfi (Approx. 260 kilometers): A coastal town with a striking setting, a historic cathedral, and narrow streets filled with shops and cafés.
• Positano (Approx. 280 kilometers): Another iconic destination on the Amalfi Coast, Positano is famous for its colorful cliffside houses, pristine beaches, and charming shops and restaurants.
• Ravello (Approx. 290 kilometers): A quieter hilltop town with beautiful gardens, elegant villas, and panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast.
• Sorrento (Approx. 265 kilometers): A base town overlooking the Bay of Naples and a fantastic starting point for Capri and nearby coastal trips.

How to get to Matera?

From Puglia

By public transport

To travel from Puglia to Matera by public transport, you have to take the train and then a bus.

1. Start in Bari, which is a major transportation hub in Puglia.
2. Take a train from Bari Centrale, the central train station in Bari, to Ferrandina-Pomarico train station in Basilicata. This is the closest train station to Matera.
3. Upon arrival at Ferrandina-Pomarico train station, you will need to take a bus to reach Matera. The bus station in Ferrandina is called “Fermata Autolinee.” Several buses, operated by companies like Marozzi and Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL), run from Ferrandina to Matera.
4. Your bus will drop you off at Matera’s central bus station. From there, you can explore the city on foot or use local transportation.

📍 Tip: Avoid stress and book your train tickets online in advance.

By car

To travel from Puglia to Matera by car, you can follow these specific directions:

1. Start in Bari, Puglia.
2. Get on the SS96 (Strada Statale 96) heading west towards Matera. The road may also be labeled as the E90 or E847, depending on the section you’re on.
3. Continue on SS96 for approximately 42-45 kilometers (26-28 miles).
4. As you approach Matera, you will see signs for Matera Centro.
5. Matera’s historic center, the Sassi, is a pedestrian-only zone. You can park your car in one of the parking areas located just outside the Sassi district. There are several parking lots and garages available.
6. You can explore the Sassi itself on foot.

📍 Tip: Renting a car is by far the most convenient option if you’re exploring southern Italy. You can find the most affordable options via DiscoverCars.

From Campania

By public transport

There is no direct route to get from the Campania region to Matera. You’ll need to take a train from Naples to Bari first, and then continue your journey as mentioned above. The journey to Bari can take around three to four hours, depending on the type of train service.

By car

The route between Campania and Matera is pretty scenic. Here’s how to get there:

1. In Naples, take the A3 Highway (Autostrada A3), and head southeast.
2. Stay on the A3 and follow signs for Salerno/Reggio Calabria.
3. After approximately 90 kilometers, you’ll have to take the exit for SS407/SS598.
4. Merge onto SS407, also known as the Basentana. This will lead you toward Matera.

Is Matera truly the most beautiful city in Italy?

In my view, yes. Matera left the strongest impression on me, and it’s one of the most unique places I’ve visited. The Sassi alone are enough to set it apart, but it’s also the viewpoints, the sunsets over the ravine, the excellent food, the cave hotels, and the many cats that make it so memorable. Matera is a place that has firmly etched itself into my heart, and if you enjoy the photos in this article, there’s a good chance you’ll love it too.

Of course, Italy is full of remarkable cities worth visiting. If you’re planning your next trip, you might want to look at:

• Venice
• Rome
• Milan

Are you planning on visiting Matera this season? Let us know your questions in the comments below.

Pin this Matera travel guide!

Related Posts

Is Alberobello worth visiting? Trulli, cats, and top attractions

Is Cozze in Puglia a must-add to your Italy itinerary? (Hint: If you’re a cat lover, yes!)

Manarola Italy: 8 best things to do in this Cinque Terre gem

Cats of Venice, Italy – 34 photos by renowned photographer Shin Otani