📝 About the Author: Matthias
Matera in southern Italy was not only the setting for the James Bond film “No Time to Die”, but is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. As early as the Stone Age, people lived here in caves carved into tuff stone, where you can now spend the night in luxury. In this article, I will give you lots of tips on the best things to do in Matera.
Matera is one of the absolute highlights of a tour of Puglia. And that despite the fact that it is not even in Puglia.
Matera is located in the mountains of the Basilicata region and was also the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Since 1993, it has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical significance. For me, it is this special mix of old and new that makes Matera so special and, in my opinion, also the reason why you should definitely see it.
All of the Matera attractions and accommodation options mentioned in the article can also be found here on the map:
Guided tours of Matera
In this article, you will find lots of information to help you discover Matera on your own and on foot. But first things first: Matera is spread over several hills and the individual districts are connected by many stairs and narrow paths. This means that you will have to walk up and down a lot and it can be quite exhausting.
A guided tour in a vehicle is a more comfortable way to see the city, with a local guide taking you to the main points of interest. You can choose from a range of options.
1. The Sassi of Matera
Sassi is the name given to the cave settlements that can be found everywhere in Matera. These ancient dwellings were partly carved into the tuff rock of the steep rocky slopes as early as the Neolithic Age – that’s more than 8,000 years ago!!
“Sassi” is Italian and means “stones” in English.
Over the millennia, these stone caves were then expanded and improved with more modern building materials. What’s special about this is that you can even see the evolution step by step in different parts of Matera.
There are two separate Sassi districts:
- Sasso Barisano, in the northern part of the town
- Sasso Caveoso, further south.
You can also explore the Sassi with experts. There are various highly rated providers for this:
- Sassi di Matera Tour with entrance to cave houses (2 hours, very popular)
- Guided tour with cave house/church (2 hours, top rated)
I was also shocked that people here lived without running water and electricity until a few decades ago. It’s hard to believe when you look at the place today with its many luxury apartments and hotels.
At times, I felt a bit like in one of M.C. Escher’s paintings. The terraced houses, some of which are even built on top of each other, are reminiscent of the multi-layered architecture and impossibly nested structures of his art.
In some places, you have to look carefully to see where an alley leads and it is never quite clear what is a roof and what is just a balcony. In short, Matera is a truly fascinating piece of culture and architecture.
2. Casas – historic cave dwellings
There are various casas scattered throughout Matera, including the historic dwellings, which you can visit for a few euros. These are furnished as the people here once lived and in some of the casas you will also find information via video and audio.
The best known is probably the Casa Noha, which you can visit for €6.50. You will learn a lot about the history of Matera through a multimedia experience. For many tourists, Casa Noha is the perfect introduction to their visit to Matera. So it makes sense that you come here first during your visit.
However, there are many more such cave dwellings to visit. Most of them are also cheaper than Casa Noha:
- Casa Cisterna
- Casa Grotta
- Antica casa grotta Senza Nidd
3. MUSMA Sculpture Museum
If you have already visited Casa Noha, you can also go directly to the nearby MUSMA. It is the only cave museum in the world. It is dedicated exclusively to sculptures, which are also exhibited in seven underground rooms.
4. Matera Cathedral
The Cathedral of Matera is an impressive Roman Catholic church from the 13th century that you can see from many places in the old town from afar.
It is located at the highest point of the city, between the two Sassi districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, and is also known as the Cathedral of the Madonna della Bruna and of Sant’Eustachio.
The cathedral of Matera is open to the public and you can visit it for free. At the entrance, there are audio guides that you can purchase to learn more about the place.
5. Palombaro Lungo
The Palombaro Lungo is the largest underground cistern in Matera. It is located under Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the heart of the city and for an entrance fee of €3 you can descend into the depths of Matera and walk back and forth along the long trench.
By the way, Palombargo Lungo translates as “long well”.
The Palombaro Lungo was created by connecting several existing caves in the 16th century. However, it was not completed until the 19th century.
6. Rock churches
There are several churches in Matera that have been carved into the rocks. The most impressive from the outside is the rock cathedral of Santa Maria de Idris. It dates from the 13th century and is one of the higher structures in Matera, which is why you can see the cross enthroned on the rock from afar.
The Santa Lucia alle Malve is quite close to the Santa Maria di Idris. Another rock church is the Chiesa di San Pietro Barisano.
There are various combination tickets with which you can visit either one, two or all three churches and a few other attractions:
- One of the three rock churches of your choice: €4
- Two of the rock-hewn churches of your choice: €7
- All three rock-hewn churches: €8
By the way: You are not allowed to take pictures inside the rock churches.
7. Parco Regionale della Murgia Materana
In fact, in addition to the Sassi, the approximately 8000-hectare landscape around Matera is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This region is particularly rich in limestone caves. Many remains from the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages are still hidden here.
8. Hike to the Belvedere Murgia Timone
One of the highlights in Matera is a hike through the gorge over the Ponte Tibetano della Gravina bridge to the plateau opposite the city, which is full of caves and historic chapels.
From the Belvedere Murgia Timone lookout point, you can also enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Matera.
This hike starts at the parking lot at the church Ex Monastero di Santa Lucia ed Agata alla Civita. From here, the path down is quite steep and lined with stones. You should definitely wear sturdy shoes for this tour.
After about 20 minutes you will reach the small Tibetan suspension bridge, which you have to cross. From there it takes about 30 minutes to get back up. On the way you will pass many abandoned caves.
In total, you will need about 2 to 3 hours there and back. However, it is also worth exploring the many small paths off the beaten track. You will pass many caves that you can also enter.
If you don’t feel like walking, you can also take the car to the lookout point. There is a large parking lot here where all the buses stop.
A little hidden, directly below the lookout point, is the rock chapel Asceterio di Sant’Agnese, and a little further south is the chapel Chiesa Rupestre di Madonna delle Tre Porte, which also contains some frescoes.
9. Chiesa del Purgatorio
There are quite a few Catholic churches in Matera. However, the Church of Purgatory, with its convex façade, is definitely worth a visit because of its impressive frescoes. You should also take a close look at the church entrance door. The many skulls imply that everyone is equal before death.
10. Mercato storico di Matera centrale
Every day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., you can buy all kinds of fresh goods at the historic market. I particularly recommend the lupins, which you can also eat as a snack while you’re out and about.
11. Castello Tramontano
The fortress of Matera was built in the 16th century in the Aragonese style. However, it is not open to the public and you can only see it from the outside.
12. Musei nazionali di Matera – Sede Ridola
All archaeology fans will get their money’s worth at the Musei nazionali di Matera – Sede Ridola. The exhibitions include archaeological finds from the Matera region, including important pieces from prehistory to Roman times.
Admission costs €10 per person.
13. Michelin Restaurant: Vitantonio Lombardo
Matera offers a wide range of typical Italian restaurants, from cheap to expensive. One highlight is certainly the Vitantonio Lombardo, which has been awarded a Michelin star.
You are dining in an old cave that has been converted into a luxurious dining room. A cuisine full of finesse awaits you, in which the chef shows a strong connection to the region.
There are dishes here like:
- tuna tartare in crapiata crackers, smoked oil crumbs and red onion ice cream
- sweet liquid ricotta ravioli with sea urchin, cinnamon and yellow tomatoes
- or Acquerello rice with Grana Padano, peanuts, salted caramel and truffle.
Matera and James Bond
A rather exciting and spectacular part of the James Bond film “No Time to Die” with Daniel Craig was shot in Matera. You can watch the whole chase scene on YouTube:
- The scene where James Bond jumps over a wall on a motorbike, for example, was filmed right in front of the cathedral of Matera.
- The scene where the silver Aston Martin is rammed by a jeep takes place right in front of the church of San Giovanni Battista
- By the way: the scene with the bridge is not from Matera, even though it was edited that way, but is located in neighboring Gravina in Puglia. It is the Ponte Acquedotto sul torrente Gravina.
On a James Bond tour, you can even explore the locations from the film: James Bond 007 Guided Tour of Matera.
How long to stay in Matera?
If you don’t have much time, you can explore the highlights of Matera in just one day. But that’s quite stressful because there are many stairs here, and you have to keep walking up and down. That adds up to quite a few steps.
It is better to explore Matera with enough time, without rushing, and then retreat to luxury accommodation where you can recover from all the walking back and forth.
I therefore recommend staying in Matera for 2 nights. This way, you will have a full day to discover the place and enough time to explore all the highlights of the city by day and by night. You can also take a long hike to the caves on the other side of the gorge and see all the Matera attractions mentioned in this article.
Staying in Matera
In Matera, I had one of the most beautiful accommodations on my entire trip to Puglia. In the SpazioCreativo Matera, you get total luxury on two floors with two balconies, a rainforest shower and a hot tub overlooking the city.
Actually, I don’t need to describe this accommodation in such detail. The following pictures should be enough to convince you to book.
The best Matera cave hotels
There are also some really great hotels in Matera, some of which are located in old caves
Probably the most famous is the Sextantio le Grotte della Civita. It offers rooms and suites in large caves with stone floors and antique furniture. From the panoramic terrace, you have a perfect view of the national park and the gorge of Matera.
Another highlight is the luxury hotel Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel. Here you will sleep in unique rooms with a stone bathroom and free access to the on-site wellness area, which consists of a Turkish bath, hot tub, experience showers and a relaxation area.
You should also take a closer look at the boutique hotel Cenobio Hotel & SPA Matera. Here you can stay in one of the 9 unique cave rooms.
The pure atmosphere of Matera also awaits you at the Palazzo Del Duca Hotel & Restaurant. You can expect a panoramic terrace and elegant rooms with original stone elements of the Sassi. Some of the rooms have their own pool, a whirlpool tub or a terrace.
Impressions of Matera
And because Matera is so beautiful, here are some more impressions of the city.
As you can see, Matera is one of those places in the world that you should definitely visit. Have you been to Matera yet? What highlights are still missing from the list? Feel free to write me a comment!
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