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Matera is one of Italy’s oldest cities, full of fascinating history. This post covers 10 unique things to do in Matera – Italy’s hidden gem.
Are you looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination in Italy? Then look no further than Matera! This city has a fascinating history, and some stunning architecture, which makes it the perfect choice for a unique city getaway. In recent years this old town has risen in popularity among tourists and locals alike, and for good reason, as there are plenty of things to do in Matera.
Located in the southern region of Basilicata, Matera is close to the coastal city of Bari and is best reached by car. Although it is possible to get here by bus, there are only 3 buses a day, which means you cannot be very flexible with your time here. Therefore I recommend renting a car for a road trip around Puglia, and including Matera in the itinerary.
With so much to do in this ancient town, you may be wondering where to even start. In this blog post, I will go over 10 unique experiences that are a must when you visit Matera. From exploring the city’s rich history to sampling the delicious local cuisine, I will guide you to the best spots in Matera. Before getting into all of the best places to visit in Matera, I will answer some frequently asked questions you may be wondering.
FAQs About Matera
Is Matera Worth Visiting?
Matera is 100% worth visiting! I have never seen a city quite as unique as this one. Matera is filled with a devastating history and bad reputation but in recent years has been transformed into a cultural and historical hub, with curious tourists flocking to witness the unique atmosphere here. Even if you only have a couple of hours to spare, Matera is definitely worth visiting.
How Many Days Do You Need In Matera?
In order to see Matera, a day trip is probably going to be enough time. However, if you want to truly experience the city, then staying overnight is a must. This way you will be able to stay overnight in a renovated cave, that was inhabited for thousands of years. In addition, seeing the old town light up at night is so beautiful. Lastly, if these reasons haven’t convinced you enough, then you will also have time to explore the old city without the crowds in the late evening and early morning.
What Is Matera Famous For?
Matera is famous for many things, including its history and some specific foods that are unique to this region of Italy. Fascinatingly, Matera was completely abandoned in 1950 due to being overrun with diseases. However, it was later used as a backdrop in Hollywood movies, and soon after it was reinhabited, and it has been growing in popularity ever since. In addition, if you are a foodie, then you may know that the famous orecchiette pasta comes from this region of Italy.
This post is all about things to do in Matera, Italy
10 Unique Things to do In Matera, Italy
1. Sassi Di Matera
Sassi di Matera is the old part of Matera. It is divided into two main districts, the Sasso Caveoso, and Sasso Barisano. The Sassi can be seen as the picturesque part of Matera, where you can find beautiful alleys and buildings. Many of the attractions mentioned below are located in, or around the Sassi, but in general, I can highly recommend wandering the streets here and getting lost in the beauty of the city.
2. Casa Noha
Casa Noha is a museum located in an old dwelling. Here visitors can watch a short yet intriguing video tracing back through history and explaining the story of Matera. The whole video journey takes between 30-40 minutes and it costs 6.5 € or 5 € for students.
There are a few videos that highlight the different times in Matera. From once being one of the richest towns in all of Italy, it quickly became the poorest and was completely abandoned. The city was nicknamed the “shame of Italy” as it was ridden with disease and poverty. After being abandoned, it was featured as the backdrop in some Hollywood movies which helped it regain popularity. It was then decided that Matera should be rebuilt and repopulated, and in 2019 it was named the European Capital of Culture.
I highly recommend visiting Casa Noha at the beginning of your stay here, as it will help you understand the complex history of this beautiful town. You can read more about planning a visit to Casa Noha here.
3. Belvedere Murgia Timone
If you want to enjoy a birds-eye view over the old town of Matera, then Belvedere Murgia Timone is the place for you! This viewpoint can be reached by car or by a 45-minute hike from the old city center. I highly recommend taking the hike version as the views on the way are incredible!
Although the hike is quite short, make sure to wear proper hiking shoes. We went on the hike after checking out of our accommodation so I had to do it in jeans and boots when it was over 30 degrees outside, so make sure to learn from my mistakes 😅.
Hiking directions:
- Walk to the junction between the street Via Ospedale Vecchio and Via Madonna della Virtú. From here you should be able to find stairs going down to a bridge.
- Take the stairs down to Ponte Tibetano della Gravina, and cross it over the small stream.
- From here there should only be one route which will lead you to the Belvedere Murgia Timone
This viewpoint is amazing, and it is the perfect spot to enjoy the views of Matera.
4. Hiking around Matera
The vast valleys and greenery around the city of Matera make it an attractive spot for many hikes. From several beautiful viewpoints to old abandoned cave dwellings, the possibilities here are endless. You can find a mix of shorter and longer trails to fit your schedule and activity level. Although hiking is not a common activity to recommend here, I believe it offers a unique opportunity to see the city in a new way.
Around Belvedere Murgia Timone, you can find lots of old cave dwellings where families used to live. In some of them, you can even still find carvings on the walls! I recommend checking out Komoot to find which hikes you may want to take while in Matera. You can find the full list here!
5. Visit Piazza San Pietro
Piazza San Pietro is the square in front of the famous church here, Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo. The square is quite lively and offers a stunning view of the other side of the Sassi. I can recommend sitting at one of the restaurants here for a drink and a light snack, while you enjoy the beautiful views of Matera.
6. Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo and Chiesa Rupestre di Santa Maria di Idris
One of the best things you can do in Matera is to visit these beautiful churches. Conveniently, they are even located right next to each other! To be completely honest, we only visited these churches from the outside, as the exteriors are simply breathtaking. It is definitely worth it to visit the interior, but it will typically cost a few euros to do so.
If you love visiting unique churches, then make sure you plan some time to visit both of these spots! After spending two months in charming European towns, the interior of churches started to interest us less with every visit. However, I have only heard amazing things about these churches!
If you would only like to visit one, then I recommend that it be the Chiesa Rupestre di Santa Maria di Idris. It is such a special church that is carved into a rock, which makes it a must-visit!
7. Stay in a Cave
One of the main reasons that you should stay overnight in Matera, is to experience staying the night in a cave. This is easily one of the top attractions here and we really enjoyed our overnight stay.
You can find a mix of luxury hotels with each room located inside a cave. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly stay, then you can still enjoy this experience. There are several Airbnbs offering a stay in a cave for a quarter of the price, and they are just as beautiful. We stayed in one of these Airbnbs, and it was one of our most special stays!
8. Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera
After hearing about the history of Matera at Casa Noha, a visit to Casa Grotta will be the perfect pairing. Here you can visit an old dwelling that has been kept with all of the furniture inside it. You can walk through the house and see for yourself how the locals used to live here.
Unfortunately, we ran out of time and did not make it to this museum. I have heard mixed reviews as the tickets cost 5 euros, and the museum spans just within that one house. However, if you are interested in the history of Matera and would like to see how locals lived for yourself then this can be a great activity. I think that this spot, while one of the top things to do in Matera, is a great activity to add, but not a must to do.
Additionally, Casa Grotta is located in the center of the Sassi, so make sure to explore the small alleyways around here once you have been there.
9. Eat Matera Bread
While this may sound like a strange thing to do here, Matera is actually famous for several food inventions. The first one is Matera bread which will typically be served at every restaurant here. It is very crispy and hard on the outside, while extremely soft and fluffy on the inside. It is super delicious and a must-try while in Matera!
Additionally, the regions of Basilicata and Puglia are famous for their Orecchiette pasta, which is such a cute shape and makes it worth eating another pasta dish here.
10. Eat at Regiacorte
Regiacorte is a beautiful restaurant overlooking the Sassi di Matera. It also overlooks the valleys with the cave dwellings making it the ideal setting for a romantic night in Matera. The food here is absolutely incredible and they can also cater to vegans and vegetarians which can be rare to find in Italy.
The restaurant is not too large, and the best views can be found on the terrace, so I highly recommend booking a spot well in advance. In the summer, the sun sets right behind the Sassi, so the perfect time to come here would be for a sunset meal.
I don’t typically make a big deal of restaurants while traveling as I would rather spend money on experiences than food, however, I am a sucker for a meal with a view. Especially when the food is delicious! Please do not skip this restaurant as it definitely adds to the uniqueness of Matera!
The terrace of Regiacorte is pictured below, with the white gastro-umbrellas, overlooking the beautiful Sassi.
That concludes my Matera guide with 10 unique things to do in Matera. While this city is incredibly beautiful you only need a day or two to explore it, since it isn’t so large. I hope that you found the tips above helpful and that I have convinced you to add Matera to your Italy itinerary!
With so many hidden gems and beautiful buildings, it can be hard to cherry-pick the best spots, so let me know if I missed any in the comments below!
