Why it's worth your time
No other Italian city lets you walk through a stone-age settlement that people still call home today.
Key Facts
Most tourists miss this place
Matera sits in Basilicata, one of Italy's least-visited regions, far from the Rome-Florence-Venice circuit. It has no single blockbuster monument to anchor a tour itinerary, so most guidebooks skip it or give it a paragraph. For decades its cave homes were known as the national shame, a reputation that kept travelers away long after the city's rebirth began.
What to see and do
How to arrive
Matera is easiest by train from Bari, with frequent regional services taking about an hour; the closest airport is Bari. Driving from Naples takes about 2.5 hours through Basilicata's countryside. Once you arrive, the Sassi are best explored on foot, though the stone stairways are steep.
How to move around
The Sassi are built for walking, but the terrain is steep and stair-heavy. An electric shuttle links the main parking areas to the upper town, and a tourist shuttle serves the cave districts in summer.
- On foot, the stone stairways of the Sassi are the best way to explore, so wear flat, sturdy shoes
- Electric shuttle for the steepest climbs between the upper town and the cave districts
- A taxi for luggage transfers and for reaching the Murgia plateau viewpoints across the canyon
How to spend your time
When to visit
Spring and fall bring long, golden light and few crowds. Summer is hot and busy, but the evenings are magical and the cave hotels stay naturally cool. Winter offers near-emptiness and occasional snow on the canyon, though some restaurants close and the stairways can be slippery.
Planning your visit
The Sassi are free to wander, but a few experiences fill up in high season. Book the essentials ahead and keep the rest flexible.
The Sassi districts themselves are open and free all day and night.
Get Travel InsuranceBook these in advance
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Reserve Casa Grotta tickets online to skip the summer queues
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Book cave hotels two to three months ahead for weekend stays from April to October
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Join a guided Sassi walk for history you will not find on the signs
Base towns and overnight options
Where to eat nearby
Protect your trip
Matera rewards planning — a missed regional connection from Bari can cost you the day. Travel insurance helps protect your itinerary, and matters even more when your destination sits off the main rail corridors.
Protect Your TripCapturing the place
The classic shot is the Sassi from Belvedere di Murgia Timone at golden hour, when the limestone turns honey-colored. For something less expected, shoot the winding stairways and doorways of Sasso Caveoso before the light flattens. After dark, the city lights against the canyon are spectacular; bring a tripod or lean on a phone's night mode.
Getting around with limited mobility
The Sassi are among the toughest streets in Italy, with steep stairways and uneven cobbles that are hard to avoid in the oldest districts. The upper town and its belvederes are wheelchair-accessible, and several cave hotels have been adapted with ramps and ground-level rooms. The electric shuttle reaches most of the main viewpoints.
Leave it as you found it
The Sassi are a living neighborhood as much as a monument. A few simple habits, like respecting residents, staying on marked paths, and supporting local shops, keep the experience authentic for everyone.
- Respect private homes, since many cave dwellings are still lived in today
- Stay on marked paths in the rock churches and never touch the frescoes
- Buy from local shops in the old town to keep its economy alive
What to know before you go
Matera rewards effort, and here is what that effort actually looks like.
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The terrain is genuinely steep, and you will climb hundreds of steps every single day
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The Sassi are quiet at night, so this is not a destination for nightlife seekers
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Summer heat bounces off the limestone, so plan your walking for the early morning