Matera is one of southern Italy's most memorable destinations: a city of stone lanes, cave dwellings, rock churches and sweeping viewpoints carved into the hills of Basilicata. For first-time visitors, the main draw is the Sassi di Matera, the historic cave districts that form part of a UNESCO-listed landscape together with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches.
This guide covers the best things to do in Matera, how to plan your time, recommended tours, when to visit and practical tips for making the most of your first trip.
Why Visit Matera
Matera feels unlike anywhere else in Italy. Instead of grand boulevards and polished piazzas alone, you find stairways cut into rock, cave homes converted into boutique hotels, churches tucked into cliffs and viewpoints that glow beautifully at sunrise and sunset.
Recommended Experience
Matera Cooking Class
⭐ 5.00 (80 reviews)
Duration: 4 hours
From: $156.65
The city is especially rewarding if you enjoy slow exploration. Much of the pleasure comes from wandering the lanes of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, pausing for panoramic views, stepping inside a cave church and learning how people lived in these neighborhoods across centuries.
Matera is also a strong choice for travelers who want a cultural break without the scale of Italy's largest tourist cities. It has excellent food, striking architecture and a dramatic setting, but it still rewards curiosity and patience rather than a checklist approach.
Best Things to Do in Matera
Explore the Sassi di Matera
The Sassi are the historic districts that make Matera famous. They are divided mainly into Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, both filled with stone staircases, cave dwellings, small churches and viewpoints. First-time visitors should plan at least a few hours here, though a guided walk helps make sense of the area's layered history.
Recommended Experience
Secret Matera Sassi (Private Tour)
⭐ 5.00 (63 reviews)
Duration: 3 hours
From: $223.79
Visit a Cave House
Several restored cave homes show how families once lived in the Sassi, often sharing compact spaces with tools, storage areas and animals. These small museums are useful for understanding Matera beyond the postcard views.
See the Rock Churches
Matera and the surrounding ravine area are known for rupestrian churches carved into the rock. Some contain frescoes and simple architectural details that reflect the city's religious and rural past. Access rules and opening times can vary, so check locally before planning your route.
Walk to the Best Viewpoints
Matera is a city made for viewpoints. Popular spots include terraces around Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and the overlook toward the Gravina ravine. If you have time and suitable footwear, you can also explore viewpoints across the ravine in the Murgia Materana area, where the city appears carved into the hillside.
Recommended Experience
Panoramic Private Tour in Ape Calessino in the Sassi of Matera
⭐ 5.00 (30 reviews)
Duration: 45 minutes
From: $73.85
Visit Matera Cathedral
Matera Cathedral sits above the Sassi and offers a useful landmark while exploring the old town. The area around the cathedral also provides attractive views over the stone districts below.
Try Local Basilicata Food
Matera is a great place to slow down over a meal. Look for local breads, handmade pasta, seasonal vegetables, legumes, olive oil and regional wines. If food is a priority, consider adding a cooking class or countryside experience to your itinerary.
Experience Matera After Dark
Even if you visit the main sights by day, come back out after sunset. The Sassi are softly lit at night, and the atmosphere becomes quieter and more cinematic. A relaxed evening walk is one of the simplest and best experiences in Matera.
Recommended Experience
Matera walking tour in English with Gaetano
⭐ 5.00 (27 reviews)
Duration: 2 hours
From: $22.38
Recommended Tours and Experiences
You can explore Matera independently, but a tour is especially helpful on a first visit because the city is layered, steep and historically complex. Viator lists several highly rated experiences that suit different travel styles. Prices and availability can change, so always confirm the latest details before booking.
Best for First-Time Context: Matera Walking Tour in English with Gaetano
This 2-hour walking tour starts near Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and explores the Sassi, viewpoints and hidden corners. With a 5.0 rating from 27 reviews and a starting price listed from 22.38, it is a practical choice for travelers who want a concise introduction in English without committing to a long tour.
Best Private Deep Dive: Secret Matera Sassi Private Tour
For travelers who prefer a private guide, the Secret Matera Sassi tour focuses on the UNESCO-listed cave districts and Matera's underground character. It lasts around 3 hours, has a 5.0 rating from 63 reviews and is listed from 223.79. This can be a good fit for couples, families or small groups who want a more flexible pace.
Recommended Experience
Tour with Guide in the Sassi of Matera aboard a Van
⭐ 5.00 (20 reviews)
Duration: 1 hours 30 minutes
From: $134.27
Best Easy Overview: Panoramic Private Tour in Ape Calessino
If you want to see the Sassi without tackling too many stairs, the 45-minute Ape Calessino tour offers a scenic ride in a vintage-style three-wheeled vehicle. It is listed from 73.85 and has a 5.0 rating from 30 reviews. This is especially appealing for photography stops, limited time or a light introduction before walking independently.
Best for Comfort: Tour with Guide in the Sassi aboard a Van
This 1.5-hour guided van tour uses an 8-seater Mercedes van and covers areas such as Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano and the old town. With a 5.0 rating from 20 reviews and a starting price from 134.27, it may suit travelers who prefer less walking or are visiting with family members who need a more comfortable option.
Best Food Experience: Matera Cooking Class
Set in the Basilicata countryside among olive trees, orange trees and organic plots, this 4-hour cooking class is one of the strongest options for food-focused visitors. It has a 5.0 rating from 80 reviews and is listed from 156.65. Consider it if you have more than one day in Matera and want a countryside break from sightseeing.
Unique Add-Ons
For something different, Viator also lists an underground escape room set inside a cave, a private hot air balloon flight with breakfast and alternative Sassi tours focused on less touristic corners. These are best treated as special extras after you have covered the main historic sights.
Suggested Itinerary
One Day in Matera
Morning: Start early in the Sassi. Join a walking tour or explore Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano on foot before the warmest part of the day. Visit a cave house to understand how the neighborhoods functioned.
Lunch: Choose a restaurant in or near the old town and try regional dishes from Basilicata. Book ahead in busy periods, especially for dinner.
Afternoon: Visit Matera Cathedral and continue to viewpoints around the historic center. If you want a low-effort overview, add a short Ape Calessino or van tour.
Evening: Return to the Sassi after sunset. The illuminated stone city is one of Matera's most beautiful sights.
Two Days in Matera
Day 1: Focus on the Sassi, a guided tour, cave houses, rock churches and sunset viewpoints.
Day 2: Explore at a slower pace. Visit additional museums or churches, walk to viewpoints across the ravine if conditions are suitable, and consider a cooking class in the countryside or a private tour for deeper context.
Three Days in Matera
With three days, Matera becomes much more relaxed. Spend one full day on the Sassi, one day on food, viewpoints and nearby nature, and one day revisiting favorite areas without a plan. This is also enough time to enjoy a special experience such as a cooking class or a private panoramic tour.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable seasons for a first trip to Matera. The weather is usually better for walking, and the stone lanes are easier to enjoy when temperatures are mild.
Summer can be beautiful but hot, especially because exploring Matera involves stairs, exposed viewpoints and stone surfaces that hold heat. If you visit in summer, start early, rest during the hottest hours and carry water.
Winter is quieter and atmospheric, though some days can be chilly or windy. It is a good choice if you prefer fewer crowds and do not mind shorter daylight hours.
Travel Tips
- Wear proper shoes: Matera has steep lanes, uneven stones and many stairs. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.
- Do not rely only on maps: GPS can be confusing in the Sassi because of layered streets, stairways and passages. Allow extra time.
- Book guided tours early in peak periods: Small-group and private tours can fill up, particularly in spring, summer and holiday weekends.
- Stay overnight if possible: Day trips are possible, but Matera is at its best early in the morning and after dark.
- Pack light if staying in the Sassi: Some accommodations require walking over steps or uneven lanes from the nearest drop-off point.
- Check accessibility before booking: The historic districts can be challenging for travelers with mobility needs. Van or Ape Calessino tours may be more suitable than long walking routes.
- Respect residential areas: Parts of the Sassi are lived-in neighborhoods, not just visitor attractions. Keep noise down and avoid entering private spaces.
- Confirm opening times: Churches, museums and cave sites may have seasonal hours or midday closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matera worth visiting for a first trip to southern Italy?
Yes, Matera is a rewarding first-time destination if you enjoy history, architecture, food and atmospheric old towns. It is especially memorable because the Sassi districts look and feel very different from Italy's better-known city centers.
How many days do you need in Matera?
One full day lets you see the main sights, but two days is better for a first visit. With two nights, you can explore the Sassi at a slower pace, enjoy sunset and evening views, and add a guided tour or food experience.
Can you visit Matera without a tour?
Yes, you can walk around independently. However, a guided tour is useful because many details are not obvious at first glance, and the city's history is easier to understand with local context.
Is Matera difficult to walk around?
Matera can be physically demanding. Expect steep streets, stairs and uneven stone surfaces, particularly in the Sassi. Travelers with mobility concerns should consider a van tour, Ape Calessino tour or accommodation outside the steepest lanes.
What is the best area to stay in Matera?
Many first-time visitors like staying in or near the Sassi for atmosphere and easy sightseeing. If you prefer easier luggage access, look for accommodation close to the old town but near a road or taxi drop-off point.
Final Thoughts
Matera is a destination that rewards slow attention. The views are spectacular, but the real value comes from understanding how the Sassi developed, how people lived in the caves and how the city has changed over time.
For a first visit, plan at least one overnight stay, bring comfortable shoes and consider booking a guided walk early in your trip. Once you have the historical context, the stone lanes, cave homes and sunset viewpoints become even more meaningful.
Recommended Experiences
These top-rated tours and activities are available through Viator.
Secret Matera Sassi (Private Tour)
⭐ 5.00 (63 reviews)
Duration: 3 hours
From: $223.79
Panoramic Private Tour in Ape Calessino in the Sassi of Matera
⭐ 5.00 (30 reviews)
Duration: 45 minutes
From: $73.85
Matera walking tour in English with Gaetano
⭐ 5.00 (27 reviews)
Duration: 2 hours
From: $22.38
