tour matera 2 giorni

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2 Day Matera Itinerary - Italy's Ancient Hidden Gem

If you're looking for a rich historic escape, look no further than Matera, a 9,000 year old city and hidden gem in Southern Italy. Its captivating architecture, narrow streets and network of ancient caves reveal how life once was.

In 2019, Matera was selected as the European Capital of Culture by the European Union.We recommend a full 2 days in Matera to get the most out of the city. See where to stay, and the top things to do in our 2 Day Matera Itinerary.

Best time to visit Matera

The best time to visit Matera is in spring from May-June and in fall from September-October. The weather is still warm and there are less tourists than the July/August months.

Where to stay in Matera

When looking for a place to stay in Matera, look for one in Sassi Di Matera. The ancient town is known for its network of cave houses and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Staying in one of these cave dwellings is one of the best ways to experience Matera.

Each morning we sat on our patio with an espresso and admired the marvellous views around us. Staying in the heart of the old city allows you to easily explore the tiny medieval streets. It was truly one of the best stays we've ever had!

Our top cave house picks in Sassi Di Matera

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Il Palazzotto (@ilpalazzottomatera)

• Most romantic: Palazzotto Residence & Winery: The hotel has a warm and relaxing ambience with its dim lighting and uniquely designed rooms carved into the tuff of the old cave building. Enjoy the romantic and luxurious setting with your loved one. See rates.
• Most beautiful: Il Tempo Ritrovato : The spacious two-level cave house has been beautifully restored into a modern space. With two double beds and a full-kitchen, it's a great place for families or two couples. See rates.
• Most charming: Corte San Leonardo : The old cave building feels cozy with its artisic furnishings and natural tones that compliment the stone walls. Terrace rooms offer stunning views of the Sassi. See rates.

2 Day Matera Itinerary

Day 1: Get lost in the ancient city streets

Explore the medieval streets of Sassi di Matera

Matera is the third-oldest continually lived city in the world - it has been inhabited for over 9,000 years! It has also been the setting for famous Hollywood movies, such as Ben-Hur (2016) and the Passion of the Christ.

Walk through the tiny streets of the old city and marvel at the ancient stone buildings. Don't plan too much today and see where the winding streets take you. Pop into cute cafes or restaurants along the way. If you're unsure about a restaurant, use TripAdvisor as a handy guide to look up ratings as you go.

Finish your day off at Monkey Drink House

Grab a mojito at Monkey Drink House and sit outside on their pillow seats. It's a great spot for people watching.

Day 2: Explore outside of the ancient city & unwind in your cave dwelling

Hike to Palaeolithic caves

Across the La Gravina ravine you will find natural Palaeolithic caves, where Monastic settlements and rock churches were built into the rock. On this side of the ravine, you can get incredible panoramic views of the Sassi from Belvedere di Murgia Timone. It was the location used for the crucification scene in The Passion of the Christ .  

Have a romantic dinner at your cave dwelling

After another day of exploring, walk to a local grocer nearby and buy fresh ingredients to make an Italian dinner back in your cave dwelling. Try to book a stay with a view over the Sassi. It's magical unwinding on your patio with the incredible views surrounding you.

Enjoy your 2 days in Matera!

Start planning your trip to Italy

• 🗺 Itinerary: see our ultimate 2 week Italy itinerary including Matera
• 💡 Travel tips: see our list of 10 things to know when traveling to Italy
• 🌃 Accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
• 🤠 Fun activities: browse GetYourGuide or Viator for a list of guided tours in Matera.
• 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
• 🚆 Book your train: Trainline (save an average of 61% when you book in advance)

See what Matera was like in our Italy vlog:

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out our list of Unique Cultural Travel Experiences to inspire your next trip.

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2 days in Matera – one of the most picturesque towns of Italy

Situated on the Basilicata Region in Southern Italy is Matera, known for its charming town of cave dwellings carved out of the mountain that look like from the pages of a fairytale book. Matera’s scenery is awe-inspiring that once you set foot in its lands, you will feel you have traveled to a completely different country. 70 years ago, the people lived in the city with chronic poverty. Today, Matera has become a tourist hotspot. Whether this is your first trip to Italy or you’ve been here a few times before, a weekend adventure to the city opens up tons of new and interesting things to do. The sequence of activities and attractions below are just a guide and you can definitely change it to suit your interests.

Things to know before traveling Matera, Italy:

Language – Italian is the official language of Italy.  Most Italian in the city and other main tourists spots, speak English so you can absolutely get by without speaking Italian language. Like other countries, speaking at least some Italian phrases or attempting to learn is greatly appreciated by the locals.

Etiquette – Most Italians don’t like vulgar and loud people. As a visitor, you are expected to behave politely and dress appropriately. When you enter a shop or restaurant, acknowledge the people by saying “Buon Giorno”. First impressions are important, so conduct yourself properly while being aware of any social hierarchies. Always greet with Signore ( for a man ) and Signora ( for a woman ) followed by the family name. If you get into conversation with an Italian, do not go on the subject of mafia as this is considered to be rude.

Currency exchange – Italy uses euros, the same currency now used by most Western European countries with the exception of the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway. Prior to traveling, you can buy some euros ( enough for one day or whatever your preference ) and then exchange your money in the banks to get the best rates. You can also use the ATMs ( called “bankomat” ) at all main squares of every town, major airports and train stations. Credits cards are commonly accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels.  If you are going to take taxis, please note that most taxi drivers prefer cash payments as credit card transactions require them to pay a commission to the banks.

Getting there – Matera, the third-longest continuously occupied human settlement in the world, is located in Southern Italy. Traveling by train is possible via the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, which is connected with most major cities in Italy. Take the train to Bari Central Station ( Bari Centrale ), get off at the Bari North Station, then take another train to Matera Central Station ( Matera Centrale ). You may also get there via the Ferrandina-Pomarico-Miglionico from Rome . Get off at the Ferrandina Scalo Bus Staion, then take a direct bus to Matera. You may use the Go Euro App or website to help you navigate independently in Italy.

Getting around – Matera is small enough to explore on foot. Make sure to download a map or print a map before your trip. Also, ask directions from your hotel since the orientation in Matera can be quite confusing. If you are short on time or you prefer less time walking, the city has bus network ( do not run frequently ) and taxis.

Where to stay – Matera offers heaps of accommodation to suit every pocket, from budget hostels to luxury cave hotels, where you can base yourself for your stay. Staying at one of the charming cave dwellings turned hotels in the city is one of those quintessential Materan experience which can’t be skipped. There are plenty of accommodations offered online, especially in Airbnb, so make sure to read reviews first before you make your reservation.

Hotels to consider in Matera:

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita

Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel

Basiliani Hotel

Masseria Fortificata San Francesco

Hotel San Giorgio Matera Albergo Diffuso nei Sassi

Hotel Sassi

Day by day itinerary: 2 days in Matera – one of the most picturesque towns of Italy

Depending on your time of arrival, you can either take it easy and soak up the atmosphere in Matera or you can begin your tour of its famous attractions. After your arrival, check into your preferred hotel/guest house. Rest and settle in before you start the tour. Make sure to drop by the Matera Tourist Information Office ( Piazza Vittorio Veneto, 39 ) to get printed maps, bus schedules and tour recommendations.

Undoubtedly one of the best travel experiences in Italy is a visit to the ancient Sassi di Matera , the picturesque cave dwellings inhabited since the Paleolithic era. This walking tour can certainly be done on a DIY-style, but we recommend a guided tour so you can appreciate its cultural and historical relevance. Full day tours normally include a visit to the casa grotta reconstruction, cave churches, museums and local villages. Wear a comfortable walking shoes as you will do a lot of walking for today.

If you would go DIY-style, visit Casa Noha first so you can immerse yourself in what the ancient Sassi has to offer before you go. It features a 25-minute multimedia journey through the ancient history of Matera, from the prehistoric times to the present day. Another way to get acquainted with the city is by visiting Museo Nazionale Ridola , which is one of the most loved museums in Matera. A tour in this museum will give visitors insights into the ancient Sassi history as well as Basilicata’s prehistoric to Roman era history.

Then, Check out one of the casa grotta reconstruction in the Sassi. The rock formations that make up Matera were created by volcanic eruptions. During the ancient times, these rock formations were extensively used and modified by the first dwellers in the region. Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario and Antica Matera Casa Grotta , examples of typical cave dwellings in Old Matera, show how the peasants lived until the 20 th century. Inside it you will find the small kitchen, stable where the animals used to live, a tiny room with bed, and a tiny space for bathing. It’s hard to imagine that all these things were inside a small cave dwelling. You’ll realize it was the reason why Matera had the highest child mortality rate in Italy during those times.

On day 2, start early and have breakfast at one of the open-air restaurant overlooking the Sassi. Then, enjoy a comfortable walking tour through the Sassi to see the attractions you missed the previous day.

After breakfast, visit Cripta del Peccato Originale ( Crypt of the Original Sin ) located inside a natural cave. Known as the Sistine Chapel of the Rock, this rock monastery has impressive frescoes with Late-Romanesque and Byzantine style. The paintings on the rough walls depicted biblical figures like

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993, the Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera is the most outstanding example of cave dwelling settlement since the Palaeolithic age. Aside from the houses built into the caves, the early settlers in Matera managed to build churches and monasteries, which remain intact to this day. Some of the churches we recommend are the Church of San Pietro Barisano , Church of Santa Lucia alle Malve , Church of  Santa Maria de Idris  and Church of San Giovanni .

In the late afternoon, make your way to Monastero di Santa Lucia , one of the most famous attractions in the city. The crisscrossing path leading up the hill is a perfect place for sunset viewing where you can get splendid panoramic views of the Sassi and the surrounding hills. The best time to visit is in the late afternoon so you can catch the sunset as well as see daytime and nighttime views of Matera. Then, head to one of the restaurants in the Old Town like Trattoria Lucana   (Via Lucana, 48)  to celebrate your last day in the city.

Have you been to Matera? Do you have any tips or suggestions to share? If so, you can leave your comments below.

Featured image: Scenic view of the “Sassi” district in Matera, in the region of Basilicata, in Southern Italy (Stefano_Valeri / Shutterstock.com)

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