Best Things To Do In Matera italy

Introduction : 33 Best Things To Do In Matera

Tucked away in the southern Italian region of Basilicata lies Matera, a city that feels like stepping into another world – or more accurately, stepping back in time about 9,000 years. I first visited this UNESCO World Heritage site a few years ago and instantly fell in love with its ancient cave dwellings, winding alleyways, and incredible history. It’s no wonder this place was chosen as a European Capital of Culture and as the backdrop for numerous films including “No Time to Die” and “The Passion of the Christ.”

Ready to explore one of Italy’s most fascinating destinations? I’ve compiled this list of the 33 best things to do in Matera based on my experiences and conversations with locals. Trust me, this city will leave you speechless – in the best possible way!

1. Explore the Sassi Districts

The Sassi districts (Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano) are the heart and soul of Matera. These ancient neighborhoods of cave dwellings carved into the limestone rock are what put Matera on the map. Walking through these labyrinthine streets feels like time travel – one moment you’re in a prehistoric settlement, the next you’re admiring medieval architecture. The contrast between the ancient caves and the elegant baroque buildings will keep your camera busy all day!

2. Visit Casa Noha

Want to understand Matera’s complex history before diving deeper? Start at Casa Noha. This multimedia museum offers a 25-minute film that explains how Matera transformed from Italy’s “national shame” (due to its extreme poverty in the mid-20th century) to a celebrated cultural treasure. It’s the perfect introduction to appreciate everything else you’ll see.

3. Tour a Casa Grotta

Ever wondered how people actually lived in these caves? The Casa Grotta del Casalnuovo and Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario are furnished cave homes that show how families (and their animals!) coexisted in these tight quarters until the 1950s. It’s mind-blowing to see how resourceful these communities were, making the most of limited space and resources.

4. Marvel at the Rock Churches

Matera is home to over 150 rupestrian (rock-cut) churches, many adorned with incredible Byzantine frescoes. Santa Maria de Idris, San Pietro Barisano, and Santa Lucia alle Malve are among my favorites. These churches were carved directly into the tufa rock and contain some of the most beautiful religious art I’ve ever seen. The colors are remarkably preserved considering their age!

5. Visit the Cathedral of Matera

Perched atop the highest point between the two Sassi districts, Matera’s 13th-century cathedral offers both architectural splendor and spectacular views. The Romanesque exterior contrasts with the ornate baroque interior. Don’t miss the stunning ceiling fresco and the Byzantine Madonna della Bruna.

6. Walk the Panoramic Path of Murgia Park

For the best views of Matera, head across to the Murgia plateau in the Regional Park. The perspective from here is absolutely breathtaking – you can see the entire city spread out before you, especially magical at sunset when the ancient stone glows golden. FYI, wear proper walking shoes as the terrain can be rough!

7. Explore Cave Churches in Murgia Park

While in Murgia Park, explore some of the most remote rock churches like Madonna delle Tre Porte and San Falcione. These churches feel even more mystical than those in the city, and you might have them all to yourself. The silence and spirituality of these spaces are truly moving.

8. Visit MUSMA (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture)

Contemporary art in ancient caves? Absolutely! MUSMA showcases modern sculptures within the stunning setting of Palazzo Pomarici, a 17th-century palace partially carved into the rock. The juxtaposition of cutting-edge art with prehistoric spaces creates a fascinating dialogue between past and present.

9. Tour the Palombaro Lungo

Beneath Matera’s central piazza lies this massive underground cistern, once the main water supply for the city. The guided tour reveals an impressive engineering feat that helped Matera’s inhabitants survive in this arid landscape. Standing in this cathedral-like space carved from rock, illuminated by soft lighting, is weirdly beautiful.

10. Sample Local Cuisine

Matera’s cuisine reflects its peasant roots – simple yet incredibly flavorful. Must-tries include orecchiette pasta with local vegetables, cruschi peppers (crispy dried peppers that are addictively good), and crapiata (a hearty legume soup). My personal favorite? The local bread with its distinctive shape and texture – I may have smuggled a loaf home in my suitcase. 🙂

11. Taste Matera’s Unique Wines

The volcanic soil around Matera produces some outstanding wines, particularly the Primitivo and Aglianico varieties. Many local restaurants offer wine tastings, or you can visit nearby vineyards for a more immersive experience. These robust reds pair perfectly with the region’s hearty cuisine.

12. Stay in a Cave Hotel

For the full Matera experience, spend at least one night in a cave hotel. These range from rustic to luxurious, with many featuring modern amenities while preserving the ancient structure. Waking up in a space that has sheltered humans for millennia is a profound experience that connects you to the city’s soul.

13. Attend a Cultural Event at Casa Cava

This incredible performance venue carved into the rock hosts concerts, plays, and cultural events throughout the year. The acoustics are incredible! Check the local event listings during your visit – experiencing music reverberating through these ancient chambers is unforgettable.

14. Visit the Archaeological Museum “Domenico Ridola”

This museum houses artifacts dating back to prehistoric times, telling the story of Matera’s earliest inhabitants. The collection includes tools, pottery, and remnants of daily life that help piece together how civilization developed here over thousands of years. It’s fascinating to see the ingenious solutions early humans created!

15. Take a Photography Tour

With its dramatic landscapes, play of light and shadow, and textured stone facades, Matera is a photographer’s paradise. Consider joining a photography tour to discover the best angles and hidden spots. Dawn and dusk offer the most magical lighting conditions, with the city taking on an almost otherworldly glow.

16. Experience Matera’s Festivals

If you’re lucky enough to visit during a festival, you’re in for a treat! The Festa della Madonna della Bruna (July 2nd) is the most spectacular, featuring a papier-mâché float that gets ceremoniously destroyed by the crowd at day’s end. Other celebrations throughout the year showcase local traditions, music, and, of course, amazing food.

17. Shop for Local Crafts

Matera has a rich tradition of artisanal crafts. Look for terracotta whistles (cucù), handwoven textiles, and limestone carvings. My favorite souvenirs are the miniature sassi houses made of local stone – perfect keepsakes that capture Matera’s unique architecture.

18. Walk the Civita Hill

The Civita is the oldest part of Matera, sitting on a rocky outcrop between the two Sassi districts. This area contains some of the most well-preserved structures and offers spectacular panoramic views. It’s less crowded than the main tourist paths but equally fascinating.

19. Visit the Museum of Peasant Life

This small but impactful museum displays tools, furniture, and household items used by Matera’s inhabitants throughout the centuries. It provides valuable context for understanding the difficult living conditions that prevailed here until relatively recently. The museum keepers often share personal stories that bring the exhibits to life.

20. Explore the Gravina Canyon

The deep ravine that wraps around Matera offers breathtaking views and hiking opportunities. Following the paths along the canyon edge provides continually changing perspectives of the city. Ever wondered what the Grand Canyon’s little Italian cousin might look like? This is it!

21. Cross the Tibetan Bridge

For the adventurous, the suspension bridge across the Gravina Canyon offers both thrills and amazing views. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but crossing this swaying structure gives you a unique vantage point of both Matera and the surrounding landscape.

22. Visit the Water Collection System

Matera’s ingenious water management system helped inhabitants survive in this arid region for millennia. Tours of the palombari (cisterns) and water channels showcase remarkable engineering that predates modern plumbing by thousands of years. It’s truly impressive how they solved such fundamental challenges with the limited technology available.

23. Take a Cooking Class

Learn to make traditional Materan dishes like crapiata (mixed legume soup) or orecchiette pasta (shaped like little ears) in a local cooking class. Many classes take place in cave kitchens, adding an authentic atmosphere to the experience. IMO, there’s no better souvenir than bringing home recipes you can recreate!

24. Visit the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art

Housed in the 17th-century Palazzo Lanfranchi, this museum features religious art, local paintings, and a collection of works by Carlo Levi, whose book “Christ Stopped at Eboli” drew attention to the region’s extreme poverty in the 1940s. The building itself is worth a visit for its architectural beauty.

25. Walk the Prehistoric Trail

Follow paths that have been used since prehistoric times, connecting ancient settlements around Matera. These trails offer insights into how early inhabitants navigated the challenging terrain and utilized natural resources. The sense of walking in ancient footsteps is powerful.

26. Visit the Crypt of Original Sin

Often called the “Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art,” this cave church outside Matera contains extraordinary 9th-century frescoes depicting biblical scenes. The vibrant colors and expressive figures are remarkably well-preserved. You’ll need to book in advance as visits are strictly controlled to protect the artwork, but trust me, it’s worth planning ahead for this one!

27. Relax in Piazza Vittorio Veneto

This lively square is the perfect spot to people-watch and absorb local life. Grab a coffee or aperitivo at one of the outdoor cafés and watch the world go by. The square gets particularly lively in the evening during the traditional Italian passeggiata when locals come out for their evening stroll.

28. Go Truffle Hunting

The surrounding countryside is rich in truffles, and several tour operators offer truffle hunting experiences with trained dogs. It’s a fun way to explore the rural landscape and learn about this prized culinary treasure. And yes, you get to taste your finds afterward!

29. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

See Matera from a completely different perspective with a dawn hot air balloon flight over the city and surrounding countryside. The sight of the ancient city emerging from morning mist as the sun rises is simply magical. Not exactly budget-friendly, but one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that’s hard to beat.

30. Join a Local Bread-Making Workshop

Matera’s bread is famous throughout Italy for its distinctive shape and exceptional flavor. Learn the traditional techniques from local bakers and discover why this bread was granted Protected Designation of Origin status. The smell of freshly baked bread in a centuries-old cave oven? Heaven!

31. Visit During the Matera Film Festival

If you’re a cinema buff, try to time your visit with the annual film festival that takes place in various venues throughout the city. Many screenings happen in cave theaters or open-air venues with the ancient city as a backdrop. The festival attracts filmmakers from around the world who are drawn to Matera’s cinematic qualities.

32. Take a Vespa Tour

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn or Gregory Peck and explore Matera and its surrounding countryside on a Vespa. Several companies offer guided tours or rentals. The narrow streets of the newer parts of town and the rolling hills outside the city are perfect for this quintessentially Italian mode of transport.

33. Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Bar

End your Matera adventure with a sunset aperitivo at one of the city’s rooftop bars. As the sun sinks below the horizon, the ancient stone takes on a golden glow that photographers call “the magic hour.” With a spritz in hand and that view spread before you, you’ll understand why people have been drawn to this magical place for thousands of years.

Matera may have once been Italy’s “national shame” due to its poverty, but today it stands as one of the country’s greatest treasures. The resilience of its people and the preservation of its ancient heritage make it a truly unique destination that offers far more than just Instagram-worthy views (though it has plenty of those too!). Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, photographer, or simply a curious traveler, Matera will leave an indelible mark on your soul. Just be warned – you might find yourself, like me, planning your return visit before you’ve even left!