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Matera Travel Guide: Where to Stay and What to Do

Pace: balanced Ancient Historic Unique Atmospheric
Ideal trip length
2–4 days
Busiest
Jun-Aug

Updated September 2026

Matera

About Matera

Carved cave homes and honey-colored stone terraces give Matera an ancient presence in Basilicata, southern Italy, where the Sassi shape the city’s identity.

Stone lanes through the Sassi lead to Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, Matera Cathedral, rock churches and viewpoints across Parco della Murgia Materana; a cooking class and sunset aperitivo add local flavor.

Couples often stay in the Sassi, keeping the cave dwellings, galleries and restaurants close on foot. Matera’s ancient, atmospheric setting suits unhurried wandering, with regional specialties including Pane di Matera, orecchiette con cime di rapa and peperoni cruschi.

Where to stay

Hotels in Matera

Book direct on our own Matera hotel pages — no booking fee and instant confirmation.

Stay like a local in Matera

Places to stay in Matera

Best for

Ranked by verified guest score, then stars. Based on 330 of 345 hotels with verified data.

Best for families

Family rooms listed · 82 hotels qualify

  1. Aque cave9.9/10 · 118 reviews · 4-star
  2. Sax Barisano9.9/10 · 122 reviews · 3-star
  3. B&B Al Convento9.8/10 · 123 reviews · 4-star
  4. Acqua Dolce9.8/10 · 119 reviews · 4-star
  5. Antica Torre di Iuso9.8/10 · 111 reviews · 4-star

Best for drivers

Free parking · 24 hotels qualify

  1. Casa Contini9.8/10 · 141 reviews · 3-star
  2. h-sa GUEST HOUSE9.8/10 · 117 reviews · 3-star
  3. Masseria Torre Spagnola9.7/10 · 188 reviews · 4-star
  4. La Lupa9.5/10 · 136 reviews · 4-star
  5. Casenelcuore - Holiday Rooms9.5/10 · 85 reviews · 4-star

Best for a pool

Swimming pool listed · 11 hotels qualify

  1. MOYSEION Matera - Real-life experience in the distant past9.7/10 · 69 reviews · 4-star
  2. Alvino Relais Mulino Contemporaneo9.5/10 · 55 reviews · 4-star
  3. Hotel Casino Ridola9.4/10 · 195 reviews · 4-star
  4. Masseria Fontana di Vite9.3/10 · 114 reviews · 4-star
  5. Cenobio Hotel & SPA Matera9.2/10 · 155 reviews · 4-star

Matera at a glance

Check-in / check-out
3:00 PM / 10:00 AM
Free parking
87 of 258 hotels (34%)
Pool
19 of 330 hotels
Climate
Mediterranean
Languages
Italian and English
Local currency
EUR (EUR)
Local time
(GMT+1)
Ideal trip length
2–4 days
Cost level
3 of 5 · our research
Suggested area to stay
Sassi di Matera
Tap water
Generally described as safe to drink
Tipping
Not mandatory

History, culture and food in Matera

History

95 · Outstanding

Culture

90 · Outstanding

Food

90 · Outstanding

Family 75 · Good

Our own 0–100 ratings for this one destination. They describe a city; they are not a league table of cities.

Food to try

Orecchiette con cime di rapa Pane di Matera Focaccia barese Peperoni cruschi

Hotel facts in Matera

Based on 330 of 345 hotels with verified data.

Hotels that listHotelsShare
Free parkingof hotels with verified parking87 of 25834%
Swimming pool19 of 3306%
24-hour front desk55 of 33017%
Facilities for disabled guests37 of 33011%
Family rooms112 of 33034%
Breakfast availablefree or paid depends on the rate7 of 3302%
Kitchen or kitchenette43 of 33013%
Airport shuttle0 free129 of 33039%

Pools and room sizes by star rating

StarsPoolStandard room
2-star–30 m²usually 20 m²–50 m² · 3 hotels
3-star6 of 15724 m²usually 19 m²–30 m² · 102 hotels
4-star10 of 14425 m²usually 20 m²–30 m² · 102 hotels
5-star3 of 921 m²usually 20 m²–35 m² · 6 hotels

When to visit Matera

How good each month is here, on this destination's own scale. It compares months within this city, never one city against another.

Best months: April and May Busiest: Jun-Aug
  1. Jan
    14

    Cold, quiet

  2. Feb
    14

    Chilly, few tourists

  3. Mar
    33

    Cool, pleasant

  4. Apr
    52

    Comfortable sightseeing weather

  5. May
    56

    Pleasant weather (avg high 22°C)

  6. Jun
    49

    Hot, sunny

  7. Jul
    34

    Often avoided: extreme heat and crowds

  8. Aug
    31

    Often avoided: extreme heat and crowds

  9. Sep
    49

    Warm, pleasant

  10. Oct
    44

    Mild, autumn colors

  11. Nov
    26

    Cool, quiet

  12. Dec
    14

    Cold, festive

Things to do in Matera

7 places worth your time, grouped by when they are at their best.

Best in the morning

1 place

Hike Parco della Murgia Materana

Murgia 3.5 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Best in the afternoon

1 place

Best in the evening

1 place

Enjoy a Sunset Aperitivo

Sassi 1.5 hours

Outdoors

Any time of day

4 places

Explore Sassi di Matera

Sassi 4 hours

Outdoors Good for children

Visit Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario

Sassi 1 hour

Indoors Good for children

Admire Matera Cathedral

Civita 1.5 hours

Indoors Good for children

Discover Underground Matera

Sassi 1.5 hours

Indoors Good for children
Things to book

Tours and activities in Matera

Guided tours, day trips and tickets to book alongside your stay.

Before you go to Matera

Our own ratings and notes on eating out, signature experiences, who the city suits and planning ahead.

Eating out

Orecchiette Con Cime Di Rapa 95 · Outstanding
Pane Di Matera 87 · Outstanding
Focaccia Barese 78 · Very good
Peperoni Cruschi 70 · Good

Signature experiences

Explore Sassi Di Matera 95 · Outstanding
Visit Casa Grotta Di Vico Solitario 91 · Outstanding
Admire Matera Cathedral 87 · Outstanding
Hike Parco Della Murgia Materana 83 · Very good
Take A Matera Cooking Class 78 · Very good
Discover Underground Matera 74 · Good
Enjoy A Sunset Aperitivo 70 · Good

Who it suits

Couples 95 · Outstanding
Families 90 · Outstanding
Friends 85 · Outstanding
Budget 80 · Very good
Culture 75 · Very good
History 70 · Good

Planning tips

Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven, hilly terrain and many stairs. 95 · Outstanding
Book Sassi accommodation well in advance, especially during peak season. 83 · Very good
Explore the Murgia Materana Park for stunning panoramic views of the Sassi. 70 · Good

Ratings and recommendations are curated from local travel data.

Near Matera

Straight-line distance from the centre of Matera.

Frequently asked questions about Matera

How many places to stay are there in Matera?

There are 340+ hotels, apartments and other places to stay in Matera. They include 47 hotels and 52 apartments.

When is the peak season in Matera?

The peak season in Matera is Jun-Aug.

Which area is a good base in Matera?

The travel guide suggests staying in Sassi di Matera when visiting Matera.

Are there tours and activities in Matera?

Yes, 120+ tours and activities are listed in Matera.

How many hotels in Matera have free parking?

87 of the 258 hotels in Matera with verified parking details list free parking (34%). 108 charge for parking.

What is the usual check-in time at hotels in Matera?

3:00 PM at 150 of the 302 hotels with a verified check-in time. The next most common time is 2:00 PM (42 hotels).

What time is check-out at hotels in Matera?

10:00 AM at 178 of 316 hotels with a verified check-out time; 10:30 AM at 78.

How many hotels in Matera have a pool?

19 of 330 hotels with verified data list a swimming pool.