First-time visitors to Matera usually choose between the Sassi di Matera (the ancient cave districts, best for atmosphere and a once-in-a-lifetime stay) and the Piano, the modern upper town (best for convenience, access and budget). Within the Sassi, Sasso Caveoso suits those wanting the most dramatic, historic setting, while Sasso Barisano is a touch more accessible and lively. Families and anyone prioritising flat streets and parking tend to prefer the Piano around Via Ridola and Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
Five areas, five different trips
Sasso Caveoso
The older, more rugged of the two cave districts, facing the ravine and its rock churches. Streets are steep and stepped, so it rewards light luggage and a taste for immersive, historic surroundings.
Sasso Barisano
The northern cave district, lined with restaurants and workshops and a shorter walk down from the modern town. A good balance of cave-dwelling atmosphere and day-to-day convenience.
Piano (Centro / Via Ridola)
The flat upper town around Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Via Ridola, with shops, cafés and the main viewpoints over the Sassi. Easiest for arriving by car or bus and walking without endless stairs.
Civita
The rocky spur between the two Sassi, topped by the cathedral. Central yet calmer, with some of the best vantage points over the cave districts.
Piazza Vittorio Veneto area
Matera's main square and the surrounding streets are the social hub, with bars and evening passeggiata. Lively but still within a short walk of the Sassi overlooks.
Hotels in Matera
See live prices and availability for stays in Matera on a major booking site.
Practical basics
- Getting in
- Most visitors fly into Bari Karol Wojtyła (BRI) and reach Matera by shuttle bus or car in roughly one to one-and-a-half hours.
- Best time to visit
- Spring and autumn offer mild weather and fewer crowds; summer is hot and busy, while winter is quiet and atmospheric.
- Getting around
- The centre is best explored on foot, but expect steep steps and uneven stone in the Sassi, so pack accordingly.
- Currency
- Italy uses the euro (EUR), and card payment is widely accepted in the centre.
Matera through the year
On our climate rule the best months to visit Matera are April, May, June, September and October. July is the warmest month (average high 33.3 °C) and January the coldest (10.7 °C by day, 2.4 °C at night); May has the most rain days (11 a month) and July the sunniest. Ten-year ERA5 normals via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025.
Read the month-by-month guidePlaces to stay around Matera
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Frequently asked
Is it worth staying inside the Sassi?
Yes, if you want the full atmosphere of sleeping in a cave district — just be prepared for steep, stepped streets and carrying luggage by hand.
Where should families or those with mobility concerns stay?
The Piano (upper town) around Via Ridola and Piazza Vittorio Veneto has flatter streets, easier parking and simpler access to shops and transport.
Can I see the Sassi without staying in them?
Absolutely — basing yourself in the Piano keeps you minutes from the main viewpoints and entrances while avoiding the stairs.
Pair Matera with
August weather like Matera, fewer visitors
August is Matera's busiest month: visitor nights in the region run at 3.0× an average month, with average highs of 32 °C. These cities are as warm in August but less busy then.
AmalfiItaly, 169 km away. August: 31 °C, 2.0× an average month (vs 3.0×).
NaplesItaly, 198 km away. August: 31 °C, 2.0× an average month (vs 3.0×).
KotorMontenegro, 265 km away. August: 30 °C, 2.6× an average month (vs 3.0×).Crowd levels: Eurostat nights spent at tourist accommodation by region and month, relative to each region's own average month — a measure of season, not of absolute crowding.
What Matera costs, how busy it gets
- Restaurants and hotels
- Price level 107 in Italy (EU = 100) — close to the EU average. Eurostat price level index, 2024; a country-wide average.
- Everyday costs
- Consumer price level 98 in Italy (EU = 100), 2024.
- Visitors per resident
- 5.3 tourist nights per resident a year in the surrounding region (ITF5, 2025) — 2.8 million nights for 0.5 million residents. Eurostat.
Cheapest months to fly to Matera
| From | Cheapest month | Lowest fare found | Months with data |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | Dec 2026 | €34 | 3 |
| Paris | Nov 2026 | €21 | 7 |
| Berlin | Jan 2027 | €36 | 6 |
| Amsterdam | Nov 2026 | €92 | 6 |
| Stockholm | Nov 2026 | €91 | 3 |
| New York | Mar 2027 | €363 | 1 |
Lowest fares found in recent flight searches (Aviasales), collected 9 November 2026. A guide to price level only — fares change daily and may not be available when you search.
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals (ERA5), 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ReasonStay methodology — how areas are chosen, measured and checked
An independent guide to where to stay in Matera. Booking links are affiliate links (how we're funded).