Budget · 5 Days
€350
Mid-range · 5 Days
€835
Best months
April to June
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€110
With 5 days in Matera, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. Walking through Matera feels like stepping onto a film set, and for good reason—it has served as the backdrop for movies from 'The Passion of the Christ' to the latest James Bond. Yet beyond the cinematic allure, the city's magic lies in its tangible layers of history: exploring the frescoed Cave Churches of the Murgia plateau, descending into the vast, cathedral-like Palombaro Lungo cistern, or simply watching the golden light of sunset transform the Sassi from the Belvedere di Murgia Timone viewpoint.
Perfect for history buffs
Perfect for photographers
Perfect for couples
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Start your Matera adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.
1
Sassi di Matera
Experience Sassi di Matera, one of Matera's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Italy's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Cave Churches (Chiese Rupestri)
Experience Cave Churches (Chiese Rupestri), one of Matera's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Italy's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods
Experience Matera like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in Italy.
1
Casa Grotta Museum
Experience Casa Grotta Museum, one of Matera's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Italy's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Palombaro Lungo Cistern
Experience Palombaro Lungo Cistern, one of Matera's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Italy's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 3: Art, History & Discovery
Uncover layers of history that shaped Matera. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.
1
Cave Hotel Experience
Experience Cave Hotel Experience, one of Matera's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Italy's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Sunset at Murgia Viewpoint
Experience Sunset at Murgia Viewpoint, one of Matera's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Italy's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 4: Day Trip to Craco
Leave Matera behind for a day and head to Craco (1 hour by car).
1
Craco
Visit the haunting 'ghost town' of Craco, a medieval hilltop village completely abandoned due to landslides. Its eerie, crumbling structures perched on a cliff have featured in many films and offer a powerful, melancholic beauty.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Guided tour of the abandoned historic center, Spectacular panoramic views of the Cavone valley, Photography of decaying architecture, Nearby Agri River valley scenery.
Day 5: Civita & Hidden Gems
Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Civita and seek out a few places most visitors to Matera never find.
1
Civita
The rocky spur that divides the two Sassi districts, crowned by Matera's Cathedral. This is the oldest heart of the city, offering panoramic views and a sense of lofty separation from the cave districts below.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Matera Cathedral (Duomo), Palazzo Lanfranchi Museum, Narrow alleys with stunning vistas.
2
Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio
A small, less-crowded viewpoint near the Convento di Sant'Agostino, offering a spectacular, slightly different angle over the Sasso Caveoso.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: It provides an equally stunning vista as the main viewpoints but without the tour groups, perfect for quiet contemplation or photography.
3
Laboratorio di Ceramica di Giuseppe Mitarotonda
A small, family-run ceramic workshop in the Sassi where artisans create traditional Basilicata pottery using ancient techniques.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: You can watch the potter at work and buy unique, handmade souvenirs directly from the artist, supporting local craft far from the generic souvenir shops.
Top tours and experiences in Matera
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
Matera : Sassi tour with the iconic churches carved into the rock
4.8566 reviews2h
from €20
Check availability
All things to do in Matera →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Why Visit Matera
Explore a UNESCO Masterpiece of Urban Adaptation: Witness ingenious ancient engineering at the Palombaro Lungo, a monumental underground cistern, and wander the intricate water collection system. The city's entire structure is a testament to human adaptation to a challenging environment.
Immerse Yourself in a Living Cultural Hub: As the 2019 European Capital of Culture, Matera buzzes with contemporary art installations in ancient spaces, music festivals in piazzas, and artisan workshops where local craftspeople create ceramics and textiles using time-honored techniques.
Walk Through 9,000 Years of History: Explore the Sassi di Matera, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Step inside a reconstructed cave dwelling at the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario museum to understand daily life, and visit rock churches like Santa Lucia alle Malve with Byzantine frescoes dating back to the 8th century.
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How much do 5 days in Matera cost?
Plan on roughly €350 on a budget, €835 mid-range or €1,550 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Matera.
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €45 | €110 | €190 |
| Food and drinks (per day) | €17 | €35 | €70 |
| Sightseeing and activities (per day) | €8 | €22 | €50 |
| Total per day | €70 | €167 | €310 |
| Total for 5 days | €350 | €835 | €1,550 |
Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities
Where to stay in Matera
Hotels close to the centre of Matera, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Mid-range
Upscale
LuxuryHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Travel Tips
- 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Matera is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
- 2The best time to visit Matera is April to June, September to October. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- 3The local currency is Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- 4A few words in Italian go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
- 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
- 65 days gives you time to see the highlights and discover some hidden gems.
Must-Try Food in Matera
Pane di Matera (PDO bread)
Crapiata (traditional harvest soup of grains & legumes)
Peperoni Cruschi (sun-dried, fried sweet peppers)
Orecchiette con le Cime di Rapa (pasta with turnip tops)
💡 Book a cave hotel or restaurant well in advance. The most atmospheric accommodations and dining spots in the Sassi have limited space and are extremely popular, often selling out months ahead, particularly in peak season.
Neighborhoods to Explore in Matera
Sasso Caveoso
The more ancient and rugged of the two Sassi districts, characterized by its cave dwellings that cascade down the ravine like a natural amphitheater.
Sasso Barisano
The larger, more restored Sassi district, where many ancient caves have been transformed into elegant hotels, restaurants, and boutiques.
Piano (Modern City Center)
The 'new' city built from the 18th century onwards, featuring wide boulevards, Baroque churches, and lively piazzas.
Day Trip Ideas
With 5 days in Matera, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Alberobello
1 hour 15 min by car
Venture into Puglia to visit another UNESCO site famous for its trulli, the unique conical-roofed whitewashed houses.
Metaponto & Ionic Coast
50 min by car
Escape to the sea and ancient Greek history.
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