Budget · 7 Days
€490
Mid-range · 7 Days
€1,169
Best months
April to June
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€110
With 7 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: Explore Sasso Caveoso
Trade the big landmarks for a neighborhood day in Sasso Caveoso, one of the best areas to see everyday life in Matera.
1
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. It retains a raw, atmospheric feel with fewer modern intrusions, making it feel like a journey back in time.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Santa Maria de Idris rock church, Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario museum, Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve.
2
Cripta del Peccato Originale (Crypt of Original Sin)
A stunning 9th-century rock church located in the countryside outside Matera, often called the 'Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art.'
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: Its breathtakingly vivid and well-preserved Byzantine frescoes are masterpieces, yet it remains off the standard tourist trail due to its need for a pre-booked guided tour.
Day 5: Day Trip to Alberobello
Leave Matera behind for a day and head to Alberobello (1 hour 15 min by car).
1
Alberobello
Venture into Puglia to visit another UNESCO site famous for its trulli, the unique conical-roofed whitewashed houses. It's a fascinating contrast to Matera's cave architecture and offers a different perspective on southern Italian vernacular building.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Trullo Sovrano (two-story trullo museum), Rione Monti trulli district, Local olive oil and almond product tasting, Basilica dei Santi Medici.
Day 6: Day Trip to Metaponto & Ionic Coast
Leave Matera behind for a day and head to Metaponto & Ionic Coast (50 min by car).
1
Metaponto & Ionic Coast
Escape to the sea and ancient Greek history. Metaponto is home to impressive Greek temple ruins, while the nearby beaches offer a chance to relax on the Ionian Sea after days of cave exploration.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Tavole Palatine (Temple of Hera ruins), Archaeological Museum of Metaponto, Lido di Metaponto beach, Local seafood lunch at a lido.
Day 7: Sasso Barisano & Hidden Gems
Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Sasso Barisano and seek out a few places most visitors to Matera never find.
1
Sasso Barisano
The larger, more restored Sassi district, where many ancient caves have been transformed into elegant hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. It's more polished than Caveoso but equally enchanting, with beautiful stone facades and arched doorways.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Convicinio di Sant'Antonio rock church complex, Via Fiorentini shopping street, Numerous cave hotel entrances.
2
Museo della Scultura Contemporanea (MUSMA)
A contemporary sculpture museum uniquely housed in the cavernous spaces of the 17th-century Palazzo Pomarici in the Sassi.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: The contrast between ancient cave architecture and modern art is mesmerizing. It's a quiet, cool refuge from the sun and crowds, offering a different cultural perspective.
3
Chiesa di San Pietro Barisano (Underground)
While the upper church is notable, its lesser-visited underground levels contain macabre and fascinating 'scolatoi,' where monks were desiccated after death.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: It reveals a deeply spiritual and unusual aspect of local history that most visitors completely miss, focusing only on the main church level.
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
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.
Experience Unique Cave Accommodations: Sleep in history at a converted cave hotel like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita or Sant'Angelo Luxury Resort. These boutique stays blend ancient stone walls with modern luxury, offering an immersive night in the very dwellings that define Matera's identity.
Discover a Cinematic Landscape: Matera's dramatic topography has made it a favorite film location. Visit the spots where 'The Passion of the Christ' was filmed, see the ancient cisterns featured in 'No Time to Die,' and capture the otherworldly scenery that makes photographers swoon, especially at golden hour from the Murgia viewpoint.
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How much do 7 days in Matera cost?
Plan on roughly €490 on a budget, €1,169 mid-range or €2,170 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 7 days | €490 | €1,169 | €2,170 |
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.
- 6With 7 days, consider a day trip outside Matera to experience more of Italy.
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
Civita
The rocky spur that divides the two Sassi districts, crowned by Matera's Cathedral.
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 7 days in Matera, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Craco
1 hour by car
Visit the haunting 'ghost town' of Craco, a medieval hilltop village completely abandoned due to landslides.
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