Where to Stay in Matera, Italy: Best Areas & Cave Hotels

Matera is one of those cities where the hotel location matters much more than the map suggests. Two properties can appear almost beside each other while one sits at street level and the other requires a long descent over polished stone steps.

I visited Matera with my mom during a road trip through Puglia (I know, Matera is technically in Basilicata). What stayed with me was how physical the city felt. We were constantly climbing, doubling back, finding another staircase and stopping because the view had suddenly opened across the ravine.

Distances that look negligible on Google maps can feel very different with luggage, in the heat or on wet stone. But the effort is absolutely worth it. Matera was one of my favorite destinations on this roadtrip and I am so glad we stayed in the Sassi!

Staying overnight means seeing the Sassi after the day-trippers leave, when the lanes become quiet and the lights across the ravine make the city look like an elaborate film set. For a first visit, I would stay in the Sassi if you are comfortable with steps; otherwise, book the modern center immediately above them.

Matera is compact on a map but extremely three-dimensional in real life. The ancient Sassi fold down the ravines below the upper city, while the newer center spreads across flatter ground around Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Via del Corso and Matera Centrale. Elevation, road access and steps matter more than distance.

Where to Stay in Matera: Best Areas and Neighborhoods

The Sassi are the best place to stay in Matera for cave hotels and historic atmosphere, but they are not the only sensible option. The modern center puts you within walking distance of the ancient city while making parking, luggage and station access much easier. Outside Matera, countryside masserie offer pools, gardens and straightforward parking.

Within the Sassi, Barisano is generally more convenient, with more restaurants and easier routes uphill. Caveoso is more atmospheric, with dramatic cave architecture, rock churches and quieter lanes, but usually more steps.

Best Areas to Stay in Matera at a Glance

• The Sassi: best overall for first-time visitors, cave hotels, couples, views and experiencing Matera after dark; expect steps and restricted vehicle access.
• Matera’s modern center: best for easier luggage, nearby garages, Matera Centrale and travelers who prefer a bright conventional room within minutes of the Sassi.
• Matera outskirts and countryside: best with a car, for pools, parking, masserie, families and longer road trips; not a good choice if you expect to walk into the Sassi.

Best for	Area	Why	Recommended stay
First visit and cave atmosphere	The Sassi	Cave hotels, ancient lanes and Matera after dark	Corte San Pietro
Easier luggage and station access	Modern center	Flatter streets, garages and quick access to the Sassi	Palazzo della Fontana
Car, pool and quiet	Matera countryside	Easy parking and space to slow down	Masseria Fontana di Vite

Are There Any Areas to Avoid in Matera?

Matera is generally safe, and there is no central tourist neighborhood I would avoid for safety. The real issue is inconvenience.

For a short first visit, be careful with:

• The deepest parts of the Sassi with heavy luggage: a short map distance can include long staircases, slopes and slippery stone.
• Any cave hotel with vague room descriptions: confirm that your exact category is excavated into the rock if that is what you want. Some properties mix cave rooms, built stone rooms and conventional rooms.
• A Sassi hotel with a car but no arrival plan: the Sassi and Civita have ZTL restrictions, and parking inside the historic core is not a realistic option for most visitors.
• Isolated outskirts without a car: rates can be lower, but commuting to the Sassi defeats the point of a one- or two-night visit.
• Hotels too far beyond Matera Centrale: the station is still within walking distance of the Sassi, but properties farther west or north can make every sightseeing day less convenient.
• Low, enclosed cave rooms without recent seasonal reviews: if several guests mention persistent damp, sewage smells or mold, believe them.

Best Accommodation in Matera

Matera accommodation is a choice between immersion, views and convenience. A genuine cave room in the Sassi is one of those travel experiences that lives up to the anticipation, but it is not automatically the best answer for every traveler.

For a first stay, I would prioritize a carefully chosen property in the Sassi. You can wander early in the morning, return during the hottest part of the day and head out again when the stone begins to glow at sunset.

If you are arriving with a rental car, limited mobility or several large suitcases, the modern center may save a surprising amount of trouble. You can sleep in a conventional room above the Sassi and still walk into the ancient city within minutes. The countryside only makes sense if a pool, parking and quiet mornings matter more than being able to walk home after dinner.

Best Location to Stay in Matera

• Best overall for first-time visitors: the Sassi
• Best for the classic cave experience: Sasso Caveoso
• Best for restaurants and slightly easier Sassi access: Sasso Barisano
• Best for views: Civita
• Best with luggage or near Matera Centrale: the modern center
• Best with a car: the modern center or Matera outskirts
• Best for families and pools: Matera countryside

The Sassi: Best Overall for First-Time Visitors and Cave Hotels

Known for: cave houses, rock churches, ravine views, Matera Cathedral, ancient lanes and atmospheric evenings

Best for: first-time visitors, couples, cave-hotel stays, views and short trips
Avoid if: you have limited mobility, heavy luggage, a stroller or dislike dark rooms
Best stay type: genuine cave hotels, restored lamioni and historic guesthouses
Booking tip: ask for the walking route and number of steps from the hotel’s actual vehicle drop-off point

FIND HOTELS IN THE SASSI

The Sassi are the best place to stay in Matera if you want the full experience. This is the ancient city folded into the rock: cave rooms behind built façades, lanes running over rooftops, rupestrian churches and terraces facing the Murgia across the ravine.

Treat the Sassi as one accommodation area, then use the smaller distinctions to choose a hotel:

• Sasso Barisano is my easiest recommendation for a first visit. It is more restored and lively, with restaurants, wine bars and relatively direct routes to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Look around Via Fiorentini and the upper part of Via Casale if you want fewer steps between your hotel and the upper city.
• Sasso Caveoso is rougher, quieter and more dramatic. The area around Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and Via Bruno Buozzi has some of Matera’s best cave hotels and a reasonably straightforward central route; Rione Malve and the lower lanes involve more steps.

You will explore all three on foot regardless of where you sleep. The distinction matters most when you arrive, because a ten-minute walk down uneven stairs feels very different with a suitcase.

I would visit at least one furnished cave house, one rock church and the Palombaro Lungo cistern. Otherwise, it is easy to admire Matera without fully understanding the water systems and living conditions that shaped it. If you want the story put into context, I would start with this Matera walking tour. It covers the Sassi and the city’s history in two to three hours. For more time inside the rupestrian churches, this Sassi and rock-church tour is the better fit.

I stayed at Maison d’Ax on Via Muro and loved being close to the viewpoints. We could come back after walking, sit with the Sassi spread below us and enjoy the view from our terrace. But even with a hotel view like this I would still make time for one proper aperitivo: Crialoss was my favorite, and Zipa is another good option.

The Sassi are physically demanding, and wet stone can be slippery. Pack light, wear shoes with grip and have the hotel explain exactly how your luggage will arrive (most likely you’ll have to carry it).

Stay in the Sassi if you want to experience Matera before the day-trippers arrive and after the ancient lanes quiet down at night.

Best Cave Hotels in the Sassi

Matera’s Modern Center: Best for Easier Access, Parking and the Station

Known for: Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Via del Corso, Via Ridola, shops, restaurants, garages and Matera Centrale

Best for: easier luggage, drivers, limited mobility, station access and conventional rooms
Avoid if: sleeping in a cave is an essential part of your trip
Best stay type: small urban hotels, contemporary rooms and historic palazzi above ground
Booking tip: stay between Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Matera Centrale rather than drifting too far into the outer city

FIND HOTELS IN CENTRAL MATERA

The modern center immediately above the Sassi is Matera’s practical sweet spot. This is the Piano around Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Via del Corso and Via Ridola, extending toward Matera Centrale. The streets are more conventional, garages are easier to reach and you can walk to the upper entrances of the Sassi in minutes.

Do not mistake “newer” for remote or charmless. Piazza Vittorio Veneto sits directly over the Palombaro Lungo cistern and opens onto Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio above Sasso Barisano. You can have dinner in the historic center, look down into the ancient city and return to a bright room without climbing back through the ravine.

This is where I would stay with large luggage, a stroller or mobility concerns. If that’s the case I recommend you book this Ape Calessino tour to minimize walking and still be able to explore the Sassi.

It is also the most convenient choice near Matera Central Station. The streets immediately around the station feel more like an ordinary Italian city, so I would keep the hotel on the Sassi side of the station whenever possible.

Stay in Matera’s modern center when you want the Sassi within easy walking distance but prefer simpler access and a conventional room.

Best Hotels in Matera’s Modern Center

Matera Outskirts and Countryside: Best with a Car, for Pools and Longer Stays

Known for: masserie, pools, gardens, easy parking, open landscapes and road-trip access toward Altamura and Puglia

Best for: drivers, families, summer stays, relaxation and multi-night road trips
Avoid if: you want to walk into the Sassi, stay out for dinner without driving or have only one night
Best stay type: masserie, agriturismi, pool hotels and modern edge-of-town hotels
Booking tip: check the actual driving time, pool opening dates and whether dinner is available on-site

COMPARE MATERA STAYS WITH PARKING

The countryside around Matera is not a substitute for staying in the Sassi. It is a different accommodation style for travelers with a car. You give up the ability to walk home after aperitivo, but gain a pool, garden, on-site restaurant and the luxury of parking directly outside.

This can make sense on a longer Puglia and Basilicata road trip, especially in summer. You can spend a full day and evening in Matera, then return to a masseria instead of carrying luggage through the Sassi. It also suits families who need more space and travelers who know they would not sleep well in a dark cave room.

The downside is complete car dependence. You will need to drive to a garage outside the historic core each time you visit Matera. If you plan to stay for dinner, remember that someone still needs to drive back afterward.

The Murgia side of the ravine is worth seeing regardless of where you sleep. This sunset tour to Murgia Timone includes transportation and gives you the classic view back toward the Sassi without having to organize another drive.

Stay outside Matera if parking, a pool and quiet mornings matter more than having the Sassi outside your door.

Best Hotels Near Matera with Parking and Pools

How Many Days in Matera?

You can see Matera’s main sights in one very full day, but I would stay overnight. The city changes after the tour groups leave, and walking through the illuminated Sassi after dinner was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

• One day in Matera: enough for both Sassi, a furnished cave house, one rock church, the cathedral and several viewpoints. If time is tight, this guided walk through the Sassi is a good way to understand what you are looking at without spending half the day decoding a map.
• Two days in Matera: ideal for most first-time visitors. Add the Palombaro Lungo, more rupestrian churches, Sassi in Miniatura, a long lunch and sunset from Murgia Timone.
• Three days in Matera: worthwhile if you want to hike in the Murgia, take a cooking and pasta class at a farmhouse or slow down between longer drives through Puglia and Basilicata.

Is Matera Worth Visiting?

Yes—Matera is one of the most extraordinary places I have visited in southern Italy. The cave architecture is not a novelty added to a pretty town. It shapes the streets, views, hotels, churches and the way the entire city works.

I expected Matera to be beautiful. I did not expect it to feel so immersive. Even in the less-than-perfect Easter weather we had, the views stopped me constantly. The best moments were not ticking off landmarks but wandering, finding another terrace and realizing that the path overhead was someone else’s roof.

It is also worth visiting overnight rather than squeezing it into a rushed day trip from Bari. Have aperitivo with a view, walk through the Sassi after dark and get up before the day-trippers arrive. That is when Matera feels most special.

Best Time to Visit Matera

Late April to May and late September to early October are the best times to visit Matera. The temperatures are usually comfortable enough for climbing stairs, the light is beautiful and the city is less punishing than in peak summer.

I am particularly fond of the last week of April and first week of October for trips through southern Italy. It is oddly specific, but those shoulder-season windows often give you long enough days, better accommodation prices and fewer crowds.

• Spring: green landscapes and comfortable walking temperatures, but rain can make the Sassi slippery and cave rooms more humid.
• Summer: hot and busy above ground, although genuine cave rooms can remain naturally cool. Air conditioning and a pool become more valuable.
• Autumn: beautiful light, warm days and generally good walking weather. Check recent cave-room reviews after rainy periods.
• Winter: atmospheric and quiet, but the cold, short days and potential damp inside cave rooms will not suit everyone.

If you are booking a cave hotel outside summer, prioritize ventilation and recent seasonal reviews over the prettiest bathtub photo.

Getting to Matera

Matera has no commercial airport and no Trenitalia station in the historic center. Most international visitors arrive through Bari.

By plane: Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport is the nearest major airport, roughly 60–65 kilometers (37–40 miles) away. Direct buses connect the airport and Matera, but schedules vary by season and day of the week.

By train from Bari: Ferrovie Appulo Lucane (FAL) operates the route between Bari and Matera, usually taking around 100 minutes. The FAL platforms in Bari are separate from the main Trenitalia platforms, and holiday or engineering schedules may involve replacement buses. Check the current journey before leaving.

By car: driving from Bari takes roughly an hour in light traffic and makes sense as part of a longer road trip. Do not direct your navigation app to a hotel inside the Sassi and hope for the best. Drive to the garage specified by your accommodation, then use its shuttle or walk. Compare rental-car prices here.

By long-distance bus: several operators connect Matera with Bari, Naples, Rome and other cities in southern Italy. Check the exact arrival point as well as the timetable; Matera Centrale and Via Don Luigi Sturzo are not equally convenient for every hotel.

Getting Around Matera

Walking is the only real way to experience the Sassi. The challenge is not the distance but the elevation, steps and polished stone. Wear shoes with grip and allow more time than the map suggests.

Local buses and taxis are useful for the station, parking areas and outer neighborhoods. An Ape Calessino tour through Matera is also a fun introduction if you cannot comfortably manage every climb, although the small vehicles cannot enter all the pedestrian lanes.

To reach the Murgia viewpoint, you can drive or take a taxi or tour around the ravine. Active travelers can also follow Sentiero 406 from Porta Pistola across the suspended footbridge. The trail involves about 200 meters (656 feet) of elevation change, so wear suitable shoes and check the conditions before setting out.

A car is useful for reaching Matera. It is not useful inside the Sassi. Park it once and let it have the day off.

Matera Accommodation FAQ

Where Should First-Time Visitors Stay in Matera?

The Sassi are the best area for most first-time visitors. Within them, Sasso Barisano is the easiest default because it combines cave hotels and ancient atmosphere with more restaurants and relatively direct access to Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

Pick the Caveoso side if dramatic cave architecture matters more than stairs. For a non-cave room with simpler luggage logistics, book the modern center around Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

My first-booking shortlist is La Dimora Di Metello, Corte San Pietro and Palazzo della Fontana.

Is It Worth Staying in a Cave Hotel in Matera?

Yes, for at least one night. Sleeping in a carefully restored cave is part of the Matera experience, and the rooms can be remarkably quiet and cool.

It is not worth it if you dislike dark spaces, are particularly sensitive to humidity or find repeated damp and odor complaints in the recent reviews. A stone-vaulted lamione can provide much of the atmosphere with better light and airflow.

Is Sasso Caveoso or Sasso Barisano Better?

Sasso Barisano is better for most first-time visitors. It has more restaurants, a broad hotel selection and easier routes toward the upper city.

Sasso Caveoso is better for couples, photographers and travelers who want the most dramatic cave setting. It feels rougher and quieter but involves more steps and fewer straightforward routes.

Are Matera Cave Hotels Damp or Moldy?

Some can be. Underground rooms naturally hold moisture, and the quality of ventilation varies between properties. Well-restored cave hotels use mechanical ventilation, air conditioning and dehumidification; poorly ventilated rooms can smell musty or worse after rain.

Search recent reviews from the same season you plan to visit, not only the overall guest score. If several guests independently mention mold, sewage smells, wet bedding or persistent damp, book another room. A cave is an explanation, not an excuse.

Where Should You Stay in Matera with a Car?

Stay in the modern center above the Sassi or outside Matera. A hotel with a named partner garage or private parking is more useful than a listing that simply says “parking nearby.”

Palazzo della Fontana has a partner garage about 150 meters (490 feet) away. Best Western Plus Dimora del Monaco has free parking outside the center, while Masseria Fontana di Vite is my choice if you also want a pool and countryside setting.

Where Should You Stay Near Matera Centrale Station?

Stay in the modern center around Via Roma, Piazza Vittorio Veneto or Via del Corso. Matera Centrale is in the newer upper city, not inside the Sassi, and the walk becomes much less pleasant with heavy luggage.

Hotel San Domenico Al Piano is close to Piazza Vittorio Veneto and has private parking. Palazzo della Fontana offers a more intimate stay slightly closer to the historic center.

What Is the Best Hotel in Matera for Couples?

Corte San Pietro is my romantic pick for an intimate cave stay. Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita is more pared-back and atmospheric, while Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA makes sense when a spa matters as much as the cave room.

Where Should Families Stay in Matera?

Families who want to stay in the Sassi should check Le Malve Cave Retreat for family rooms, then ask about the steps and bathroom layout attached to the exact category.

For a longer summer stay, the countryside is easier. Tenuta Danesi has apartments and a pool, while Best Western Plus Dimora del Monaco is the simpler option for parking and accessible rooms.

Where Should Travelers with Limited Mobility Stay in Matera?

Stay in the modern center and confirm a step-free route from the entrance to your exact room. Do not assume that an elevator solves the outdoor approach through the Sassi.

Palazzo della Fontana has an elevator and nearby garage arrangements. Outside the center, Best Western Plus Dimora del Monaco lists wheelchair-accessible facilities and free parking.

How Many Nights Should You Stay in Matera?

Stay for two nights if you want one full sightseeing day plus sunset, dinner and an unhurried morning. One night is enough to experience Matera after dark, but you will need to be selective.

Three nights makes sense if you want to hike in the Murgia, take a farmhouse cooking class or slow down after a longer road trip.

Plan a Trip to Matera

Matera is easy once the arrival plan is sorted. Book the exact room category you want, arrange parking or a station transfer and leave enough time to see the Sassi after dark.

Book	My recommendation	Why
Accommodation	Compare Matera hotels	Compare the exact room type, access and recent seasonal reviews
Luxury cave hotel	Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & SPA	Cave rooms with a proper underground spa
Walking tour	Matera and Sassi walking tour	The tour I would book early in the trip to understand the city’s history and layout
Rock churches	Sassi and rock-church tour	More time on the rupestrian churches and cave architecture
Murgia sunset	Murgia Timone sunset tour	Includes transportation and the classic view back toward Matera
Easier sightseeing	Ape Calessino tour	A fun introduction with fewer climbs
Cooking class	Farmhouse cooking and pasta class	A slower food experience outside the stone lanes
Rental car	Compare rental-car prices	Useful for combining Matera with Puglia, Altamura and rural Basilicata

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