Matera
Go to Matera for the Sassi, old cave neighborhoods cut into the walls of the Gravina gorge, and for the rock churches built into the same slopes.
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Matera is a city in Basilicata, in southern Italy, close to the border with Puglia. Its Sassi, the old districts of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, are built into the sides of a deep ravine, and people lived in the cave dwellings there for centuries. UNESCO listed the Sassi as a World Heritage Site in 1993, and the city was European Capital of Culture in 2019.
The rock churches, many with old frescoes, are cut into the same slopes. From the upper town on the edge of the ravine you get a wide view down into the gorge. Matera suits travelers who like steep stepped lanes, historic architecture and a slower pace. It is easy to reach from Bari by train and bus. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking, since summer is hot. Plan at least two days to see the districts at different times of day.
Matera in five
- Stay one night to see the Sassi at duskDay groups leave by late afternoon and the stone lanes empty out. A night in or beside the Sassi gives you the early light as well.Where to stay in Matera
- Plan the Sassi as stairs, not streetsLanes are steep, uneven stone with many steps, and cave rooms can mean long flights of stairs from the nearest road. Pack a small bag and ask your hotel about luggage help.Matera in 2 days
- Book the Murgia park tour aheadGuided rock-church tours from the park's visitor center must be booked at least 24 hours ahead. Rock churches and cave houses in the Sassi keep their own hours, so check each one before you build a day around it.Murgia park tours
- Connect through Bari, not a high-speed trainMatera Centrale is on the regional FAL line, not the Trenitalia or Italo network, so most visitors connect from Bari, and some trains change at Altamura. Coaches from Bari, Naples and Rome also run; compare times before you book.How to get to Matera
- Add Bari or Alberobello on either sideMatera sits between Basilicata and Puglia, so many routes pair it with Bari, Alberobello or Lecce. Rent a car only for the countryside; the Sassi are on foot.Bari travel guide
Things to do in Matera
See all attractions in Matera
Need to know
- Airport
- Bari (BRI), about 1.5–2 hours away by train, bus or transfer
- Getting there
- From Bari by regional FAL train or bus; some trains change at Altamura
- Getting around
- On foot; the Sassi are stairs and stone lanes, taxis reach the edges
- Best base
- Sasso Barisano for quiet; Civita for views; Piano for trains and buses
- Time needed
- 1 night minimum; 2 days to see the Sassi and rock churches
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Mild, rainMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Spring, quietAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, quiet
- MayPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, lightMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, light
- JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh30°Low19°Hot daysJuneClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot days
- JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh34°Low21°Hot, brightJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, bright
- AugustClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low21°Hot, stairsAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, stairs
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh28°Low18°Warm, goldenSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, golden
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Mild, goldenOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, golden
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Wet, coolNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cool
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh13°Low6°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Matera, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Matera
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
12
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 93%
- Wind
- 23 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Matera
09:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°10°100%Monday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue15°10°28%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Wed17°8°3%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu16°9°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri16°7°22%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Sat13°9°28%Saturday: Rain. High 13°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Sun19°12°16%Sunday: Fog. High 19°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 16%.
Updated 07:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Jul–AugFestival della Valle d'ItriaCisternino, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Alberobelloabout 2–2.5 hours by train and bus; 1 hour by carTrulli streets in a long day; better with a car.Read the guide
- Bariabout 1.5–2 hours by train or busOld town, orecchiette and a harbor evening.Read the guide
- Ostuniabout 1.5 hours by carThe White City; easier as a stop on the drive east.Read the guide
Before you go to Matera
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Rules for Matera, checked
- Guided rock-church tours in the Murgia park must be booked at least 24 hours ahead; the self-guided Murgia Timone and Trail 406 walks need no guide.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source
Matera FAQ
How many days do you need in Matera?
One night is enough for the Sassi at dusk and dawn, and two days lets you add the rock churches and the Murgia view without rushing. A day trip works, but you miss the evening light and the quiet.
How do you get to Matera by train?
Matera Centrale is on the regional FAL line, not the Trenitalia or Italo network, so most visitors take the FAL train from Bari, about 1.5 to 2 hours. Coaches from Bari, Naples and Rome also serve Matera. Check the timetable for your date, especially on Sundays.
Where should you stay in Matera?
In the Sassi for atmosphere, in Sasso Barisano for quieter lanes or Civita for views. The upper town, Piano, suits late arrivals and early buses. Think about stairs and luggage before choosing a cave room.
Is Matera worth visiting?
Yes, if you like old cities and landscape, because the Sassi are unlike anywhere else in Italy. It is small, so it suits one or two nights, not a week. Skip it if steep stone steps are a problem.
Is Matera good for people with limited mobility?
It is difficult. The Sassi are steep, uneven and stepped, and many cave rooms are down stairs. The upper town is flatter. Ask your hotel about step-free access before booking.