Planning a trip to Matera requires a bit more logistical know-how than visiting the better-connected cities of Italy. The stone streets of the Sassi, limited parking, and regional transport links all reward some advance research. This guide covers essential travel tips for Matera: getting there and around, what to pack, food and drink advice, safety, practical details, and hotel recommendations. Check the Matera weather by month guide for more detail.
Matera Travel Tips: Getting to Matera
Matera does not have its own commercial airport. The nearest airport is Bari Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI), 65 km northeast. From Bari airport, take the shuttle bus to Bari Centrale station (5 EUR, 25 minutes, every 30 minutes), then the FAL (Ferrovie Appulo Lucane) train from Bari Centrale to Matera Centrale (5 EUR, 90 minutes, roughly hourly). The FAL station is at the north end of Bari Centrale. Follow signs for “Ferrovie Appulo Lucane.” From Matera Centrale, take local bus Line 2 to Piazza Matteotti (1 EUR, 15 minutes) near the Sassi. Alternatively, a taxi from Bari airport direct to Matera costs 80 to 100 EUR and takes about 50 minutes. Naples Airport (NAP) is 250 km west. From there, rent a car or take a train to Salerno, then a regional bus (FlixBus, 2.5 hours, about 15 EUR). Check the best time to visit Matera guide for more detail.
Matera Travel Tips: Getting Around Matera
The historic Sassi and Piano center are compact and walkable. You can cross from Sasso Caveoso to Piazza Vittorio Veneto in 20 minutes on foot. However, the Sassi streets are steep, uneven, and often stepped. Wear sturdy, flat-soled shoes with good grip. Cobblestones get slippery when wet. Do not bring a wheeled suitcase into the Sassi; you will end up carrying it. Most cave hotels offer porter service or will meet you at a vehicle-accessible drop-off point. For reaching the Crypt of Original Sin (7 km south) or the Murgia park viewpoints across the gorge, you need a taxi (25 to 30 EUR each way) or a rental car. Public buses (Line 2, 1 EUR) connect the train station, Piano, and the edge of the Sassi. Check things to do in Matera for more detail.
Matera Travel Tips: What to Pack
Sturdy walking shoes are non-negotiable. The Sassi are paved in stone, often polished smooth by centuries of foot traffic, and become slick in rain. In summer (June to August), pack light clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and a refillable water bottle; public drinking fountains are scattered through the Sassi. A light jacket or sweater is useful even in July for evenings, when temperatures drop to 19°C (66°F). In winter (December to February), bring a warm coat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof footwear. The stone streets hold cold and damp. An umbrella is essential in November and December. For shoulder seasons (March to May, September to October), layers are the answer: a T-shirt for midday, a fleece or light jacket for morning and evening. Check Matera events and festivals for more detail.
Matera Travel Tips: Food and Drink
Basilicata cuisine is distinct from the better-known Italian food regions. Local specialties to try: pane di Matera (a crusty durum wheat bread with PGI status, baked in wood-fired ovens), crapiata (a legume and grain soup traditionally made in summer), peperoni cruschi (sun-dried, deep-fried sweet peppers that shatter like glass, a uniquely Lucanian snack), and orecchiette con cime di rapa (ear-shaped pasta with turnip greens). The local DOC wine is Matera Rosso, a red made primarily from Primitivo and Sangiovese grapes. Tap water in Matera is safe to drink. A mid-range dinner with wine costs 25 to 35 EUR per person. Most restaurants close between 3 PM and 7 PM and reopen for dinner from 7:30 PM. Do not expect to eat dinner before 7:30 PM. The coperto (cover charge) of 1.50 to 3 EUR per person is standard and should appear on the bill. Check Matera neighborhoods for more detail.
Matera Travel Tips: Safety and Practical Info
Matera is very safe. Violent crime is virtually nonexistent. Pickpocketing is rare but possible in crowded areas during the July 2 festival. The main safety concern is the terrain: the Sassi streets have steep drops, uneven steps, and minimal railings in places. Avoid walking in the Sassi after heavy rain when stones are slick. Emergency number is 112 (pan-European). The Matera police station (Polizia) is on Via Gattini; the Carabinieri station is on Via Nazionale. Pharmacies (farmacia) are marked with a green cross. Farmacia Centrale on Via del Corso is open weekdays 8:30 AM to 1 PM and 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM. For medical needs, Ospedale Madonna delle Grazie is about 2 km north of the center. Check the where to stay in Matera guide for more detail.
Matera Travel Tips: Money, Visas, and Practicalities
Italy uses the euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants in Matera, but carry some cash (50 to 100 EUR) for small purchases at bakeries, gelato shops, and Sassi artisans. ATMs (bancomat) are available at Banca Popolare di Puglia e Basilicata on Piazza Vittorio Veneto and along Via del Corso. Italy is in the Schengen Area. Most non-EU visitors (US, UK, Canada, Australia) can enter visa-free for 90 days. From 2025, non-EU visitors must register via ETIAS (7 EUR, valid for 3 years). Tipping is not expected in Italy. Leave 1 to 2 EUR coins at cafes for good service, or round up by 5 to 10 percent at restaurants if service was exceptional. A service charge (servizio) is sometimes included. Check the menu or bill for “servizio incluso.”
Suggested Hotels in Matera
Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel
A five-star luxury hotel set in a 16th-century noble palace above the Sassi, with a subterranean spa and heated pool carved into the ancient cistern. Best for couples and special-occasion stays. Check rates and availability
Locanda di San Martino
A mid-range cave hotel with a wellness center that includes a thermal pool and Turkish bath carved into the rock, plus breakfast with local Basilicata products. Best for travelers who want cave accommodation with spa facilities. Check rates and availability
Fra i Sassi Residence
A budget-friendly cave residence with simple rooms, a shared Sassi-view terrace, and a communal cave breakfast room. Best for budget-conscious travelers who still want the cave experience. Check rates and availability
