3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat

I’ve been longing to visit Matera for many years? I recall once, I saw an editorial on a magazine that took place in Matera and since then I’ve been dreaming of this little cave-town in the south of Italy which is very particular and unique like no other.

And now, not only am I happy that I finally visited that place but I am also happy to share this travel and adventure of mine with you all, so that you can all visit Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, and see the beauty of the place for yourself.

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3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat

When we arrived in Matera, after about 4 hours bus ride from Napoli, it was pretty late and we were quite tired. Would you like to know, what was the first thing we did, once we checked in at Palazzo Gattini? SPA! I put on the swimsuit and jumped literally into the pool, and after the sauna, it felt, oh so revitalizing!

The following day, when I woke up I started realizing more of what was happening and where I was. I can still recall three things of that morning very well, like it was yesterday: Fresco painting on the ceiling of our hotel room, bruschetta with ricotta for breakfast and an Italian flag hanging on the balcony. Welcome to Matera!

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The best thing of our trip in Matera

One of the highlights of our trip to Matera, or perhaps even the best, was the sense of tranquility that enveloped the city in February. Matera felt like it belonged solely to us, which I hope doesn’t come across as selfish. What I mean is, I cherished the peaceful ambiance of the surroundings. With fewer tourists around, I had the freedom to capture photos at my leisure, without interruption. It seems that Matera’s peak season typically spans from April to October.

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3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat

Capturing Matera: Exploring the Beauty with a guide

Together with our personal guide Mrs. Dora Cappiello, we were more than excited to check what Matera had to offer and to photograph its beauty. It was that kind of place that I was dying to photograph, although it was quite confusing at the beginning because I didn’t know from where to start, like it usually happens with all the beautiful places in this world that blows my mind.

3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat

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Day 1: Explore the Sassi

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at a local café. Then head to the Sassi di Matera, the ancient cave dwellings that Matera is famous for. Wander through the narrow streets and alleys, taking in the unique architecture and history.

Don’t miss the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a restored cave house that gives you a glimpse into what life was like for Matera’s residents in centuries past.

For lunch, try some local specialties like orecchiette pasta or pane di Matera (Matera bread) at a traditional trattoria.

In the afternoon, visit the Caveoso and Barisano districts, where you’ll find more cave dwellings, churches, and stunning views of the ravine.

End your day with dinner at a cozy restaurant in the Sassi, enjoying dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.

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Day 2: History and Culture

After breakfast, visit the Matera Cathedral, a beautiful example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Then explore the nearby Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where you can see the Palazzo Lanfranchi and visit the Museo Nazionale “Domenico Ridola” to learn more about Matera’s history and culture.

For lunch, grab a panino (sandwich) from a local bakery or deli and enjoy it in one of Matera’s scenic parks or squares.

In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Palombaro Lungo, an ancient water cistern carved into the rock beneath the city. Learn about Matera’s innovative water management system and marvel at the engineering feats of the past.

In the evening, attend a performance at the Teatro Duni or Teatro delle Palme, where you can enjoy music, theater, or dance.

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3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat – Day 3: Nature and Food

Start your day with a hike in the Murgia Materana Park, where you can explore rugged landscapes, ancient rock churches, and panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.

For lunch, pack a picnic with local cheeses, cured meats, and bread from a nearby market or deli, and enjoy it al fresco in the park.

In the afternoon, visit a local agriturismo (farmhouse) to learn about traditional farming practices and taste farm-fresh produce, olive oil, and wine.

In the evening, treat yourself to a gourmet dinner at one of Matera’s upscale restaurants, where you can savor creative dishes inspired by the region’s culinary traditions.

Throughout your visit, be sure to take plenty of breaks to relax and soak in the beauty and tranquility of Matera’s timeless surroundings.

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Best boutique hotels in Matera: where to stay

We stayed two nights at Palazzo Gattini and two nights at Corte San Pietro (of which I am going to tell you more in the next blog post). Another day we were also invited to have breakfast at Sextantio, another beautiful historical hotel, where we met Mrs. Marcella di Feo from Basilicata Turistica and the whole team.

Afterwards, we drove together to the opposite part of Matera to see the little town from another point of view. The program of our visit was quite flexible, and it was good like that because I needed my freedom to move around and explore everything the way I wanted.

3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat

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Book a travel and wedding photographer in Matera

Looking for a passionate wedding photographer to turn your special day into timeless memories for your wedding in Matera?

Explore my wedding photography website and reach out to me at silia@prettylovestories.com As a destination wedding photographer, I thrive on capturing love stories wherever my couples take me. 

Additionally, if you happen to visit Vienna and you’re interested in booking me as your photographer in Vienna, you can find more info here. Please have a look at my portfolio, if you’d like to know more about my photography work.

Farewell to Matera

I miss everything about this little town. The hot chocolate I had everyday at Caffè San Biagio,  funny tuk tuk rides with Paolo around i Sassi di Matera (look for him in Matera), bruschetta with ricotta, “Trippola maritata” pasta dish we had every night for dinner and so many other things that made this trip special…

Too bad we had to leave because the day of our departure there was a chocolate festival happening in the weekend…but as Fernando from Corte San Pietro said in Italian “Per tornare, bisogna andare”! And I had to leave. Paris was next on the list!

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3 days in Matera: what to see, do and eat

At this point, we have to thank ENIT Italia for organizing this individual press trip for us, My Austrian Holidays and the Region Basilicata for having us as guests and showing us I Sassi di Matera!

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*Disclaimer: My visit in Matera was an invitation to a press trip from Enit Italia. All words, comments and thoughts in this post are my own. This blog post contains affiliate links. I get a commission if you make a purchase through the links which comes at no cost to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for using my links.

May 1, 2017 by silia | 10 Comments