MATERA TRAVEL GUIDE 🗝️ Top 10 Things To Do In Matera, Italy 🏛️ Italy's Ancient Stone & Cave City! 🌄

Video Overview & Insights

Join us as we visit Matera, Italy in this travel guide covering top attractions, things to do and food worth eating in "la Città Sotterranea" (the Subterranean City). As one of our favorite cities we visited from our trip to Europe and around Italy Matera is somewhere you go to get lost around every corner. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, you'll find yourself exploring caves, the historical center 'sassi' and UNESCO heritage churches along with eating delicious Italian food. An exciting announcement is that Matera was declared Italian host of European Capital of Culture.

1) Chiesa rupestre di San Pietro Barisano

2) Convent of Saint Agostino

3) Cathedral of Matera

4) Chiesa di Santa Maria di Idris

5) Murgia National Park

6) La Grotta nei Sassi Restaurant

7) Storica Casa Grotta di vico Solitario

8) Palombaro Lungo - Underground Matera Tour

9) Ristorante Nadi

10) Matera at Night

🏛️ Discovering Magical Matera, Italy: Stone City Tour, Cave Churches & Local Cuisine 🇮🇹 | Italy Vlog

🌄 Welcome to Matera: Italy’s Stone City!

Matera had long been at the top of our travel bucket list, and this trip was all about finally making it happen. Nicknamed the “Stone City,” Matera is literally carved out of rock—its landscape dominated by ancient cave dwellings, winding staircases, and centuries-old churches adorned with vibrant frescoes. We based ourselves in the Sassi di Matera, the ancient quarter, which is hands-down the best way to immerse yourself in the city’s unique vibe.

⛪ Cave Churches & Frescoes: Exploring Ancient Matera

Our tour began with the city’s legendary rupestrian (rock-hewn) churches.

First stop: Chiesa Rupestre di San Pietro Barisano, the largest rock church in Matera (no cameras allowed inside, but a must-see).

We continued to Convento di Santa Agostino, dating to the late 16th century, where we discovered stunning underground frescoes and stone sculptures—sometimes with the whole space to ourselves!

Matera is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world—people have lived here for over 9,000 years, making it third only to Aleppo and Jericho.

Film buffs will recognize Matera’s biblical appearance—it’s where The Passion of the Christ was filmed!

🌆 Endless Lookouts & Getting Lost on Purpose

Every corner in Matera reveals another epic lookout. Walking uphill via winding streets, we found ourselves at the Matera Cathedral on the city’s highest ridge—extravagant ceilings and views that left us speechless.

Getting lost in Matera is a blessing; even when we meant to head back to the apartment, we ended up discovering another rock-carved church (Santa Maria de Idris) and panoramic vistas across the ravine to the Murgia Park, dotted with caves and archaeological wonders.

Tip: There are scenic trails and bridges leading out of the old town into the wild landscapes of Murgia Park. (During our visit, one trail was closed for safety reasons—check before you go!)

🍝 Materan Cuisine: Eating in Cave Restaurants

Matera’s restaurants are often set in atmospheric caves, creating a dining experience as unique as the city itself.

We tried the local specialty orecchiette (“little ears” pasta) with sausage, mushrooms, and chili—simple, rustic, and bursting with flavor.

The cheese fondue with mushrooms and pistachio was another standout dish—creamy, rich, and just the right amount of crunch.

For dessert: ricotta & pear cheesecake and chocolate lava cake (molten and decadent).

Travel Tip: Italian cuisine varies by region. In Matera, always ask for the local specialties and try a glass of regional wine!

🏠 Life in the Sassi: Cave Homes & Local Traditions

We visited Casa Grotta, a restored cave dwelling that offers a window into the daily life of Matera’s past residents. Audio guides (in Italian & English) explain how families lived alongside their animals (dogs often slept in beds for warmth!). Many Sassi homes were occupied until the 1950s, when residents were moved to modern buildings.

⛏️ Underground Wonders: Palombaro Lungo Cistern

No trip to Matera is complete without a subterranean adventure.

The Palombaro Lungo is a massive water cistern beneath the main square, built in 1846 and forgotten until its rediscovery in 1991. Guided tours (€3/person) take you deep underground to admire the “underwater cathedral” arches and echoing chambers.

🍽️ Four-Course Feasts & Foodie Adventures

Want to truly experience Matera? Treat yourself to a four-course meal at a local restaurant!

We shared a spread of cold meats and cheeses, fresh pasta, and classic Italian desserts (and yes, our stomachs were challenged!).

Don’t miss sampling the city’s celebrated wines and limoncello for a perfect end to your meal.

🌙 Matera by Night: Blue Hour Magic

As day turns to night, Matera transforms into a glowing labyrinth of stone—absolutely magical at sunset and blue hour.

Music in this video courtesy of Birocratic:

https://birocratic.bandcamp.com