Matera is a charming historical city that has no equal.
Italy is a safe bet if you’re looking for a sunny holiday destination that’s also rich in culture, history, and incredible cuisine. This country has famous tourist centres such as Rome and Milan, but for tourists seeking to avoid the crowds, there’s a lesser‑known gem worth adding to your list. This is reported by Express.
We are talking about the city of Matera, located in the south of Italy. It offers a unique holiday experience and the opportunity to see a side of the country that seems like a completely different world compared to the usual tourist routes.
“This historic city is located in the southern region of Basilicata and is known for its extensive district of cave dwellings — the Sassi — which has been continuously inhabited for at least 9,000 years,” the article states.
This Italian city is famous for its exceptional cultural heritage, and its Mediterranean climate is very attractive to tourists in autumn. In October, the average maximum temperature reaches 23 °C, and sometimes it can rise to 27 °C, which allows visitors to enjoy this place without encountering the peak influx of summer tourists.
One of the bloggers, who was traveling in Italy, showed her followers Matera, which is called the “Stone City”. In her video, you can see cave dwellings and a path that runs through incredible stone structures located on top of a cliff. The ancient city looks very beautiful with its cobbled streets and historic buildings, as if descended from the pages of a fairy tale.
“Matera is truly a magical historic city, unmatched in any way. It’s the oldest city in Italy and perhaps in all of Europe. It’s 9,000 years old! I strongly recommend staying here for at least one night to fully experience this magic. The sunset here is stunning, dining in restaurants that look like caves will be a lasting memory, and the sunrise is even better,” the blogger assured.
Things to do in Matera:
- Take a walk through the neighborhoods of Sassi di Matera and stop at the main observation decks, from which you can enjoy a view of the cave houses.
- Visit “Casa Grotta” (cave house) to see how families once lived inside the rock.
- Go underground to Palombaro Lungo (a huge cistern beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto).
- Visit the Mother Cathedral (Duomo) to admire its location on top of a hill and the views of the city.
- Climb to the Belvedere Murgia Timone to admire one of the best panoramic views (sunrises and sunsets are especially beautiful).
- Explore several rock‑cut churches and their frescoes in the gorge area.
- take a walk along part of the trails in the “Parco della Murgia Materana” to see the caves and impressive views of the gorge;
- Have dinner at the cave restaurant and try the local delicacies of Basilicata, and then take a walk in the evening when the “Sassi” are illuminated.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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