17 Must See Places in Matera, Italy (Yes, You’ll Want to Stay Longer)

One of the absolute joys of being in Matera besides, you know, staying in a cave, is discovering all the amazing little bars and restaurants tucked into the ancient stone streets. And while there are plenty of touristy places that look the part, some of the best food and drink experiences are hidden down quiet laneways or behind unassuming doors. Here are a few of our favourite finds:

• Girotondo di Pizza – When the pizza craving hits (which, let’s face it, is daily in Italy), this is the place. Friendly staff, a casual vibe, and wood fired pizzas that are crunchy on the outside, pillowy on the inside. Hidden gem tip: Try the pizza with local sausage and cime di rapa (a bitter green veggie typical in the south), trust me, it’s better than it sounds.

• Terrazza Cavaliere – A gorgeous bar with a view that makes everything taste better. Think share plates, antipasti, and picky food that’s ideal for a slow sunset dinner. The atmosphere is elegant but not stuffy. Hidden gem tip: The local burrata with grilled vegetables is a must order, and if you can snag a seat on the outer edge of the terrace, you’ll have the perfect golden hour photo spot. Just get there early, it fills up quick.

• Terrazza Cavaliere – A gorgeous bar with a view that makes everything taste better. Think share plates, antipasti, and picky food that’s ideal for a slow sunset dinner. The atmosphere is elegant but not stuffy. Hidden gem tip: The local burrata with grilled vegetables is a must order, and if you can snag a seat on the outer edge of the terrace, you’ll have the perfect golden hour photo spot. Just get there early, it fills up quick.

• La Lopa – Tucked away in a quiet cave corner of the Sassi, La Lopa offers a more traditional dining experience with a focus on local Lucanian cuisine. The décor is charmingly rustic, and the dishes are full of rich, earthy flavours. Order the orecchiette with peperone crusco (crispy sweet peppers), so simple, so good.

•  Enoteca dai Tosi – Not a restaurant, but a tiny wine shop and tasting bar run by a local couple who really know their stuff. It’s tucked just off Via Ridola and easy to miss. Pop in for a casual glass of wine and some great conversation. Hidden gem tip: Let them surprise you with a glass of Aglianico, you’ll leave happy and possibly a little buzzed.

Where to Grab Breakfast (and Gelato) in Matera

• You’re in Italy, which means breakfast is usually light and carb-forward, perfect if you’re planning on walking up and down Matera’s endless stairs. Think pastries, espresso, and maybe a cheeky second pastry if you’re feeling fancy. And let’s not even pretend we’re skipping gelato, it’s practically a food group here.

• Caffè Schiuma – Right in the heart of Matera and just a hop from the main square, this café is a local favourite for morning coffee. Their cornetti (Italian croissants) are buttery, flakey, and just the right amount of sweet. Bonus points for their outdoor tables, perfect for a little people watching while pretending you’re writing your memoirs.

• Bakery Casa Giosuè – A tiny spot with big flavour. They do traditional pastries like pasticciotti (custard-filled delights from southern Italy) and fresh out of the oven focaccia if you’re leaning savoury. It’s low-key, mostly locals, and ridiculously good.

• I Vizi degli Angeli – Gelateria Artigianale  – This place is a total gem, tucked into the Sassi, it’s beloved by locals and visitors alike. Their gelato is handmade daily using fresh, natural ingredients and absolutely no weird additives. Think classic Italian craftsmanship with creative flair. Must-try flavors? The pistachio is belisimo, and the ricotta and fig combo is next level. They often have interesting seasonal flavors too, like lavender in spring or chestnut in autumn. Bonus points: they offer dairy free and vegan options, and the staff is lovely and happy to let you sample before committing (as one should).

Matera knows how to do food and drink right, and the best part? Almost everywhere has that perfect mix of atmosphere, history, and good old-fashioned Italian hospitality. Just follow your nose and maybe Google Maps and you’ll eat very, very well.

1. Walk the Sassi’s. 

• Walking the Sassi in Matera is like stepping into a beautifully crumbling labyrinth ,  one that insists you slow down and enjoy the ride. Good walking shoes are a must (your calves will thank you), but the reward is pure magic: winding alleys, ancient stone staircases, and jaw-dropping views around every corner. Take your time, get gloriously lost, and let the charm of this ancient city work its slow, steady spell on you.
• Every twist and turn feels like you’ve wandered onto the set of some epic, sun-drenched movie, minus the film crew and catered lunches. One minute you’re marveling at centuries old cave dwellings, the next you’re standing open mouthed in front of a tiny hidden church carved right into the rock. Trust me, you’ll start making deals with yourself like “just one more corner, then I’ll stop”… and three hours later you’ll still be happily wandering.

2. Explore Palombaro Lungo

• Hidden beneath Matera’s main square like a secret from another world, Palombaro Lungo is an enormous hand-dug water cistern that dates back to 1832. Wandering through its cathedral-like caverns — with ceilings soaring 18 metres above you, feels more like exploring an underground cathedral than old plumbing. It’s a jaw-dropping reminder of just how clever (and determined) people were long before the age of bulldozers and bottled water.
• The cool, damp air down there is a welcome break from the southern Italian sun, and as you drift through the echoey stillness, it’s impossible not to be a little awestruck. It feels like you’ve uncovered some grand, forgotten secret, proof that even centuries ago, people knew how to dream big and dig even bigger.

3. Discover the Underground City at Ipogeo MateraSum

• Beneath the bustling streets and postcard-perfect views of Matera lies a whole other world, Ipogeo MateraSum, the city beneath the city. Tucked just steps from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, this 1,200 square metre underground maze sits nearly 12 meters below the surface and feels like stepping into a secret chapter of Matera’s history. Originally part of the noble Malvezzi family’s estate, the space was cleverly carved out and used as a storage hub for agricultural goods, thanks to its prime location along ancient trade routes. But this is no ordinary basement, MateraSum is more like an underground neighborhood, with cisterns, granaries, furnaces, even a crypt tucked into the tufa rock.
• What sets this place apart isn’t just its scale, but the eerie, awe-inspiring vibe of wandering through spaces carved by hand centuries ago, complete with beams of light filtering down through the rock like nature’s own spotlight. It’s not just a walk through, either. After a short intro video, you’re free to explore at your own pace, with signs in four languages helping you piece together the puzzle of life below ground. Unlike Palombaro Lungo, this site wasn’t made for water, it was made for living. It’s raw, rugged, and utterly fascinating, offering an unforgettable look at how Matera’s past lives just beneath your feet.

4. Visit the Musma (museum of contempory sculpture)

• Tucked away in the caves and crumbling elegance of the 16th-century Palazzo Pomarici, MUSMA (Museum of Contemporary Sculpture) in Matera is hands-down one of the most atmospheric art spaces in Italy. It’s part cave, part palace, and completely magical. The museum showcases Italian sculpture from the late 1800s to today, with bonus surprises like ceramics, graphic art, and jewellery scattered throughout the ancient stone chambers.
• If modern sculpture is your jam, or you just want to feel like you’ve wandered into an art-loving Bond villain’s lair, this spot is a must.
• Find it at Via S. Giacomo, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry is just €5—an absolute steal for the vibes alone.

5. Call into Casa Grotta

• A visit to Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario is like stepping straight into Matera’s past. This traditional cave dwelling, tucked into the heart of the Sassi, offers a vivid and moving snapshot of everyday life before the caves were abandoned in the 1950s. Inside, you’ll find a single room home carved from stone, with original furnishings that show just how cleverly families adapted to their rocky surroundings,  from the shared dining plate at the hearth to the bed raised off the damp floor, and even a manger for the family mule. There’s a cistern for water, a pit for manure, and a haunting sense of the resilience it took to live here. Atmospheric and deeply authentic, Casa Grotta isn’t just a museum, it’s a story frozen in stone, full of quiet echoes from a not so distant past.

6. Churches galore

• Matera’s churches aren’t just places of worship, they’re time capsules carved straight into the stone. Among the most iconic is Santa Maria de Idris, perched dramatically on a rocky spur overlooking the Sassi. This cave church is actually two in one, joined with San Giovanni in Monterrone, and both are adorned with ancient frescoes that have weathered centuries in silent splendor. Then there’s San Pietro Barisano, the largest rock church in Matera, with a labyrinth of underground tombs and secret passageways, equal parts beautiful and eerie. And for a touch of grandeur, don’t miss the Matera Cathedral. Sitting proudly at the top of Civita, it offers sweeping views over the ravine and a Baroque interior that contrasts beautifully with the rugged surroundings.
• If you have wheels (and a sense of adventure), make time for La Cripta del Peccato Originale, the Crypt of the Original Sin. Just five miles outside the city, this 8th-century cave church is nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art, and with good reason. The vivid frescoes, believed to be among the oldest examples of Christian art in Italy outside Rome, are nothing short of astonishing. Visits are guided and must be booked in advance, but it’s absolutely worth the effort. And if you need a little breather from the spiritual grandeur, take a wander over to Castello Tramontano, Matera’s unfinished 16^th century castle. It may never have been completed, but it still makes a fine silhouette against the skyline, proof that even half finished things can be quietly magnificent in this city carved from stone.

7. Piazzetta Pascoli of Matera

• Piazzetta Pascoli is one of Matera’s most charming little corners, a peaceful square perched like a balcony above the Sassi, offering one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the city. Just to the left of the elegant Palazzo Lanfranchi, this romantic spot is the perfect pause point for gazing out over the winding lanes, ancient cave dwellings, and honey colored rooftops that make Matera so unforgettable. Whether you visit at golden hour or under the soft glow of evening lights, Piazzetta Pascoli has a quiet magic that makes you want to linger, preferably with a gelato or a spritz in hand.

8. IlPiano Main Square

• Il Piano, Matera’s main square, is where the old and new parts of the city meet in perfect harmony and where most strolls seem to begin or end (usually with a gelato in hand). Officially called Piazza Vittorio Veneto, this spacious, lively hub is surrounded by elegant 18th and 19^th century buildings, cafés spilling onto the pavements, and a healthy dose of people watching opportunities. But the real surprise? Just beneath your feet lies part of Matera’s fascinating underground world, the Ipogeo MateraSum and the enormous Palombaro Lungo, an ancient water cistern you can tour. It’s the kind of place where you can sip your espresso while perched on a bench, watch locals chatting in dialect, and realize you’re sitting on layers and layers of history, literally.

9. Explore the sassi at night

• Exploring the Sassi of Matera at night is like stepping into a dreamscape quiet, golden, and utterly enchanting. As the sun dips below the horizon, the labyrinth of ancient cave dwellings and stone stairways comes alive with warm lights that twinkle across the ravine like a constellation anchored to the earth. The crowds thin, the heat softens, and the whole place takes on a cinematic stillness that makes it feel like you’ve wandered into another time (or onto the set of a very moody Italian film). You can hear your footsteps echoing off the stone, smell wood-fired ovens wafting from hidden trattorias (restaurants), and catch glimpses of locals chatting in hushed voices under archways. It’s mysterious, romantic, and absolutely worth staying up for,  Matera by day is stunning, but by night? Pure magic.

10. Hike the Ravine

• One of my favourite things we did in Matera, other than carb loading on pasta and pretending you live in a cave, is to hike the ravine across from the Sassi. From the old stone terraces of Matera’s ancient neighborhoods, you’ll see the rugged hill opposite, pockmarked with caves. That’s Parco della Murgia Materana, home to prehistoric cave dwellings and rupestrian churches dating back over 7,000 years. It’s wild, it’s windy, and it’s honestly one of the best ways to experience the real soul of this hauntingly beautiful landscape.
• To get there, head down the steps near Porta Pistola, cross the rock bridge, and then bounce your way over the Ponte Tibetano della Gravina, a slightly wobbly but fun little suspension bridge. Once you’re across, pick your path and start climbing. It’s not Everest, but it does get steep in parts, so bring water and maybe save it for early morning or golden hour. There are no fences, no entry fees, and no wrong turns, the higher you go, the better the view back toward Matera. Don’t miss Belvedere di Murgia Timone for the ultimate photo op (and yes, it’s the spot from The Passion of the Christ). Along the way, peek into ancient churches like Madonna delle Tre Porte or Asceterio di Sant’Agnese, even if they’re locked, you can still get a tantalizing glimpse through the gates.
• Tip – If hiking’s not your thing or the summer sun is just too much, you can drive right up to Murgia Timone and still catch that jaw dropping view without the leg workout. Either way, this side of the ravine is where Matera’s deeper, quieter magic unfolds, dusty paths, cave churches, and views that will stay in your memory long after you’ve brushed the dust off your shoes.

11. Visit Murgia Timone

• Piazzetta Pascoli is one of Matera’s most charming little corners, a peaceful square perched like a balcony above the Sassi, offering one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in the city. Just to the left of the elegant Palazzo Lanfranchi, this romantic spot is the perfect pause point for gazing out over the winding lanes, ancient cave dwellings, and honey colored rooftops that make Matera so unforgettable. Whether you visit at golden hour or under the soft glow of evening lights, Piazzetta Pascoli has a quiet magic that makes you want to linger, preferably with a gelato or a spritz in hand.

12. Castello Tramontano

• Perched on a hill just outside the town centre, Castello Tramontano stands as a brooding, unfinished monument to one of Matera’s juiciest scandals. Built in the early 16th century by Count Tramontano, who clearly didn’t read the room when he imposed crippling taxes and allegedly claimed a bit too much droit du seigneur .  The castle never quite made it past the blueprint phase. Unsurprisingly, the locals had enough. On December 29, 1515, a group of fed-up citizens ambushed and killed the count on his way home from the cathedral, earning the street nearby the fitting name Via del Riscatto (Street of Redemption). Today, the castle remains closed to the public, except during special FAI heritage days, but it’s still worth the short walk up for a peek at this dramatic slice of Materan history and maybe a moment to raise an eyebrow at the power of good old-fashioned community rebellion.

13. Visit the Wineries

• If sipping bold reds while gazing out over ancient cave dwellings sounds like your kind of holiday, then a wine tour near Matera is an absolute must. While the city is best known for its hauntingly beautiful Sassi, Matera is quickly earning a name for itself in the world of wine, thanks to its Mediterranean climate and rich volcanic soils. Just a short drive away in Venosa, you’ll find wineries producing the powerhouse Aglianico del Vulture, a deep, complex red that pairs perfectly with hearty Lucanian fare. Closer still, vineyards tucked into the rolling hills around Matera offer tastings of Primitivo, a juicy, fruit-forward varietal that locals swear by. Whether you’re a full blown wine nerd or just like a good glass with a view, these intimate cellar door experiences blend rustic charm with local expertise. Pro tip: book a guided tour so someone else can navigate the winding country roads while you sip, swirl, and soak up the scenery.

14. Do a bread making course

• If you’re after a hands on, flour dusted kind of memory while in Matera, a bread making workshop in a 4^th generation local bakery might just be the delicious highlight of your trip. This isn’t just any bread, it’s Matera bread, made from locally milled bran and ancient sourdough, shaped by hand the traditional way, and baked with centuries of history behind it. You’ll learn the art of kneading, shaping, and even stamping your loaf (yep, that’s a thing, bread used to be stamped so families could recognize their loaves at the communal oven).
• But don’t worry, you won’t just be standing around with your hands in dough. At the end of the workshop, there’s a generous tasting that will knock your socks off: warm bread straight from the oven, drizzled with golden extra virgin olive oil, alongside tarallini, focaccia, pettoline, sweets, and a well earned glass of wine.. If you’re up for rolling up your sleeves and diving into the most carb happy cultural experience in town, this is the one.

15. Find the Unique Little Artisan Shops

• One of the joys of wandering through the winding backstreets of the Sassi in Matera is stumbling upon those little hidden gems you’d never find in a guidebook. We came across a tiny artist’s shop tucked into a cave-like nook, filled with unique prints that perfectly captured the spirit of the city — part ancient mystery, part modern magic. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to ditch your luggage space rules and buy art anyway.

16. Find the Locations where the Movies where Filmed

• Matera might be one of Italy’s oldest cities, but when it comes to starring roles on the silver screen, she’s a total scene stealer. With her dramatic cliffs, ancient stone dwellings, and biblical atmosphere, it’s no wonder filmmakers keep coming back. The city’s most iconic cameo? That would be in The Passion of the Christ (2004), where Matera’s haunting beauty stood in for ancient Jerusalem. Then came James Bond – No Time to Die (2021) opens with a high octane car chase tearing through the winding streets and staircases of the Sassi (because apparently even 007 isn’t immune to Matera’s charm). Other notable productions include Wonder Woman (2017), Ben-Hur (2016), and the TV series His Dark Materials. Whether you’re a film buff or just love spotting locations you’ve “been to” on Netflix, Matera delivers serious star power with its surreal, cinematic backdrop.

17. Hear the Cows Come Home at the End of the Day.

• One of the most unexpectedly magical moments in Matera came just as the sun was starting to dip low, casting that golden glow that makes everything look like a movie set. We heard this distant clinking sound, soft, rhythmic, oddly calming and for a second we honestly thought we’d been teleported back to Switzerland. Turns out, it was a herd of cows coming home after a day of grazing, their bells gently echoing across the ravine. We followed the sound, looked out over the edge of the Sassi, and there they were, cows scattered like confetti along the different levels of the ravine, ambling back home with a lone shepherd casually guiding them. It wasn’t staged or touristic, just life, Matera style. Honest, earthy, and absolutely unforgettable.