Things to Do in Matera

Things to Do in Matera, Italy - Matera Attractions

Things to Do in Matera

Check out must-see sights and activities:
Sassi di Matera, Casa Noha, Walking Tours, Historic Walking Areas. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Top Attractions in Matera

These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveler reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Historic cave-city with labyrinthine streets and ancient cave dwellings. Guided tours available to explore significant churches and breathtaking views, surrounded by local cafes and shops.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Multimedia museum set in a historic palazzo, providing an immersive audiovisual journey through the regeneration of the Sassi area with multilingual films. Ideal for cultural enthusiasts.
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Historical cave dwellings with authentic 18th-century artifacts, interactive exhibits, and informative multimedia presentations on local heritage and past lifestyles.
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Historical olive oil farm with restored mill and self-guided tablet tour, providing a deep dive into traditional production and millers' lives, complete with tastings.
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Points of Interest & Landmarks

Historical underground water reservoir with Roman-era techniques, illuminated by colored lights. Features include a remarkable water system and a glimpse into past urban life.
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Other Top Attractions around Matera



From quick jaunts to full-day outings.


*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travelers are saying

  • Margie D
    York, PA2,052 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sassi dwellings go back to prehistoric times, some 7000 years ago, since the Neolithic Age. These caves are no longer inhabited.
    Written January 26, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Sara K
    Seattle, WA16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fabulous movie, in Italian, with an excellent audioguide for english speakers, about the history of Matera. Even after 2 guided tours of Matera and Gravina, I learned more about the history of Matera seeing this film, and appreciated all the photography. Well worth the visit and the film which lasts about 35 min. Price was about 6 euros.
    Written December 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Judy H
    Scottsdale49 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you see only one sassi this should be it.entry guides make it so easy. Audio guide on you phone wonderful. Lots to learn . Extremely well presented.
    Written October 20, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Becky S
    6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was very beautiful and ancient, felt very sacred and unique to this area. Thankfully we got a taxi to take us, because I think we might have struggled to find it. The narration was fascinating.
    Written September 26, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lucas A
    Colombia2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing, beautiful place to learn about the life on ancient times. And about their work. Its a must see.

    You get to see a lot of different workshops, artisans, wood and rock workers, peasants life, etc.
    Written November 2, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • happyjoyandfree
    Shirley, NY21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    If you are in Matera, you can enter right from the walkway along the scenic view. It's a short but tough hike down a ravine/gorge to the suspension bridge down by the river. You can then hike to and on the other side but have to come all the way back unless you leave a car at the other entrance. Definitely worth doing and a good workout. You must wear good shoes!!
    Written October 21, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Matej_11
    Ljubljana, Slovenia2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This should be a must-see in Matera. We went there with our kids and the explanation we were given was informative, interesting, engaging and in a great pedagogical manner. Every single step of olive oil production was explained and a lot of interesting details about the mill itself, living and working conditions was provided. At the end all of us could even try some of the aromatic extra vergine olive oil -if you want you can buy some (it's excellent, you wont regret it!). The kids and the adults were all very pleased with the visit. Grazie! Highly recommended.
    Written December 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • bigmac
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Did not find a tour matching our dates/times so organized our own itinerary and visit using various online and printed sources. We had a rent car so enjoyed the freedom to schedule our visit. Spent several hours in Matera-Sasi - beautiful and interesting very old city.
    Written June 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Margie D
    York, PA2,052 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This church is actually a cave that is carved into a limestone cliff! The cliff rises high above a gorge, and dates back to the 1300's.
    Written January 26, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • tdsjp
    Bromyard, UK639 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Only 3 euros to go down into the 50 million litre capacity cistern that kept the rainwater for Matera for hundreds of years.
    The walkways take you down near the bottom and you walk along metal walkways above the water. Amazing engineering.
    Written September 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • BrakiWorldTraveler
    Belgrade, Serbia20,245 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sassi Barisano is the upper part of unique Matera. It was developed after people learned they could cut limestone blocks for building their houses instead of digging the caves.
    The whole area is absolutely mind blowing - allow at least one full day and one night. Walk as much you can over the area and admire terrific different view points.
    Written October 9, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • dapper777
    Monaco68,589 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Located on the summit of the city, the Cathedral of Matera is a majestic example of Apulian Romanesque architecture that elegantly dominates the urban landscape. It was built in the 13th century, and is dedicated to the Madonna della Bruna and St. Eustace, who are the patrons of the city. The imposing façade is adorned with fine architectural details. In the center, the large rose window with sixteen rays stands out, a symbol of perfection and divine light, surrounded by sculptures and decorations that represent figures of saints and biblical scenes. It is surmounted by the Archangel Michael crushing the dragon.
    The rose window is flanked by four small columns, while from the pediment descend another 12 hanging columns, symbolizing respectively the 4 evangelists and the 12 apostles. At the center of the facade is the main door, closed by a round arch with the statue of the Madonna della Bruna in the lunette. On the sides of the door are the statues of Saints Peter and Paul, while at the ends of the facade are the seventeenth-century high-relief statues of Saints Eustace and Theopista.

    The side façade has two monumental doors: the first is the “Porta di Piazza” and has very interesting decorative elements: at the top a small panel represents the prophet Abraham in bas-relief. The door is also decorated with intricate plant motifs, typical of the Apulian Romanesque style. The next door is the “Porta dei leoni” (Lions’ Door), clearly named for the two statues that adorn it: two crouching lions, symbolically guarding the Faith.
    Between the two doors there is a small window finely decorated with carvings that recall the decorative motifs of the latter door: it is an ancient tomb of a Saracen judge, as stated in the Latin inscription below. The bell tower is 52 m high, quadrangular in shape and is divided into two sections by a terrace: in the lower part there are three storeys each decorated with mullioned windows, in the upper part it tapers and ends in a spire surmounted by a sphere with a cross on top. In the bell tower there are seven bells tuned in E flat that during celebrations resonate throughout the ancient city. The interior is clearly in contrast with the external style. Nothing has remained in its original state, except a few important frescoes and the beautiful medieval figurative capitals of the ten columns, very elaborate and each different from the other. The plan of the church, a Latin cross with three naves, measures 54 m. in length, 23 in height and 18 in width, and has been changed over time, as it was lengthened by breaking through the apse and modifying its shape.
    The original ceiling was also modified and covered in 1719 with a wooden countertop and in the 19th century three canvases painted by Battista Santoro with themes from the Matera culture were inserted: St. John of Matera and St. Eustace in the side medallions and “The Visitation of the Virgin” in the center. In the panels on the walls immediately below the ceiling “Stories of the Virgin”, frescoes by Anselmo Palmieri.
    To the right of the main entrance is the famous fresco of “The Last Judgement”, the only surviving example of the original medieval pictorial decoration of the Cathedral, executed by Rinaldo da Taranto, master fresco painter. In the right nave, respectively, on the first entrance door (Porta di Piazza), there is the Madonna delle Grazie between St. Hilarius and John of Matera by Domizio Persio (1592), while on the second door (of the Lions) there is a beautiful canvas by Carlo Rosa (1652) representing St. Cajetan of Thiene.

    The first altar of the nave, used as the main altar until 1776, houses the fresco of the “Madonna della Bruna” (1270), protector of the city. The name “Bruna” according to some is a reference to the dark complexion of the Madonna’s face, but more probably derives from the early medieval Lombard word “brunja” meaning “armour” “defense”, clearly referring to the protection exercised by the Patron Saint over the city. It is particularly venerated by the people of Matera, who on July 2nd celebrate their patron saint with a special and spectacular celebration: The Feast of the Bruna.
    The main altar restored in 1627 is surmounted by the large altarpiece made by Fabrizio Santafede depicting the Virgin surrounded by Saints. In the apse is the valuable wooden choir in solid walnut carved in 1453 by Giovanni Tantino of Ariano Irpino, divided into 60 stalls. Above, to the right of the presbytery, stands the electric pipe organ, built by the Ruffatti Brothers, with 35 registers on two manuals and a pedal."
    The high altar is located in a raised position with respect to the floor of the nave.
    From the Abbey of Montescaglioso, it is made of fine white marble and is surmounted by the “Cona Grande” purchased in Naples in 1580, made by Fabrizio Santafede.
    In the central part it represents the Virgin surrounded by Saints John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, St. Blaise, St. Donatus of Arezzo, Saints Peter and Paul, and in the oval at the top, the Holy Trinity. Below, in the panels, scenes from the Gospel.
    Behind the main altar is the Wooden Choir, meticulously carved in 1453 by Giovanni Tantino from Ariano Irpino, which consists of 50 stalls and is covered with a dense network of plant motifs, fantastic animals and sacred subjects carved in wood containing strong references to Franco-Flemish culture, the Islamic decorative repertoire and Benedictine illuminated texts.
    Highly recommended.
    Written January 4, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above attraction descriptions. Please read full traveler reviews for more details and information.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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