Matera is a very magical place! There is so much history and beauty within this city of stone–it by far exceeded our expectations. We learned after our visit that Matera will be awarded the European Capital of Culture for 2019, and it is easy to see why.  Every direction you turn, there is so much to take in and at night it lights up like a beautiful nativity scene. The Sassi of Matera was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 and the efforts to preserve this unique town are widely recognized when visiting. Being a small city, Matera was not often visited by tourists until Mel Gibson selected it for his setting of the 2004 film, The Passion of Christ. Since the filming, its popularity has increased over the years with more and more people wanting to visit and see this charming place for themselves. Mel Gibson isn’t the only one to notice the beauty of Matera-in 2016 the award winning Wonder Woman was also filmed here. After having seen Matera’s charm, it is no surprise that it was chosen as the backdrop for these popular films. It is one of the most unique cities we have been privileged enough to visit! We had incredible food, went on some amazing tours, and had such a fantastic time in Matera. I have tips for those planning a visit below.

 

WHERE TO STAY:

We stayed at Hotel Il Belvedere for 2 nights and thought it was wonderful. The rooms are former cave homes refurnished into luxury cave suites. When you arrive they will give you a run through of the history of the hotel- the experience is very authentic. The hotel also has a rooftop terrace for guests with one of the best views of the city. I highly recommend this hotel during your stay in Matera.

Hotel Belvedere

 

WHAT TO SEE AND DO: 

1.  Guided tour through the Sassi (we did a private tour booked through the hotel and really enjoyed it)

2. Casa Grotta (historic cave dwelling and museum to illustrate the sorts of conditions families once lived in. If you are booking a private tour, this will most likely be included in the tour).

3. Palombaro Lungo Tour (guided tour through an underground reservoir that was once the only source of water for Matera. You can access the tour by walking to the site and purchasing tickets at the reception desk)

4.  Explore the Sassi, but also venture out into the new city as it also has plenty of shops and cafes to visit!

 

WHERE TO EAT: 

1.  Soul Kitchen (do not be fooled by the name, they serve authentic Italian dishes prepared by two brothers, and everything we tried was amazing!)

2.  Baccanti (make a reservation in advance- p.s. get the lamb!)

3. La Bruschetta

 

WHERE TO DRINK:

1.  Vicolo Cieco

2. Charles Speakeasy (small and cozy, across the street from Soul Kitchen)