Best Things to Do & See in Matera, Italy (Family-Friendly Guide to the Cave City)

If you’re looking for the best things to do and see in Matera, this incredible cave city is easily one of the most unique places to visit in Southern Italy. Famous for its ancient stone cave dwellings, dramatic viewpoints, and the historic Sassi district, Matera feels completely different from anywhere else we visited during our Italy road trip. It quickly became one of the most unforgettable stops on our itinerary, and I would highly recommend it.

Built into a rocky hillside in the region of Basilicata. Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From wandering through the maze of stone streets to picturesque hikes, there are so many incredible things to do in Matera.

We visited Matera as a family, but it’s important to know that this isn’t a destination packed with traditional children’s attractions or activities. Instead, Matera is best enjoyed slowly through sightseeing, atmosphere, history, and incredible scenery. This guide is written with a family-friendly approach in mind, including practical tips for visiting with kids, but it’s designed to work just as well for couples, solo travellers, and anyone planning a trip to this magical cave city.

So, in this guide, I’m sharing the best things to do and see in Matera. Plus, where to stay, how long to spend there, and everything you should know before visiting.

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Is Matera Worth Visiting?

My husband and I have explored a lot of Italy, pre-kids. Matera wasn’t a place I’d heard of before I started planning a route for our Southern Italy road trip. Read more about our exact itinerary here.

I found it when looking for a stop between Puglia and the Amalfi Coast and was instantly intrigued by this historic city.

We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed Matera, and it is certainly a unique place. It is, in fact, one of the most breathtaking places we have ever been.

So yes, I would say Matera is well worth visiting!

How to Get to Matera, Italy

As I mentioned, we visited Matera as part of a 10 day Southern Italy road trip. It was our third stop, between Albelobello in Puglia and the Amalfi Coast.

It was just over an hour’s drive from Puglia. We found having a car to be the most convenient option when travelling around the South of Italy. It allowed us flexibility, which is especially useful when travelling with kids. I always search for the best rental car prices on Discover Cars.

You can also take a bus from Bari to Matera. This also takes around an hour; you can check the bus schedule and prices here.

Finally, you can do an organised day trip tour of Alberobello and Matera. There are multiple tour options with starting locations across Puglia. If you’re short on time, this would be a great way to see two unique places in a day, although it would be ideal to have longer in each place if you can.

Where to Stay in Matera, Italy

Many of the old, abandoned caves in Matera’s Sassi have now been renovated into luxury or boutique hotels.

You will find many accommodation options right in the heart of Matera. My choices would be Gradelle San Nicola for a budget-friendly stay, or PIANELLE RESORT looks like a gorgeous luxury option.

However, I think it is important to say that Matera is a complete maze of mainly stairs. We struggled to navigate it, even with Google Maps. The map didnt seem to be able to pinpoint our exact location accurately, meaning we would often go the wrong way and have to turn back.

We saw multiple people carrying suitcases up and down the many stairs, and it looked like hard work! So I’m actually pleased we stayed in an AirBnB just a short walk outside the centre. It was easy to get to, and we could park the car across the road to unload.

This was a really unique stay, as the main bedroom felt like it was in a cave! This apartment was spacious and had a washing machine, which was really useful for travelling with kids.

One of the main reasons I chose this AirBnB was because it said there was free parking, but it actually doesn’t have its own space. There is some street parking, but the hours you can park there are quite restricted. There is a free car park a few minutes’ walk away; however, it was hard to get a space there!

👉 Check all current accommodation availability and prices for Matera here.

Things to Do & See in Matera, Italy

In this section, I will share all the best things to see in Matera, as well as great things to do. As I mentioned, none of the activities in Matera are completly kids focused, but there are many activities the whole family will enjoy!

Explore the Sassi

The main thing to see in Matera is the breathtaking Sassi District, which is what makes the city so unique. Made up of ancient cave dwellings carved directly into the limestone rock, the Sassi stretch across the hillside in a maze of stone streets, staircases, churches, and historic homes.

The Sassi di Matera is incredibly atmospheric and is best explored slowly on foot. Walking through the Sassi honestly feels like stepping back in time, with breathtaking views around almost every corner.

Many of the old caves have been transformed into boutique hotels, restaurants, museums, and shops, while still preserving the historic character that earned Matera its UNESCO World Heritage status.

Be warned, there are a lot of stairs in Matera. My children very much enjoyed leaping from stone step to step as we explored.

Visit a Traditional Cave House Museum

One of the most interesting things to do in Matera is to visit one of the traditional cave house museums located within the Sassi districts. These preserved cave homes give you a much better understanding of what daily life in Matera was once really like before the caves were abandoned and restored.

Inside, you can see how entire families once lived in these small stone spaces alongside animals, with simple kitchens, bedrooms, water collection systems, and basic furniture carved into or built around the rock itself. The conditions were incredibly cramped, and visiting a cave museum really helps bring Matera’s history to life in a way that’s difficult to fully appreciate just by walking through the streets.

There are multiple cave museums in Matera. We visited one called Casa grotta “C’era una volta…”. This is located opposite the Sassi in Miniature, which I will talk about below. This is a tiny but interesting museum, which I had read was the best for kids. It played an audio as you looked around, explaining the scene. Entrance costs €2.50 for adults, with children visiting for free. Cash is preferred, but you could buy a ticket in the shop opposite using a card payment.

Another popular choice is Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario. We didn’t visit this one, but it looks like it is a bit larger with a sit-down film explaining the history. Tickets cost €8, and you can pay cash or card.

See the Sassi in Miniatura

Located right across from Casa grotta “C’era una volta… is a store selling stone decorations and keepsakes.

If you go inside and down to the basement, you’ll find a stone, to-scale replica of Matera in miniature form. This is free to visit (although donations are welcome) and is another really interesting thing to see in Matera. It really gives you an idea of the city from above and just how many stairs there are.

Although it’s quite a quick visit, the attention to detail is honestly amazing, from the winding streets and staircases to the tiny cave homes and churches carved into the rock.

Hike to Belvedere Murgia Timone

If you choose to do the Belvedere Murgia Timone hike (also called the #406 trail), you will be rewarded with one of the best views in all of Matera.

The walk to the viewpoint is part of the experience and involves crossing the suspension bridge below Matera before hiking uphill along rocky paths. It’s not an especially long hike, but it is quite steep and rocky in places. My children are aged 6 and 3, and they managed it so well. I must say, though, my 3-year-old is an extremely good walker.

Once you reach the top, the views are honestly breathtaking and completely different from anything you see within the city itself. From here, you can really appreciate how dramatic Matera’s setting is, with the ancient stone buildings seemingly carved directly into the cliffside. We also found this to be one of the best photography spots in Matera.

Other blog posts say this hike is free. Maybe it was once, but it is no longer the case. Entry to the Belvedere Murgia Timone hike costs €15 for anyone over the age of 6. You must also wear either trainers or hiking boots. There was someone at the start of the trail enforcing this rule.

See Abandoned Cave Homes on Rione Casalnuovo

While much of Matera has now been renovated, there is still a small area on the edge of the city, on a street called Rione Casalnuovo, where you can see cave homes which have now been abandoned.

I had read that you can see or even walk inside some of these buildings. Unfortunately, during our visit, this part of the street was cordoned off. I thought it was still worth mentioning as the views from further down this street (on the way in to the main Sassi) were beautiful.

Enjoy a Meal or Drink with a View

The views over Matera really are the most incredible sight to see. Many resteraunts and cafes have a view of the city, spaces in most were quite limited, so you may need to wait for a seat, but I would highly recommend eating while looking out over the views!

I will talk more below about where exactly we ate!

See Cathedral Basilica of Matera

Located at Matera’s highest point, you will see the Cathedral Basilica of Matera. It is one of the city’s most important landmarks and one of the best places to enjoy panoramic views across the old town.

We didnt go inside. If you would like to, entry is free. If you choose not to go in, the cathedral square is well worth visiting for the views alone. It was one of the best spots in Matera to pause for a moment and take in just how incredible the Sassi districts look from above.

Where to Eat in Matera

Of course, Italy is known for its delicious food. There are many places to eat in Matera; you’ll wander past a lot of restaurants as you explore the city. We noticed many fewer pizza places here than in areas such as Naples (read our full Naples guide here) and more traditional Italian menus with primi and secondi courses.

One thing worth knowing before visiting Matera is that many restaurants (and smaller shops) close for a few hours during the afternoon, particularly outside the peak summer season. We found that quite a few places stopped serving food between lunch and dinner, usually reopening later in the evening around 7 pm or 7:30 pm.

If you’re travelling with kids or prefer eating earlier, it’s definitely worth planning ahead and checking restaurant opening times in advance.

I’ll share the places we ate at below.

Più Sud – Pizza

This is a great family-friendly pizza place. I found it online, and while its branding made it look like a fast-food option, it had a good menu, and the opening times suited our family. We were so pleasantly surprised.

The food was delicious, and the interiors were nicely designed. There is also a large outdoor seating area if you’re visiting Matera in the summer.

I would definitely recommend this one!

5 Lire – Pizza

While you’re in Italy, you can eat pizza every day, right?? 5 Lire is another pizza place. While the pizza here wasn’t as good (in my opinion) as Più Sud, it is a restaurant with a terrace and incredible views.

Caffe Lanfranchi

Located next to 5 Lire is a tiny cafe called Caffe Lanfranchi. We went here for breakfast on our last morning in Matera, and it was lovely to sit with a cup of tea (or coffee) and a croissant while overlooking the beautiful Sassi one more time.

It opens at 8 am, and as our kids are early risers, we were one of the first customers. This meant we got the best table. There are only two on the terrace where you can see Matera’s cityscape!

Terrazza Cavaliere

Further along the street from 5 Lire and Caffe Lanfranchi is a bar called Terrazza Cavaliere. This is another place with a terrace. It would be so beautiful to see the sun setting over Matera while enjoying an aperitif!

Zipa Cafè

We ran out of time for this one, but I saw it on Instagram and it looks like a really cool cocktail bar!

They have a range of cocktails and soft drinks, but I don’t think they serve food!

Map Of Matera, Italy: The Top Things to Do and See

Here is my map of Matera. It includes all the best things to see in Matera, along with the top things to do and where to eat.

This is an interactive map; simply click the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps.

Tips for Visiting Matera With Kids

Although Matera isn’t a destination filled with traditional children’s attractions, we still really enjoyed visiting as a family. The cave houses, winding streets, and dramatic viewpoints made it feel genuinely unique. That said, Matera can also be quite physically hard work, due to all the stairs, so a little planning definitely helps when visiting with kids.

Expect Lots of Stairs and Uneven Streets

One of the biggest things to prepare for in Matera is the amount of walking involved. The Sassi districts are made up of steep stone streets, staircases, and uneven surfaces. This is not the place to bring a stroller (pushchair).

My youngest is only 3 years old, but he is an excellent walker. We managed without a stroller and just gave him a couple of carries.

Take Breaks Throughout the Day

Again, due to all the stairs, exploring Matera can become very tiring. Especially during warmer months. With children, we found it much easier to slow the pace down, stop regularly for drinks or gelato, and avoid trying to see everything too quickly.

Plan Restaurants Ahead of Time

As many restaurants close for a few hours during the afternoon, it’s worth planning meals in advance, especially if you’re travelling with younger kids who can’t wait until later in the evening to eat. We found that checking opening hours ahead of time made the day much less stressful.

FAQ’s on Visiting Matera, Italy

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to See in Matera

Matera was easily one of the most unforgettable places we visited in Southern Italy and completely unlike anywhere else on our trip. From wandering through the ancient Sassi districts to hiking ot abandoned old caves, Matera feels both historic and incredibly atmospheric at the same time.

Although it isn’t the easiest destination to explore with young children due to the steep streets and endless stairs, we still found it to be a really rewarding place to visit as a family. Slowing down, staying overnight, and taking time to enjoy the city’s unique atmosphere made a huge difference to our experience.

Whether you’re visiting Matera as part of a Southern Italy road trip or planning a longer stay in Basilicata, it’s a destination that truly stands out. Hopefully, this guide has helped you plan your trip and given you plenty of ideas for the best things to do and see in this incredible cave city.

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Thank you so much for reading our guide on the best things to see in Matera, Italy. We hope you have a wonderful trip! After Matera, we continued on our road trip to the Amalfi Coast. Read our Amalfi Coast Itinerary next.

Happy Exploring,