Why choose Matera for your custom trip to Southern Italy?
Matera is one of the most fascinating destinations in Southern Italy, offering a unique travel experience
that only a personalized stay can fully reveal. This millennial city of Basilicata, located 70 kilometers
from Bari, is home to the famous Sassi, a complex of cave dwellings carved into the limestone rock which
are among the oldest human settlements in the world.
A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, Matera spans an area of 388 square kilometers
and currently has about 60,000 residents. The Sassi include more than 3,000 livable caves and 150 rupestrian
churches, evidencing a civilization that has developed since the Paleolithic era. This exceptional heritage
deserves a customized approach to grasp its full historical and cultural depth.
Unlike traditional tours that often allocate just one day to Matera, your custom trip
allows you to explore this destination at your own pace. Our Travel Planners know the city's secrets and
can introduce you to lesser-known rock churches like Madonna delle Virtù or San Nicola dei Greci,
adorned with 13th-century Byzantine frescoes. They also organize encounters with local artisans who
continue ancestral traditions in their cave workshops.
The advantage of a personalized trip to Matera lies in the possibility of experiencing an authentic, immersive
experience. You can stay in a cave hotel set up in the Sassi, participate in traditional ceramic workshops, or explore
the surroundings of the Murge plateau during private hikes. This customized approach transforms your visit into a real
initiatory journey to the heart of a preserved civilization.
How to customize your stay in Matera?
Creating your personalized trip to Matera requires defining your priorities and interests to design
an itinerary that reflects you.
Must-sees to include in your itinerary
Your custom stay in Matera must definitely include exploring the two historic districts of the Sassi:
Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. These cave complexes offer different and complementary perspectives
on the city's history. The older Sasso Caveoso features a maze of alleys and stairs carved into
the rock, while Sasso Barisano unveils more elaborate facades reflecting architectural evolution.
The cathedral of Matera, built in the 13th century in the Apulian Romanesque style, is another essential focal point
of your trip. Located at the city's highest point, it offers a remarkable panoramic view
of the Sassi and the surrounding valley. Our Travel Planners can organize a private tour to help you discover
the architectural details and artworks it houses.
The rock churches represent the true treasure of Matera. Among the 150 sanctuaries carved into the rock,
some like Santa Lucia alle Malve or Santa Maria de Idris deserve special attention for their remarkably preserved
Byzantine frescoes. Your custom trip can include specialized guided tours with local historians who will reveal the
secrets of these sacred places.
Combining Matera with other destinations
Your personalized trip in Southern Italy can harmoniously combine Matera with other iconic destinations
in the region. The geographical proximity to Puglia allows for creating varied itineraries according to your
preferences and the duration of your stay.
An 8 to 10-day road trip can combine Matera with Alberobello and its UNESCO-listed trulli, Ostuni the white city
perched on its hill, and Lecce dubbed the Florence of the South for its baroque architecture. This combination
provides a complete panorama of the art and architecture of Southern Italy, from cave dwellings to baroque
palaces and traditional conical constructions.
For fans of coasts and marine landscapes, your custom stay can include Polignano a Mare, famous for
its white cliffs overlooking the Adriatic, or even the Amalfi Coast for a more ambitious extension. These
destinations perfectly complement Matera as part of a romantic honeymoon trip, offering diversity
between cultural heritage and seaside relaxation.
Our Travel Planners can also design thematic itineraries: a culinary journey including the vineyards of Basilicata
and the masserie of Puglia, or a trip focused on traditional craftsmanship with ceramic workshops in Grottaglie and
weaving in Lecce. These personalized approaches significantly enrich your travel experience.
When to go and how to organize your personalized trip to Matera?
The success of your custom trip to Matera largely depends on choosing the right time and the practical organization
of your stay.
The best time to visit Matera
The Mediterranean climate of Matera provides favorable conditions for visiting throughout the year, but
some periods are more suitable according to your expectations. The following table summarizes the advantages of
each season :
| Period |
Average Temperature |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| March-May |
15-22°C |
Mild climate, blooming, fewer tourists |
Possible showers |
| June-August |
25-32°C |
Long days, summer entertainment |
High traffic, heat |
| Sept-Nov |
18-25°C |
Ideal temperatures, golden light |
Shorter days |
| Dec-Feb |
8-15°C |
Authentic atmosphere, advantageous rates |
Some sites closed |
Spring and autumn represent the optimal periods for your custom trip to Matera. The mild temperatures allow for
comfortably walking the steep alleys of the Sassi, while the special light of these seasons enhances the golden tufa facades. Furthermore, reduced tourist traffic facilitates access to sites and ensures a more intimate experience.
Summer is perfect if you want to combine your stay in Matera with seaside destinations.
However, high temperatures (which can reach 35°C) require adjusting the pace of visits and
favoring early morning or late evening hours to explore the Sassi.
Practical information and advice from our Travel Planners
The organization of your custom trip to Matera benefits from the expertise of our Travel Planners who know
the local specificities well. The airport at Bari, located 65 kilometers away, is the most
convenient entry point with direct flights from major European cities. Our experts can organize your
private transfer or car rental according to your preferences.
For accommodations, Matera offers a unique selection of cave-set establishments in the Sassi. These charming hotels,
often located in former rock dwellings, offer a total immersion experience. Our Travel Planners select the best addresses according to your comfort criteria and budget, from intimate establishments to luxury suites with panoramic terraces.
The local cuisine deserves special attention on your custom trip. Our experts can book tables at authentic restaurants serving
Basilicata specialties such as orecchiette with cime di rapa, herb-flavored lamb, or matured sheep cheeses in caves. Private tastings of local wines like Aglianico del Vulture can also enrich your culinary experience.
To optimize your stay, our Travel Planners recommend a minimum of 2 nights in Matera for an in-depth discovery, or 3 to 4 nights if you wish to explore the surroundings and engage in specialized activities. This duration allows you to appreciate the unique atmosphere of the city, especially during evening walks when the lighting reveals the magic of the Sassi.
Engaging a specialized travel agency like Vialala guarantees a flawless organization of your personalized stay. Our local Travel Planners speak French and can intervene at any time to enhance your experience or resolve any potential difficulties. Do not hesitate to request a personalized quote to realize your custom travel project to Matera.