Wondering how to get to Matera, Italy?

This UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Italy’s most fascinating small cities.

We recently explored Matera as part of a broader trip through the Puglia region of southern Italy, which included Lecce (dubbed the “Florence of the South”) and the coastal town of Monopoli.

The only thing is… Getting to Matera isn’t straightforward. Both bus and train options are limited, iffy and inconvenient, while driving and parking there is equally stressful (something we learned on our first visit).

So when planning our latest visit to Matera, we booked private taxi transfers – sooo much easier! Or, if you’re only visiting for a day from Bari or elsewhere in Puglia, a guided day tour is another great way to explore Matera’s unique charm.

Here’s our guide on the best way to reach Matera (we did it right the second time!) – and the amazing things to see and do once there.

A server brings drinks for women sitting on poufy stools in rock-carved cafe in Matera

Cafés, churches and hotels are all built out of stone in Matera. — One of the oldest cities in the world, Matera is unique – and worth going out of your way to visit when exploring the south of Italy

Private Matera transfers

We’d already taken the train down from Rome to Lecce, then back up to Monopoli, and now we wanted to stay in Matera for a few days (before taking the train from Bari back to Rome).

By searching the Internet, we came up with two well-reviewed private taxi transfer companies. We emailed both and heard back from them promptly with their quotes.

We accidentally double-booked both, then canceled one (Matera Taxi) and used NCC Matera. Here are their rates and contact information.

NCC Matera

NCC Matera
Run by Cosimo and Catarina
taximatera@virgilio.it, What’s App: +39-347-646-8250
Monopoli to Matera – 160 Euros
Matera to Bari – 100 Euros

Matera Taxi

Matera Taxi
Run by David
Davidgentile72@gmail.com, What’s App: +39-338-250-0494
Monopoli to Matera – 150 Euros
Matera to Bari – 95 Euros

Seamless transfers to Matera

Both of these companies are licensed to operate within the historic area of Matera (which is important).

The service we received from NCC Matera was excellent.

Once our transfers were booked, we communicated with Cosimo and his wife Catarina via What’s App for specific timing.

Catarina picked us up in Monopoli in a clean black Mercedes van and drove us directly to Matera. She phoned our hotel in advance, which sent a bellman to meet us at the bottom of the street. He whisked our luggage up to reception and then to our room.

Italy loves its cash economy – no payment was asked in advance, and we paid Catarina cash for the transfer.

The return ride from Matera to the Bari Centrale train station was just as seamless.

Flying to the Bari Airport and transfers to Matera

The nearest airport to Matera is in Bari, so you can fly to or out of the Bari International Airport (Karol Wojtyla Airport).

Again, the easiest way to get from the airport to Matera is by private transfer, and the above taxi companies offer these return transfers.

Guided day tours of Matera

If you’d prefer to visit Matera on a day trip, several tours are offered from Bari and nearby Polignano a Mare.

The following are the highest rated that we’ve sussed out, and they combine guided visits to both Matera and the unique trulli village of Alberobello (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Guided tour of Matera and Alberobello – Private or semi-private tour from Bari (about 8 hours), including guided walking tours of both towns
Bus tour to Matera and Alberobello – Bus tour from Bari (about 10 hours), with 3 hours in Alberobello and 4 hours in Matera on your own to explore via audio guides
Matera and Alberobello tour (with pick-up from Bari or Polignano a Mare) – Guided walking tours of both Matera and Alberobello, with bus transportation

Why is getting to Matera by bus, train or rental car tricky?

The train to Matera isn’t direct

The ancient city of Matera isn’t connected by Italy’s national Trenitalia train system to other towns or cities.

Now, there is a private train, Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, which runs from Bari, excluding Sundays and public holidays (travel time of 1½ to 2 hours). But we understand it’s often not a direct ride, necessitating a connection part-way through (in Altamura). Also, the train is often canceled last minute.

As well, we’ve read that the train tickets are hard to book in advance online.

Trying to match up, first, a train journey to Bari with, second, the iffy Bari to Matera train ride just looked all too bothersome and time-consuming to us.

Bus to Matera is difficult to book

The bus from Bari to Matera is also operated by the same Ferrovie Appulo Lucane company that operates the local train-that-often-doesn’t-run.

If you read other guides (like this one) on catching the bus to and from Matera, you’ll find it’s all rather a pain.

Driving to Matera is stressful and parking a rental car is a hassle

Driving to Matera? While doable, it’s also no walk in the park.

Non-residents can’t drive into the historic Sassi area – home to Matera’s famous millennia-old cave dwellings carved into the rock.

So you need to park outside the Old Town, where you can find garages, parking lots and sometimes even street parking.

On our first visit to Matera several years ago, we rented a car. But we weren’t keen on repeating the experience of handling high-speed roads to get there or hunting for a safe parking area on the narrow streets outside the pedestrian center.

You’ll want help dragging suitcases to your hotel

Young woman climbing up stone steps in city of Matera

Stone steps lit at night in Matera, Italy

How to Get to Matera, Italy — You don’t really want to drag your suitcases up the stairs of these Matera streets! (It’s better to get dropped off right at your hotel)

Then there’s the problem of getting from the train station, bus station or parking lot to your hotel.

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Matera’s two ancient cave districts that make up the Old Town – the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano – are a maze of steep cobblestone alleys, stone stairs and tight winding streets, built up on hilly slopes.

But as charming as they are, they’re also an obstacle course for anyone with luggage in tow.

Both the train and bus stations sit about a 15- to 20-minute walk from the historic Sassi district. If you’re staying in one of the cave hotels (as we did), you’d be stuck with the unpleasant task of lugging your suitcases up countless stairs to get to your hotel, unless you’d arranged help from your hotel in advance.

So, is Matera worth visiting?

Absolutely!

Chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2019, Matera is one of the most unique places in the world.

The third oldest continuously inhabited city in the world (after Aleppo and Jericho), it’s famous for its Sassi (caves). These ancient stone homes, now transformed into boutique hotels, shops and restaurants, sit amid a dizzying maze of cobblestone streets and stone staircases.

What are some of the wonderful things you can do in Matera?

Uncover hidden alleys, hike the surrounding cliffs to rock churches, visit museums like Casa Noha and learn how the local people lived with their donkeys and pigs in the ancient cave dwellings, right up to the 1950s.

Oh, and drink in epic views that feel straight out of a movie! (Indeed, scenes from the latest James Bond film “No Time to Die” were filmed here.)

To orient ourselves and gain a deeper understanding of the rich history of Matera, we took this 2-hour guided walking tour just before sunset on our first day. With only one other couple, it felt like a private guided tour!

Our guide, who grew up in Matera, was excellent.

Lights of Matera at night — Matera at night

Where to stay in Matera

Staying here a couple of nights allows you enough time to truly soak up its magic. Here are three of the top luxury hotels in Matera:

Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita

Recommended by Michelin Guide (and us!), this is one of the best boutique Matera hotels (Credit: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita)

We were smitten with our stay at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita – a boutique gem carved into ancient history.

It’s located in the Sassi Caveoso area.

Once the “poorer” side of the Sassi, this district is where you’ll find a remarkable cluster of original cave dwellings, with even more being uncovered and lovingly restored. (It’s also the area most guides walk you through, as it vividly showcases what life was like in these ancient caves centuries ago.)

Each room and suite of Sextantio Le Grotte oozes understated luxury, blending super comfy beds, minimalist décor and rustic vibes.

For a unique experience, you can choose one of the converted cave rooms or suites, with their hand-hewn yellow tufa walls.

We opted to stay in the hotel’s old “Palace” section, so we could enjoy some extra light. (We’d already slept in another one of Matera’s iconic cave hotels on our previous visit.)

Guest room with a stone floor in a cave hotel in Matera, Italy — Our room

Scented candles add a touch of romance, and breakfast (which includes delicious soft local cheeses, savory pies, yogurt, fruit, pastries, breads and preserves) is a delight.

Staying here is truly special!

Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel

A centuries-old palace built for one of Matera’s noblest families, the Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel is now a 5-star boutique haven. It’s found in the town’s historic center.

Each of its 20 rooms is unique, featuring stone bathrooms and an eclectic blend of handpicked antiques and contemporary art. It also has an underground spa and pool.

(Pssst! Celebs usually stay in this hotel when in town. Daniel Craig and the movie’s director chose it as their base when filming “No Time to Die.”)

Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery

White stone building of Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery in Matera — Maybe a cave room in this hotel? (Credit: Il Palazzotto)

Nestled in the heart of the Sasso Barisano district – once the enclave of wealthy merchants and nobility – you’ll find Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery.

This charming retreat is a converted 16th-century limestone villa that sits atop a labyrinth of ancient caves. Choose from ten softly lit cave rooms or opt for accommodations in the palazzo building upstairs.

Don’t miss the chance to taste the hotel’s own wines in their atmospheric underground wine lounge.

Now you know the best way to visit Matera without a car (or taking public transport)!

Matera isn’t the easiest place to reach, but that’s part of its allure! Once you’ve navigated the logistics – we preferred seamless private transfers rather than public transportation or driving ourselves – you’ll be rewarded with one of Italy’s most extraordinary destinations.

Whether wandering its maze of ancient cave dwellings, savoring local wines in underground lounges or staying in a boutique cave hotel, Matera offers a one-of-a-kind mix of history and unforgettable experiences.

The effort to get here is well worth it! And so is the (reasonable) extra cost of a private transfer.

Read our other Italy travel guides

Our top travel tips and resources

Hotels: Booking.com is great for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy!

Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).

Flights: To book the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets may be non-refundable.)

Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!

Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.

Car rental: Renting a car is often one of the best ways to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the best rates.

eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)

Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.

Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)

Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.

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About the authors

Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC “Best Travel Blog” award winners, Janice and George Mucalov are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. Between them, they’ve traveled to all 7 continents. See About.

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