Where to Stay in Matera Italy: Cave Hotels, Sassi and How to Choose

We have been to Matera twice. Both times we stayed in cave Airbnbs, brought the dogs and left wanting to come back again. Choosing where to stay in Matera Italy is genuinely one of the more interesting decisions you will make for any trip in Italy, because this is a city where sleeping in a 9,000-year-old cave dwelling is an actual option.

There are four main areas to consider: Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso, the Civita around the cathedral and the Piano, which is the modern upper town. Here is what you need to know about each one.

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Quick Picks: Best Places to Stay in Matera

1. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, best overall cave hotel experience
2. Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa, best for luxury
3. Palazzo degli Abati, best boutique option
4. L'Hotel in Pietra, best for character and atmosphere
5. Hotel Palazzo Gattini, best for comfort and accessibility

Quick Comparison: Best Hotels in Matera

Short on time? Here are all our picks across all four areas.

Hotel	Area	Best For	Price Range
Palazzo degli Abati	Sasso Barisano	Stylish cave and palazzo rooms with boutique character	$$$
Locanda San Martino	Sasso Barisano	Traditional cave hotel experience with excellent breakfast	$$$
Palazzotto Residence and Winery	Sasso Barisano	Intimate stay with in-house wine tastings	$$$
L'Hotel in Pietra	Sasso Barisano	Historic atmosphere and character-filled cave rooms	$$$
Hotel Sassi	Sasso Barisano	Established cave hotel with outstanding terrace views	$$$
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa	Sasso Caveoso	Luxury travelers who want a spa and cave hotel experience	$$$$
Vetera Matera	Sasso Caveoso	The only Relais & Châteaux in Matera, with private terraces	$$$$
Corte San Pietro	Sasso Caveoso	Refined cave hotel with terrace and ravine views	$$$
Basiliani Hotel	Sasso Caveoso	Modern design and good value within the Sassi	$$$
Il Vicinato	Sasso Caveoso	Small boutique atmosphere and personal service	$$
Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita	La Civita	The most unique cave hotel experience in Matera	$$$$
Hotel Palazzo Gattini	La Civita	Comfort, views and easy access to the cathedral area	$$$$
Palazzo Viceconte	La Civita	Couples looking for elegance and panoramic views	$$$
Le Monacelle	Il Piano	Value, accessibility and easy access to both Sassi and modern town	$$
Hydria Rooms	Il Piano	Budget-conscious travelers who still want Matera charm	$$

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Your Guide to Where to Stay in Matera Italy

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Best Area for a First Visit: Sasso Barisano

Sasso Barisano is the larger and more accessible of the two sassi. It sits on the northern side of the ravine and is more restored and more commercial than Sasso Caveoso, with better restaurants, wine bars and shops carved into the rock. If this is your first visit and you want to be in the thick of it without sacrificing ease, this is where to base yourself.

The views across the ravine toward Sasso Caveoso are extraordinary, especially at golden hour and after dark when the whole ancient city lights up. On our second trip we were inside the ancient town rather than looking at it from the top, and that made a real difference. The closer you are to the cave level, the more immersive it feels.

One thing to know before you book: most hotels in the Sassi are diffused hotels, meaning your room, breakfast room and reception may be in different cave buildings. You will walk outside to move between them. It sounds odd but it is genuinely part of the experience.

Hotels in Sasso Barisano

1. Palazzo degli Abati ($$$): A four-star boutique hotel with rooms carved into ancient rock formations and others in an 18th-century palazzo. The combination of raw stone and refined furnishings works very well. One of the most stylish options in the city.
2. Locanda San Martino ($$$): An atmospheric diffused hotel with rooms scattered across cave dwellings around a central garden terrace. The breakfast is one of the best in the city, featuring local breads, cheeses and Basilicata specialties. The rooftop views are excellent.
3. Palazzotto Residence and Winery ($$$): An intimate 10-room hotel in a 16th-century palazzo within the ancient caves. The winery element is not just marketing, they produce their own wine and the tastings are a nice bonus. A quieter, more personal option than the larger hotels.
4. L'Hotel in Pietra ($$$): Housed in a 13th-century stone church on Via San Giovanni Vecchio. The rooms are beautiful: stone arches, antique furniture and careful lighting. The sense of being inside something genuinely ancient is hard to replicate anywhere else.
5. Hotel Sassi ($$$): The first hotel to open in the Sassi, back in 1996, and one of the most established in the city. Terrace views over the cathedral and ravine are spectacular and the staff know the city well, which matters in a place this layered with history.

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Best Area for Atmosphere: Sasso Caveoso

Sasso Caveoso is the southern side, older and steeper. It is less restored than Sasso Barisano, which means it holds more of its raw ancient feel. This is where you find the oldest cave churches, the rupestrian frescoes and the landscape that looks like it has barely changed in centuries. Casa Noha and the churches of Santa Maria de Idris and Santa Lucia alle Malve are all here.

Staying in Sasso Caveoso means committing to the full experience. The streets are steeper, the staircases more demanding and the whole feel is more raw and adventurous. It is ideal for travelers who want to feel genuinely transported. It is also worth knowing that the limestone streets are polished smooth from thousands of years of foot traffic and they are slippery even in good shoes. Watch your step, especially on the stairs. We wore flip flops the first time we visited Matera. Do not do that.

If you have mobility issues or are traveling with very young children, Sasso Barisano or the area around the Civita is more practical.

Hotels in Sasso Caveoso

1. Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa ($$$$): The top luxury cave hotel in the Sassi, carved into the rock of Sasso Caveoso with rooms overlooking the ravine. The infinity pool terrace and rock-hewn spa put it in a class of its own for luxury in the ancient city.
2. Corte San Pietro ($$$): A refined cave hotel with elegant rooms, a terrace and views across the ravine. Breakfast on the terrace is a good way to start a morning in Matera.
3. Il Vicinato ($$): A small, characterful cave hotel at Piazzetta San Pietro Caveoso with proper atmosphere and a good breakfast. Seven rooms, intimate and personal. One of the better-value options in Sasso Caveoso.
4. Basiliani Hotel ($$$): A minimalist, stylish hotel converted from a cluster of sassi cave houses in Rione Casalnuovo. Ten spacious rooms and suites, beautifully stripped back and deeply comfortable. One of the best design hotels in southern Italy.
5. Vetera Matera ($$$$): A five-star Relais & Châteaux property in Sasso Caveoso with 23 rooms including eight junior suites, many with private terraces and panoramic views. The only Relais & Châteaux in Matera and one of the finest stays in the south.

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Best Area for Romance and Views: La Civita

La Civita is the rocky promontory between the two sassi where the cathedral stands. It is the highest point of the ancient city and has the best views in any direction: down into both sassi, across the Gravina canyon and out to the Basilicatan countryside beyond. It is quieter than Sasso Barisano in the evenings and less steep than Sasso Caveoso.

Staying near La Civita means waking up in the most iconic part of Matera, surrounded by stone architecture with views that define the city's silhouette. If you are going as a couple and want the most cinematic version of Matera, the area around the Civita is where to look.

Hotels near La Civita

1. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita ($$$$): Regularly cited as one of the most remarkable hotels in Europe and we understand why. Located on Via Civita in the oldest part of the ancient settlement, this is the hotel that gives the area its name. The 18 rooms feature original rock walls, log fires and stand-alone bathtubs with almost no contemporary intrusion. Staying here is less like a hotel and more like inhabiting a piece of human history. Worth every euro.
2. Palazzo Viceconte ($$$): A beautifully restored noble residence just off Piazza Duomo, steps from the cathedral, with elegant rooms, warm service and a strong sense of place. Less cave-like than many Matera options but a genuinely lovely stay.
3. Hotel Palazzo Gattini ($$$$): One of the finest hotels in Matera, set in a 15th-century stone palace on Piazza Duomo at the heart of the Civita. Elegant rooms, an excellent restaurant and a spa. Easier access than properties deeper in the ravine, with the views and atmosphere of the ancient city right on the doorstep.

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Best Area for Accessibility and Value: Il Piano

The Piano is the flat modern town above and behind the Sassi. This is where everyday Matera life happens: local restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies. It is also where taxis can get to you without a problem, which matters when you are carrying luggage down limestone stairs.

Staying in the Piano is the practical choice if you have mobility considerations, are traveling with very young children or want more competitive hotel prices. You are a short walk from the edge of the Sassi and the views are still right there. It is also where the tourist information office is on Piazza Vittorio Veneto if you want to pick up a map on arrival.

Hotels in Il Piano

1. Hydria Rooms ($$): A restored tuff-stone building just outside Sasso Barisano with rooms featuring traditional arch ceilings. Good value and a good option for people who want the aesthetic of the sassi without sleeping deep inside a cave.
2. Le Monacelle ($$): A former convent right next to the cathedral on the edge of the Sassi. Simple and atmospheric with good value and a quiet feel. A nice middle ground between the full cave experience and a modern hotel.

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Where We Stayed in Matera

We stayed in cave Airbnbs on both our trips and would recommend it, especially if you are traveling with dogs or want more space and flexibility. There are genuine cave Airbnbs in the Sassi that give you the full experience at a lower price than the hotels. On our second trip we chose one inside the ancient town rather than one at the top of the city and that made a real difference to how immersive the stay felt.

If you want hotel service, amenities and the reassurance of a known property, Sextantio or Aquatio are the right calls. But if you are comfortable booking an Airbnb, the cave stays in the Sassi are some of the most memorable accommodation we have found anywhere in Europe.

A few practical notes: many cave accommodations have no natural light in the sleeping area, which is either atmospheric or claustrophobic depending on your temperament. The caves stay naturally cool even in summer, which is a relief given how hot it gets in the city. And if you are traveling with a dog, most cave Airbnb hosts are fine with well-behaved animals. We brought Cash and Rex on separate trips and had no problems.

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What to Know Before You Book in Matera

Book early, especially for summer. Matera has a limited number of cave hotels and they sell out well ahead of peak season. If you have a specific property in mind, do not wait.

Most cave hotels have a minimum stay of two nights in peak season. Check before you book if you are only planning one night.

Getting luggage to a cave hotel can be an adventure. Many properties are not accessible by car and involve a walk down steep stone stairs. If you are arriving with heavy bags, contact the hotel in advance. Most have someone who can help carry bags but it is worth confirming.

Matera has no airport and limited train connections. The most common approach is to fly to Bari and drive or take the FAL regional train from there. The drive is about an hour. The train takes around an hour and a half. See our full Matera Travel Guide for details on getting there.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Matera

Should you stay in a cave hotel in Matera?

Yes, if your budget allows it. Staying in a cave dwelling is genuinely unlike anything else and it gives you a much stronger sense of the city's history than visiting one as a museum. Even a basic cave Airbnb delivers the experience. It is worth the effort.

Is Sasso Barisano or Sasso Caveoso better for staying?

Sasso Barisano is better for a first visit. It is more accessible, has more restaurants and is easier to navigate. Sasso Caveoso is more atmospheric and ancient-feeling but is steeper and less developed. If you have been before, Sasso Caveoso is worth trying.

Can you do Matera as a day trip from Bari?

You can, but we would not recommend it. The day-trippers all leave by late afternoon and the city is completely transformed after they go. The Sassi at night, lit up and quiet, is one of the best experiences in southern Italy. Spend at least one night.

How many nights do you need in Matera?

One night is enough to see the main sights and do a walking tour. Two nights lets you explore at your own pace, experience sunset from the Sassi and see the city after dark. We went for two nights both times and wished we had stayed longer.

Is Matera safe?

Very safe. It is a small city with low crime and the tourist areas are well-maintained. The main hazard is the slippery limestone streets, particularly on stairs and after rain. Wear proper shoes.

What is the best time to visit Matera?

Spring (April and May) or fall (September and October). We went in summer both times and the heat was brutal. The limestone canyon traps and reflects heat and there is very little shade on the streets. The caves stay cool inside, which is the only relief. If you go in summer, plan outdoor time for early morning and retreat into cave restaurants and museums during the middle of the day.

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Our Takeaway on Where to Stay in Matera

For a first visit, Sasso Barisano is the most practical entry point into the cave experience. For raw atmosphere, Sasso Caveoso and Sextantio are in a class of their own. La Civita works best for couples who want the views without the steepest climbs. And Il Piano is the right call if accessibility or budget is the priority.

Whatever you choose, try to get there by late afternoon and stay at least one night. The day-trippers clear out by early evening and the city feels completely different after that. That version of Matera, quiet and lit up and mostly empty, is the one we keep coming back for.

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More Matera from the getAwayZ

• Matera Travel Guide
• Puglia Travel Guide
• Day Trips from Matera