Sassi di Matera
Matera, Italy
Cave dwellings carved into a ravine and lived in for thousands of years. Many are now hotels and restaurants.
The Sassi di Matera are the cave districts of the city of Matera in Basilicata, southern Italy. Over the centuries they have worked their way into the walls of the Gravina di Matera gorge. Sasso Caveoso in the southwest consists mostly of cave dwellings, while Sasso Barisano has masonry houses whose backs only reach into the rock. The settlement dates back to the Neolithic.
The Sassi contain dozens of rock-hewn churches, most from the high Middle Ages; around 150 churches and chapels have been counted, many with surviving frescoes. Until the 1950s about 20,000 people lived in the caves; they were resettled in 1954. UNESCO declared the Sassi a World Heritage Site in 1993, after which hotels, restaurants and museums appeared.
The old town is mostly reachable only on foot via steps. The Strada Panoramica from the upper town offers a view of both districts, and according to Wikivoyage so does the belvedere in Parco Murgia opposite. The Casa Grotta, a restored cave house, shows how people used to live. Check opening times in advance.
- Nearest town
- Matera, Italy
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 40.6663, 16.6116
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- PantaleoneMotorhome stopover2 km from Sassi di MateraMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Area Camper MateraMotorhome stopover2 km from Sassi di MateraMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Area Camper Masseria RadognaMotorhome stopover2 km from Sassi di MateraMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- KartodromoMotorhome stopover2 km from Sassi di MateraMotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Agriturismo Nonna RosaMotorhome stopover3 km from Sassi di MateraMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Allegra fattoria delle MurgeMotorhome stopover16 km from Sassi di MateraMotorhomesElectricityShowersDogs allowed
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Sassi di Matera?
Sassi di Matera is in Matera, Italy, at GPS 40.6663, 16.6116. It is about 13 km from Montescaglioso.
Can you camp near Sassi di Matera?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Pantaleone, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Sassi di Matera?
Places worth a stop nearby: Belvedere Murgia Timone (1 km), Gravina aqueduct bridge (24 km), Pulo di Altamura (26 km) and Craco ghost town (35 km).
When is the best time to visit Sassi di Matera?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)