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Matera is a city that surprises in any season, but it is precisely in winter which shows a different face, more authentic and almost suspended in time. The soft lights of the Sassi, the crisp air, the slow pace and fewer visitors make the city perfect for a day-long winter getaway. With a well-thought-out itinerary, you can immerse yourself in the city's thousand-year history, enjoy indoor settings when needed, savor the local cuisine and end the day with views that look like something out of a living nativity scene.
Morning: discovering the Sassi quietly, amid winter lights and intimate glimpses
Walk in the Sasso Caveoso
The Sasso Caveoso is the oldest and most evocative heart of Matera. In winter, thanks to the lower and softer light, it gives an almost cinematic atmosphere. The houses carved into the rock seem to slowly emerge from the landscape, while the quiet alleys offer a perfect path to start the day.
The smaller crowds allow people to explore at their leisure, stop to take unhurried photos, and really feel the essence of the neighborhood.
Council: the Caveous can be wetter in winter, so best to wear shoes with good grip.
Visit to a Cave House
The Cave Houses are an ideal opportunity to literally enter the heart of Matera's history. These rooms, carved into the rock and restored to their original appearance, show how families lived until the mid-twentieth century: beds, tools, animals, cribs, agricultural tools.
These are sheltered, often heated spaces, perfect for taking an indoor break and understanding the everyday life of the Sassi.
Ascent to the Church of Santa Maria de Idris
The climb is short but gives one of the most iconic views of the city. In winter, when the sun is lower, the shadows on the tufa walls create a fascinating contrast. From here one's gaze embraces the entire Caveoso and feels the full power of the excavated city.
Hot lunch in the Sassi: flavors that warm the heart
Matera in winter is also at its best at the table. It is the ideal time to enjoy warm, robust and typical dishes of the Lucanian tradition. In a trattoria carved out inside a cave, the atmosphere becomes especially magical: living stone, soft lighting, embracing warmth.
Definitely worth trying:
- Crapiata materana, a rustic and nutritious legume soup;
- Pasta with peperoni cruschi, a symbol of Basilicata;
- Hot cialledda, perfect on cold days;
- Chickpea, fava bean and local herb soups;
- The famous Matera bread, toasted or accompanied with new oil.
Reservation is recommended: the rooms in the cave do not have many places, and in winter the rooms are more intimate.
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Afternoon: culture, museums and sheltered corners
The Cathedral of Matera
A masterpiece of Romanesque art, bright and welcoming even during winter. The interior, warm and rich in details, invites you to stop for a moment. Stepping outside, the terrace in front offers a privileged view of the Sasso Barisano, perfect for taking new photos in the afternoon light.
Visit to one of the museums: MUSMA or Palazzo Lanfranchi
If the weather turns cold or rain comes, it is an ideal time to devote yourself to a museum.
- MUSMA: the most important Museum of Contemporary Sculpture in Southern Italy, housed inside ancient caves and hypogea. The encounter between modern art and cave spaces is unique.
- Lanfranchi Palace: devoted to medieval and modern art, suitable for those who love history and figurative works.
Both museums are perfect for a couple of hours in the heat.
Walk through the Sasso Barisano and craft stores
The Barisano is more sheltered from the wind than the Caveoso and becomes an ideal midwinter destination. Here you will find pottery workshops, crib stores, tuff artists and small stores with local products. Perfect for unearthing a handmade souvenir and learning about Matera's handicrafts
Sunset on the Murgia-or cozy alternatives
Option A: Belvedere on the Murgia
The belvedere of Murgia Timone is one of the most striking viewpoints in Italy. At sunset, the lights that turn on in the Sassi make the view simply unforgettable. In winter, with the clear air, the landscape is even sharper and more fascinating.
Option B: Indoor Tasting
If it is too cold to travel outside the city, there are perfect alternatives:
- A visit to a historic bakery to discover the secrets of Matera Bread,
- A tasting of Lucanian wines (Aglianico, Primitivo, Matera DOC),
- A stop at an artisan chocolate shop to warm up with typical sweets.
Evening: the illuminated Sassi, the most magical image of winter
With the lights on and the quiet alleys, Matera in winter becomes pure poetry. It only takes a few steps to feel the city's enveloping atmosphere, reminiscent of a living, silent and enchanted nativity scene. Ideal to end the day on a high note.
Experience Matera with Movery: tours, excursions and must-do activities
Among the most impressive experiences you can book on Movery to discover Matera and Basilicata, don't miss the shared or private tour "Discovering the Sassi", which guides you among famous rock districts such as Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, including rock churches and an authentic "cave house." If you love nature and archaeology, the guided tour in the Murgia Materana Park takes you by shuttle across the canyon to visit rock churches such as San Falcione and ancient villages, with spectacular views at dusk. For those with more time, theFull-day excursion from Bari to Matera and Alberobello is perfect: in just one day you can explore Puglia with the trulli of Alberobello and Basilicata with its Sassi. Finally, if you want maximum freedom of movement but have no means of your own, there is also the Bari-Matera (and Alberobello) transfer service for independent tours, which leaves you in the heart of Matera to explore on your own.
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