Is Matera Italy walkable?

But no place else in Italy can you take a walking tour of the third-oldest city in the world. Matera, located in the heart of the lightly trodden region of Basilicata, is 9,000 years old. Think about it. It has been continually inhabited since 7,000 years before Christ.



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But be careful, during your Matera walking tour, you will involve a lot of walking, and as the city is hilly, hot—especially in the summer—and completely out in the open, you'll want to make sure you pack comfortable shoes and plenty of water.

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The only easy way to get around Matera is on foot, and be prepared for a lot of climbing. Most of the sassi district is closed to car traffic; if you're arriving by car, make arrangements in advance with your hotel for arrival and parking.

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Getting Around Matera One reason we loved Matera is because it is super walkable! We walked allll over town and although it's very hilly and has lots of stairs, it was so much fun! We wouldn't recommend renting a car here, as it would be a bit harder to park in the Sassi.

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Self-Guided Walking Tours to Explore Matera, Italy You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit the city attractions which interest you the most. How it works: Download the app GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet.

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Matera is a very small city, so as long as you stay fairly central you're never going to be far away from anywhere else in town. But it is extremely hilly, so short distances can be more work than they seem.

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The old town of Matera has been abandoned for such a long time that it is still unusual to see locals enjoying a walk in the “Sassi” area. In the higher part of town and the new area, you'll find many locals, whereas the lower sassi area will be busy in the day with tourists and people working, but very quiet at night.

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Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the Sassi di Matera. The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.

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Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the city of stones and rock churches. Matera is one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world: a magical place that preserves evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period in its natural caves carved into the rock.

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You should know that there are many beautiful beaches around Matera. Here are some of them: Lido di Metaponto, Nova Siri Marina, Marina di Pisticci and the Bosco Pantano beach. I recommend you drop in or spend a day or more there, as they are the ideal place for a swim in the midst of nature!

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Language – Italian is the official language of Italy. Most Italian in the city and other main tourists spots, speak English so you can absolutely get by without speaking Italian language.

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Both Matera and Alberobello are fascinating, but they evoke completely different feelings. Both are rich in history. However, in Matera, you get the impression of struggle amongst a vast wilderness, whilst Alberobello brings magic and enchantment to mind.

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Matera is best reached by car and then explored on foot. You can see how we included it in our Southern Italy itinerary here. Parking is available outside of the main sassi area (which is not accessible by car) either on street or in one of the several parking lots around.

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The cost of a taxi from Bari airport to Matera is around €100, based on a taximeter. As there are no set-rate fares, the final cost will depend on the exact destination you're heading to in Matera and the level of traffic.

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The best time to visit Matera is in spring from May-June and in fall from September-October. The weather is still warm and there are less tourists than the July/August months.

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