Let's find out which places to visit and what experiences to have in Matera to savor all the beauty of one of the most loved cities in Italy.

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Matera, located in the Basilicata region, is one of the most fascinating and historically rich cities in Italy.

Known for its wonderful "sassi", ancient rock settlements carved into the rock, Matera has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and gained notoriety as the European Capital of Culture in 2019.

Matera has experienced immense fortune, in fact, in recent years, not only for its "stones": the city offers unique experiences of its kind. Looking out at ancient life through the rocky insertions that frame and populate the corners of the city can become the beginning of an incredible and unexpected itinerary.

Let's go and discover Matera, in just one day, starting from those strategic points that have made the southern Italian city an incredible jewel.

If you only have one day to visit Matera, here is an itinerary that will allow you to discover the best of this unique city.

From 9am, in Matera: we start the day with a typical breakfast

Matera, in the morning

Matera, in the morning

Start your day with a breakfast at one of the local cafes.

Breakfast is a ritual for many populations, and it is precisely in this meal, enjoyable and inevitable, that the most deep-rooted traditions of the cities we know are established.

Let's stop in Matera, in its bars and cafes and try a coffee; Let's then accompany him to a "focaccia materana" for an authentic culinary experience.

Focaccia Matera is a Lucanian specialty, a symbol of the delicious simplicity of southern Italian cuisines.

From 10am, in Matera: visit to the Sassi of Matera

The stones of Matera, visiting Matera in 24 hours

The stones of Matera

Our first stop to include must certainly be that of the famous Sassi di Matera.

The Sassi of Matera are divided into two main neighborhoods: Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.

Sasso Caveoso will allow us to undertake a beautiful walk; through the Sasso Caveoso, the neighborhood that mostly maintains the original appearance of the rock settlements, we will be able to visit the cave houses, dug directly into the rock. Looking at these wonderful houses you can get an idea of ​​how the inhabitants of Matera lived until the 20th century.

Then continuing towards Sasso Barisano, we will immerse ourselves in a fascinating architectural cocktail between rock structures and modern architecture.

Right here we will admire, on paths between antiquity and modernity, numerous rock churches, such as the Church of San Pietro Barisano, the largest rock church in Matera.

From 12 am, in Matera: visit to the Casa Grotta Museum in Vico Solitario

The interiors of the houses of Matera, visiting Matera in 24 hours

The interiors of the houses of Matera, visiting Matera in 24 hours

The Casa Grotta Museum in Vico Solitario is of rare and ancient beauty.

This museum offers an authentic reconstruction of a typical Matera house; visiting it makes the image of the daily life of the ancient inhabitants of the Sassi di Matera tangible and comprehensible.

Inside the Museum you can find and observe ancient tools of the inhabitants of Matera: in fact, you will find a true ethnographic collection, a small museum with objects of common use and work.

From 1pm, in Matera: we have lunch with local specialties and more

Glimpse from a restaurant in Matera - visiting Matera in 24 hours

Glimpse from a restaurant in Matera - visiting Matera in 24 hours

Let's take a break to enjoy a typical lunch in one of the local restaurants.

Try traditional dishes - a symbol of the region's peasant cuisine and the use of simple and genuine ingredients - such as "orecchiette with turnip tops" or "Baccalà alla Lucana".

Other typical dishes are unmissable, such as Matera bread - a bread with a crunchy crust and soft crumb, symbol of the city;

The flavors of the cialledda are incredible - a poor but very tasty dish, based on stale bread, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and olive oil.

Furthermore, broad beans and chicory, bran peppers are always served;

Absolutely worth tasting is the "crapiata", a cereal and legume soup traditionally prepared at the beginning of August to celebrate the harvest.

Also sought after by tourists and locals is lamb alla materana, a slowly cooked lamb dish with potatoes, onions, tomatoes and various herbs.

Among the most loved desserts of Matera's gastronomic culture are the "strazzate" the typical sweets made with almonds, chocolate and spices.

We accompany everything with a glass of Aglianico del Vulture, a local red wine.

From 3pm, in Matera: visit to the Cathedral of Matera

The Cathedral of Matera - visiting Matera in 24 hours

The Cathedral of Matera - visiting Matera in 24 hours

After lunch, head to Matera Cathedral, located at the highest point of the old city.

This Romanesque cathedral, built in the 13th century, offers spectacular panoramic views of the Sassi and the surrounding landscape.

From 5pm, in Matera: let's take a walk along the Belvedere

Walking around the Belvedere of Matera - visiting Matera in 24 hours

Walking around the Belvedere of Matera - visiting Matera in 24 hours

Let's take some time for a walk along the Belvedere, which offers one of the most evocative views of the Sassi of Matera.

From here, you can admire the labyrinthine structure of the city and take unforgettable photographs.

From 6pm, in Matera: we visit a rock church

Visit to a rock church in Matera

Visit to a rock church in Matera

Matera is famous for its rock churches, many of which are adorned with medieval frescoes.

One of the most evocative is the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, located on a rocky hill and accessible via a short path.

From 8pm, in Matera: we have dinner together, in a typical Lucanian tavern

View of the square, in Matera

View of the square, in Matera

We end the day with a dinner in one of the restaurants offering Lucanian cuisine.

Dishes such as the "peperonata" or the "crapiata", described above, will make you appreciate the genuine flavors of the region.

From 10pm, in Matera: let's walk in the unique atmosphere of the Lucanian city

The last tours - visiting Matera in 24 hours

The last tours - visiting Matera in 24 hours

After dinner, take an evening walk around the Sassi, when the city lights create a magical atmosphere.

The Sassi at night are a unique and indelible experience; let's cross them, once again, under the whiteness of the moon and stars - in front of a breathtaking panorama.

Matera, breathtaking

Visiting Matera in 24 hours

Visiting Matera in 24 hours

Matera, with its unique Sassi and its rich cultural heritage, presents itself as an unmissable destination for those who want to immerse themselves in Italian history and traditions.

Its cuisine, simple but deeply rooted in the territory, offers an authentic culinary experience that tells stories of ancient flavors and peasant traditions.

Visiting Matera means not only exploring one of the oldest cities in the world, but also discovering a way of life that celebrates the beauty of simplicity and the depth of local roots.

Matera enchants its visitors with the charm of its stone streets, the warm hospitality of its inhabitants and the authenticity of its dishes, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of those lucky enough to discover it.

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LA DOLCE VITA
LA DOLCE VITA

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