What to do in Matera in one day: the complete itinerary in 24 hours

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.