Matera attracts thousands of tourists every year. But what do the locals do? Come and experience it like a true Matera resident.
Rock churches, stone labyrinth, art and traditions: Matera never fails to amaze anyone who chooses to visit. It's a perfect destination all year round. Ready to experience it like true locals?
We've put together a selection of the best things to do in Matera like a local. Check it out and get inspired.
What to do in Matera like a local
A city like few others in the world, Matera is an extraordinary place where millennia of history and daily life coexist through a delicate balance.
Nestled like a precious gem in the heart of the Basilica region, it’s a destination worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. The best way to experience it? Draw inspiration from the locals, their habits, and their favourite spots and make the most of it. We are here to help you take the first step towards such a fascinating city.
We have prepared the best travel tips, from where to go for an aperitif with your travel companions to the right place for a shopping session. Find out what you should try at dinner, which heart-pumping activities you shouldn’t miss, and much more.
Here are the best things to do in Matera like a local.
10. What to do in Matera like a local. Looking out from the ‘terraces’ over the Sassi
The city is full of natural terraces with stunning views of the rugged landscape. Such places are perfect for capturing unforgettable photos and represent our starting point to explore Matera like a local.
One spot you can't miss is the small terrace at Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Go there in the evening to see the spectacle of the Sassi full of tiny lights.
Equally enchanting is the panoramic view from Piazzetta Pascoli, a delightful window onto the Sassi. No less scenic is the terrace of the Convento di Sant'Agostino, where you can take in the beauty of the ancient city from a majestic perspective. Plus, if you wander down Via San Biagio, you'll stumble upon a hidden viewpoint that offers a lovely surprise—a picturesque view of the rooftops and winding alleys.
Explore Matera with a guided tour❯9. Enjoying aperitivo in Via Ridola
In the mood for an aperitivo and a taste of Matera’s nightlife? Head to Via Ridola.
The area is packed with bars, restaurants, and pubs bustling with life in virtually every season. Together with the nearby Piazza del Sedile, it’s one of the liveliest spots, popular among locals for gathering with friends, enjoying a drink, and sampling some snacks or heartier dishes.
The area stands right in the historic centre and is pedestrian-friendly, so visitors can explore the captivating streets of the Sasso Caveoso at their leisure. Step into whichever spot catches your eye, savour the finest Lucanian specialities or indulge in some delicious street food.
Get your Matera Pass ❯8. Tasting Cruschi Peppers
Bright red and delightfully crunchy, Peperoni Cruschi are a quintessential delicacy of Matera and the wider Basilicata region. Sweet and paper-thin, this speciality features numerous recipes, from starters to main courses.
It's easy to find them starring in traditional dishes like pasta with breadcrumbs and cruschi or paired with salted cod. They're also perfect as a snack and are served in many trattorias, typical restaurants and osterias of the historic centre. Try them with local cheese or the famous Matera bread for a truly authentic taste experience.
Their preparation follows an age-old, meticulous process. The peppers are sown between February and March and then harvested in August. Afterwards, they're spread out on cloths in airy spots to dry. Once good and dried, they're strung into long garlands and kept out of the direct sun. Only after this process are they fried to become "cruschi" (crispy).
7. Christmas time in Matera? Living nativity scene
As the setting for some of the most famous films about the life of Christ (notably The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson), Matera is the perfect backdrop for one of Italy's most evocative living nativity scenes. Completely staged within the Sassi, Matera's living Nativity (Presepe Vivente) winds through the cave houses of Sasso Barisano and Caveoso, creating an atmosphere that seems to transport visitors back in time.
Every year, over 200 costumed performers bring everyday life scenes from two thousand years ago to life for a one-of-a-kind experience.
The living Nativity comes alive during the Christmas season, accompanied by a host of other festive events: local craft markets, dazzling light and music shows, and tastings of delicious Lucanian specialities. As you stroll through the alleys aglow with Christmas lights, you'll uncover artisanal cribs, beautifully hand-painted ceramics, and traditional treats like cartellate.
6. A shopping day in Via del Corso and Via Lucana
No holiday is complete without a bit of shopping, and Matera does not disappoint with its array of boutiques. Via Lucana features a variety of clothing, footwear, gift items, and home decor stores.
Meanwhile, Via del Corso, which cuts through the heart of the historic rocky district, has some popular retail franchises alongside jewellery stores and designer boutiques. You’ll also find artisan workshops offering unique creations like hand-painted ceramics, tuff sculptures, and papier-mâché objects, symbols of the local tradition.
Continuing towards Via Ridola, you’ll find independent bookshops, craft stores, and shops selling local food and wine specialities, including Matera’s famous bread, peperoni cruschi, preserves, and Lucanian wines.
5. Experiencing the Madonna della Bruna Feast
If you go to Matera in July, you'll have the chance to see one of the city's most beloved traditions: the "Madonna della Bruna" feast. The origins of this celebration are steeped in legend, dating back, perhaps, to medieval times.
According to local folklore, a farmer returning to Matera after a day's work in the fields gave a ride on his cart to a mysterious young woman carrying a message for the bishop. The message revealed her true identity—she was the Virgin Mary—and expressed her wish to remain in Matera.
During the religious celebration, a triumphal cart bearing a statue of Maria Santissima della Bruna is paraded through the city's main streets. Upon reaching the Cathedral, the cart circles the square three times in a symbolic ritual before the statue is placed inside the church.
With the sacred part of the celebration complete, the "pagan" portion begins: the same cart is taken to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where the crowd destroy it in a ritual known as Lo Strazzo.
4. Taking a trip to San Giuliano Lake
Maybe not everyone knows Matera has a natural reserve just a few km from the city. The San Giuliano Regional Reserve is a designated Site of Community Importance and a Special Protection Area, featuring a serene lake, diverse flora, and abundant wildlife.
Visitors can enjoy birdwatching and peaceful walks, immersing themselves in absolute tranquillity and harmony with nature.
The lake, artificially created in the 1950s, serves as a sanctuary for numerous species of migratory birds, including the pink flamingo and the grey heron. The area is also home to rich vegetation featuring native plants and plays a crucial role in the conservation of biodiversity.
3. Experiencing the thrill of the Tibetan Bridge
Nestled in the heart of the Parco delle Murgia Materana, Matera’s Tibetan Bridge awaits trekking enthusiasts and adventurers.
The journey begins at Porta Pistola, a square in the Sassi that marks the starting point of Trail 406. The track leads across the Tibetan Bridge, allowing hikers to traverse the Gravina stream, which runs alongside the Sassi, and reach the Murgia Timone area.
Access is free of charge, but it’s advisable to avoid the hottest hours under the direct summer sun.
2. Attending a cultural event
Matera offers many events yearly that add to its rich cultural experience. FAI Days are among the highlights. The event held in autumn and spring is a special opportunity to explore hidden, unusual, or lesser-known places in and around the city.
Literature lovers can look forward to Amabili Confini (May–June), while music enthusiasts will enjoy the Festival Duni (September–October) and Gezziamoci (June–August).
In June, the theatre festival Nessuno Resti Fuori takes centre stage, while autumn sees the arrival of the Matera Film Festival (October) and the Matera International Film Festival (November), drawing film buffs from across the globe.
For open-air screenings, head to Palazzo Lanfranchi for Cinema in Terrazza, the summer event showcasing restored international movie classics in their original language.
1. Getting around Matera like a local
If you ask a local in Matera the best way to explore the city, they won't hesitate to answer "On foot!". And that's particularly true when it comes to the area between Via del Corso and Piazza del Sedile, where narrow stairways and streets lead straight into the Sassi.
Another fun way to explore the ancient cave dwellings is by taking a ride in an Ape Car, possibly with a driver who can explain the characteristics and history of the town.
If you're far from the historic centre, you can take the local "Miccolis" buses to get around.
