Matera Hotels – My Favorites
- Best Luxury Hotel: Palazzo Gattini
- Best Boutique Hotel: Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery
- Best Cave Hotel: Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita
- Best Affordable Hotel: Hotel Residence San Giorgio
- Best Hotel for Families: Sassisuite
Stay in the Sassi or Civita for the best Matera experience. Many of the city’s finest hotels occupy restored cave dwellings, stone houses, and historic palaces. Sasso Barisano is my favorite area for first-time visitors, with excellent cave hotels and relatively convenient access to the upper town. Sasso Caveoso has a more dramatic setting, while Civita, around Matera’s Cathedral, is excellent for luxury hotels and views.
For easier access, stay on the Piano, the historic upper town around Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Via Lucana. You’ll be close to the Sassi without having to navigate as many steep stairways. Wherever you stay, check the hotel’s exact access before booking. Some of Matera’s best hotels can only be reached on foot.
The cave suites at Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita, one of my favorite hotels in Matera.
Matera Hotel Booking Tips
- Luggage and hotel access: Many Sassi hotels are reached by steep stone stairways, and taxis cannot reach every entrance. Pack light and ask your hotel about the nearest drop-off point and luggage assistance before arriving.
- Driving and parking: Much of the historic center has restricted vehicle access (ZTL). If you’re driving, arrange parking through your hotel or use a garage in the upper town. Don’t drive into the Sassi without checking access restrictions.
- Cave rooms: Some have limited natural light, humidity, and unusual layouts. Check room photos carefully, especially if you prefer a bright, conventional hotel room.
- How long to stay: One night is good, two nights is better. Matera is particularly beautiful in the evening after the day-trippers leave. Three nights makes sense if you’re exploring more of Basilicata or nearby Puglia.
The 9 Best Hotels in Matera, Italy
1. Palazzo Gattini – Civita / Duomo
The best luxury hotel in Matera, set in a restored historic palace beside the Duomo. Beautiful suites, some with private hydromassage tubs, excellent views, and a wonderful spa with a Turkish bath.2. Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita – Civita
The most romantic cave hotel in Matera. Original cave dwellings restored with traditional materials, antique furnishings, and candlelit interiors. Beautiful and atmospheric, though deliberately rustic rather than conventional five-star luxury.3. Il Palazzotto Residence & Winery – Sasso Barisano
My favorite boutique hotel in Matera. Original cave houses beautifully restored by a local architect, with spacious rooms and plenty of character. The larger apartments are particularly good for families.4. Corte San Pietro – Sasso Caveoso
Beautiful cave hotel in Sasso Caveoso, surrounded by narrow stone lanes and stairways. The larger suites, particularly those with terraces, are good options for families.5. Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort – Sasso Caveoso
Beautiful cave suites and restored stone houses spread across Sasso Caveoso. One of the best luxury options for staying right in the Sassi, with excellent views and a traditional village-like setting.6. Palazzo Viceconte – Civita
A converted aristocratic residence near the Duomo, with a splendid courtyard and some of the best views of any hotel in Matera. A great choice if you prefer a traditional historic hotel over a cave room.7. L’Hotel In Pietra – Sasso Barisano
A former church converted into a boutique hotel, with original stone architecture and distinctive cave rooms. Some suites have private hydromassage tubs.8. Sassisuite – Sasso Barisano
Spacious suites with beautiful views over the Sassi. One of my favorite options for families, with larger apartments and suites that offer more room than most cave hotels. Check the individual suite’s maximum occupancy before booking.9. Palazzo Del Duca Luxury Hotel – Civita / Sasso Barisano
Beautifully restored historic hotel with stylish cave rooms and an atmospheric stone breakfast room. Some suites have private hydromassage baths or plunge pools and are worth the upgrade.Best Luxury Hotel Near Matera
Palazzo Margherita – Bernalda
A gorgeous historic palazzo in Bernalda, about 45 to 60 minutes by car from Matera. Francis Ford Coppola restored the property in his family’s ancestral hometown, creating an intimate luxury hotel with huge suites, beautiful gardens, a swimming pool, and excellent Italian food. A wonderful place to stay while exploring Basilicata by car, but too far from Matera for convenient sightseeing without driving.
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