The 7 Best Hotels
in Matera
Matera is unlike anywhere else in Italy, and possibly anywhere else in Europe. The Sassi — the ancient cave dwellings carved into the tufa rock of a Basilicata ravine — were abandoned as shameful slums in the 1950s, then rediscovered as one of the continent's most distinctive UNESCO sites. Today, the caves are hotels, restaurants, and museums, and the city's transformation is still remarkable to witness.
Hotels here split into two kinds: the genuine cave hotels (rooms hewn from the stone, cool in summer and warm in winter, with varying degrees of natural darkness); and the palazzi in the more conventional upper town, with views down into the Sassi but less of the distinctive experience. Our seven picks heavily favour cave properties, because staying in a Sassi cave is why most travellers come here.
Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita
The restoration project that launched Matera's hotel renaissance — eighteen caves restored to something approximating their original state, with hot water and discreet wifi, but candles instead of lamps and no televisions on purpose. Minimalist, authentic, and genuinely transporting. Breakfast is served in a medieval church. Not for everyone, but those who understand what it is tend to return.
- Eighteen caves restored under the direction of David Chipperfield
- Candlelit rooms without televisions, hidden modern amenities
- Breakfast served in a restored medieval church
- Directly opposite the Gravina canyon with cave-dotted views
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa
A newer cave hotel in the Sasso Barisano, designed with a sharper contemporary edge than Sextantio — polished minimalism, a genuinely good spa hewn from the rock (with a one-hour cap per guest, which tells you how popular it is), and hot-food breakfast cooked to order. The rooms vary; ask for one with a Sassi view and it becomes remarkable.
- Rock-hewn spa with pool, steam, and sauna (one-hour cap)
- Cooked-to-order breakfast with fresh pastries
- Rooms with Sassi views are the ones to request
- In the Sasso Barisano, central to restaurants and sights
Corte San Pietro
Eight rooms in 16th-century buildings including a set of interconnected underground cisterns, with a breakfast service accompanied by a live pianist and an owner who personally greets each guest. The staff culture (Anna is regularly named) is the kind that gets travellers writing unsolicited thank-you reviews. Small, personal, and memorable.
- Live pianist accompanies the breakfast service
- Owner personally greets each guest every morning
- 16th-century buildings with underground cisterns
- Middle of the Sassi, walking distance to everything
Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel
The restored former Gattini family palazzo on Piazza Duomo, which means you stay inside the Civita neighbourhood with views down into the Sassi. The spa is very well regarded, the rooftop terrace is one of the best in Matera, and select junior suites come with private plunge pools. Note: request a valley-facing room or risk a darker room facing the cathedral.
- On Piazza Duomo with panoramic rooftop terrace views
- Select junior suites include private plunge pools
- Well-regarded spa and exceptional welcome service
- Request a valley-view room rather than cathedral-facing
Palazzo del Duca Matera
A small palazzo with large, beautifully finished cave rooms and a handful of terrace suites with spectacular views. Breakfast is buffet plus made-to-order, and the property hosts private cooking classes that reviewers call the best meal of their Italy trip. The hotel restaurant is sometimes closed off-season, worth checking before booking.
- Cave rooms with private view terraces
- On-site cooking classes with Chef Mario
- Buffet plus made-to-order breakfast
- In the Sasso Barisano near major viewpoints
Le Malve Cave Retreat
A small seven-room cave hotel in the Caveoso, run by Gianvito and David who repeatedly feature in five-star reviews for their itinerary help, easy WhatsApp access, and occasional free upgrades. The cave rooms have proper character, the breakfast is good, and the price is remarkable for a stay inside the Sassi.
- Genuine Sassi cave rooms with restored original character
- Hosts available by WhatsApp for local recommendations
- Frequent complimentary room upgrades noted in reviews
- In the Sasso Caveoso, the more traditional half
B & B al Convento
A small family-run B&B beside the Ponte San Pietro Caveoso, where Enzo and his wife run the place with the kind of engagement that's rare at this price. The breakfast is legendary — several reviewers rank it as the best they've had in Italy — and Enzo will walk you through Matera's history if you give him half a chance. Expect to be made to feel like family.
- Remarkable breakfast spread, repeatedly called out
- Family-run with Enzo and his wife actively hosting
- Quiet Sassi location with birds instead of traffic
- Occasional upgrades and personal Matera walking tips
How we chose these hotels
We required 4.6★ minimum across a meaningful review base, and gave preference to properties inside the Sassi themselves — meaning a short walk with luggage over uneven stone, always worth it. Most cave hotels include a small wine or prosecco welcome, and breakfast that reviewers consistently describe as exceptional for the price.
We skipped properties in the new town (Matera's modern upper city), which are cheaper but miss the point entirely. We also avoided a few cave properties where recent reviews mention sand or dust falling from ceilings — a known risk with certain restorations, and one worth avoiding.
When to visit Matera
Matera is excellent from April through mid-June and again from September through October. July and August are hot and crowded; the caves stay relatively cool but the rest of the walking is punishing. December is magical — Matera hosts a famous living Nativity — though nights drop to 2–5°C. Winter hotel rates are the best of the year.
For hiking the Murgia plateau, the rock churches, and day trips to Alberobello's trulli, see our full Matera destination guide.