How do you get around Matera?


How do you get around Matera? The only easy way to get around Matera is on foot, and be prepared for a lot of climbing. Most of the sassi district is closed to car traffic; if you're arriving by car, make arrangements in advance with your hotel for arrival and parking.


What part of Matera to stay in?

Today the visitor has a couple of options for staying in Matera. You can stay in the modern town, enjoying beautiful views of the Sassi. Alternatively, and far more fun, you can stay in the Sassi and get your Fred Flinstone on by living in a cave for a night or two.


Why Matera is so special?

Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the Sassi di Matera. The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy.


Is it better to stay in Alberobello or Matera?

Both Matera and Alberobello are fascinating, but they evoke completely different feelings. Both are rich in history. However, in Matera, you get the impression of struggle amongst a vast wilderness, whilst Alberobello brings magic and enchantment to mind.


Which hotel in Matera was James Bond filmed?

They have designed a tour specific to James Bond and No Time to Die, which will bring you to all the filming locations in the city. The building in which Palazzo Gattini, a 5-star hotel, is located is a stately building where one of the most important families of the Matera nobility, the Gattini Counts, resided.


Is Matera too touristy?

There are tourists in Matera now, but not too many, with most coming and leaving by bus long before the sun sets. As more and more cave hotels are built and with people like us spreading the word, Matera will rival the popular northern cities in terms of tourism.


Can you tour Matera on your own?

Self-Guided Walking Tours to Explore Matera, Italy You can also create your own self-guided walk to visit the city attractions which interest you the most. How it works: Download the app GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store to your mobile phone or tablet.


Where did James Bond stay in Matera?

Palazzo Gattini is the hotel of Matera that contributed to the new James Bond movie offering hospitality, privacy and serenity to the movie director, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and to the main actors, Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux.


How do you get around Matera Italy?

The only easy way to get around Matera is on foot, and be prepared for a lot of climbing. Most of the sassi district is closed to car traffic; if you're arriving by car, make arrangements in advance with your hotel for arrival and parking.


Do you need a car in Matera Italy?

Matera is best reached by car and then explored on foot. You can see how we included it in our Southern Italy itinerary here. Parking is available outside of the main sassi area (which is not accessible by car) either on street or in one of the several parking lots around.