Is Matera difficult to walk?

Is Matera difficult to walk? But be careful, during your Matera walking tour, you will involve a lot of walking, and as the city is hilly, hot—especially in the summer—and completely out in the open, you'll want to make sure you pack comfortable shoes and plenty of water.

How touristy is Matera?

The old town of Matera has been abandoned for such a long time that it is still unusual to see locals enjoying a walk in the “Sassi” area. In the higher part of town and the new area, you'll find many locals, whereas the lower sassi area will be busy in the day with tourists and people working, but very quiet at night.

Why is Matera special?

Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the city of stones and rock churches. Matera is one of the oldest, still inhabited cities in the world: a magical place that preserves evidence of human settlements since the Palaeolithic period in its natural caves carved into the rock.

Is Matera very hilly?

Matera is a very small city, so as long as you stay fairly central you're never going to be far away from anywhere else in town. But it is extremely hilly, so short distances can be more work than they seem.

Can you swim in Matera?

You should know that there are many beautiful beaches around Matera. Here are some of them: Lido di Metaponto, Nova Siri Marina, Marina di Pisticci and the Bosco Pantano beach. I recommend you drop in or spend a day or more there, as they are the ideal place for a swim in the midst of nature!

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.

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.

Is Matera Italy walkable?

But no place else in Italy can you take a walking tour of the third-oldest city in the world. Matera, located in the heart of the lightly trodden region of Basilicata, is 9,000 years old. Think about it. It has been continually inhabited since 7,000 years before Christ.

Do people speak English in Matera?

Language – Italian is the official language of Italy. Most Italian in the city and other main tourists spots, speak English so you can absolutely get by without speaking Italian language.

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.

Is Matera the oldest city in the world?

Matera is an ancient city that seems to have existed forever. It is the third oldest city in the world, after Aleppo and Jericho, with over 10,000 years of history. The rock caves, the rocky Murgia of Matera and some primitive dwellings of the Sassi tell of ancient settlements.

Do I need a car in Matera?

Getting Around Matera One reason we loved Matera is because it is super walkable! We walked allll over town and although it's very hilly and has lots of stairs, it was so much fun! We wouldn't recommend renting a car here, as it would be a bit harder to park in the Sassi.

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.

Is it worth it to rent a car in Italy?

While renting a car isn't necessary or even advised if you're only visiting major tourists city (you can't even bring your rental car into the old town Florence, and having a car in Rome is a very bad idea not just because of traffic but also because many main attractions are only accessible by foot anyway), if you ...