Located in the Basilicata Region, in Southern Italy, Matera is famous for the “sassi”, the most historical neighbourhoods of the city. All around the Civita, the city has been built excavated in the chalky stone, locally called “tufo”, tuff.

These houses are built along a steep ravine, La Gravina. Here, underground labyrinths and rooms made the landscape unique.

The view is breath-taking especially at night, when the Sassi became “stars”, the most important “Rioni”, neighbourhood, in Matera are Sasso Barisano e Sasso Caveoso, with its beautiful Church of San Pietro Caveoso.

Want to know where to stay and where to eat?

Here is Swide’s pocket guide to the best restaurant and best hotels so that you can enjoy even more your magical experience there.

Eat at Il Terrazzino for a breath-taking view and an amazing menu with traditional dishes like orecchiette (typical pasta), ricotta (special local cheese), cavatelli (fresh pasta), fava beans.

Fancying something more simple? Go to Gatta Buia (Via Margherita 90, (0039) 0835256510), delicious traditional dishes like polpette materane (meatballs from Matera), veal stew with artichokes and pumpkin soup; or head to Pancotto (Via B.Buozzi 10, (0039) 0835331325).

Trattoria del Caveoso has the best crapiata materana (a sort of minestrone, legumes and beans soup), delicious cheeses, pasta with legumes and mushrooms. Ristorante Francesca is elegant with in beautiful setting, perfect for a romantic dinner where you can taste local dishes. High quality ingredients: try the lamb, and pretty much every starter. Osteria Pico serves an unbeatable sausage and the “rafanate”, a typical dish from Basilicata, made with a root, pecorino cheese, eggs and potatoes.

 

Which hotel to choose? You have three luxury options with stunning views and amazing architecture: stay at Palazzo Gattini

 

Hotel Sant’Angelo

  

or at Le Grotte Della Civita, an experience in its own right.