Stay in a cave in Matera - World Wanderista

Staying in a cave is beyond any doubt one of the best things to do in Matera! After all this is where its citizens traditionally lived until 1952. Luckily the current living conditions have quite changed from then. So do not worry, you will not have to sleep with sheep and donkeys surrounding you. Most caves are now renovated and house luxury hotels, guest houses and cute restaurants.

When looking for a cave to stay in Matera, make sure to pay attention to its location in the Sassi as well! The Sassi are an area consisting of hundreds of steps going up and down. So, my advice is to choose one that is not too far from the road, so you can park your rental car nearby (first check if it is allowed to enter, you are not always allowed to drive into town) or take the shuttle bus. That way you won’t have to do too many steps with your luggage.

Stay in a cave in Matera: Le LUMINARIe Sassi

I found the perfect cave apartment named Le LUMINARIe Sassi perched right within the caves of the Sasso Caveoso area. It is carved within the mountainside and completely surrounded by a maze of steps and other cave dwellings. The first thing I saw every morning stepping outside was the opposite side of the Gravina canyon and the Chiesa Rupestre di Santa Maria di Idris, a church dug in the large limestone rock of Monterrone.

My little cave apartment had the most elegant interior with a large comfortable bed including a spectacular headboard with a light installation. The kitchen was well equipped, and its walls decorated with the most beautiful tiles. I absolutely adored the bathroom with the cut-out shower in the rocks.
There is a possibility to order breakfast from a local bar and parking is advised at Parcheggio Via Saragat (0.50€/hour). This parking is served by the Sassi line bus which stops nearby at the Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.

If you are looking for more luxury and prefer to stay in a hotel I would recommend:

Palazzo Del Duca Luxury Hotel: this luxurious cave hotel has a panoramic terrace, elegant rooms (there’s even a suite with a private pool) and is located in the same area as LE LUMINARIe Sassi
Palazzo Gattini Luxury Hotel: located right by Matera’s Duomo and famous for being the hotel where James Bond actors Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux stayed while filming No Time to Die. The spa is set in the former cisterns and features a thermal pool. Highlight is the suite with a rooftop hot tub!
Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa: located in the southern border of the Sassi and more futuristic furnished. Guests can enjoy the free use of 60 minutes at the spa.