2025 Basilicata Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in January)

▪️As a loyal fan of 007, I have followed 007 to many places, Venice, the Alps, and because of "007. No Time to Die", I am full of curiosity about this cave town. - ▪️I drove from Sorrento for 7 hours to Matera. I have to complain that the roads in Italy are really not good at night, and there are no street lights, it's really too dark. - ▪️It is recommended that friends who drive by themselves park their cars in the new city and then walk to the scenic area. The ancient city of Matera has a history of more than 9,000 years and is listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. The cave buildings here are all excavated on the cliffs, and the church's report building is still preserved, the whole city is like a maze, walking on the old stone road is a special experience. There are also craftsmen making stalactite sculptures by hand on the roadside, remember to buy a stalactite refrigerator sticker to take home~

Basilicata is a region in southern Italy that is well known for its forests and mountains. You will find hiking trails all over the region. One of the most appealing things about Basilicata is that, outside of the one or two of the main towns it’s pretty much tourist free and definitely well off the beaten track when it comes to tourists. If you love the great outdoors and want to get away from the crowds Basilicata is the place to be! #getgoing2025 #mountainhike #basilicata #italy

Here is a Matera travel guide: Pre-trip preparation: Documents: Prepare your passport, visa and other necessary travel documents, ensuring they are valid. It is also recommended to bring copies of your documents in case of emergencies. Clothing: Pack appropriate clothing according to the season. Matera has a large temperature difference between day and night, even in summer, nights can be cool, so it is best to bring a light jacket. If you are visiting in winter, you will need to bring a thick coat, scarf, gloves and other warm clothing. Shoes: As Matera is a mountain city, there are many uphill and downhill slopes and stone roads. It is recommended to wear comfortable, non-slip shoes for easy walking. Other items: Prepare a camera, charger, sunscreen, sunglasses, raincoat and other items. Additionally, you can bring some commonly used medicines, such as cold medicine, fever reducer, anti-inflammatory medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, etc. Transportation: Airplane: The nearest airport is Bari Airport. From Bari Airport, you can take a train, bus or taxi to Matera. Train: Matera is the terminus of the Bari - Matera narrow-gauge railway. You can take a train from other Italian cities to Bari, and then transfer to a train to Matera. Bus: Private companies offer bus connections to Matera. You can take a bus from major Italian cities. Self-driving: If you rent a car in Italy, you can connect to Matera via SS99 National Highway and A14 Bologna - Taranto Expressway. However, please pay attention to Italian traffic rules and driving habits. Recommended attractions: Sassi di Matera: This is Matera's most famous attraction, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sassi di Matera is composed of ancient cave dwellings, built into the mountainside, forming a unique landscape. Here you can visit cave churches and museums to learn about Matera's history and culture. Matera Cathedral (Duomo di Matera): Located in the heart of Matera, it is a Romanesque-style church. The church has a unique architectural style and beautiful interior decoration, worth a visit. Murgia National Park (Parco della Murgia Materana): Established in 1990, it includes the territory of Gravina di Matera and about 150 rock churches scattered along the canyon and slopes of the Murgia plateau. This is a prehistoric human settlement, preserving Paleolithic remains, offering beautiful natural scenery and historical relics. Movie filming location: Matera is the filming location for many movies, such as "The Passion of the Christ", "No Time to Die", "Wonder Woman", etc. You can visit these movie filming locations and experience the scenes from the movies. Recommended food: Cavatelli: This is Matera's local specialty pasta, shaped like a shell, with a chewy texture. It is usually served with tomato sauce, sausage and other seasonings, with a delicious flavor. Focaccia: One of Italy's traditional breads, also popular in Matera. The bread has a crispy surface and a soft interior. It can be paired with various ingredients, such as olive oil, tomato, cheese, ham, etc. Pasticciotto: A specialty dessert from the Puglia region, shaped like a Chinese gold ingot. The outer shell is baked crispy, and the inside is filled with cream. The sweetness is moderate, making it a must-try dessert for local cuisine. Accommodation options: Cave hotel: Experiencing cave life in Matera is a unique experience. You can choose to stay in a cave hotel or guesthouse. These cave dwellings have been renovated, with complete facilities, allowing you to experience the ancient atmosphere while enjoying modern comfort. City center hotel: If you want convenient access, you can choose to stay in a hotel in the city center. This makes it easy to visit Matera's various attractions, and the surrounding dining and shopping facilities are also more complete. Travel time: Matera is not large, generally recommended for 1-2 days of travel. If you have more time, you can stay in Matera for a few more days to learn more about the local history, culture and customs. Shopping recommendations: Handicrafts: Matera has many handicraft shops, where you can buy local specialty handicrafts, such as ceramics, wood carvings, textiles, etc. These handicrafts are exquisitely made and have high artistic value. Wine: The Puglia region is one of Italy's wine-producing areas. There are many vineyards and wineries around Matera, where you can taste local wines and buy some as souvenirs.

Leaving the dreamy fairy-tale town of Alberobello, one might unintentionally make the most captivating turn and find themselves in the final and most magical destination, another world known as "Matera". This is a stone city filled with fantastical wonders, with its undulating and interlocking buildings, and its majestic and awe-inspiring grandeur that leaves everyone in awe. It is a city based on cave dwellings left by humans from the Paleolithic era, gradually developing into today's cave town. With a history of over 7000 years, it is a living fossil of human cave dwelling history. In 1993, it was designated a World Cultural Heritage site due to its unique architectural significance. Due to its remote location and inconvenient transportation, it is not among Italy's famous tourist attractions and remained unknown for thousands of years. It was only in 2002, when the Hollywood movie "The Passion of the Christ" was filmed here, that it became world-renowned.