Our time in Matera was one of the most memorable stops of our trip. We spent 2 1/2 days in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, arriving with high expectations after seeing it on so many travel lists and photos over the years. There was always something intriguing about its ancient cave dwellings and dramatic hillside setting, and we were genuinely excited to finally experience it for ourselves. What we didn’t expect, however, was how quickly we would fall in love with it. From the moment we arrived, Matera felt unlike anywhere else we had ever been, both raw and beautiful in a way that immediately stayed with us.

Matera is famously known as a filming location for major productions, including the latest No Time to Die in the James Bond series, as well as The Passion of the Christ and many other films. But beyond its cinematic reputation, the highlight for us was truly getting lost in the rhythm of the city itself. We joined a guided tour through the Sassi district, which gave us a deeper understanding of how people once lived carved directly into the rock. Stepping inside a preserved cave house was surreal, and the cave church offered a quiet, powerful glimpse into the city’s layered history.

Outside of the tour, some of our favorite moments came from simply wandering without a plan. Matera constantly rewards slow exploration, with staircases that seem to lead nowhere until they suddenly open onto sweeping viewpoints over the layered stone city. We often paused just to take it in, especially in the soft light of late afternoon when the buildings seemed to glow. Exploring with Andrew carrying our toddler Sage added a slower pace to everything, which made it even easier to notice the small details like laundry strung between stone buildings, narrow passageways, and quiet corners where life still carries on in this ancient setting. We stayed at the wonderful Sant’Angelo Resort, right in the heart of the Sassi, which made it incredibly easy to slip in and out of the historic streets throughout the day. Some of our most memorable meals were also right there at the property, including Corte Pavone and Più Sud, both of which offered relaxed, beautiful settings that matched the pace of the city perfectly. By the end of our stay, it was clear that this was Andrew’s favorite city of the entire trip.

Matera is an underrated city in Italy that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves compared to more well-known destinations, yet it leaves a stronger impression than many of them. The way its landscape and history blend into everyday life makes it feel both unique and grounded at the same time. Even as we continued our travels, it remained a reference point for everything else we saw.

XOXO