What is the easiest way to get from Amalfi to Matera?
The easiest way to get from Amalfi to Matera may be to take a private driving transfer, which offers seamless door-to-door service without the need to navigate indirect public transportation routes.
What is the fastest way to get from Amalfi to Matera?
It is fastest to get from Amalfi to Matera by car, making a private driving transfer a good choice. The journey takes just about 3 hours of driving time.
Is there a bus from Amalfi to Matera?
There are buses from Amalfi to Matera; however, they are indirect. The fastest route takes around 5.5 hours and requires travelers to first navigate to Atrani.
What is the best way to get to Matera?
The best way to get to Matera is with a private driving service, as all of the available public transit routes are indirect and require you to transfer across several modes of transport.
Is Matera, Italy worth visiting?
Matera is one of the most unique places in Italy and across Europe, and is absolutely worth visiting to explore the incredible cave settlements, the Sassi.
Where to stop between Amalfi and Matera?
There are plenty of options for sightseeing stops between Amalfi and Matera, but one of the most popular is Salerno, a vibrant port city with medieval roots and a romantic waterfront promenade.
The Daytrip private driving transfer from Amalfi to Matera covers a distance of 133.5 miles (215 km) in about 3 hours, whisking you to the Southeast of Italy in unmatched comfort and safety. You can take the direct transfer and enjoy a fast, straightforward trip to your destination, or choose to add sightseeing stops along the way to elevate your travel day.
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For example, you can visit Salerno, an ancient city with a bustling port and beautiful waterfront restaurants, bars, and cafes. Witness the medieval architecture interspersed with meticulously kept gardens. The waterfront promenade in Salerno is one of the longest and most impressive in Italy, making it well worth a visit.
Or, take a more adventurous approach and stop at Pertosa Caves, the water-carved karst stone caves previously occupied by early man. Visitors take a boat tour of the underground river and have the opportunity to explore the many tunnels and incredible stone formations, now adorned with colorful lights to showcase their details. The caves are also featured in the settings of several famous productions, including ArgentoтАЩs тАЬPhantom of the OperaтАЭ and a local theaterтАЩs performance of DanteтАЩs тАЬInferno.тАЭ
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About Matera
After your trip from coastal Amalfi to Matera, you will immerse yourself in this incredible ancient city, ranked as the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and recognized as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world (second to Petra, Jordan.) This unforgettable city is sometimes called a тАЬsecond BethlehemтАЭ due to its resemblance to a small nativity scene and its rich history.
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Matera is most famous for its ancient caves, called the тАЬSassi,тАЭ which were dug into the side of the mountains and inhabited by locals up until the 1950s. The settlements date back to the Paleolithic era, with recovered artifacts dating back to 7,500 BC. Over the centuries, the city became an important center for trade and transportation along the southern coast and was eventually settled by the Normans and later the Aragonese.
The Sassi were evacuated by law in 1952 after becoming severely overcrowded and denoted the тАЬshame of Italy.тАЭ Locals were required to move into new developments in the city, but the caves remain and act as a preserved glimpse into the ancient lives of the Materan citizens. The city is so integrated within the mountain that the most famous sites are its rock and cave churches, as well as its many tightly winding alleyways, gardens, and tunnels.
The city boasts incredible examples of ancient art and architecture, as well as romantic and Renaissance influences in its frescoed churches and intricately designed properties. For the foodie traveler, the cuisine is unique to the region and includes dishes such as pignata, which is mutton, and vegetables topped with pizza dough and baked in a clay pot.
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From Amalfi to Matera: travel tips
Ahead of your trip from Amalfi to Matera, some preparations will help you to have the smoothest journey possible and to make the most of your time in Matera.
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Prepare for lots of walking
Matera is very hilly, and the narrow streets and cobblestone paths are only suitable for walking, making it incredibly important to wear comfortable shoes. Be sure to pack a reusable water bottle to fill and take with you on your explorations throughout the city, too, as it can become quite hot walking up and down the hills in the summer.
Consider a private car transfer
While there are a few different ways to get to Matera from Amalfi, a private driving transfer will offer you the smoothest and most convenient journey. With seamless door-to-door service, you will leave directly from your accommodation in Amalfi without any need to navigate public transit stations. You will also gain peace of mind with DaytripтАЩs flexible booking policy and have maximum control over your itinerary with the opportunity to stop en route for sightseeing.
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How to get from Amalfi to Matera
There are several options for your Amalfi to Matera transfer, including both public and private transportation routes. The fastest option is to drive, and a private car service may be the best choice for travelers who donтАЩt want the hassle and added expense of renting a car.
Bus from Amalfi to Matera
There are a couple of popular bus routes from Amalfi to Matera, the fastest of which takes around 5.5 hours. This route involves first navigating from Amalfi to the bus station in Atrani, which can take up to an hour. From there, it is not a direct bus route, and you will need to transfer once in Salerno to a second bus in order to reach Matera. Tickets for this route are typically around $20-$38 (тВм18.50-тВм35), not including any transportation you may take from Amalfi to Atrani.
Train from Amalfi to Matera
As with the bus, there are no direct train routes from Amalfi to Matera. Travelers will first need to get to the train station in Salerno, which can take around 35 minutes by taxi ($40-$50 or тВм37-тВм46) from Amalfi. Once in Salerno, you will take the train to Ferrandina (about 2 to 2.5 hours journey time) and then transfer to a bus at the Ferrandina Scalo station for the final 25-minute ride to Matera Centrale Station.
The total journey time is around 4 hours and 45 minutes, with an average cost range of $56-$125 (тВм52-тВм116).
Private transfer from Amalfi to Matera
Opting for a private driving transfer with Daytrip is the fastest way to cover the distance from Amalfi to Matera, transporting you from door to door in just 3 hours and greatly shortening your travel day. This is also the most comfortable option for the journey and is ideal for those who want a full-service experience that doesnтАЩt require transfers or hauling luggage on and off of public transport.
This trip starts at $73 (тВм67.50) per person and gives you the added benefit of optional sightseeing on the way with your English-speaking local driver.
Things to do when you get to Matera
After you make your way from Amalfi to Matera, you will have a wealth of historical and cultural attractions to look forward to. This ancient city is infused with fascinating stories of its past, and the natural beauty of the mountains and carved-out cave structures.
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See Sassi di Matera
Easily the most famous part of Matera, and the biggest draw for travelers from all over the world, the Sassi di Matera are the preserved cave settlements carved into the face of the cityтАЩs hills centuries ago. Visitors can explore the troglodyte settlements and learn more about their construction and the way of life for the people who lived there for millennia from ancient times through to the 1950s.
The houses are perfectly integrated with their natural surroundings and are interspersed with stunning cave churches, shepherd tracks, and other functional structures. The sassi are one of the most unique sights in the Mediterranean and in the world, and visitors should make this their first stop in Matera.
Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli
This is an incredible viewpoint located to the side of the Piazza Giovanni, overlooking the Sassi and the surrounding landscape. This is a great place for a walk, bike ride, or even a motorbike stop for the more adventurous traveler. This is a great way to better understand the context in which the Sassi would have existed with the newer developments in the city, and is also the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Palombaro Lungo
As with the Sassi farmhouses, there are incredible subterranean basilicas and functional structures, such as cisterns set into the Matera hillside and lying below the center of the main city. One of the most impressive of these is the massive Palombaro lungo, a cistern featuring ingenious design. This offers visitors a chance to learn more about the practicalities of ancient life in the Sassi.
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When is the best time to visit Matera?
As you begin to plan your exciting adventure from Amalfi to Matera, you may be curious about the best season in which to visit. Similarly to the rest of Italy, Matera sees a huge influx of tourism during the hot summer months. In order to avoid the biggest crowds and get some relief from the heat while walking around in hilly Matera, consider timing your visit for the spring or autumn months. The weather will be cooler but still dry, unlike in the winter months, where you will likely get caught out in frequent showers.
A bustling port at first glance, this ancient city offers visitors plenty to see, including medieval architecture, lush gardens, and an exceptional waterfront promenade.┬аPort of Plenty┬а
Pertosa Caves
The stunning cave formations and underground river make a convincing backdrop for a local theatre groupтАЩs rendition of DanteтАЩs Inferno.┬аDivine Depths┬а
Potenza
Regularly rocked by earthquakes and rebellion, ItalyтАЩs highest regional capital has fought hard to maintain its cultural heritage.┬аThe Unshakeable City┬а
Crypt of the Original Sin
Accessible by reservation, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Sistine Chapel of cave art.┬аThe Cave of 100 Saints┬а
