If you only have one day in Matera to explore and take in the sights, you must plan your time carefully. If you do this, one day could be enough to see a few of the town's most important attractions. For example, in one day, you can easily explore the town's historic Sassi district, dine at one of the local restaurants, explore a few of the stone churches, and pop in at the cave house demonstration. You can even stay in an intriguing cave hotel. But you won't be able to get up to much more than this, so consider spending two to three days if possible.
Can you catch a flight from Sorrento to Matera?
There is no airport in either Sorrento or Matera, so you cannot catch a direct flight between the two. You can however choose to travel with a private car service like Daytrip or by bus, train, or taxi. The bus is the cheapest option and the taxi the most expensive but Daytrip is the most exciting, flexible, and convenient choice.
Does the train go to Matera, Italy?
There are trains that go from Sorrento to Matera. However, most trips are not direct trains, so you must complete a transfer. This means you'll often need to take two trains, one stopping in Naples before you arrive at your destination in Matera, Italy. This process can be time-consuming for some travelers, so they prefer to drive.
Is Matera a safe city to visit?
Matera is generally considered a safe city to visit. It has a low crime rate, and most travelers often find it to be a welcoming and secure destination. However this doesnโt mean that crime is non-existent. You still need to take precautions during your visit to avoid having your belongings stolen by thieves and pickpockets who frequent crowded areas in the town.
What is the best way to get to Matera?
The best way to get from Sorrento to Matera is usually by private car service Daytrip. Daytrip eliminates many of the travel frustrations explorers face through its convenient door-to-door services, luggage handling, and professional drivers who are well acquainted with the routes.
Is Matera in Italy worth visiting?
Matera in Italy is definitely worth visiting. Although this town often gets overlooked, it is one of Italy's most unique and beautiful ancient towns. It has interesting historical origins, unique cave-side homes and buildings, stone churches, tasty local cuisine, and staggering landscapes that make the perfect photo backdrop.
If you want a taste of ancient Italian history, you'll want to take a car trip from Sorrento to Matera. Sorrento might be known for its natural beauty, charm, and historical significance, which feeds your interest, but Matera is a place that might just trump this beautiful region. This ancient city is unique in that it offers visitors incomparable charmโeven to that of Sorrento, rich scenery, incredible religious attractions, and unique architectural works.
This is unsurprising, considering Matera is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Walking through its streets is like stepping back in history to a time when there was no internet, phones, cars, or fast food chains. Trust us, a mere glance at the city and its ancient human settlements, extraordinary cathedrals, and natural caves is all you need to see to realize how truly magnificent it is. It truly is unlike anywhere else in the world.
But before you get to Matera, exploring nearby towns like Salerno, Pompeii, and Potenza could be worthwhile. If your interest is piqued and you're eager to discover the many magical places along the way, consider Daytrip. Our door-to-door service offers private, comfortable, and safe luxury vehicles alongside professional English-speaking drivers who are more than happy to share local tips while driving you from Sorrento to Matera and taking sightseeing detours.
About Matera
It might be a fair distance from Sorrento to Matera, but the drive through winding roads is worth it when visitors first see this spectacular ancient Italian town that looks like something out of a detailed storybook.
Matera is a city that appears to onlookers in shades of tone with its sand-colored stone buildings, churches, and caves that are side by side and on top of one another in the hilly landscape. Although it might sound dreary, the sight will leave you speechless and with a memory you won't want to soon forget.
This town is located in the magnificent region of Basilicata in southern Italy. It features the UNESCO-listed Sassi area. This area comprises a unique system of cave dwellings carved into the town's mountainside. Until the 1950s, the Sassi region was inhabited by people and their stables, homes, churches, and stores, but the Italian government evacuated it due to poor living conditions.
Since the 1950s, it has been renovated and modernized. The Sassi now includes museums like the captivating Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, which features period artisanal tools and furniture, hotels, restaurants, and residents living in the modernized parts of town. You can sightsee and explore all of this and more.
Additionally, according to some historians, Matera has a rich history dating back more than 9,000 years and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. It's evident these beliefs are founded in truth, with the city having some of the most beautifulโbut ancientโmonuments, cathedrals, and churches. If you plan to visit, be sure to see the 13th-century San Giovanni Battista, the Apulian-Romanesque cathedral built between 1268 and 1270, and the churches of San Francesco that were rebuilt in 1670.
From Sorrento to Matera: travel tips
Driving from Sorrento to Matera is the experience of a lifetime, considering this part of Italy is one of the most stunning places on Earth. But if you want to ensure you have an experience worth remembering, you might want to consider remembering the travel tips we've shared below.
### Plan sightseeing detours
Are you even on a road trip if you don't plan a few sightseeing stops? Italy is one of the best places to sightsee with its immersive culture, vast historical footprint, and delicious local cuisines. So if you plan to drive from Sorrento to Matera with Daytrip, our drivers have a few sightseeing detours that are a must-visit.
For example, we always recommend stopping at Pertosa Caves, where you can cast your gaze upon the underground river, and at the Crypt of the Original Sin, where you can see the first chapters of Genesis depicted on the back of the cave walls. Another notable stop is the Stabia Archeological Site, where you can explore luxury villas that used to be buried under volcanic ash.
### Always carry cash
While most cities and towns in Italy have been modernized in recent years and do accept card payments, it's still best to carry cash. This is especially true if you're planning a trip from Sorrento to Matera. Many of the shops and eateries in the towns along the way prefer cash, so carrying some will make your life easier and ensure you don't miss out on buying anything that catches your eye.
### Make sure you research the best time to visit
If you're planning to visit Matera alongside any of its nearby towns, it's important to research the best times to visit. The cities and towns in Italy have varying climates, and the weather can be unpredictable, so it's best to find out when Materaโand the other sightseeing stops you have plannedโis most likely to give you the best experience. To help you cut down on research time, we've shared the best time to visit Matera in the latter sections of this article.
How to get from Sorrento to Matera
The distance from Sorrento to Matera is about 150 miles (250 km), so it can take between three and seven and a half hours, depending on how you travel. Below, we've shared the different options available to give you a better idea of what to expect.
### From Sorrento to Matera by bus
Most people traveling on a very tight budget will want to consider taking a bus from Sorrento to Matera. Although this is logical thinking, and we hate to burst your bubble, it's important to know that bus travel isn't too cheap. In fact, bus travel can be more expensive than train travel, with far fewer amenities on offer.
Depending on your bus line, an average bus ticket costs between $33 and $57. Two bus lines offer trips between these two towns: Ente Autonomo Volturno and Flixbus. The Former offers trips once daily and the latter three times a day. But here's the kicker: you'll need to take the Ente Autonomo Volturno from Sorrento to Naples and then transfer to a Flixbus bus to get from Naples to Matera.
Although not too time-consuming, it can be a hassle and not the way you want to spend almost five hours.
### From Sorrento to Matera by train
If you want to take a train, it can be confusing since there are quite a few trips offered daily and several train lines. You also will likely need to complete a train transfer since there are not many direct train trips offered from Sorrento to Matera.
Usually, the best way to travel by train is to book a ticket with Ente Autonomo Volturno and take a trip from Sorrento to Naples. From Naples, you will complete a transfer and take a train with Trenitalia Intercity to Matera. Unfortunately, the entire journey can take up to seven hours with stopovers and transfer times. On the plus side, tickets are reasonably priced and start at $30.
### From Sorrento to Matera by private car service
Why put up with travel stresses and hassles when you don't have to? If you travel with a private car service like Daytrip you'll have a far more convenient trip when traveling from Sorrento to Matera.
Unlike when you travel by train or bus, you can choose your travel times and pick-up location. Daytrip offers door-to-door services; we'll handle your luggage and get you where you need to be without rushing, travel stress, or inconvenience. Our drivers know the routes and which to take to ensure you have the best trip experience possible with as many sightseeing stops as you can fit into your travel itinerary.
Prices per seat start at 78 euros, which isn't too much to pay, considering your journey will be tailored to suit your travel needs.
Things to do when you get to Matera
Now that you know how to get from Sorrento to Matera, it's time to think about what you will do when you get there. Since there are so many things to do in this little town, we have narrowed down the list to include only a few of the best attractions and landmarks. Let's have a look:
### Church of Saint Mary of Idris
One of the most unique churches you'll ever visit is the Church of Saint Mary of Idris. It might not be nearly as opulent or beautifully bedecked as other churches in Italy, but its ruggedness has a charming appeal.
It sits on a cliffside in Sassi Matera, known as Monterrone. Although tiny, the Church of Saint Mary of Idris is worth a walkthrough, and the viewpoints outside of the church make it worthwhile.
### Fontana Dell' Amore Statues and Viewpoint
If you're looking for a photo opportunity in the city with an interesting background, you need to head over to the Fontana Dell' Amore Statues and Viewpoint. These unique but charming statues tell the story of how young people used to fall in love in Matera.
The statues depict a young man waiting at a fountain and a beautiful girl approaching the fountain for some water. Together, they start a conversation, and the rest is history. After looking at the statues and your photos, you can see the Church of Saint Mary of Idris and San Pietro Caveoso.
### Murgia Materana Park
Hands down, one of the best things to do in Matera if you're an outdoor enthusiast hankering for hiking is to visit Murgia Materana Park.
This park offers eager adventurers much to see and do, from unique viewpoints and hiking trails to cave explorations and the sights of churches on the horizon. But just make sure you wear a comfy pair of shoes as some hill climbing is involved.
### Casa Grotta "C'era Una Voltaโ Antica Matera
Many visitors to Matera want to know what it was like to live in cave-carved abodes, and the town doesn't disappoint. For those who are interested, there is a cave house in the town that shows visitors exactly what a typical dwelling used to look like for families and their most valued animals. When visiting the cave home, expect to come across traditional furnishings and sculptures of people and donkeys that help you imagine what the living quarters were like.
When is the best time to visit Matera?
Since Matera is a town made up of caves carved into a canyon, it might be best not to visit during the winter if you're planning a trip from Sorrento to Matera. The winter brings cold, dreary weather and torrential downpours that make navigating the town safely a little tricky, even for the locals. But fear not, as you can visit during the spring or the fall.
Matera has mostly pleasant warm weather between March and June and September and December. There might be a rainy day or two, but it's nothing like winter. It's also significantly cooler than the almost insufferable heat the town sees during the summer, so it's worth considering visiting during these seasons. Not to mention, you won't come across hordes of travelers at these times, making it a far more intimate and enjoyable time to travel.
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Stabia Archeological Site
The remains of villas in this ancient Roman resort town show how the upper echelon lived 2000 years ago.ย Paradise Lostย
Pompeii
Walk the streets of an ancient Roman city that was frozen in time 2000 years ago by the violent eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.ย Flash Frozenย
Salerno
A bustling port at first glance, this ancient city offers visitors plenty to see, including medieval architecture, lush gardens, and an exceptional waterfront promenade.ย Port of Plentyย
Pertosa Caves
The stunning cave formations and underground river make a convincing backdrop for a local theatre groupโs rendition of Danteโs Inferno.ย Divine Depthsย
Potenza
Regularly rocked by earthquakes and rebellion, Italyโs highest regional capital has fought hard to maintain its cultural heritage.ย The Unshakeable Cityย
Crypt of the Original Sin
Accessible by reservation, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Sistine Chapel of cave art.ย The Cave of 100 Saintsย
