2Day 4: Matera – The City of Caves
On Day 4, venture inland to the ancient city of Matera in the region of Basilicata. Known for its remarkable Sassi di Matera, cave dwellings carved into limestone cliffs, Matera is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. The drive from Sorrento to Matera takes about 3 hours, offering scenic views of Southern Italy’s rolling hills and olive groves.
Once in Matera, take a guided tour of the Sassi, where you’ll explore ancient homes, churches, and monasteries carved into the rock. Some of these caves date back over 9,000 years and were still inhabited until the mid-20th century. Matera’s unique beauty has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list and made it a popular filming location for movies like “The Passion of the Christ” and “No Time to Die.”
In the evening, enjoy dinner at a ristorante nestled within the cave dwellings, where traditional dishes like orecchiette pasta with wild greens and peperoni cruschi (crispy peppers) are served.
