Matera is one of the most photogenic cities in Italy. One of the best things to do in Matera is to stroll along the city streets and visit the viewpoints of the stone dwellings and churches that cover its hillsides. In this guide, we cover where you can get the best views of Matera with practical information so you can get the same photos.
Best Views of Matera
In no particular order, here are the best views of Matera. At the end of this guide, you can see all of them on a map.
1. Tre Archi
Tre Archi is one of the most popular viewpoints of Matera. At this spot, there are two different places to get a view of the old town.
Tre Archi, which also goes by the longer name of Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio detto dei Tre Archi, is located next to Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
From the piazza, walk through the triple archway (Tre Archi) to a terrace to get this view:
The second viewpoint is a bit lower. From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, walk down the steps like you are going to enter Palombaro Lungo, walk through the triple archway to another terrace, and this is the view you get:
2. Annunziata 1735
You can get one of the best views of Matera from a pizzeria.
This restaurant, Annunziata 1735, is located on top of Palazzo dell’Annunziata, which is on Piazza Vittorio Veneto. You can get a table up against the windows for a wonderful view over the piazza and Sassi di Matera.
The view from Annunziata 1735 | Best Views of Matera
You will need to dine here to get this view…you aren’t permitted to simply walk in and snap a photo. On the menu is typical Lucanian cuisine and pizza. We ate here and the food is decent but a little pricey, but part of what you are paying for is the view.
Check the hours of operation and the menu on the official website.
3. Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli
This is another very popular photo spot in Matera. From here, you get a panoramic view of the old town. It’s free to visit and takes just a few minutes of your time. It is located in Casalnuovo, not far from the next photo point on our list.
Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli
4. From Casalnuovo
Casalnuovo is a neighborhood of Matera that sits outside of the older, historic town (Sassi di Matera). From the streets in this part of town, as well as from a few hotels in this area, you get a sweeping view of Sassi di Matera.
This viewpoint is located farther out from town, so it takes a little extra walking to get here, but what you get is one of the best panoramic views of Matera.
The photo above was taken on Rione Casalnuovo, near Convicinio di Sant’Antonio. Here are the GPS coordinates if you want the exact spot: 40°39’43.158″ N 16°36’45.102″ E.
5. Fontana dell’Amore Statues
This viewpoint gives you one of the best views of the Rock Church (the Church of Saint Mary of Idris) and San Pietro Caveoso.
Fontana dell’Amore Statues
These statues are located at the intersection of Via Muro and Via San Giacomo. They tell the story of how young people would fall in love in Matera. The young men would wait at a fountain for a girl to approach and then he would start a conversation with her.
6. From the Rock Church
Visiting the Rock Church is one of best things to do in Matera. It sits on a cliffside in Sassi Matera and from this church, there are two places to get wonderful views of Matera.
The first viewpoint is from the terrace that sits next to the entrance into the church. From here, you get an awesome view of Sassi di Matera.
View from the terrace of the Rock Church
The second viewpoint is located behind the church. Facing the entrance into the Rock Church, walk around the right side of the church. There will be a sidewalk and steps that wrap around the backside of the Rock Church. From this terrace, you look down onto San Pietro Caveoso and the ravine. Here is the view:
Both viewpoints are free to visit and open all day. You can also visit the inside of the church for a small fee.
7. Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
San Pietro Caveoso (aka Chiesa di San Pietro Caveoso) sits next to the Church of Saint Mary of Idris. It is also perched on the edge of a cliff and from the piazza that sits in front of it, Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, you also get a great view of the Matera ravine and old town.
The view from Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
The view of Murgia Materana Park from Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
8. Murgia Materana Park
For one of the most unique views of Matera, be sure to visit Murgia Materana Park. With multiple caves to visit, you can take some creative photos of the old town.
To get to these caves, you will have to do some hiking. It’s a short, downhill hike into the ravine, where you will cross the river on a suspension bridge. Then it is an uphill hike to get to the caves.
For more details on what to expect on this hike, take a look at our article Best Things to Do in Matera.
Once you make it to the opposite hillside, the trail leads into multiple caves. Have fun filling your camera’s memory card from the hiking trail and the caves that sit along this hillside.
The view from Murgia Materana Park | Best Views of Matera
9. Belvedere Murgi Timone
For one of the best panoramic views of Matera, visit Belvedere Murgi Timone. This viewpoint is located on the top of the hill of Murgia Materana Park. It is higher than the caves you just visited from the hiking trail.
Belvedere Murgi Timone
To get here on foot, continue the hike by following the trails to the top of the hill. If you have a car, you can drive to this spot. There is a parking lot on top of the hill and from the lot, it is a 1 to 2-minute walk to this photo spot.
This photo point was also where the crucifixion of Christ was filmed in the movie The Passion of Christ.
10. Gradoni Sant’Antonio
This viewpoint is more about getting a view of the cobblestoned streets and the Matera Cathedral, rather than getting a panoramic view of town.
Gradoni Sant’Antonio is located on Via Tre Corone near Piazza del Sedile. From the piazza, cross Via Duomo, and look for the passageway/tunnel that leads downhill via a set of steps. It is labeled with a walking sign for the Sassi. At the bottom of the steps, look to your right and you will see the Matera Cathedral.
Via Tre Corone is a narrow, pedestrian street that runs past homes and has some nice views of the old town, so if you have the time, this is a picturesque street to walk along.
11. The Terrace near Casa Cava
This viewpoint, and the next few that I will mention, are all clustered together. Even though they are located near one another, they each offer a slightly different view, so they each deserve a mention.
I took the photo below from a small terrace that sits one level higher than Casa Cava. This part of Matera is a maze of small streets, terraces, and stone buildings, and part of the fun of visiting this area is for the amazing views of the old town topped with the Matera Cathedral.
Here are the GPS coordinates of this photo spot: 40°40’06.8″N 16°36’32.9″E
12. Crialoss Bistro
For drinks or dinner with one of the best views of Matera, put Crialoss on your list. From this small, outdoor terrace, you get a similar view as the one just mentioned, but you can enjoy the view with a cocktail, glass of wine, or small plate of food. To do this, we recommend making a reservation in advance, because seating is limited.
Crialoss
13. Best Sunset View of Matera
For a very similar view of Matera from Crialoss, visit the terrace that sits on top of the Church of San Pietro Barisano. From this spot, you get amazing sunset views of Matera (this is our favorite view of Matera). Here are the GPS coordinates: 40°40’07.7″N 16°36’33.3″E
Best sunset view of Matera
The terrace
The same viewpoint in the afternoon
14. The Convent of Saint Agostino
This convent and church are about a 5-minute walk from Crialoss and the sunset terrace just mentioned. From the terrace that sits in front of the church, you get another fabulous panoramic view of Sassi di Matera.
Convent of Saint Agostino view
15. The Quarry Resort Lounge
This is another place to enjoy the view while dining on small plates of food or drinking a cocktail.
The outdoor terrace of the Quarry Resort overlooks the Rock Church and Murgia Materana Park. They serve wine and cocktails as well as meat and cheese boards, bruschetta, and salads. The view isn’t quite as good as from Crialoss, but this is a great spot for an aperitif before dinner (nearby we recommend Vitantonio Lombardo Ristorante and Regiacorte, which also has very nice views from the outdoor terrace).
Quarry Resort Lounge
Our Favorite Views of Matera
If you have limited time in Matera and can only visit a few spots, we narrowed down the list to our favorite views of Matera:
- From Crialoss and/or the sunset terrace
- Murgia Materana Park
- Fontana dell’Amore statues
- Tre Archi
- From the Terrace near Casa Cava
Best Views of Matera: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each viewpoint. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the sunset in Matera?
The best place to watch the sunset in Matera is from the terrace that sits on top of the Church of San Pietro Barisano (GPS coordinates: 40°40’07.7″N 16°36’33.3″E). You can also get great sunset views of Matera from Crialoss Bistro, Belvedere di Piazza Giovanni Pascoli, and from the Tre Archi viewpoints.
How much time do I need in Matera?
At a minimum, plan to spend one full day in Matera, you can stroll through the old town, visit a few of the top sights, including the cave churches and grottoes, explore Murgia Materana Park, and have lunch and dinner in town.
If you can, plan to spend at least one night in Matera. This city is beautiful at sunset and lovely to stroll through when it is illuminated at night.
What are the best things to do in Matera?
There is a long list of things to do in Matera, but the top experiences include visiting a cave house, strolling the streets of Sassi di Matera, visiting the Matera Cathedral and the Rock Church, exploring the caves in Murgia Materana Park, watching the sunset, sleeping in a cave, and having lunch or dinner in Matera’s fantastic restaurants.
Is Matera worth visiting?
Absolutely. Matera is one of Italy’s most interesting cities to visit, with its long, rich history, beautiful streets to explore, cave hotels, and long list of restaurants. It is a bit out of the way from other popular places in Italy to visit, but that helps keep crowds low.
If you have any questions about the best views of Matera, or if you want to share your favorite spots, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information for Your Trip to Italy
MATERA: Matera is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy. Here is a list of the best things to do in Matera and where to eat in Matera.
ITALY ITINERARY: On this 10 day southern Italy itinerary, visit the Amalfi Coast, Castelmezzano, Matera, Alberobello, and more towns in Puglia.
BASILICATA: Basilicata is a region in southern Italy. Read our guide on the best things to do in Matera and how to visit Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa and do the Angel’s Flight zipline.
PUGLIA: Read about 15 beautiful places to visit in Puglia, the best things to do in Alberobello, and check out our Alberobello Walking Tour. We also have a guide to the best things to do on the Gargano Peninsula and how to spend one day in Vieste.
ROME: For a list of the top experiences in Rome, read our article Best Things to Do in Rome. Learn how to put these together in our 2 Day Rome Itinerary and 3 day Rome Itinerary. And don’t miss our guides to the Best Views of Rome, best Rooftop Bars in Rome, and our Rome Restaurant Guide.
BEST OF ITALY: In our guide to the Best Places to Visit in Italy, we list 25 beautiful destinations to consider for your next trip to Italy.
We have TONS more information about Italy in our Italy Travel Guide, including Rome, Florence, Venice, Tuscany, the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, the Cinque Terre, Basilicata, and Puglia.
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