Move over Rome! The third oldest city in the world has become Italy’s trendiest destination

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30 is the new 40, 40 is the new 50, 50 is the new 60 and so on and so forth – at least that’s what I’m telling myself as I slowly but surely creep up on the Big 4-0.

But the same concept applies to travel.

These days it’s not just about flashy new resorts and turning on AI to plan your vacation.

In fact, more and more travelers are turning back the clock instead of looking for shiny new things, and there’s no better example than where people en masse in Italy now…

Instead of wasting valuable vacation time in Rome’s notoriously long lines and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the world’s third-oldest inhabited city is attracting more tourists for just that: tangible layers of history without sacrificing the Italian pleasures we all crave through food, wine and captivating locations.

Italy is one of the most awe-inspiring countries in the world, but that’s not allThe Colosseum, the canals of Venice and the rolling vineyards of Tuscany that lure travelers – they’re places still deeply rooted in their past, like the UNESCO-listed city of Matera, packed with ancient cave dwellings and old-world charm.

Matera: from eyesore to icon

Anyone who has traveled extensively has places in mind that for one reason or another they will never return to.

Believe it or not, centuries ago many would say Matera was the ultimate no-go zone. Riddled with poverty during post-war times, tourists now say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.

Many residents then had no running water and even shared their living space with livestock such as goats and donkeys.

The proof is in the pudding, not just with the tourism statistics and social media fame. Blockbuster films like The Passion of the Christ used Matera’s worn cityscape as a backdrop to depict Biblical times, and they didn’t need CGI to offset the over-saturated corners with Starbucks and McDonald’s logos.

Mel Gibson may not be the most charming, but the maze of stone stairs and weathered corridors here in Matera certainly is…

The city may be small, with a population of around 60,000, but you can wander around for hours and be amazed by its preservation and character.

It may have stood the test of time, but you have to wonder if it will stand the test of time now with additional foot traffic…

The core of Matera is protected by UNESCO

However you order pizza and cannolis is one thing, but there’s one word you’ll definitely want to learn on your trip to Matera:

Sassi (pronounced SAH-see).

The Sassi includes the aforementioned cave houses and picture-postcard churches. It is without a doubt the most sought-after region of Matera.

UNESCO has taken the reins, protecting and preserving the historic fabric of the Sassi since 1993 – and so far, things are going well.

According to TripAdvisora recent first-time visitor to Matera raved about their time here, saying: “Matera is one of the most impressive towns I have ever visited. The ancient sassi, houses carved into the rocks, create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Walking through the narrow streets is like going back in time – every turn opens up a new view of stone houses and churches”.

Stay in a cave

It’s safe to say that Matera is not caving put pressure on. Whether or not this city, which dates back to the Paleolithic period, is forced to embrace a tourist bustle or not is one thing, but what we know for sure is that this is one of the most unique places in all of Europe. to book a hotel (or Airbnb).

It is true that travelers do not come here just for walking tours and do not end it; they actually base their trips on where they stay.

Not all of Matera’s caves are habitable. In fact, a lot of them are just cool photo ops at this point.

That said, some have been turned into trendy boutique hotels, such as:

Best of all, you can score a great deal for $100 a night, especially in winter and early spring.

Want to know our top pick?

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita deserves the Travel Off Path quality mark. It is without a doubt the most unique stay because it feels less like a hotel and more like staying overnight in Matera’s ancient past: raw stone walls, candlelit rooms and unparalleled romance.

But feel free to scour Airbnb as well, looking for privately owned cave homes with more attention to detail than hotels typically offer.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.