Matera's Sassi district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to cave hotels carved directly into the ancient limestone. These accommodations range from three-star options like Locanda Di San Martino to luxury properties such as Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa. Expect stone-walled rooms, modern amenities like free WiFi and air conditioning, and often a private terrace overlooking the canyon. Budget for rates starting around $100 per night for mid-range hotels and exceeding $300 for premium suites. Note that most cave hotels are in restricted traffic zones-parking is available at partner lots a short walk away.
Top-rated properties include Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita (exceptional 9.6 rating), where rooms are set in caves with antique furnishings and a panoramic terrace over the Murgia National Park. Palazzo Gattini offers a spa in former cisterns with a thermal pool, while Sant'Angelo is a diffuse hotel with rooms in a maze of caves near Piazza San Pietro Caveoso. All provide a restaurant or bar, and many serve breakfast using local ingredients. Ideal for history enthusiasts and couples, these hotels immerse guests in Matera's prehistoric past without sacrificing contemporary comfort.