Matera
town · Italy
Overview
Matera is a town in Italy.
Its population is roughly 60,000, on gently rising ground at about 401 m.
It lies in the northern hemisphere, in Europe.
The nearest airport is Bari Karol Wojtyła International Airport (BRI), about 54 km away.
Key facts
| Country | Italy |
|---|---|
| Population | 60,403 |
| Timezone | Europe/Rome |
| Elevation | 401 m |
| Nearest airport | Bari Karol Wojtyła International Airport (BRI), 54 km |
| Currency | EUR |
Where Matera is
Matera sits on higher ground in Italy, in the northern part of Europe.
Altamura lies about 18 km to the north, Gravina in Puglia lies about 23 km to the north-west and Santeramo in Colle lies about 19 km to the north-east.
Getting there
Most visitors arrive by air. Bari Karol Wojtyła International Airport (BRI) is the closest airport, about 54 km from Matera.
Alternative gateways include Brindisi Airport (BDS, 113 km); Foggia Gino Lisa Airport (FOG, 124 km).
Use the Find flights link to search live fares for your dates.
Find flights to Matera →arrives BRI (54.2 km away)
Getting around
The town is easy to cover on foot, with taxis handy for longer hops or reaching nearby spots.
Best time to visit
The climate here is broadly temperate (northern hemisphere): four clear seasons, with warm summers and cool-to-cold winters.
For most visitors the shoulder seasons — roughly April to June and September to October — offer warm-enough weather without the peak-summer crowds, while high summer (June to August) is busiest.
Reasons to visit
A few reasons Matera is worth your time: a handy base for the surrounding area, with several places within day-trip reach; straightforward access by air through BRI.
Day trips & nearby
Matera works well as a base. Within about 55 km you can reach Altamura (18 km to the north); Gravina in Puglia (23 km to the north-west); Santeramo in Colle (19 km to the north-east); Ginosa (16 km to the south-east); Bari (55 km to the north-east).
Good to know
The currency is the EUR (Euro).
The main languages spoken are Italian, German, French.
Clocks run on Europe/Rome time.
Traffic drives on the right.
How long to stay
Plan on 3–5 days here; that suits most visitors on a first trip.
Journeys through here
Where to stay in Matera
Hotels are booked on Booking.com (a third party, off this page). You book and pay them directly — Head Your Way is not the seller.
Getting around Matera
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Common questions
- What is the nearest airport to Matera?
- Bari Karol Wojtyła International Airport (BRI) is the closest airport, about 54 km away.
- When is the best time to visit Matera?
- Late spring to early autumn is usually the most reliable window.
- What is near Matera?
- Altamura is one of the closest places, about 18 km away, with others within day-trip range.
- Which country is Matera in?
- Matera is in Italy.
On the map
Keep exploring
Nearby places
More places in Italy
Similar destinations
Plan the wider trip
Sources & method
- GeoNames — population · retrieved 2026-09-18
- OurAirports (derived) — nearestAirports · retrieved 2026-09-18
Data compiled 2026-09-18 · editorial checks: passed. See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.