Buy Property in Matera: Homes in the City of the Sassi

The Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso are the two main historic districts, and living there means steep stepped lanes, thick stone walls and limited car access. Many buildings have been restored into boutique hotels and holiday rentals, which makes Matera popular with investors who want tourist income. Above the ravine, the Piano district has elegant 18th- and 19th-century palazzi and the main shopping streets, while the post-war neighbourhoods like Serra Venerdì and Lanera are cheaper and more practical for year-round residents.

Matera has no airport of its own. Bari's airport is roughly an hour's drive away, and Matera's rail connections are limited, so most owners rent a car. The city was European Capital of Culture in 2019, raising its profile with film crews and travellers, though visitor numbers are seasonal and the wider Basilicata economy is small.

• Heritage rules. Properties in the historic centre are subject to conservation controls. Changes to facades, windows or interiors often need approval from the local authority and heritage office.
• Check cadastral status. Cave properties sometimes have unclear boundaries or classifications. A geometra should verify that the registered layout matches reality.
• Cost the renovation. Get a written quote from a local builder before you sign the preliminary contract.
• Short-let rules. Italy requires registration and a national identification code for holiday lets, and local rules can change.
• Taxes. Registration tax, notary fees and agent commission apply. Rates differ between primary and second homes, so verify them locally.

For the full legal sequence, read our Italy buying guide. If you need a loan, our Italy mortgage guide explains what Italian banks ask of non-residents. You can also test repayments in the mortgage calculator.

Matera is in the south, so Bari, the larger port city with the nearest airport, is the natural comparison. Also see Campobasso and Cosenza for other southern options, or Rome for the capital. The whole country is on property for sale in Italy, and budget buyers should check property under €100k in Italy.