The Ultimate Instagram Guide to Matera

Matera Italy is easily one of the most photogenic cities in the world, and makes a great backdrop for incredible photos for Instagram.  With all the charms of classic Italy, and the historical significance of this ravine side town, Matera is a can’t miss place for any photographer, no matter your skill.  After spending 36 hours in this magical city, I have compiled a list of some of the most Instagram worthy spots to snag a photo on your visit to Matera.  Join me as I take you through Matera, providing locations of where you can find all of these places, as well as the photos I was able to take during my trip!

Looking out over the beauty that is Matera, Italy

Palombaro Lungho

On paper, this spot sounds boring and like an easy to skip spot, being a giant cistern dug in the ground in the middle of town.  What words cannot tell you, photos can.  This place is beyond comprehension.  Climb underground and walk the metal catwalks that float just above water to see how big this cistern is, and how much work went into excavating and preserving this treasure.  Be prepared to use long exposure times, and to hold really still for photos.

This place is such a hidden gem, and a relief from the summer sun on a hot day!

Overlooking Church of Saint Peter Caveoso

This location needs only one word. STUNNING.  A cobblestone street leads up to a church that seemingly protrudes out from the side of a ravine, and is backlit by the opposite side of the gravina.  With a beautiful square in front of the church, there are tons of places to snap some photos.  But don’t be afraid to walk around a bit, this church is beautiful from all sides.

Via Madonna delle Virtu

The busiest street in all of old Matera, this road is seriously charming, beautiful, and picturesque.  Not many cars drive along the road, so photography is easy here.  Not only do you have a beautiful backdrop, but you are also spared hurdles while capturing gorgeous moments.

The gorgeous cobblestone street leading up to the church

Church of Saint Mary Idris

One of the most rugged churches I have ever witnessed, the church of Saint Mary of Idris should not be missed.  This church was literally dug out of rock, and makes for a breathtaking backdrop for a few photos.

The view of the city from in front of the Church of Saint Mary Idris

Belvedere Murgia Timone

I am not a hiker in the slightest imagination of the word, but this hike was well worth the views.  Requiring about an hour hiking round trip, this location is mostly flat hiking, with a little bit of scaling boulders to get into a few caves.  Directly across from Matera proper, this area is a series of former cave dwellings that make for beautiful arches and photo frames for the intrepid traveler, and the most dedicated of photographers.

To know people used to live in this cave and see this same view thousands of years ago is such a thrill for a history buff!

Sextantio

The peak of luxury in Matera, Sextantio is the premier hotel in the city, and provides a beautiful experience while visiting Matera (read about my experience).  What used to be a church and animal stalls carved out of the rocks in the ravine now makes up all of the rooms of the hotel, as well as the on-site restaurant.  With sweeping views of the gravina on which Matera sits, this hotel not only has beautiful views, but also beautiful rooms with a heavy nod to their history.

One of my most magical stays, ever!

Arturo’s

While it may seem odd to include a sandwich counter in a list of most Instagrammable places in a city, hold tight while I explain.  Situated in a small square where people in the city congregate to eat and drink every day, Arturo’s has high top tables set up under yellow and red umbrellas.  Serving up deliciously healthy, yet beautiful sandwiches and salads, Arturo’s is a great place to eat in Matera while visiting and snap a few pictures of the food that looks as good as it tastes!

One of the best caprese salads I have ever had!

Cattedrale di Maria Santissima della Bruna e Sant’Eustachio (church)

This church is such an amazing backdrop for any photo, let alone standing on its own.  What I love the most about this church is that it is a towering building made of white stone, with a giant watch tower that looks out over the entire sassi.  On a bright, sunny day, you can stand at the base of this church, see clouds racing behind the enormity of this building, and being backdropped by a beautiful blue sky.  Stand on the steps of the cathedral and use a wide-angle lens to get a perfect view and photo with the entire building.

This piazza is a shockingly quiet corner of Matera if you need a moment to slow down and enjoy Italy for a bit

Cattedrale di Maria Santissima della Bruna e Sant’Eustachio (evening)

I know what you’re thinking, that I already put this spot on the list.  However, the church and adjoining piazza are two totally different places in day and night.  During the day, the square is bustling with people checking out the cathedral, and taking a break from climbing the thousands of steps leading around the sassi.  At night, the area turns into a romantic lookout spot to see the sassi of Matera lit up and glowing variations of orange and yellow.  Local musicians will play their instruments for spare change, and only a fraction of travelers know to come back at night.  Make sure to make the stop at least one night to take in the view, snag a photo, and enjoy this gorgeous Italian city.

Same piazza 6 hours later

Church of Saint John the Baptist

A great little piazza just northeast of Palombargo Lungo holds a beautiful little church called Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, or Church of Saint John the Baptist.  Austere in style, this church is a great little stop while scaling the steps of the sassi of Matera, and makes for a great photo opportunity along the way.

So beautiful and tucked away from the main squares of Matera

Via S Rocco (water pump near Le Esperedi Hotel)

This spot isn’t on any single must-see guide or in any guide book on the area.  Nope, I found this one on my own, and by the end of my photo session, the spot had drawn quite a crowd, seeing what I saw in the tucked away corner.  Simply a corner that overlooks Matera directly across the sassi from the cathedral with the watch tower, this view offers an incredible spot to appreciate Matera and play with lenses and photography.  You will find it when you have found a corner of a stone wall with a water pump coming up out of the ground.  Quiet and tucked away, I would be willing to bet that most other travelers will not have a photo from this vantage point.

The best viewpoint in the whole city!

Matera is one of the most stunning cities I have ever visited, and had a magic to it I cannot put into words, only photos.  Make sure to spend time in this wonderful city, and bring all of your photo equipment to capture some truly remarkable views in this tiny ravine-side town.