One Of The Cheapest Destinations In Italy For Tourists Is A Designated UNESCO Heritage Site With Great Wine And Food

Built atop a rugged mountainous landscape and home to unique dwellings carved from stone, Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Located in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, it is not only recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site but is perhaps best known for its Sassi, a labyrinth of homes and churches carved directly into the city's limestone cliffs. Over the decades, Matera has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from an impoverished region to a cultural travel destination praised for its unique architecture and scenic beauty.

Today, Matera charms visitors with stylish boutique hotels, striking scenery, incredible culinary traditions, and a slow-paced lifestyle that feels untouched by mass tourism. But best of all, Matera offers an unforgettable experience without the hefty price tag found in Italy's more well-known travel destinations. Whether you're planning a backpacking trip, or an luxury excursion through southern Italy, Matera offers a mix of affordability, history, and charm that's hard to find elsewhere.

It is no secret that certain Italian destinations can be costly. In fact, if you're not careful, it can drain your budget fast, especially when you consider you shouldn't spend more than 10% of your net income on a vacation. According to Budget Your Trip, a one-night hotel stay in Italy can range from $108 to $202, with prices in more touristy cities climbing to over $290 a night. Matera, however, offers a more affordable alternative without sacrificing luxury or charm. The average cost of accommodation in Matera is approximately $101 per night, with median prices around $94. During peak season, hotel prices can reach $188. However, even luxury travel is cheaper in Matera, with luxury hotels ranging from $152 a night during the off season up to $283 during peak season. All in, travelers spend an average of $700 on accommodations for an entire week in Matera, making it one of the country's best-value destinations.

While Matera does not have an airport you can directly fly into, getting to this historic city is still affordable. Luckily, Matera is not too far from Naples, one of the more budget-friendly cities to fly into in Italy — especially if you book a low-cost carrier. From there a bus ride to Matera will run you less than $20 and take about four hours. If you arrive from Rome, a scenic train ride along the Italian countryside will cost you $40, though it takes significantly more time. 

Matera's cuisine is as storied as its stone dwellings, offering various local dishes and regional wines. Situated in the southern heartland, Matera cuisine revolves heavily on wheat and grains, making pasta and bread absolute staples. For local dishes, the city is known for Cialledda, a bread and tomato salad made to repurpose stale bread, and Pane di Matera, a local bread made from re-ground semolina and/or durum wheat semolina. According to travel blog backpacks and bubbly, some of the best local restaurants include Trattoria Lucana and 900 Ristorante Casa Taccardi. If you're traveling to taste the regional wines, Matera produces six types of geographically designated wines made to specific regulations, offering plenty of options to sip and savor.

When it comes to sightseeing, no visit to Matera is complete without exploring the region's iconic Sassi. Carved into the limestone cliffs, these prehistoric cave dwellings date back to the Paleolithic era and have endured millennia. Over time, they have evolved into a complex network of homes, churches, monasteries, and cisterns, and are now beautifully preserved and open to the public. With its blend of affordability, history, and authentic southern Italian charm, Matera belongs on every budget traveler's bucket list.