A tiny European city that was once one of the ‘poorest’ on the continent is well worth having on your radar according to travel insiders who’ve compared it to tourist hotspots
A tiny city made entirely of caves was once dubbed one of Europe’s ‘poorest’ destinations, but now has become a must-visit for any intrepid explorer.
Matera, in Italy, doesn’t draw in huge tourist crowds like other Italian hotspots, but insiders say it has ‘twice the atmosphere’ of the likes of Rome, even without the iconic landmarks. According to the travel experts at Ski Vertigo, it’s one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. “Once considered one of Europe’s poorest towns, Matera is now a UNESCO World Heritage site full of cave dwellings and ancient charm,” they explained.
Wander through Matera and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of a film, thanks to the ancient caves complex that make up the bulk of the city. Houses, churches, monasteries, shops and hermitages have all been built into the natural caves that make up the landscape, so it’s no surprise that the ancient location has received UNESCO World Heritage site status. The organisation has described Matera as “remarkable”, predominantly due to the preserved cave dwellings that offer a fascinating insight into how citizens lived thousands of years ago.
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Even the surroundings look like they’ve been lifted out of a picture book; think rolling green valleys, deep ravines, and impressive rock formations and caves making up the landscape. One Ski Vertigo insider added: “A weekend here feels cinematic. You’ll spend less than in Rome, and get twice the atmosphere.”
Nowadays you can explore the vast complex thanks to a series of guided tours, not to mention countless museums offering insights into the area. There are countless sightseeing spots from which you can take in epic views of both the city and landscape, but this is definitely the kind of destination where you’re going to be getting those steps in, so make sure you don some sturdy shoes!
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You can also find plenty of ‘cave hotels’ in the city if you want to make a mini break out of it, but don’t worry, these aren’t just bare caves with a camp bed on the ground; instead you’ll find modern hotels with all of the amenities you could want for a comfortable stay.
Because it’s so tiny and also nestled in the Italian countryside, your best bet to visit is to fly to either Rome or Naples, both of which have easy transport links across to Matera via train or coach. Foodies may want to keep Naples on their radar as it was recently named Europe’s cheapest destination for an Aperol Spritz, not to mention it’s the birthplace of pizza so you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to sampling that classic Italian fare. In fact, food was just one of the reasons why Naples was recently ranked as one of Europe’s best weekend breaks earlier this year, with visitors praising it for being “both chaotic and cultured” as well as “opulent and gritty”.