Matera by private jet: the Sassi, cave hotels and access

Matera and its Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Matera is built around two cave districts, the Sasso Caveoso and the Sasso Barisano, carved into the limestone over the centuries. Inhabited since the Palaeolithic, the city is among the oldest human settlements in Italy. The Sassi and the park of rupestrian churches that surrounds them have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, the first in southern Italy to receive the designation.

Matera's story is also one of revival. Branded a "national shame" in the 1950s because of its insanitary living conditions, the Sassi were evacuated and their inhabitants rehoused. Long deserted, the city has since been restored and turned into a place of hotels, restaurants and culture. Matera was even European Capital of Culture in 2019, a recognition that confirmed its renaissance.

What to see in Matera

The visit begins with the lanes of the Sassi, best explored on foot, and with the Casa Grotta, a restored cave-house that recreates life as it once was, family and animals under the same roof. The Cathedral overlooks the old town, and the Belvedere di Murgia Timone, across the ravine, offers the most famous view of the whole site.

Matera also has around 150 rupestrian churches. The most remarkable, the Cripta del Peccato Originale, nicknamed "the Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art" for its 8th and 9th-century frescoes, can be visited in the Murgia park. Beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the Palombaro Lungo, a vast cistern hewn from the rock, reflects the city's ingenuity in the face of water scarcity.

Matera on screen

Matera's mineral setting has made it a sought-after filming location. The city appears in the James Bond film No Time to Die, released in 2021, with its chase through the lanes, as well as in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ and in Ben-Hur, where it often stands in for ancient Jerusalem. It was Pier Paolo Pasolini who, as early as 1964, revealed its cinematic potential with The Gospel According to St Matthew.

Where to stay: sleeping in a luxury cave

Matera is where luxury and authenticity meet best: you sleep in the caves themselves, restored with restraint. Several addresses embody the experience:

• Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita: an albergo diffuso of 18 rooms set in the Civita caves, facing the Murgia park, in a spirit of minimalist conservation.
• Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa: a five-star property in the Sasso Caveoso, with a spa and pool carved into the rock.
• Sant'Angelo Luxury Resort: a cave resort on Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
• Palazzo Gattini: on the Cathedral square, an alternative in an aristocratic palazzo, for those who prefer grandeur to the cave setting.

Dining and the flavours of Basilicata

Gastronomy carries the experience forward. Set in a cave in the heart of the Sassi, the restaurant Vitantonio Lombardo holds one Michelin star (2026 Guide) and is the city's leading starred table. Dimora Ulmo, in an 18th-century palazzo, and Baccanti, beneath vaulted stone, round out the finest addresses.

On the local front, do not miss pane di Matera IGP, a durum-wheat semolina bread, peperoni cruschi, dried and crisp sweet peppers, regional pasta such as orecchiette and cavatelli, and Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata's great red wine.

Reaching Matera by private jet: Bari airport

Matera has no airport, and nor does the rest of Basilicata. The natural gateway is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (code BRI), in Puglia, about 65 kilometres and under an hour by road from the Sassi, with dedicated business-aviation handling. Grottaglie-Taranto and Brindisi airports are alternatives, with no real advantage for a Matera stay.

From Europe, allow about 1h45 to 2h of flight between Paris and Bari, around 1h30 to 1h45 from Geneva and 2h15 to 2h30 from London, depending on the aircraft and the winds. You can review the suitable categories in our aircraft fleet.

Planning your stay with IBC Aviation

As an independent broker, IBC Aviation compares the aircraft available on the market and arranges your entire trip to or from Matera: the flight to Bari, then the ground transfers to the Sassi. You can discover our approach on our private jet charter page and browse all of our private jet destinations.

Private jet charter with IBC Aviation:

Our teams advise you on the aircraft best suited to your itinerary and your needs, and arrange your trip to Matera. Available 24/7:

• France: +33 1 41 69 88 88
• Switzerland: +41 22 880 28 88
• Dubai: +971 55 303 5161
• Bangkok: +66 81 808 2866
• Email: contact@ibc-aviation.com

Frequently asked questions

Which airport for a private jet to Matera?

Matera has no airport. The primary gateway is Bari Karol Wojtyła (BRI), about 65 km and under an hour by road from the Sassi, with dedicated business-aviation handling. Grottaglie-Taranto (TAR) and Brindisi (BDS) are alternatives.

Why is Matera famous?

For its Sassi, cave dwellings carved into the rock, inhabited for nearly 9,000 years and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Matera was also European Capital of Culture in 2019.

What to see in Matera?

The two Sassi districts (Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano), the Casa Grotta cave-house, the Cathedral, the Belvedere di Murgia Timone viewpoint, the rupestrian churches including the Cripta del Peccato Originale, and the Palombaro Lungo underground cistern.

Where to stay in the Sassi of Matera?

In cave hotels such as Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa or Sant'Angelo Luxury Resort. Palazzo Gattini offers an alternative in a historic palazzo.

How long is a private flight from Paris to Bari?

About 1h45 to 2h, for a distance of roughly 1,400 km. Allow around 1h30 to 1h45 from Geneva and 2h15 to 2h30 from London.

Is there a Michelin-starred restaurant in Matera?

Yes. Vitantonio Lombardo, set in a cave in the Sassi, holds one Michelin star (2026 Guide) and is the city's leading starred restaurant.