Move Over Rome! The World’s 3rd Oldest City Has Become Italy’s Trendiest Destination

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30 is the new 40, 40 is the new 50, 50 is the new 60 and so on and so forth — at least that’s what I tell myself as I slowly but surely creep up on the Big 4-0.

But the same concept applies to travel.

Seeing the world nowadays isn’t all about flashy new resorts and prompting AI to plan your vacation.

In fact, more travelers are turning back the clock rather than chasing shiny new things, and there’s no better example than where people are flocking in Italy right now…

Rather than waste valuable vacation time in Rome’s notorious long lines and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, the world’s third-oldest inhabited city is drawing more tourists for just that — tangible layers of history without sacrificing Italian delights we all crave through food, wine, and captivating sites.

Italy is one of the most awe-inspiring countries on Earth, but it’s not just the Colosseum, Venice canals, and Tuscany’s rolling vineyards that are luring travelers — it’s places still deeply rooted in their past, like the UNESCO-protected city of Matera, chock-full of ancient cave dwellings and old-world charm.

Matera: From Eyesore To Icon

Anyone who has travelled extensively has places in mind they’ll never go back to for one reason or another.

Believe it or not, ages ago, many would say Matera was the ultimate no-go zone. Riddled with poverty during postwar times, tourists are now saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.

Back then, many residents had no running water and even shared living quarters with livestock, such as goats and donkeys.

The proof is in the pudding, not only with tourism statistics and social media fame. Blockbuster films like The Passion of the Christ used Matera’s timeworn cityscape as their backdrop to depict Biblical times, and they didn’t need CGI to make up for any oversaturated corners with Starbucks and McDonald’s logos.

Mel Gibson may not be the most charming, but the maze of stone stairways and weathered corridors here in Matera surely are…

The town may be small, home to roughly 60,000 people, but you can wander for hours and be amazed by its preservation and character.

It may have stood the test of time, but one has to wonder if it will now stand the test of fame with extra foot traffic…

Matera’s Core Is UNESCO-Protected

However you choose to order pizza and cannolis is one thing, but there’s one word you will definitely want to learn on your trip to Matera:

Sassi (pronounced SAH-see).

The Sassi comprises the aforementioned cave dwellings and postcard churches. It’s unquestionably the most sought-after region of Matera.

UNESCO has taken the reins, keeping the Sassi’s historic fabric protected and preserved since 1993— and so far, so good.

According to TripAdvisor, one recent first-timer to Matera raved about their time here, stating “Matera is one of the most impressive cities I have ever visited. The old sassi, houses carved into the rocks, create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Walking through the narrow streets is like going back in time – each curve opens up a new view of stone houses and churches”.

Stay In A Cave

It’s safe to say Matera isn’t caving to pressure. Whether or not this city, dating back to the Paleolithic Era, is forced to embrace a tourism rush or not is one thing, but what we know for certain is that this is one of the most unique places in all of Europe to book a hotel (or Airbnb).

It’s true, travelers aren’t coming here just for walking tours and calling it a day — they’re actually basing their trips around where to stay.

Not all of Matera’s caves are livable. In fact, many are just cool photo ops at this point.

That said, some have been transformed into trendy boutique hotels, such as:

Best of all, you can score a great deal in the $100s per night, especially during winter and early spring.

Want to know our top pick?

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita earns the Travel Off Path stamp of approval. It’s easily the most unique stay because it feels less like a hotel and more like spending the night inside Matera’s ancient past — raw stone walls, candlelit rooms, and unparalleled romance.

But feel free to scour Airbnb, too, for privately owned cave homes with more attention to detail than hotels tend to offer.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.