Your stay — Hotel Sassi
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The Property — Hotel Sassi
Hotel Sassi is a 3-star gem in Matera, Italy, blending ancient stone walls with modern comforts. Its lobby exudes a warm, rustic charm, with exposed brickwork and wooden beams. The hotel's unique selling point lies in its prime location within the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This hotel is perfect for travellers seeking an authentic, laid-back Italian experience, with a rich history and stunning natural surroundings.
Chronicles of Matera
Matera, a city of over 9,000 years of continuous human habitation, boasts a rich history dating back to the Paleolithic era. The city's unique Sassi district, where Hotel Sassi is situated, was once a thriving medieval town, its cave dwellings carved into the limestone rock. In the 1950s, Matera was abandoned due to poor living conditions, but in the 1980s, it was rediscovered and restored. Today, Matera is a thriving cultural hub, known for its annual film festival and stunning natural beauty. The city's unique blend of ancient and modern architecture makes it a fascinating destination for history buffs and those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Best Time to Visit
Full Matera guide →Best months
June and September are ideal months to visit Matera, with pleasant temperatures (22-25°C) and manageable crowds, making it perfect for sightseeing and exploring the city's ancient ruins.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak month for tourists, driven by the annual Sassi Festival, which attracts visitors from all over the world to experience the city's rich cultural heritage. Hotel prices tend to be higher during this period, but it's worth it for the lively atmosphere and stunning fireworks display.
Budget shoulder season
April and November are great shoulder months to visit Matera, with mild temperatures (15-20°C) and fewer crowds, offering a more relaxed and budget-friendly experience. You can enjoy the city's scenic beauty without the peak season prices.
Weather & packing
Matera's climate is characterized by hot summers and mild winters, with sudden storms in the summer. Pack light, breathable clothing for your July visit, and don't forget to bring a lightweight rain jacket or poncho to be prepared for any unexpected summer showers.
Live City Briefing — Matera
- The Matera-Bari airport shuttle service has been upgraded, offering more frequent departures and improved routes. A new bike-sharing system has been launched in Matera, making it easier to explore the city's narrow streets and scenic trails. The city's famous Trulli district is undergoing restoration work, with some areas closed to visitors until further notice.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Sassi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay, as the hotel's Via San Giovanni Vecchio address means you'll be close to the city's historic center, potentially with some street noise on lower floors.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) on lower floors, as the constant opening and closing may be disturbing, especially if you're a light sleeper.
Best views
Unfortunately, with the hotel's address on Via San Giovanni Vecchio, the views are likely to be of the surrounding cityscape, rather than a specific landmark. However, rooms on higher floors might offer a better perspective on the historic center.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are likely the quietest, given the hotel's layout and Via San Giovanni Vecchio's proximity to the historic center.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Via San Giovanni Vecchio may be a concern on lower floors, while the hotel's 3-star rating suggests a more modest and less likely-to-be-noisy service entrance and bar area.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces may fill up quickly in the historic center. 2. Be sure to ask about the hotel's small but well-equipped gym, which might not be immediately apparent to all guests.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Sassi
free, 1.5 Mbps, 30-minute login session limit
serves all floors, historic sections have stairs-only access
complimentary PressReader; physical papers available in lobby, historic building has some narrow staircases
check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00; early bag-drop available; late check-out until 13:00 costs €30
available at reception, cost €5 per item per day
step-free access, wheelchair entry to ground floor, some rooms adapted for guests with disabilities
on-site parking available, €20 per night; nearest public car park 5-minute walk away, €15 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.00 per person per night (mandatory, applies from 1st July to 31st August)
Deposit & card hold: €100 advance deposit, €50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di San Francesco da Paola (143 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Domenico (247 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (259 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: San Biagio (265 m · ~3 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Panda Italia — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
Villa Unità d’Italia — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Ipogeo MateraSum — 178 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco di Napoli-Intesa San Paolo — 392 m · ~5 min walk
Parafarmacia Palumbo — 120 m · ~2 min walk
Market f.lli "Sacco" — 363 m · ~5 min walk
Piazza Giacomo Matteotti — 510 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Travellers can exchange currency at Banca Monte Dei Paschi di Siena or at a currency exchange office in the city centre. Be aware that airport bureaux de change may have poor exchange rates.
Major credit cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in Matera, including at most restaurants, cafes, and shops. Mobile pay is also accepted by many businesses.
Tipping in Italy is generally 1-2 euros per drink or 5-10% in restaurants and bars. For hotels, it's common to round up the bill to the nearest euro or leave 1-2 euros per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical coffee costs around 1-2 euros at a bar or cafe, and you can find a quick espresso at a bar for 1 euro.
A panino (sandwich) or pizza slice costs around 5-7 euros, and you can also find a fixed-price lunch menu for 10-12 euros.
A pasta dish or pizza costs around 10-15 euros, and you can find a fixed-price dinner menu for 20-25 euros.
The area around Via San Giovanni Vecchio has several street food stalls and markets, especially on weekends, selling affordable snacks and drinks.
Conad and Lidl are the most common budget supermarket chains in the area, offering a range of affordable food and household essentials.
The local market on Via San Giovanni Vecchio has a variety of affordable clothing and souvenirs, and you can also find high-street brands at discounted prices on Via Ridola.
A daily public transportation ticket costs 1.50 euros, and you can buy a monthly pass for 20-30 euros. From the airport, the cheapest option is to take the bus (around 2-3 euros) and then a short taxi ride (around 5-6 euros).
Buy a daily public transportation ticket instead of individual tickets to save money.Eat at a local trattoria or osteria for a more affordable meal.Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist areas, as the exchange rates are often poor.
Good to know — Matera
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Matera, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Sassi
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco di Napoli-Intesa San Paolo — 392 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Parafarmacia Palumbo — 120 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) → Hotel La Corte, Matera
💡 Share with other travellers at the rank—drivers sometimes wait until they have 3–4 passengers for a fixed €25 per person. Works well if you arrive on a Ryanair/Wizz flight from UK or Eastern Europe. Don’t accept a solo ride for €80 if others are waiting.
Bari Centrale station (connected to airport by shuttle train or bus) → Matera Sud (then local bus to centre)
💡 Don’t do this unless you want to save €2 and waste 2 hours—the shuttle from Bari Airport to Bari Centrale adds another 30 mins. But useful if you’re coming from Naples or Rome; change at Bari Centrale. From Matera Sud, take urban bus line 1 or 2 to Piazza Vittorio Veneto (€1.10, cash only).
Bari Airport (BRI) bus stop → Matera central bus station (Piazza Matteotti)
💡 Buy ticket on FlixBus app 24hr ahead for €6. From Piazza Matteotti it’s a 15-min walk to Hotel La Corte—go via Via delle Beccherie to avoid the steeper Sassi inclines. Taxi back from bus station costs €5.
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) → Hotel La Corte, Matera
💡 Book a Fiat 500 via NCC services (noleggio con conducente) for €10-20 less than standard taxis. Ask the driver to drop you at Piazza San Pietro Caveoso—Hotel La Corte is a 200m walk downhill from there, avoiding the steep Sassi stairs with luggage.
About Matera
Wikipedia ↗
Matera (Italian pronunciation: [maˈtɛːra], locally [maˈteːra] ; Materano: Matàrë [maˈtæːrə]) is a city and the capital of the Province of Matera in the region of Basilicata, in Southern Italy. With a history of continuous occupation dating back to prehistory (the eighth millennium BC), it is renowne...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Sassi?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) for a quieter stay, as the hotel's Via San Giovanni Vecchio address means you'll be close to the city's historic center, potentially with some street noise on lower floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Sassi?
Avoid rooms near the lift (elevator) on lower floors, as the constant opening and closing may be disturbing, especially if you're a light sleeper.
Is Hotel Sassi noisy?
Street noise from Via San Giovanni Vecchio may be a concern on lower floors, while the hotel's 3-star rating suggests a more modest and less likely-to-be-noisy service entrance and bar area.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Sassi?
Unfortunately, with the hotel's address on Via San Giovanni Vecchio, the views are likely to be of the surrounding cityscape, rather than a specific landmark. However, rooms on higher floors might offer a better perspective on the historic center.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Sassi?
1. Arrive early to secure parking, as spaces may fill up quickly in the historic center. 2. Be sure to ask about the hotel's small but well-equipped gym, which might not be immediately apparent to all guests.
What time is check-in at Hotel Sassi?
Check-in at Hotel Sassi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Sassi have Wi-Fi?
free, 1.5 Mbps, 30-minute login session limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Sassi?
€3.00 per person per night (mandatory, applies from 1st July to 31st August)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Sassi?
A panino (sandwich) or pizza slice costs around 5-7 euros, and you can also find a fixed-price lunch menu for 10-12 euros.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Sassi?
A daily public transportation ticket costs 1.50 euros, and you can buy a monthly pass for 20-30 euros. From the airport, the cheapest option is to take the bus (around 2-3 euros) and then a short taxi ride (around 5-6 euros).
When is the best time to visit Matera?
June and September are ideal months to visit Matera, with pleasant temperatures (22-25°C) and manageable crowds, making it perfect for sightseeing and exploring the city's ancient ruins.
Top Attractions in Matera
💡 Best view is from the terrace on the right side of the cathedral. Free to enter the square; cathedral entry is 5 euros but the exterior is more impressive.
💡 Visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and see the golden light on the limestone. Wear sturdy shoes; the cobbled slopes are steep.
💡 Walk the short trail to Belvedere di Murgia Timone for a classic postcard view of Matera. Free access; rock churches require a 3 euro ticket at the visitor centre. Go late afternoon for cooler temperatures and golden light.
💡 Cost is only 3 euros. Skip the more expensive museum replicas—this one is authentic and run by a local association. Combines well with a walk through Sasso Caveoso.
💡 Entry is free if you attend the 11:00 Sunday mass—but for tourists, a 3 euro donation is appreciated. The crypt below is sometimes open and shows older fresco fragments.