Your stay — Il Risveglio nei Sassi
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The Property — Il Risveglio nei Sassi
Il Risveglio nei Sassi is a three-star hotel set directly into a restored cave dwelling in the Sassi di Matera. The lobby feels like a snug stone warren, with tufa walls, vaulted ceilings, and cool air even in July. It’s deliberately simple: no frills, but good air conditioning and solid beds. This place suits travellers who want to sleep inside history without paying boutique prices.
Chronicles of Matera
Matera has been continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic, making it one of the world’s oldest living cities. Its signature Sassi districts — Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano — are networks of limestone caves carved into a ravine, used as homes and churches for millennia. After post-war depopulation and a period of shame (called 'the shame of Italy'), the city underwent careful restoration from the 1980s. Matera became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, was European Capital of Culture in 2019, and now thrives on tourism and film location work (e.g., Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ and the Bond film No Time to Die).
Best Time to Visit
Full Matera guide →Best months
May, June, September: daytime highs around 25–30°C, low rain, and the Sassi are less congested than in July and August.
Peak / festival surge
July and August. July 2 falls right in the high season: daily highs regularly exceed 35°C, and Matera swells with day-trippers. Hotel prices roughly double from shoulder rates. The Festa della Bruna (July 2) draws big crowds for its paper-mâché float parade and fireworks.
Budget shoulder season
April and October give you lighter crowds, hotel discounts of 30–50%, and temperatures in the 18–22°C range — still fine for walking the Sassi.
Weather & packing
Summers in Matera are dry and scorching, but the tufa stone holds heat into the evening, so nights stay warm. Pack a wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle; leave umbrellas at home because rain in July is negligible.
Live City Briefing — Matera
- From June 2026, the main Sassi parking area (Via Lucana) has new pay-and-display machines that accept only cards or the official app — no cash.
- The Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario reopens after a restoration that added English-language audioguides.
- July 2 is the Festa della Bruna: expect road closures around Piazza Duomo from late afternoon and large crowds until midnight.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Il Risveglio nei Sassi, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Rooms on the upper floors (second floor or higher) facing away from Via Fiorentini. These overlook the internal courtyard or neighbouring Sassi rooftops, catching more light and less street traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor or first-floor rooms facing Via Fiorentini. The stone street amplifies foot traffic, early morning deliveries, and tourist chatter from the nearby historic centre access.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms facing east over the Sasso Caveoso district. You'll see tiered cave dwellings and the ravine, not just the opposite building wall. Avoid north-facing rooms that overlook the modern carpark.
Quietest floors
Second floor and above, especially rooms with a courtyard orientation. The thick tufa stone walls help buffer noise once you're off the street level.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Fiorentini is a main pedestrian access into Matera's old town. Early morning waste collection and tourist groups gathering from 8am are the main culprits. The hotel's historic building has no double glazing.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on the second floor (no lift means fewer passing footsteps on the stairs) and request a 'cave view' rather than a 'garden view' — the garden is a small courtyard with bins. 2. Parking: no on-site lot; use the Parcheggio Via Lucana (200m uphill, €12/night) and pack light — the hotel is down a stepped alley.
- 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 — Il Risveglio nei Sassi
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speeds sufficient for video calls; no login – connects automatically on first use
Small lift serves ground and first floor; no lift to the rooftop terrace (stairs only)
No digital newsstand; no physical newspapers; the hotel is carved into original Sasso cave chambers – ask reception about the history
Check-in 14:00–20:00 (later by prior arrangement); early bag-drop from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €30
Free at reception during check-in hours; no automated lockers
No wheelchair access: step at entrance (two steps, no ramp), narrow doorways and uneven stone floors inside
No on-site parking; nearest public car park Parcheggio Via Fiorentini (250m, €15 per 24h); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per person per night (up to 5 nights; children under 14 exempt)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking, plus €50 credit card hold at check-in for incidentals
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
Use ATM withdrawals with a fee-free card; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots—rates are poor.
Cards accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops; contactless and mobile pay are common. Small bars or market stalls may be cash-only.
Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving a euro or two for good service is appreciated in restaurants; taxis and hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A standing espresso at a bar—around €1.00–1.20.
A panino or slice of focaccia from a bakery or takeaway—around €5–7.
A pasta or pizza main in a casual trattoria—around €10–14.
Crispy breadcrumb-coated lamb or pork (crapiata or bread with olive oil) in the Sassi area; look for small food stalls or bakeries near Piazza Veneto.
Conad, MD, and Lidl are common in the city and on the outskirts.
Via Lucana and the area around Piazza Vittorio Veneto have affordable chain stores and independent shops; markets like the Saturday Mercato Settimanale near the stadium offer budget clothing.
Walk—Matera is compact. A single bus ticket (€1.20) is the cheapest way for longer trips; airport shuttle bus to Bari airport costs about €8.
Book accommodation in the Sassi for free stone-built ambiance; buy water and snacks at supermarkets rather than tourist kiosks; eat at places aiming at locals away from the main cathedral square.
Good to know — Matera
Type C/F/L · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · 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 Il Risveglio nei 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
Rooms on the upper floors (second floor or higher) facing away from Via Fiorentini. These overlook the internal courtyard or neighbouring Sassi rooftops, catching more light and less street traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
Ground-floor or first-floor rooms facing Via Fiorentini. The stone street amplifies foot traffic, early morning deliveries, and tourist chatter from the nearby historic centre access.
Is Il Risveglio nei Sassi noisy?
Via Fiorentini is a main pedestrian access into Matera's old town. Early morning waste collection and tourist groups gathering from 8am are the main culprits. The hotel's historic building has no double glazing.
Which rooms have the best views at Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
Upper-floor rooms facing east over the Sasso Caveoso district. You'll see tiered cave dwellings and the ravine, not just the opposite building wall. Avoid north-facing rooms that overlook the modern carpark.
What are insider tips for staying at Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
1. Ask for a room on the second floor (no lift means fewer passing footsteps on the stairs) and request a 'cave view' rather than a 'garden view' — the garden is a small courtyard with bins. 2. Parking: no on-site lot; use the Parcheggio Via Lucana (200m uphill, €12/night) and pack light — the hotel is down a stepped alley.
What time is check-in at Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
Check-in at Il Risveglio nei Sassi is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Il Risveglio nei Sassi have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speeds sufficient for video calls; no login – connects automatically on first use
Is there a city or tourist tax at Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
€1.50 per person per night (up to 5 nights; children under 14 exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
A panino or slice of focaccia from a bakery or takeaway—around €5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Il Risveglio nei Sassi?
Walk—Matera is compact. A single bus ticket (€1.20) is the cheapest way for longer trips; airport shuttle bus to Bari airport costs about €8.
When is the best time to visit Matera?
May, June, September: daytime highs around 25–30°C, low rain, and the Sassi are less congested than in July and August.
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.