Your stay — Siris
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The Property — Siris
Hotel Siris is a straightforward 3-star on the edge of the Sassi, with clean rooms, a rooftop terrace overlooking the Gravina ravine, and a small breakfast buffet. The lobby is modest—tiled floors, a front desk that works efficiently, and a pile of local maps. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a decent base within walking distance of the historic centre without paying for frills.
Chronicles of Matera
Matera was founded in prehistoric times, its Sassi districts carved directly into the limestone ravine. In the 1950s the Italian government forcibly evacuated the cave dwellings, calling them a national shame, but by the 1990s a restoration movement turned them into a UNESCO World Heritage site. Today the city balances its ancient rock-cut churches and cave hotels with a lively café and gallery scene, crowned by its 2019 stint as European Capital of Culture.
Best Time to Visit
Full Matera guide →Best months
April–May and September–October: daytime temperatures in the low 20s°C, fewer tourists than high summer, and clear light for photography.
Peak / festival surge
July–August, especially around the Festa della Bruna (July 2) with parades and fireworks. Hotel prices double, and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
Late March and November offer milder weather (10–15°C) and 30–40% discounts on rooms, though some restaurants close outside the main season.
Weather & packing
June can hit 35°C in the afternoon but cools rapidly at dusk—carry a light jacket for evenings. Pack sturdy walking shoes: every street is steep cobblestone or rock steps.
Live City Briefing — Matera
- The Sassi cable car (connecting the historic centre with the new town) is closed for maintenance until September 2026; use the public lift at Piazza Vittorio Veneto or the escalators near the Cathedral.
- A new direct bus from Bari airport to Matera (FlixBus, 70 min) started in April 2026, reducing transfer hassle for arrivals.
- The Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario museum has extended its evening hours to 20:00 in summer; book timed tickets online to skip queues.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Siris, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd floor (first floor above ground floor) since it's quieter than the 3rd floor (more stair noise) and avoids potential street-facing racket on the 1st floor. A rear-facing room away from Via Casalnuovo is ideal for less traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the 1st floor directly overlooking Via Casalnuovo due to street noise, and avoid top-floor (3rd floor) rooms if you struggle with stairs since there's no lift and it's a carry-your-bags walk up.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the building (likely facing the Sassi district) offer the best views of Matera's historic limestone cliffs and cave dwellings, rather than the front facing Via Casalnuovo.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are generally quieter than the 1st floor, which sits nearer street level and foot traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Via Casalnuovo is a main local road in the Sassi, so expect some traffic noise during the day and early evening. The hotel entrance has two steps, so no barrier for street noise. No lift means footsteps on stairs from guests above you, especially on the 1st floor.
Insider tips
Park at Parcheggio Via Lucana (€15/24hr) and walk 200m — don't rely on street parking nearby. Check-in early because you'll need to carry your own bags up the narrow stairs; request help from staff if you have heavy luggage.
- 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 — Siris
Free Wi-Fi throughout; moderate speed (around 15 Mbps) sufficient for browsing and email; one device login per guest — no password, accept terms on welcome page
No lift — all rooms on 1st to 3rd floor accessed by stairs; no ground-floor guest rooms
No digital newsstand or physical papers provided; the hotel occupies a 16th-century palazzo with original stone staircases and cave-like tuff walls in public areas
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 11:00 free of charge; check-out by 11:00, late check-out (until 14:00) costs €30 if available
Free for day of check-in/out; longer storage not offered
Not accessible for wheelchair users — entrance has two steps, no ramp, and all rooms up narrow stairs; no adapted rooms
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parcheggio Via Lucana, 200m away, €15 per 24 hours; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €3.00 per person per night (mandatory, applies to first 5 nights; under-14s exempt)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking (non-refundable); a €50 incidental hold is placed on your card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Chiesa di Sant'Antonio di Padova (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Anfiteatro Totò — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nova Siri-Rotondella — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist offices, which charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; contactless is common but carry some cash for smaller vendors and markets.
Not expected. Round up taxi fares and leave small change (€1-2) for good service in restaurants; hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Espresso at a bar counter: about €1.20.
Pizza by the slice or a panino from a bakery: €5-8.
Pasta or a simple secondi at a trattoria: main course €10-15.
The Sassi area has stalls and small bakeries selling focaccia, stuffed breads, and local pastries; prices €3-6.
Conad, Lidl, and Eurospin are common budget supermarkets.
Corso Umberto and the old town have independent boutiques; for affordable basics try the Ovito or Terranova stores near the main square.
Walking is free and best for the historic centre. City buses cost €1.20 per ride; a day pass is around €3.50. From Bari airport, take the cheap regional train (€6-8) or a direct bus (€10-12) to Matera's train station.
Eat lunch at bakeries or pizza al taglio instead of sit-down restaurants. Buy a 24-hour bus pass if exploring outside the Sassi. Visit free attractions like the rock churches and panoramic viewpoints.
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 Siris
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Siris?
Request a room on the 2nd floor (first floor above ground floor) since it's quieter than the 3rd floor (more stair noise) and avoids potential street-facing racket on the 1st floor. A rear-facing room away from Via Casalnuovo is ideal for less traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Siris?
Avoid any room on the 1st floor directly overlooking Via Casalnuovo due to street noise, and avoid top-floor (3rd floor) rooms if you struggle with stairs since there's no lift and it's a carry-your-bags walk up.
Is Siris noisy?
Via Casalnuovo is a main local road in the Sassi, so expect some traffic noise during the day and early evening. The hotel entrance has two steps, so no barrier for street noise. No lift means footsteps on stairs from guests above you, especially on the 1st floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Siris?
Rooms at the back of the building (likely facing the Sassi district) offer the best views of Matera's historic limestone cliffs and cave dwellings, rather than the front facing Via Casalnuovo.
What are insider tips for staying at Siris?
Park at Parcheggio Via Lucana (€15/24hr) and walk 200m — don't rely on street parking nearby. Check-in early because you'll need to carry your own bags up the narrow stairs; request help from staff if you have heavy luggage.
What time is check-in at Siris?
Check-in at Siris is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Siris have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; moderate speed (around 15 Mbps) sufficient for browsing and email; one device login per guest — no password, accept terms on welcome page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Siris?
€3.00 per person per night (mandatory, applies to first 5 nights; under-14s exempt)
Where can I eat cheaply near Siris?
Pizza by the slice or a panino from a bakery: €5-8.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Siris?
Walking is free and best for the historic centre. City buses cost €1.20 per ride; a day pass is around €3.50. From Bari airport, take the cheap regional train (€6-8) or a direct bus (€10-12) to Matera's train station.
When is the best time to visit Matera?
April–May and September–October: daytime temperatures in the low 20s°C, fewer tourists than high summer, and clear light for photography.
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.