Matera sits at around 400 m on the edge of the Murgia plateau. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cool with occasional frost, and rarely snow.
Season by season
Spring (March–May)
Green ravines, wild flowers in the Murgia and comfortable walking weather. Easter is busy.
Summer (June–August)
Hot afternoons, long evenings and the most visitors. Walk early and late.
Autumn (September–November)
Warm days in September and October, softer light and fewer crowds.
Winter (December–February)
Quiet and atmospheric, with lower prices. Christmas events in the Sassi can be very busy at weekends.
Month by month
| Month | Avg high / low | Wet days | Daylight | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11° / 3°C | ≈8 | ≈9.6 h | Quiet & cheap |
| February | 12° / 3°C | ≈7 | ≈10.6 h | Quiet & cheap |
| March | 15° / 5°C | ≈7 | ≈11.9 h | Good |
| April | 18° / 8°C | ≈7 | ≈13.2 h | Best |
| May | 23° / 12°C | ≈5 | ≈14.3 h | Best |
| June | 28° / 16°C | ≈3 | ≈14.9 h | Good |
| July | 31° / 19°C | ≈2 | ≈14.6 h | Peak season |
| August | 31° / 19°C | ≈3 | ≈13.7 h | Peak season |
| September | 26° / 16°C | ≈5 | ≈12.4 h | Best |
| October | 21° / 12°C | ≈6 | ≈11.1 h | Best |
| November | 16° / 8°C | ≈8 | ≈9.9 h | Good |
| December | 12° / 4°C | ≈9 | ≈9.3 h | Good |
Approximate long-term averages, rounded; daylight is the approximate time between sunrise and sunset mid-month. Inland Basilicata is high and can be cold and snowy in winter, while July and August are hot, especially on the Ionian side.
Festivals & events
- 2 July Festa della Madonna della Bruna: a procession with a papier-mâché float that the crowd tears apart at the end of the day.
- Holy Week Easter processions in the old town.
- December Christmas events, including a living nativity in the Sassi in some years.
Crowds & booking ahead
The Sassi are busiest at weekends, around Easter, in August and over Christmas. Book cave hotels early for those dates and visit the main sights early in the day.
