Best Photo Spots & Scenic Views inMatera

This expansive square is visually stunning at any time, but it becomes genuinely magical during the blue hour just after sunset. The warm, golden artificial lights illuminating the church facade and the surrounding caves contrast beautifully against the deep blue of the twilight sky. The dark void of the ravine behind the church adds a dramatic, natural depth to the composition. It is the absolute best location to capture the transition of the ancient city from day to night.

This monumental, sweeping stone staircase offers one of the most dynamic and leading lines in the city for photography. By standing at the top and shooting downwards, you capture the stepped architecture cascading into the valley, with the striking facade of San Pietro Caveoso perfectly framed at the bottom. It is highly recognisable from major cinematic films, giving photos an instantly epic, movie set quality. The light here is exceptionally dramatic in the late afternoon.

This is the ultimate, wide angle panoramic shot that every photographer strives for. Located across the ravine, this viewpoint captures the entirety of the ancient settlement clinging to the cliff face. Arriving just before sunset allows you to photograph the city as the fading sun paints the limestone in deep shades of gold and rose. As darkness falls, the city lights begin to twinkle like stars, creating a truly iconic, unforgettable image of the region.

For detail oriented photographers, the northern district offers a treasure trove of intricate textures and rustic charm. Instead of wide panoramas, focus on the beautifully weathered, brightly painted wooden doors set into the pale, ancient limestone facades. Many of these entrances are adorned with colourful potted plants and intricate ironwork, providing brilliant pops of colour. It is a fantastic area to practice close up, textural photography that captures the lived in character of the alleys.

By climbing the narrow paths just behind the Convent of Saint Augustine, you can find a spectacular downward looking vantage point. This angle allows you to photograph the beautiful bell tower and facade of the city's largest rupestrian church nestled amongst the surrounding roofs. The tight, chaotic geometry of the surrounding stone houses provides an incredibly textured, almost abstract background. It is an excellent spot to demonstrate the dense, layered construction of the northern district.