Sleeping in a cave sounds dramatic, until you arrive in Matera and realise it might be one of the most atmospheric places you will ever spend the night. Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is carved directly into the ancient rock of the Sassi, a UNESCO listed labyrinth of stone dwellings that glow golden at sunset. Behind simple wooden doors, the rooms open into vast candlelit spaces with high stone ceilings, antique furnishings and soft linen beds that seem to float in the middle of history. There are no televisions competing for attention here. Instead, you notice the silence, the texture of the stone walls and the way the light shifts throughout the day. Bathrooms are sculpted from rock, freestanding tubs sit dramatically in the open space, and every detail feels intentionally minimal so the architecture can speak. Staying here feels immersive and intimate, as if the past and present quietly agreed to share the same room. It is raw, beautiful and quietly emotional in a way few hotels manage to be.

Food

Breakfast is served in a former cave church, which already tells you this will not be ordinary. Long wooden tables, local breads, fresh ricotta, cakes and regional products create a generous and deeply rooted start to the day. Guests often mention how special this setting feels in the early morning light. In the evening, the surrounding Sassi district offers excellent restaurants within walking distance, where you can dine on Lucanian specialities while overlooking the illuminated stone city.

Environment

The hotel is located in the oldest part of Matera, in the Sasso Barisano district. Step outside and you are immediately inside a cinematic landscape of staircases, arches and terraces overlooking the dramatic Gravina canyon. Wandering here is an experience in itself. Every corner reveals another viewpoint, another quiet square, another moment where the city seems suspended in time. At night, when the caves are lit and the crowds fade, the atmosphere becomes almost surreal. It is a place that invites slow exploration and long pauses.

Average review score

4.8 out of 5 based on a combined weighted average from major review platforms and thousands of guest reviews.