Unforgettable Memories in Matera - Family Vacation with Kids in Italy

Hello friends. On our last day in Lucera, we had breakfast, packed up and bid farewell to this beautiful city. While Lucera is charming, its lack of a coastline feels like a drawback. Still it’s a fascinating place to explore.

Then we set out for Matera, a city known as one of the oldest in Italy and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city's historic district is especially remarkable, featuring structures carved directly into the rocks. We were filled with anticipation, imagining all the fascinating sights along the way.

We arrived in Matera and parked our car in a lot, then walked about 20 minutes to the city center. Matera is ancient and we were particularly excited to explore its old quarter. The fresh air and the scent of pine trees were delightful, making us feel like we were in a pine forest.

As we strolled towards the historic district, we wandered through narrow streets. The paths were uneven, with slopes leading up and down. The city has a vibe that’s reminiscent of Malta and San Marino. Eventually we reached a bustling street filled with tourists. Many tour companies operate here, offering various guided tours since there’s so much to see.

While walking through the streets, we marveled at the old stone houses and the rock-carved structures. Remarkably, some of these homes are still inhabited. We saw window screens, air conditioners and terraces: details that gave life to this historic setting. Sometimes, we accidentally took wrong turns and ended up in dead-end streets. But even getting lost in these narrow, historic alleyways was enjoyable. Matera with its ancient rock-hewn homes is amazing. I highly recommend visiting.

We eventually followed a path that led downhill to a main street accessible by car. The heat was intense and the girls were quite tired. We learned that there’s a local taxi system here, which might be handy for families.

There was a bridge ahead, but I didn’t go there with my younger daughter. Her father took our older daughter instead. I told him not to let her cross the bridge as it might be too scary for her. The path seemed a bit daunting.

Later we visited a cathedral, but it was dimly lit inside. Still we went in and were awestruck by the intricate ceiling of the ancient sanctuary. It was breathtaking. My daughter roamed around, but exploring places like this with kids can be quite stressful. One of the girls was too overwhelmed by the heat to stay with her dad, while the other refused to sit in her stroller.

The stairs seemed frightening to the kids and I can understand why. For a child, that fear is real. My husband sometimes doesn’t fully grasp this. He can act like a child himself at times. If a child is scared, it’s their genuine emotion and getting upset doesn’t help.

Matera is genuinely impressive. The structures carved into the rocks are astonishing. How did people build these in those times? If you cross the bridge and continue, you’ll reach an area with ancient homes carved into the cliffs. However, we didn’t go there with the kids.

Eventually we returned to our accommodation. The heat was so intense that we were drenched in sweat, as if we’d been caught in a downpour. We were utterly exhausted, but Matera is undeniably a must-visit. Without the kids, we could have explored the caves and more of the city. But with our little one refusing to walk and our younger daughter constantly wanting to be carried, it was challenging. My husband went to get the car while we rested on a bench, waiting for him.

I believe trips like this are worth revisiting once the kids are older. Then we’ll be able to explore every corner to our hearts content. 😊

Afterward we stopped by a store. My daughter was tired and wanted to sleep. It was nearly three o’clock, but she still hadn’t napped. She doesn’t sleep well in the car either. The store was a large supermarket and everything looked delicious: nuts, fruits… We needed to buy some fruit since we were really craving it. There were also local vegetables, like peppers grown locally. They even had some unusual fruits, though I couldn’t identify a few. I’d need to check the labels and translate them. We’d bought some small sweets before, but I couldn’t remember if they were tasty. They even had tiramisu, served in large cups and tiny coffee mugs that you get to keep. Such a lovely idea.

We shopped quickly and spent a total of 28 euros. What was in our basket? Raspberries, sweets, vegetables, fruits, water etc.

Finally we arrived at our apartment, but finding it was quite an adventure. The area was full of closed roads and pathways with obstacles. Our accommodation was a separate house surrounded by olive trees. We saw many of the Trulli houses along the way and they were here too. These small stone structures are what Italians call Trulli houses. I don’t know much about them and will need to do some research. Our house however, was spacious and airy.

Inside it was clean and well-organized. It was a studio-style apartment with a large bed, extra beds and a sofa. There was a small kitchen, a dining table and all the necessary equipment. Plus there were two bathrooms. For such a big space, the price was very reasonable. We paid 114 euros.

After dinner we took a short walk outside. The area around our house was delightful, especially at night when it was illuminated by lights. Each olive tree had a lamp underneath and the Trulli houses looked stunning in the evening.

The next day, we headed to a new destination and explored another amazing part of Italy. Thank you so much for reading. Your comments and likes motivate me. See you soon.