Matera Bus Station luggage storage

About Matera Bus Station

Matera lies in the southern Italian province of Basilicata. As a general rule, the further south you go in Italy, the less reliable transportation links become. However, Matera's international popularity means that it is reachable by public transport. As well as having a railway station, Matera is well-connected by bus to other Italian cities and the rest of Europe. As a result, chances are good you may find yourself arriving in this enchanting city by bus.

Matera's bus station began undergoing renovations in 2017. This project linked the bus station with the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, or FaL train system, improving transit connections to Matera from elsewhere in the country. This regional narrow-gauge railway connects Matera to the city of Bari on the Adriatic coast and other towns throughout the region. However, because this is a separate line from Italy's national rail line, buses remain one of the most convenient ways to get to the city.

Matera bus station is close to the heart of the city. Served by bus lines such as Flixbus and Marinobus, the bus station is many visitors’ first experience of this unique city.

Things to do near Matera Bus Station

Because of its location close to the center of town, Matera bus station isn't far from all the attractions of the city. Like many old Italian settlements, Matera is best explored on foot. After a long bus ride to get there, probably the last thing you want to do is get on another bus. So it's a good thing there's lots to do within a short distance from the bus station itself.

• Explore history at Tramontano Castle. This castle was founded in the 16th century, but following the assassination of the Count of Matera, was never finished. However, its three huge towers offer a great view of the city and make for some wonderful photo opportunities.
• Venture into the stone heart of the city. The reason most tourists come to Matera is to explore the Sassi and the Old Town of Matera. The Sassi are caves dug into the rock where people lived from prehistoric times right up until the present day. These cave houses are thought to be some of Italy's earliest human dwellings and are what makes a city such a fascinating tourist destination.
• Rise above it all at Matera Cathedral. The Cathedral sits on the highest point in the city and has been the focal point of the town since it was built in 1270. Along with being an impressive architectural gem, the Cathedral contains some fascinating art, including a Byzantine-style fresco of the Madonna and 14th-century fresco of the Last Judgment.
• Experience more recent culture of Matera at MUSMA. This Museum of Contemporary Sculpture nods to the city's past by being built in a series of caves, just like the Sassi of the Old Town. However, the sculptural works here are as modern as they come, and offer a great counterpoint to all the historical sites of this ancient city.
• Get some unique photos of the Church of St. Mary of Idris. Like much of the rest of old Matera, this small church is built into a cave carved out of the rock. It’s a striking image to see the church façade seeming to flow out of the earth, and it makes for an iconic image of this unusual town.

Transit options at Matera Bus Station

• Flixbus and Marinobus are the main bus operators that serve Matera station, and they link the city to others throughout the region.
• The FaL railway connects Matera to Bari and its international airport.
• Linea Sassi buses leave from the railway station to the Old Town of Matera every 30 minutes.

Luggage storage at Matera Bus Station

Matera offers visitors a chance to see another side of Italy far from the well-known attractions. The southern region of Basilicata has its own history and culture totally different from what you’ll find in Rome or Florence or Venice.

Matera is a city best explored on foot. In fact, the city's main attraction, the ancient Sassi cave drawings, can only be explored this way. Make your trip easy on yourself by locating a Bounce luggage storage near Matera bus station and dropping off heavy bags you don't need. Your possessions will be safely looked after until you can return to pick them up.

Attractions and activities near Matera Bus Station

• Rupestrian churches: Matera is a UNESCO World Heritage site not just for its unique sassi, but also for the Rupestrian churches outside the town. The area of the churches is now a park of rugged rock outcrops that you can explore, and can be reached on a long hike from the town that takes you over a suspension bridge. Alternatively, you can take a bus. The collection of churches, hermitages, and other buildings in the park can keep you exploring this evocative landscape for days. But it's no place to bring heavy bags, so make sure you drop them off at a luggage storage in Matera before making the trip.
• Crypt of Original Sin: This cave has been used since the Stone Age. Outside the town of Matera, this atmospheric shrine was all but forgotten until the late 20th century. It contains religious paintings that are over 1,000 years old and is another of Matera's stone sites well worth visiting. Since this cave is on an undeveloped location on a private winery, it's best to leave your bags at a Matera  luggage storage shop before making the journey to explore this fascinating place.
• Bari: The central district of the city of Bari is a work of art all by itself. The ornate churches and perfectly proportioned public squares of the city don't receive nearly the number of visitors they deserve. Leave your bags at a luggage storage facility near Matera bus station and take either a train or bus to this coastal city to see a gem of Italian architecture.