This Timeless City Revealed As Italy’s Most Underrated Fall Destination

We’re not quite ready to put a bow on summer, but I already hear screaming kids at recess down the street from my house, which is always the telltale sign summer is all but wrapped up.

The leaves aren’t dropping just yet, nor are they ready to flaunt their rustic hues and vibrant golds, but last-minute trips can be a headache. Why not get a head start for your epic fall getaway?

Travel experts at UK-based Hello! Magazine just released an insightful list of Europe’s most underrated cities this fall, leaving popular household names in the dust like Barcelona, Paris, and Athens.

Instead, boasting fewer crowds and oftentimes better pricing outside the booming summer season, we at Travel Off Path are fully aligned with their revelations, especially when it comes to Italy.

With Rome and Venice always abuzz, it’s time to give yet another of Italy’s timeless cities a fair shake.

Home to UNESCO-protected ancient sites, a stone-stacked cityscape, and narrow alleyways withholding centuries of history, I’m gonna say the quiet part out loud — you may feel like you’ve gone back in time even further than the gladiators of Rome, but don’t tell the tourists waiting in line outside the Colosseum .

Matera: From Poverty To Rich History

Who doesn’t like a comeback story? Probably my ex (look at me now!)…

Matera is an often overlooked city in Italy’s Basilicata region, and it’s a rare place that hasn’t aged a bit.

Unlike some of my family members, it doesn’t need Botox to hold on to its ageless beauty either. One glance at Matera’s timeless cityscape and you’ll be hooked from the get-go!

A key reason Matera doesn’t hold the same level of fame is its rather small size, fitting the “hidden gem” more so than a bustling city like aforementioned Rome and many others spread across Italy.

Another reason this under-hyped city was once known as “the shame of Italy”, home to some of the country’s poorest residents and unsightly communities.

Oddly enough, they resided in what’s become the city’s most popular attractions — ancient cave dwellings.

They say nothing is set in stone but death and taxes, but Matera is the exception. Eat your heart out on sensational Italian cuisine in stone-carved eateries, stay in revamped cave houses, and wander the maze of cobbled streets that have stood the test of time.

In other words, this place rocks.

UNESCO Heritage Site: The “Sassi di Matera”

Matera has yet to reach mainstream fame. It’s one of the few places in Italy to truly enjoy all the delights around town without feeling like another face in the crowd.

There’s no denying what people come here to see — the “Sassi”.

Bet you can’t guess what it translates to…

Yep. Stones.

The Sassi are a complex of cave houses, rock churches, and narrow alleyways carved into rock faces that earned UNESCO protection in the 90s, slightly boosting the popularity of what was formerly just a name on a map to most travelers.

While Matera has some cool museums to visit like the Matera Olive Oil Museum (MOOM) and Museum of Contemporary Sculptures (MOSMA), the Sassi specifically is one of the most continuously inhabited settlements in the world.

If only the walls could talk….

Fun Fact – The crucifixion scene in the popular film The Passion Of The Christ was filmed in the Sassi.

Stay In Ancient Caves & Savor Generational Recipes

We all know Grandma makes the best meals, many of which pass through generations of family members.

We also know Italian cuisine is unmatched, too, so imagine recipes handed down from the times of Matera’s poverty-stricken communities, where they were tasked with making delicious food from practically nothing.

One such dish is Crapiata, and it’s far from crappy. In fact, they celebrate the dish at the Festa della Crapiata.

As great as it is to eat your way through Matera (with some more typical Italian staples too), there’s no denying that tourists’ favorite aspect is finding a cave to stay in.

There are some select rentals on Airbnb, but there are also some lavish accommodations in what was formerly considered a “peasant” homes.

Aquatio Cave Luxury Hotel & Spa holds the highest ratings. One recent guest claimed, “Truly a sensational hotel! Staying in a room inside a cave with all the amenities was a unique experience!”.

They also added, “The spa was also sensational!”.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.