Is Matera safe?
Very safe. Crime is low; steep stairs, uneven stone and summer heat are the real risks.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-22.
- Homicide rate in Italy: 0.6 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Italy: 5.3 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Matera at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Rare petty theft in crowded viewpoints and parked cars; violent crime against visitors is very rare. |
| At night | The Sassi are atmospheric and quiet; lighting is limited on side steps. Carry a phone light and wear grippy shoes. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women, including at night in the main streets. Take a taxi if staying in a remote cave hotel. |
| Other risks | Slippery steps in rain and ice in winter; Summer heat above 35°C; Unfenced ravine edges |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Unofficial 'guides' at viewpoints charging high fees
- Parking attendants asking money for free spaces
Take care
- Steep, uneven stone steps, especially at night and in rain
- Edges of the Gravina ravine on unfenced paths
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Validate paper bus and regional train tickets before travelling or face on-the-spot fines.
- Driving into a ZTL limited-traffic zone triggers camera fines, often billed later through your rental company.
- Sitting on monuments, wading in fountains or eating on landmark steps can bring fines in Rome, Venice and Florence.
How Matera compares in Italy
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Venice | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Amalfi Coast | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lake Como | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Cinque Terre | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Positano | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Sardinia | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Capri | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Siena | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Matera | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lecce | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Lucca | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Rome | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Florence | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Milan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sicily | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tuscany | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bologna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Verona | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pisa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sorrento | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lake Garda | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Turin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puglia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dolomites | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Taormina | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palermo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Catania | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bari | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Genoa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Naples | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Matera safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women, including at night in the main streets. Take a taxi if staying in a remote cave hotel.
Is Matera safe at night?
The Sassi are atmospheric and quiet; lighting is limited on side steps. Carry a phone light and wear grippy shoes.
What is the crime rate in Matera?
Rare petty theft in crowded viewpoints and parked cars; violent crime against visitors is very rare. Nationally, Italy records 0.6 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Matera?
Police 113 · Ambulance 118 · Fire 115 · All emergencies 112.
More about Matera
Going to Matera solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Matera meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ferrovie Appulo Lucane
- Aeroporti di Puglia
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.