Enterprise

Car & Van Hire in Matera

Enterprise car hire locations in Matera

The city of Matera is located in Italy’s far south, in the heart of Basilicata region. Bari International Airport, situated 53 kilometres from Matera, serves both domestic and international travellers. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is located at the airport, making pickup exceptionally convenient. Alternatively, you can catch a bus and collect your car or van rental in Matera itself, just a few kilometres north of the city centre. Your choice will depend on time: the drive is around 50 minutes, while the bus takes at least 2 hours.

What to do and see in Matera

Matera is rich in ancient history and natural heritage. Most visitors come here to visit the Sassi or Old Town. Matera’s Sassi is renowned all over the world for its ancient cave dwellings, which were built 9,000 years ago. Many of these cave homes are still inhabited, while others have been remodelled to offer one-of-a-kind accommodation or to serve as shops and restaurants. Matera’s caves are part of the city’s Civita district, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are other tourist attractions in Civita district. Must-sees include San Agostino’s monastery, which offers panoramic views, and the rock churches of Santa Lucia alle Malve and San Giovanni Monterrone, where you can admire medieval cave paintings. The Casa Cava cultural centre is built underground and is home to many art displays and events.

Other landmarks of interest include Matera’s Olive Oil Museum, the art museum at Palazzo Lanfranchi, the city’s cathedral and the 16th-century Tramontano castle.

Natural reserves and green areas surround Matera, with Murgia Materana Regional Park and Gravina de Matera park being closest to the town centre. Within a 20-minute drive, you can reach San Giulano’s Lake and Natural Reserve, while 48 kilometres north of town is Alta Murgia National Park, known for its spectacular canyons and ancient fortresses. If travelling with kids, make time for the multimedia Casa Noha museum, where the little ones can learn about life in Matera’s ancient cave homes through interactive displays.

Traditional food in Matera is simple and flavourful. Matera-style pasta dishes feature ingredients like crusco peppers, tomatoes and Pecorino cheese. Other local dishes include bread and tomato salad and the legume-based stew known as crapiata. There’s a large cluster of restaurants for all budgets between the cave home district and the cathedral, along Via Duomo.

The main shopping street in town is Via Lucana, where you’ll find everything from wine stores to boutiques. To explore the products created by local artisans working with stone, leather, wood and ceramics, head to Civita district, where the cave homes are located.

One of the most important events in Matera is Madonna della Bruna, the city’s patron saint. This takes place every 2 July and brings dazzling parades to the streets of the Old Town. Easter brings the light and sound festival of Mater Sacra, and Carnival (17 January) is also a big celebration. Between September and November, Matera hosts MA/IN, a digital art and electronic music festival.

If you fancy a day of relaxation by the water, take a day trip to the beaches of Metaponto or Policoro. Metaponto offers some of the most impressive ruins of Ancient Greece to be found in the Basilicata region, while Policoro boasts golden sands and is home to multiple species of birds and wildlife.

Driving in Matera

You can reach Matera from Bari airport in less than an hour, driving along Strada Statale 96. The speed limit on dual carriageways like this one is 110 km/h, except when driving past built-up areas, where maximum speeds are 50 km/h. Radar-enforced speed limits exist on this road, but there are no tolls to worry about.

Strada Statale 7 is another major entry and exit road into Matera. Also known as Via Appia, this motorway runs across Italy’s south, connecting Rome and Brindisi. Speed limits on Italian motorways are 130 km/h, unless otherwise specified due to adverse weather conditions, accidents or roadworks.

The northern part of Matera is served by Strada Statale 99, which connects the city with Altamura, a tourist destination in Puglia province. Lastly, Strada Statale 7 eventually joins SP3 road, which provides access to the beach towns in the southern Basilicata region.

When driving your car rental in Matera, bear in mind that parking is very limited within the Sassi area, where many hotels are located. Even accommodation venues have limited parking hours, or they only allow hotel vans to park, so it’s best to ask in advance about the specific details on how to get there and where to leave your vehicle. In some cases, you’ll have to leave your car at a designated parking lot in the new town and hotel staff will pick you up and drive you to your chosen accommodation. In addition, there are several paid parking lots near the historic area. Look for “garage” or “parcheggio” signs. Blue parking bays are paid parking spots, but they’re free after 20:00.

General driving is also limited in several Matera neighbourhoods. Traffic restriction hours vary depending on the area and the day of the week, so look out for ZTL signs for all the details.

Car and van hire in Italy with Enterprise

Enterprise Italy offers a range of car and van hire services including one-way, long-term and short-term vehicle hire. Commercial clients can speak to our award-winning business rental team who will tailor a mobility solution for your needs and budget.

We are part of the Enterprise group, the largest transportation solutions provider in the world. Our global network covers more than 90 countries and over 9,500 locations, allowing us to serve your mobility needs, wherever you’re going.

We are committed to providing the best service possible and exceeding our customers’ expectations for quality and value.

Car hire in Matera

If you are travelling with your family or in a big group, you may find a 7-seater or a people carrier will give you more space to travel comfortably with your luggage. For a city trip, a handy hatchback that’s easy to park may suit you better. For business trips or long drives an executive car will combine comfort and performance.

Whether you prefer automatic to manual transmission, no problem. If you want a petrol, diesel or hybrid engine, we’ve got you covered. You may also need GPS, a child seat or want to add another driver to the contract, let us know and we’ll arrange it for you.

Van hire in Matera

Should you need to hire a van while you’re in Matera, all our vans can be driven on a standard licence and are modern, clean and easy to drive. Just ask and one of our branch team will happily show you around your hire van to make sure you are comfortable with it before you head off.