Cheap coach tickets from Bari to Matera

Located in the Italian region of Puglia, Bari is a large port city on the Adriatic coast. Although often overlooked in favour of the more popular Lecce, Bari has much to offer visitors. Bari is home to a large university, meaning its student population injects youthfulness into the city to contrast with its historical appeal.

To explore the city's extensive history, visit the Basilica di San Nicola. This Norman church was one of the first of its kind to be built in southern Italy, and it takes its name from St Nicholas, better known as Father Christmas, whose remains are buried there. Next, take a walk through Bari Vecchia to experience the old town, situated on the peninsula above the old harbour. The charming cobbled streets and twisting alleys offer a relaxing place to meander through historic buildings and meet some of Bari's friendly locals.

The region is also famous for its Cucina Povera, or “food of the poor,” a local cuisine that emphasizes delicious but straightforward foods using only local and seasonal ingredients. You can sample these traditional foods in the city's many restaurants and street food vendors.

Bari has its own airport, and metro services connect the airport to the central train station. In addition, numerous coach companies run services to Bari, and frequent trains connect the town to other Italian destinations.

Located in the region of Basilicata, the small city of Matera is often overlooked by travellers. Matera's rocky landscape made it difficult to build a traditional city throughout its history. In the Sassi area of Matera, residents dating back to the Palaeolithic era worked with nature to carve homes and buildings from the cliffs. The Sassi area of cave dwellings, inhabited until 1952, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, Matera has lots more to offer visitors aside from its unusual architecture.

For a city this storied, it's best to take a guided tour to learn all about Matera's fascinating, long history. The city and surrounding area are home to around 100 churches, many filled with unique art and stone carvings. To see how many of the town's residents once lived, visit the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a recreated cave dwelling.

To fully immerse yourself, you can even stay in one of the boutique hotels built inside the caves. After a day spent wandering through Matera's narrow winding streets, spend the night in one of the converted traditional Sassi for a truly authentic experience of Matera.

Since Matera is a relatively small town, the transport options are limited. The closest airport is located near Bari, around 60km away. However, several coach lines provide service to Matera from cities including Bari, Naples, Rome, and more.