Genoa to Matera coach

Once the richest city in the world, Genoa is a prominent Italian port city. A perfect blend of contradictions, the city's impressive architecture tells of its former glory, while its large student population keeps the city lively and fresh.

Upon arriving, take a walk through the old town to explore a unique mixture of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque architecture along Genoa's caruggi, or "narrow alleys." Experience Genoa's iconic street food at any of the city's many cafes and stalls, and try local treats like farinata, focaccia, and fried fish. Visit the Strada Nuova Museums to be transported back in time to the city's opulent past, or the Galata Museo del Mare to learn of Genoa's extensive maritime history.

To discover Genoa's contemporary culture and vibrant nightlife scene, definitely plan for a night on the town. Genoa is the perfect place to dance the night away with an array of cocktail bars, nightclubs, and jazz clubs.

Genoa's transport connections include the Aeroporto di Genova, which provides several daily flights from many major European cities. Train routes connect Genoa to other Italian destinations, as well as some French cities. In addition, FlixBus, Itabus, and others offer bus transport from several major international 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 transportation options are limited. The closest airport is located near Bari, around 60km away. However, several coaches provide service to Matera from cities including Bari, Naples, Rome, and more.