Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Matera is a historic city in the Basilicata region of southern Italy, known for its ancient cave dwellings and stunning landscapes. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 60,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | EUR (€1 ≈ $1.07, $1 ≈ €0.84) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include TIM, Vodafone, and Iliad |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Major banks like Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, and online options like Revolut accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local bed and breakfasts, and guesthouses. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in shops and restaurants. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Hostel Matera offer affordable lodging. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Sassi district is the most recommended for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The historic center offers both charm and quiet workspaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Cowo Matera is a popular spot for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Caffe Montalbano is known for its good coffee and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Local meetups are often held at Buzz Caffe. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Join the Matera Expats Facebook group for community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | MyTaxi (now Free Now) is widely used in Matera. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | E-bike rental services are available from RideIt Matera. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Metaponto Beach is approximately 30 mins away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air Italy operates flights from nearby Bari Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Ryanair and EasyJet provide international routes from Bari. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Connected via SS7 and A14 highways. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Matera Centrale Station connects to major cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Buses run frequently, with monthly passes available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses (FlixBus) connect Matera to surrounding areas. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ospedale Madonna delle Grazie is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Karma Yoga Matera offers various yoga classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness club Azzurra is popular among locals. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavanderia self-service offers reliable laundry services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Just Eat and Deliveroo operate in Matera for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Cialledda and Pane di Matera are must-try local dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Ristorante Il Terrazzino offers vegetarian options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pasticceria L'Idea has a selection of local pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercato Coperto provides fresh produce and local goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local e-commerce sites like Eni per la Casa. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermarket Conad offers grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Piazza Vittorio Veneto is popular for nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Birra Birranga offers local brews and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Enoteca il Volo serves a wide range of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Trattoria La Cisterna is known for its street food. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzeria Taverna offers a mix of international and local pizzas. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a must-visit. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo Nazionale di Matera showcases local history and culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The rock churches, such as Santa Maria di Idris, are notable attractions. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cattedrale di Matera is a stunning example of Romanesque architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Festa della Madonna della Bruna celebrates the city's patron saint in July. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Sassi district is vibrant with cultural activities. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Francesco Stabile hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The weekly market at Piazza San Francesco offers local goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music events are frequent at various local venues. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Matera has vibrant street art in various parts of the old town. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Matera Cooking Class provides hands-on culinary experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Palazzo Lanfranchi hosts art exhibitions throughout the year. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palombaro Lungo, a large cave system, showcases historical architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Matera's unique cave dwellings are integral to its cultural identity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parco della Murgia Materana offers stunning hiking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Pollino National Park is about two hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Gravine Park has scenic cycling and walking paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Piazzale Luigi Guerricchio offers breathtaking views of the Sassi. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Murgia Park is a perfect spot for birdwatchers. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas near Parco dei Monaci are suitable for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Poste Italiane offer reliable delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Matera Tech Repair offers gadget repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers often have ping pong tables available. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Linguistico Materano offers Italian language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Comunale is the main library in Matera. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Sociale offers events and activities for residents. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local gaming zones are available for both console and PC gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino di Matera offers various gaming options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €72,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €114,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €136,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% standard corporate tax rate |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26% applicable on dividend distributions |
| 🏦 Tax System | Italian tax system is based on worldwide income for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Max personal income tax rate is 43%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 22% standard Value Added Tax |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Italy has CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax based on municipal rates. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 9% standard rate, 4% for first-home buyers. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Italy offers a new tax regime for foreign income for certain categories. |