View of the Sassis.
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Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli

4.7
·5k reviews·Matera, Italy

An iconic viewpoint offering a breathtaking panorama of Matera's ancient Sassi and the Gravina canyon. A must-see for its historical beauty.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Late afternoon

Golden hour glow

CrowdMedium
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View of the Sassis.

Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli

Best Time

Late afternoon

Golden hour glow

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

An iconic viewpoint offering a breathtaking panorama of Matera's ancient Sassi and the Gravina canyon. A must-see for its historical beauty.

4.7
(5k reviews)

"Breathtaking view of Matera. It is beautiful in day and night."

Vertical photo
TIP

Free & Always Open

The Belvedere is free to access and open 24/7, perfect for spontaneous visits!

Best for Photos

Great spot for daytime and sunset photos of Matera.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 · 5,478 reviews

Type

Observation Deck

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Panoramic Sassi View

Panoramic Sassi View

Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli

An iconic viewpoint offering a breathtaking, sweeping panorama of Matera's ancient Sassi districts and the Gravina canyon.

Golden Hour Magic

Golden Hour Magic

Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli

Witness the Sassi transform as the sun sets, casting a warm, magical glow over the ancient cave dwellings.

Artistic Inspiration

Artistic Inspiration

Piazzetta Pascoli

The square itself features artistic elements, adding a cultural layer to the stunning natural and architectural beauty.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit for the Best Views

The Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli offers stunning vistas, especially during golden hour. While the square itself is accessible 24/7, consider visiting during daylight for clearer views of the Sassi and Gravina. Early mornings or late afternoons can offer a more serene experience before peak crowds arrive.

Getting to the Belvedere

This viewpoint is located in Matera, and while the square itself is free to access, reaching it might require some planning. If you're not staying nearby, consider parking in the new town and enjoying a pleasant 20-minute walk, or opt for a taxi for convenience, especially if you're coming from further afield.

Best Times

When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour glow
Crowd
Medium
When
Early morning
Why
Fewer crowds, soft light
Crowd
Low
When
Night
Why
Magical illuminated city
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Ristorante con panorama su Matera insieme ai ragazzi di @italyfoodprnbasilicata Gifted #matera #perte #dovemangiare
@matteodicola
4.3K likes • 120.1K views

Free & Always Open

The Belvedere is free to access and open 24/7, perfect for spontaneous visits! Reddit

Best for Photos

Great spot for daytime and sunset photos of Matera. TikTok

Cosa vedere in Basilicata 📍itinerario (seguimi per altri itinerari) Giorno 1️⃣: Matera - Sassi di Matera: Esplora i quartieri di Sasso Barisano e Sasso Caveoso. - Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario: Visita una tipica abitazione dei Sassi ⛪️ Cattedrale di Matera - Scopri le opere di Dalí nel centro storico 🍜Ristorante Francesca: Cucina lucana tradizionale nei Sassi. - Museo di Palazzo Lanfranchi - Chi...
@whereyouneedtobe
2.8K likes • 49.1K views
3 affacci per innamorarti di Matera ✨ 🔭 Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli / Palazzo Lanfranchi – Sassi e Gravina in un unico sguardo 🏛️ Tre Archi / Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio – la pietra incornicia la città come un set 🌇 Affaccio “Suicidio” – vista vertiginosa sul Barisano Attiva il Matera City Pass per sconti e itinerari!
matera.citypass
44 likes • 1.4K views

Combine with City Pass

Consider the Matera City Pass for discounts and curated itineraries. TikTok

Wear Comfy Shoes

You'll likely be walking to reach this viewpoint, so comfortable footwear is a must. TikTok

✨Itinerario per 1 giorno a Matera✨ 🔸Cominciate dal Belvedere Piazzetta Pascoli per avere il primo spettacolare sguardo sul borgo e sulle chiese rupestri. 🔸Scendete e addentratevi attraverso i civili del Sasso Caveoso fino a raggiungere le chiese rupestri di Santa Maria di Idris e S. Giovanni in Monterrone. 🔸Visitate il Bottegaccio per acquistare uno degli oggetti tipici di Matera, il cucù, dirett...
crix_in_viaggio
20 likes • 2.2K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Free & Always Open

The Belvedere is free to access and open 24/7, perfect for spontaneous visits! Reddit

Best for Photos

Great spot for daytime and sunset photos of Matera. TikTok

Combine with City Pass

Consider the Matera City Pass for discounts and curated itineraries. TikTok

Wear Comfy Shoes

You'll likely be walking to reach this viewpoint, so comfortable footwear is a must. TikTok

Sun Protection

The UV index can be high, even when temperatures are cool. Pack sunscreen! TikTok

What Travellers Say

4.7
(5k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli for its absolutely breathtaking and iconic views of Matera's Sassi. It's described as a must-see for its historical significance and stunning beauty, especially during sunset. Some note that while the square itself is lovely, the main draw is the expansive panorama it offers.

"Beautiful square.

I’m pretty sure that the artist here tried to portrait the tree of life, but of course, this is not allowed these days. What a shame!"

H.S. Fernandes

"This is what it is all about. Truly deserving its status as a Unesco world heritage site, despite the attraction for fans of James Bond, Matera is extraordinary in many ways, and beautiful in every way. An almost hidden village built into the cliffs and into a bowl that rises up to the town walls.

Lovely to meander through, or follow the tourist route through, with interesting artisan shops en route, and very little of the tourist souvenir shops, which elevates the experience. As you come up out of the bowl and get to the outside of the town, you're confronted by the savage beauty of a rocky gorge with a plethora of caves roughly hewn out of the face, harking back to previous eras of history.

If you go nowhere else in this region, do visit Matera.

Of note, we parked for free in the new town to avoid the queues of traffic. It was a 20 minute walk, but you also got to see and sample another pleasant side of Matera."

Mike Mackenzie

"My wife and I visited at the end of May. Was gorgeous. Watch out because the UV index is high, while the temperature was still low."

Jeremy G

What People Like

Breathtaking panoramic views
Iconic Sassi vista
Beautiful at sunset

What People Dislike

Can get crowded

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Belvedere is located in Matera. While it's free and open 24/7, it's about 7km from the city center. Many visitors park in the new town and enjoy a 20-minute walk, or opt for a taxi for direct access. Reddit

While direct parking at the Belvedere itself might be limited, parking is available in the newer parts of Matera. Visitors often park for free in the new town and walk to the viewpoint. Reddit

Yes, it's a scenic walk, but be prepared for some uphill sections. It offers a great way to experience more of Matera's charm. TikTok

Public transport options might be limited directly to the Belvedere. It's often more convenient to walk from a central point or use a taxi. Reddit

For easier access, consider taking a taxi directly to the vicinity of Piazzetta Pascoli. This minimizes walking and uphill climbs. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, the Belvedere di Piazzetta Pascoli is a public square and viewpoint, so there is no admission fee. It's completely free to visit. Reddit

The Belvedere is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can visit at any time that suits you. Reddit

Many visitors recommend visiting during the late afternoon for the 'golden hour' sunset views, or early morning for fewer crowds and softer light. TikTok

Yes, the Belvedere is open at night, offering a magical view of Matera illuminated. TikTok

As it's an open public space, there are generally no specific restrictions on visiting hours. However, always be mindful of local regulations and respect the area. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The 'golden hour' just before sunset provides stunning light for capturing the Sassi. Early mornings also offer beautiful, soft light and fewer people. Nighttime offers a different, magical perspective with the city lights. TikTok

You can capture sweeping panoramic views of the Sassi Caveoso and Sassi Barisano, the Gravina canyon, and the ancient cave dwellings. It's a prime spot for landscape and architectural photography. TikTok+1

While a good camera helps, even smartphone cameras can capture stunning images from this viewpoint, especially with good lighting conditions. TikTok

Experiment with different angles to capture the depth and scale of the Sassi. Looking towards the Sassi Caveoso and the Gravina is particularly popular. TikTok+1

Yes, popular times like sunset can get crowded, so arrive a bit early to secure a good spot for your photos. TikTok

🎫 💡 Local Insights

It offers one of the most iconic and breathtaking views of Matera's Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's a place that truly captures the ancient essence of the city. TikTok+1

Yes, the Belvedere is a great starting point for exploring the Sassi districts, cave churches, and other viewpoints like Palazzo Lanfranchi. TikTok+1

After taking in the view, descend into the Sassi districts to explore the cave dwellings, churches, and narrow alleyways up close. TikTok

Many visitors suggest taking your time to wander and soak in the atmosphere. The beauty of Matera is in its details and the feeling of stepping back in time. TikTok

Be mindful of the terrain, as some paths can be uneven. Also, be aware of the UV index, especially during warmer months. TikTokReddit

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