Sextantio Grotte della Civita

  • Location: Town / Village
    Shops and restaurants: In walking distance
    Ionian coast: 50km (1h by car)
    Adriatic coast: 80km (1h 30 mins by car)
  • Bari Airport (BRI): 60km (1h by car)
    Airport transfer available on request
    Car recommended
    Free parking
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Remaining characters: 382

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Complimentary fruit and water on arrival

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An introduction to Sextantio Grotte della Civita

How would you describe Sextantio Grotte della Civita in a nutshell?

It’s an unbelievable experience. There is no other word to explain the hospitality experience that you can have here. Sextantio Grotte della Civita is absolutely unique.

The hotel consists of various ancient caves in the middle of Matera which is a UNESCO listed village, in Basilicata, southern Italy. When staying here, you can sense the history of the place. You feel as if you’ve been sent back in time, living in prehistoric times, but with all the modern luxuries.

How would you describe the philosophy of the hotel?

The philosophy was clear — to restore the caves without destroying their history. We wanted to keep the original function, the integrity. Nothing was done to change the caves, we only restored and protected them over a period of ten years.

Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Caves exterior
Caves exterior
Caves exterior
Matera village
View of Matera
Matera at night

Sextantio Grotte della Civita rooms & rates

The experience of sleeping in a cave is amazing. The caves are so big. We offer classic rooms, superior rooms, plus suite caves with all of the amenities of modern living including heat and very comfortable beds. In the grotto, there’s an old church where we serve breakfast. We don’t have a restaurant in the hotel as there are many good ones in the area.

The reviews are amazing. We receive incredible feedback from the holiday guests. It’s just such a unique experience you can’t find anywhere else in the world.

  • Classic room for 2 people / 35 m²
    200 / night
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Bathroom (ensuite)
    • 1 Baby cot (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    The 3 Classic rooms are all 35 sqm caves and feature a comfortable king-size bed and en-suite bathroom (one with a tub the other two with a shower).

    Features: ergonomic mattress - 3 pillows provided and more upon request - Daily housekeeping service - Hair dryer - On-desk welcome kit with water and fresh fruit upon arrival - Natural shampoo and body wash - Floor heating/cooling system - Natural candles - Sheets, fabrics and bedding: handcrafted rough linen - Air recycling system.

  • Superior room for 2-3 people / 60 m²
    260 / night
    • 1 Twin bedroom
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Bathroom (ensuite)
    • 1 Extra bed (on req.)
    • 1 Baby cot (on req.)
    • Air conditioning

    There are 8 Superior rooms between 45 and 70 sqm. They offer a comfortable double bed (a few also have a third full bed), a living area and a bathroom with a freestanding bath tub.

    Features: ergonomic mattress - 3 pillows provided and more upon request - Daily housekeeping service - Hair dryer - On-desk welcome kit with water and fresh fruit upon arrival - Natural shampoo and body wash - Floor heating/cooling system - Natural candles - Sheets, fabrics and bedding: handcrafted rough linen - Air recycling system.

  • Suite for 2-4 people / 100 m²
    350 / night
    • 1 Twin bedroom
    • 1 Double bedroom
    • 1 Bathroom (ensuite)
    • 1 Extra bed (on req.)
    • 1 Baby cot (on req.)
    • Fireplace
    • Air conditioning

    There are 4 Suites between 70 and 150 sqm. They offer a comfortable double bed (the Family Suite has 2 more single beds), a living area and a bathroom with a freestanding bath tub.

    Features: ergonomic mattress - 3 pillows provided and more upon request - Daily housekeeping service - Hair dryer - On-desk welcome kit with water and fresh fruit upon arrival - Natural shampoo and body wash - Floor heating/cooling system - Natural candles - Sheets, fabrics and bedding: handcrafted rough linen - Air recycling system.

Included in the rates
Rates include breakfast.
Children & Extra beds
Children are welcome.
Minimum stay
1 nights
Check in time
after 14:00
Check out time
before 12:00

Facilities & services

  • Children welcome
  • WiFi
  • Terrace
  • Maid service
  • Bar
  • Concierge service
  • Fireplace
  • Central heating
  • Room service
  • Business / Remote work facilities

Things to do in Basilicata & Matera

  • Art / Culture
  • Shopping / Markets
  • Wine tastings
  • Cooking classes
  • Massages / Treatments
  • Hiking

There are several excursions going to various very old caves nearby. A walk through the Sassi caves is also amazing. It’s a special, out-of-time experience. And there’s even a place nearby where Mel Gibson shot scenes for The Passion of the Christ.

Sextantio Grotte della Civita reviews

5 of 5 stars
Verfied Welcome Beyond stay
Absolutely wonderful place Lovely staff Thoroughly enjoyed it Only comment would be to make sure they have English Breakfast Tea.
Anna B. (UK)
stayed at Sextantio Grotte della Civita in April 2015

The location of Sextantio Grotte della Civita

Matera is the last example of people living in caves exactly as man lived 2,000 or 3,000 years ago. In 1959, the prime minister went to Matera and discovered that people were still living in caves and was ashamed. He took people out of the caves and built them a new town, so the caves were abandoned. Fortunately, a professor of history advised to protect them as they were very unique. You can’t find a town in the world where 60 years ago people were living in caves like prehistoric man. Daniele Kihlgren, half Italian, half Swedish, discovered the abandoned caves of Matera and saw the potential of what they could be. He bought 18 caves and decided to restore them back to the way they were in 1959.

Sextantio Grotte della Civita is just a few kilometers from Puglia, a nice, historical town. It’s the best touristy holiday area in Italy, especially in the summer. The town is very old and faces the sea and the weather is amazing. We are also just one hour from the beach and one hour from the mountains.

When is the best time to visit Basilicata?

Matera is just beside Calabria in Southern Italy and the weather here is warm all year round. August is very hot, so the best time would be from April to end of June, and from September through October.