Staying in a cave in Matera

We stayed in the B&B La Corte dei Pastori in the cave room and loved everything about it. This was a few years ago, but I just looked and they still are very highly rated. I would think that booking directly with them would be less expensive: https://lacortedeipastori.com/ But booking.com is $132 a night. What time of year would make a difference, too.

We stayed in a cave room at Locanda di San Martino and loved it, as well as the whole of Matera. http://www.locandadisanmartino.it/en/home/

When you say you want to stay in a “real cave”, what do you mean or envision? If you are looking for an unimproved cave, I'm not sure you can do that. Maybe someone else on the forum knows. Good luck with your planning.

Sempre, I just meant that I don't want to stay in a hotel, but in one of those places with stone walls. Thanks for the recommendation.
Nancys8, thank you, too!

Some of the cave hotels in Matera are indeed quite expensive. I found https://www.torrettasassi.it/ very charming--wonderful hosts.
It has a fantastic view also.

I also stayed at Locanda di San Martino during a Rick Steves tour in June 2023. It was a wonderful place. As expected, lots of stairs to climb to get to the various rooms, despite the hotel having an elevator. They also have a spa. Some of the rooms have no windows and I would imagine would feel claustrophobic. But those rooms may be priced lower than the rooms with balconies.

Hi Charlotte. Thanks for the clarification. Our cave room at Locanda di San Martino had partially exposed stone walls. It really was lovely. I'm sure you will find something to your liking. Buon viaggio.

You will only find accommodations that meet current health and safety standards. The cave dwellings of the Sassi were declared unfit by law in the 1950's, so any place open to the public will have been renovated a lot even if the work was sensitive to the history and culture of the area. There are a couple of very interesting museums where you can see actual dwellings that were used in the 1900's. I found imagining the conditions staggering, both because of the life the people endured but also because they had the strength to bear it.

Charlotte,

Have a look at this hotel and see if it meets your criteria - https://hotelsassi.it/en/hotel-sassi . As I recall, my room was in a renovated cave room.... basic but very comfortable. The breakfast room was downstairs from the front desk, in what used to be the stables.

Thanks everyone!