Matera (Sassi) weather in December
December in Matera: cool, a little rain, with clean air — a great time to visit.
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
#11 of 12 months in Matera · #684 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 72/100 (tier B)
- Days
- 13°C
- Nights
- 6°C
- Wet days
- 7
- Sun
- 6.9 h
- Humidity
- 81%
- Daylight
- 9 h

Traveller notes on Matera in December
Other months in Matera
Matera forum threads frame the sassi as steep, cobbled, up-and-down walking - "It's steep!" writes one traveller, worrying about the climb in June's heat - and regulars suggest two to three relaxed days rather than a rushed itinerary, ideally sleeping in a cave hotel (Locanda di San Martino has a lift), with parking described as genuinely challenging in the old town. June's record is a southern-Italian summer: 30.2C days against 18.9C nights, humidity around 54 percent, just over seven precipitation days, and a very long day - 15 hours of daylight, 13.3 of them sunny.
Forum posters consistently describe October as warm and comfortable in Matera, with one October 2017 visitor reporting beautiful, dry, sunny weather throughout - though posters note that specific experience may reflect a fortunate stretch rather than a guarantee. Posters generally rate October as a strong choice once the height of summer heat has passed, with noticeably lighter crowds and more pleasant temperatures for wandering the Sassi districts on foot. Posters consistently flag hotel availability, not weather, as the main planning risk for an October trip, recommending booking well ahead since rooms fill up fast this time of year. Posters generally rate October as one of the best overall months to visit Matera.
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Matera climate normals — December
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Matera in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsLiving nativity in the caves, Christmas holidays in Italy, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Matera's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherMatera's best weather comes in May, September and October — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Matera in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Living nativity in the caves
20 Dec – 6 Jan · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedThe cave quarters are used as a nativity set over the holidays, which is the one time of year the Sassi are properly lit at night. Dress for stone: the caves hold the cold as well as the heat. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Matera — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Matera?
Matera in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Matera?
- December in Matera: cool, a little rain, with clean air — a great time to visit. It ranks #11 of 12 months for Matera on SeasonMap's comfort score (72/100).
- What is the weather like in Matera in December?
- In December, Matera averages a daily high of 13.1°C and a low of 5.8°C, with about 41 mm of rain over roughly 6.9 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Matera in December?
- Matera has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in December.
Within 300 km: Sorrento's Christmas lights and markets on 25 Nov – 6 Jan, and Naples' Crib season, San Gregorio Armeno on 1 Nov – 6 Jan.