Coliving in Matera, Italy
Casa Netural · Social innovation coliving in UNESCO-listed Matera, southern Italy
The Home
Casa Netural
Casa Netural is a social innovation hub and coliving space in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage city in southern Italy known for its ancient cave dwellings and dramatic landscape. Founded in 2013, it combines coworking, coliving, and social entrepreneurship in one of Italy’s most architecturally striking settings.
The Experience
The space functions as both a home and a creative lab. Residents share meals, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects with a strong social-impact orientation. The local network — artists, researchers, civic innovators — extends the community beyond the house itself.
Who It’s For
Social entrepreneurs, creatives, and impact-driven professionals who want to work on meaningful projects in a historic, affordable, and deeply cultural Italian city. Matera’s unique setting provides daily inspiration that few other coliving locations can match.
Upcoming Chapters
What's included
- Coworking Dedicated workspace
- Up to 10 guests Community size
- 1 week min stay Minimum commitment
- Since 2013 Established coliving
- Remote-friendly Built for nomads
Workspace
Work with a Matera, Basilicata Rhythm
Coworking included with reliable internet.
The Vibe
Mornings are quiet — espresso and a pastry from a local bakery, then settling into the coworking space. Midday breaks often involve a walk through the Sassi for fresh air and a change of perspective. Afternoons bring collaborative work sessions or visits from local artists and researchers. Evenings mean shared cooking with Southern Italian ingredients or dinner at a trattoria in the old town.
Weekends open up for exploring the Sassi caves, day trips to the Adriatic coast (Metaponto beach is 45 min), or visiting nearby hill towns like Alberobello and its trulli houses.
Living in Matera, Basilicata
Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements on earth — people have lived in the cave dwellings (Sassi) for 9,000 years. The city was the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and a filming location for Bond (No Time to Die) and The Passion of the Christ. The Sassi are dramatic: ancient cave houses carved into a ravine, now restored as hotels, restaurants, and homes.
What makes Matera special for remote workers is the combination of genuine beauty and genuine affordability. Southern Italy prices — a full lunch at a trattoria costs €8-12, a coffee is €1, and rent outside of coliving is €300-500/month. The city is small (60,000 people) but has enough restaurants, bars, and cultural events to stay interesting.
The downside is access — Matera has no train station (the nearest is Altamura or Bari). You'll want a car for exploring the region. But the slow pace is the point. Basilicata is Italy's least-touristy region, which means fewer crowds, lower prices, and the kind of authentic Italian life that Tuscany charges a premium to approximate.
Sassi di Matera
Wander the ancient cave district — the most extraordinary urban landscape in Italy. Many caves have been converted into restaurants, hotels, and museums. Early morning and golden hour light make it magical.
Murgia Materana
The rocky plateau opposite the Sassi with cave churches containing Byzantine frescoes. The viewpoint across the ravine to Matera is the classic photo angle.
Alberobello Day Trip
A town of trulli — whitewashed conical-roofed houses unique to Puglia. About 1 hour from Matera and genuinely unlike anything else in Europe.
Transparent Rates
All prices per person. 1 week minimum stay.
| Room Type | Price / month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private room Best value | €600 /mo | Starting from |
| Premium room | €1,000 /mo |
The Honest Briefing
The nearest airports are Bari (BRI, 70 min by car) and Brindisi (BDS, 2 hours). Rent a car — Matera has limited public transport. You can also take a Flixbus from Bari. Get a TIM or Vodafone SIM for €10 at a tabacchi. Bring comfortable walking shoes — the Sassi are all steep stairs and cobblestones.
Where to Eat
- 🍽Trattoria Lucana, Matera — classic Lucanian cuisine, try the orecchiette with turnip greens, €10-15
- 🍽Baccanti, Sassi — cave restaurant with tasting menus of local specialties, €25-35
- 🍽L'Abbondanza Lucana, Matera — family-run, generous portions of pasta and grilled meats, €8-12
- 🍽La Lopa, Matera — focaccia and street food on the piazza, €3-5
- 🍽Oi Marì, Matera — pizza and craft beer in the old town, €8-12
Cost of Living
The Team
Founders
We started Casa Netural in 2013 because Matera needed a place where innovation could happen in one of the world's oldest cities. The contrast is the whole point.
Getting There & Around
- Bari Airport (BRI)70 min by car
- Matera Sassi5 min walk
- Metaponto Beach45 min by car
Common Questions
What's the WiFi like?
100 Mbps — reliable for remote work and video calls. Italy's fibre coverage reaches Matera's city center.
What's included in the price?
Private room, coworking access, communal kitchen and living areas, WiFi, and participation in community events and workshops.
How do I get there?
Fly into Bari (BRI) and rent a car or take a Flixbus to Matera (about 70 minutes). Brindisi (BDS) is another option with a 2-hour drive.
Is there much to do in the evenings?
Matera is small but has a real food and bar scene, especially around Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the Sassi. It's not a party town — the appeal is long dinners, wine, and conversation.
Who was this space designed for?
Social entrepreneurs, creatives, and impact-driven professionals. The community has a strong orientation toward projects that make a difference — if that resonates, you'll fit right in.
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