Ancient European city reaching 27°C in October is described as ‘truly magical’

As autumn arrives, the temperatures begin to drop and the days get shorter, so many people in the UK start looking for somewhere warmer to visit.

Sun-lovers choose places where the weather stays hot so they can enjoy the last bit of summer, and European destinations are a favourite for Brits because they are only a short flight away.

Countries such as Spain, France, Greece and Italy are regular choices for UK travellers.

When planning a trip to Italy, most people think of well-known cities like Rome, Florence, Venice or Milan, along with seaside areas like the Amalfi Coast.

But there is another hidden Italian treasure that deserves attention, and that is Matera.

This ancient city sits in the southern region of Basilicata and is famous for its large area of cave homes, known as the Sassi, which have been lived in for at least 9,000 years.

Matera is full of history, and its warm Mediterranean climate is one of the main reasons visitors, especially from the UK, come to explore it.

October is an excellent month to visit the city, as the average high temperature is around 23°C, and it can still reach up to 27°C.

This means tourists can enjoy the sights without the busy summer crowds. Kathy, a travel creator from New York, posted a TikTok video showing viewers the beauty of Matera, also known as the ‘City of Stone’.

Her short clip shows the cave houses and a narrow walkway beside the pretty stone buildings perched on a cliff.

The caption reads: “Matera, a truly magical historical city like no other. The oldest city in Italy and possibly all of Europe. It’s 9,000 years old!”

She added: “I highly recommend staying at least one night to feel the magic. The sunset is amazing, dinner in the cave-style restaurants is unforgettable, and the sunrise is even better.”

The travel enthusiast described Matera as “truly breathtaking” and said it was “easily one of my favourite places to visit while travelling through Puglia.” Up until the 1950s, hundreds of families lived in cramped cave homes in the Sassi.

The poverty and disease in the area became a national shame, and the government forced the residents to move into modern houses built on the higher ground above.

By the 1980s, Matera’s empty caves were no longer viewed as embarrassing, but rather as fascinating pieces of history.

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