Matera Tours, Tickets & Excursions

Matera is home to the Sassi cave churches and dwellings that make up one of the oldest cities in the world. Join your guide for an in-depth tour of the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano districts to learn about their unique history and evolution. Discover rupestrian structures, stroll the steep and narrow lanes, and gain a deeper understanding of how this town, once called the “Shame of Italy”, is now a UNESCO-listed treasure.

The UNESCO-listed Sassi di Matera is both captivating and mysterious. With this guided tour, take a deep dive into the history of this unique rupestrian city, named a 2019 European Capital of Culture. Explore its hidden dwellings and churches carved directly into the cliff, the setting for a number of films, including Ben Hur. Cap off the tour with a tasting of local specialties from Matera.

Catapult into a unique world, retracing the pages of history. Reliving the life of farmers by finding the hidden heart of their ancient civilization.

Make the most of your time in Matera and see the main tourist attractions in just a few hours with this guided tour. Stroll through the most historic districts of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, to learn about the unique evolution of this 'city of cave houses' over the millennia. Explore cave churches and dwellings, admire Baroque and Romanesque architecture, and views of the urban landscape and surrounding countryside.

A tour of the three districts in the historic center of the Sassi with panoramic stops and curiosities about the recent history of the city of Matera: from national shame to a city known and appreciated worldwide. It will also be possible to visit a cave house and a rock church. The route lasts just over an hour and in this time visitors will be able to observe the Piano area, that is, the part close to the Sassi and get to know the historical places from another perspective. The Piano area is actually the first area built immediately after the Sassi at the turn of the Renaissance.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed rock city of Matera stretches over a steep cliff, so exploring it on foot can be tiring. Explore as much as possible without getting tired with this tour aboard an authentic Italian Ape Calessino (Tuk Tuk). Zip through the streets of the historic Sasso Caveoso neighborhood to admire the main churches and squares and snap photos of the famous cave houses and views of the surrounding valley.

Our guide will accompany you to discover the oldest and most fascinating area of the city of Matera: the historic Rioni Sassi. Along this pleasant walk, which winds through the alleys and panoramic views of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, there are many stops for historical, architectural and cultural insights. In particular, it will be possible to visit a 12th century rock church from the inside, one of the most representative carved into the rock, both for its still recognizable architectural structure and for the excellent state of conservation of the period wall paintings medieval.

Get more out of your visit to Sassi di Matera with a guide to show you the best ways around the area. Along with leading you through the region, your guide will also tell you interesting historical and cultural facts as you go. Plus, see tops attractions such as Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. 

Unveil the secrets of the ancient “cave city” of Matera with this in-depth walking tour through the UNESCO-listed Sassi. Delve into the history of this unique city dug into the cliffside and visit a cave house and rupestrian churches in its two oldest districts. Learn about how residents once lived, marvel at the cathedral set at the town’s upper square, and take in sweeping views over the Murgia Materana Park.

Matera has a lot going for it – it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, European Capital of Culture 2019 and a cave city dating back over 5,000 years. Tour its historic centre and ancient cave dwellings, try local Basilicata food and wine, then choose to visit the cave house museum or a rupestrian church. Considered one of the most outstanding and intact troglodyte settlements, Matera's ancient cave dwellings, or ‘sassi', are the city's big draw. Beginning in the historic centre, we'll check out the baroque quarter, known as ‘Il Piano', where churches and palaces are built on top of the caves. Venture into the neighbourhoods of ‘Sasso Barisano' and ‘Sasso Caveoso' to see ancient ‘sassi' carved into the Gravina canyon and you'll pause for thought in the old quarter of ‘Civita'. You'll also get to try typical food and wine at Panecotto Restaurant, before choosing between an optional visit to the cave house museum or a rupestrian church, cut into the rock.

tour with transfer by a comfortable 8 seat minivan, in sharing. Are you in Matera and want to reach Alberobello without stress? Would you like a high-quality, and reliable service? Don’t worry, we take care of everything: transfer + guided tour, all this in half a day.

Cover more ground and explore the UNESCO-listed Sassi di Matera cave churches and dwellings in less than an hour with this Ape Calessino tour. Buzz through the steep, narrow lanes to see highlights in the Barisano and Caveoso districts plus Civita, the town's historic center. Learn about the history of this unique cliffside town from your driver and guide and pause to admire the top sights and snap photos.

You will love Matera at the first sight. At first glance, Matera looks like any small Italian town, but in few steps from Baroque Churches and boutiques, you will discover a very special place called Sassi, where the people lived from the Neolithic Period until the 50th of the last century, and it is today the World Heritage Site and the stage for many films.

It is not the classic touristic tour that I present, but a real immersion in the culture of my land through the discovery of the cities.

Touring the cliffside Sassi di Matera on foot can be tiring. With this tuk-tuk tour, you’ll zip up the steep streets of the old town to take in the top sights in just hours. Delve into the Barisano and Caveoso districts to admire ancient cave dwellings and rupestrian churches and learn about their history via an audio guide. Navigate the warren of narrow lanes with a group leader to avoid getting lost.

Exploring the Sassi with Vito Rondinone, an official guide, from Matera you will have the unique chance to really get to know this magical place through the eyes of a real local. You will see the must-sees but also the non-touristy gems. A private tour will give you the highest quality experience, being able to customize the itinerary and enjoy the guide just for you. You will discover the incredible and fascinating story of the Sassi, how one of the oldest cities in the world developed in symbiosis with nature and how it came to be called Italy's national shame. Visit a fascinating cave-house museum and learn about the Sassi's way of life.

Professionalism, safety and comfort. A highly specialized staff will make your ride unique and special. The staff will be able to give you tips and suggestions on how to best visit the cities and where to stop for a small snack or lunch / dinner with a breathtaking view.

A private service to reach without stress and unnecessary waiting your destination to enjoy your holiday at fullest.

Only with us you can organize a tour carried out by the best authorized local guides. It starts with the sunset lights up to get excited with the evening lights. The tour ends not only with the visit of all ancient Matera but also includes the entrances to various rock environments: cave house and rock church.

On this in-depth guided tour of Parca della Murgia, you’ll get an insider’s introduction to the stunning, underground Rupestrian churches that Matera is famous for. Get a peek at 150 rock churches, including fresco-filled San Falcion and 17th-century Madonna delle Tre Porte. Tours include admission fees to the park and a guided excursion.

Ancient dwellings dug into the tuff. A deep "valley" (gravina) crossed by a stream. Roofs that become floors for the homes of the upper levels. A dense network of alleys, and the impression of walking in a papier-mâché nativity scene.

Discovering Matera, the city of the Sassi which has the title of European Capital of Culture for 2019 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ancient stony districts are characterized by houses carved into the limestone rock and rock churches that make it unique in the world. This natural conformation, which evokes biblical scenarios, has always made them ideal sets for important films, most recently the film by Ben Hur.

Drive through the streets of Matera with this special tour. With the Ape Calessino tour you can admire the wonderful atmosphere of Matera, European Capital of Culture 2019. Comfort, style and culture: the best things to experience one of the most particular tours of the city. This tour combines quality and professionalism to guarantee the best service

Discover the old mountainside city of Matera on a 2-hour private walking tour. Visit the city’s key landmarks like Palazzo Lanfranchi, the church of San Pietro Caveoso, the Sasso Caveoso, and visit a typical cave house from the region. Learn about the history of this centuries-old city from your informative guide and even walk the streets where Mel Gibson filmed scenes from ‘The Passion of the Christ.’