Top Matera Art & Culture - page 2

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.

Discover the unique and inspiring stones of Matera on this tour. The UNESCO World Heritage city is tucked into a mountainside ravine and the rocky landscape of the oldest city in Europe. Led by a local guide, you'll explore the Sassi caves/rock formations, that make for magical photos of the city when lit at night. Your guide will show you the Sasso Barisano, a 13th century church and hidden parts of the Old Town.

Discover a side of Matera that many visitors never see without the challenge of interpreting its underground history on your own. This guided experience explores the Matera Hypogeum, a vast network of subterranean spaces carved beneath the city. As you pass ancient dwellings, cisterns, and places of worship, gain insight into how generations of residents lived, worked, and managed resources below the streets of this UNESCO-listed destination.

Beneath Matera's main piazza lies a sealed underground city — Roman cisterns, a ninth-century church, and a tank that held five million litres of rainwater. This self-guided audio tour of the Sassi di Matera, delivered through an app, takes you past what most visitors never notice. You'll learn why families paid for better skull placement on a church door, how an assassinated count sparked a city motto about patient revenge, and why Hollywood chose these cave streets over the actual Holy Land. Your guide covers both Sasso districts, the cathedral, and cave homes where families of eleven lived alongside their animals. Start anytime, pause for photos, go at your pace — no group to follow, no fixed schedule. Works offline in the narrow streets. Over 20,000 travellers trust our self-guided tours, and every booking comes with a full refund guarantee. If you want to understand Matera rather than just photograph it, this Matera walking tour is built for exactly that.

Unique panoramic tour on board the historic Piaggio Ape Calessino, it will give you an indelible memory of the splendid Matera. Customizable for your every need.

Discover the historic charm of Matera on this guided walking tour, which starts from the picturesque Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Admire the panoramic views of Civita and Sasso Barisano as you walk through the ancient alleys of the old town. Visit the amazing Rock Church and a traditional cave house to immerse yourself in the rich culture and history of the region. This 2-hour tour, with a maximum of 15 participants, offers an intimate glimpse into Matera's fascinating past and beautiful landscapes, making it ideal for culture and history enthusiasts. Duration: about 2 hours Minimum 2 adults; maximum 15 participants Daily departures at 11:30 or 15:30 Visit significant sites, including the ancient cave house and rock church.

Private tour in the magical scenery of the Sassi of Matera illuminated during the night The drivers Antonio and Francesco will be happy to accompany you to discover this unique show in the world: The Sassi of Matera at night. Make your stay in Matera unique with the scenarios of Barisano and Caveoso illuminated by the lights of the houses of the Sassi, a delight for the eyes of young and old.

Let yourself be enveloped by the warmth of the thermal waters, treat yourself to a relaxing day in one of the most suggestive places of the Island of Ischia!

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and former European Capital of Culture, Matera is full of history that isn’t always apparent to independent travelers. On this small-group walking tour, explore the city with a guide sharing insights into local history and culture. Start from Piazza Vittorio Veneto and explore much of the historic center in a few hours of walking, seeing stone houses, churches, and famous cave dwellings along the way.

Discover Matera in a convenient, exclusive, and engaging way with our one-hour minicar tour, perfect for exploring the famous Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site, without long walks. Aboard a SIGHTSEEING CART with a local driver and multilingual audio guide, you will visit the city’s most iconic sites, enjoying clear explanations, breathtaking views, and stops at the most scenic points. The route passes through the Sasso Barisano, it continues into Sasso Caveoso, the oldest, where the cave houses seem to merge with the rock, creating one of the world’s most extraordinary urban landscapes. The tour includes external visits to two important churches: the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Church of San Pietro Caveoso, situated in a panoramic location.

A day of absolute relaxation, where you can immerse yourself in the 20 healing pools, take a Japanese path, take a sauna or simply bask in the sun

Discover the magic of the Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a guided tuk tuk tour, a comfortable, original and suggestive way to explore one of the oldest cities in the world. Accompanied by an expert Guide, you will cross the famous Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, admiring rock churches, ancient houses carved into the rock and breathtaking views of Gravina. The tuk tuk allows you to reach even the most characteristic and panoramic points, making the experience pleasant and accessible to everyone. Along the way, the Guide will tell you about the history, curiosities and traditions of Matera, from its prehistoric origins to the cultural revival that made it the European Capital of Culture. Photographic stops are planned at the most iconic points to capture unique views. An ideal experience for those who want to get to know Matera in a relaxed, authentic and fun way, without sacrificing the charm and depth of the historical story.

Walk through the historic districts known as the Sassi of Matera, with a visit inside a typical cave house, to discover the history and the artistic and cultural heritage through the places, the stories of those who lived there, local crafts and a visit to cave sites.

Exploring the Sassi with Vito Rondinone, an official guide from Matera, offers you an exclusive and personalized experience to truly connect with this magical place. As a private tour, you’ll have the full attention of a highly qualified local guide, dedicated solely to you, ensuring that every moment is tailored to your interests. You’ll not only visit the must-see spots but also uncover hidden, non-touristy gems that only a local expert can reveal. The journey begins at a breathtaking viewpoint, setting the stage for an immersive exploration through the ancient alleys of Sasso Caveoso, where I’ll share captivating stories of Matera’s rich history and vibrant culture. We’ll visit a traditional cave house museum, offering a firsthand look into the unique living conditions of the past. Throughout the tour, you’ll encounter stunning vistas, discover Matera’s culinary traditions, and gain a deep understanding of the city’s evolution, making this private tour an unforgettable experience.

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.

Leave Matera with private pick-up from your accommodation and explore two remarkable sites in the Basilicata countryside. Visit the Crypt of Original Sin, a rock-hewn church known for its rare 8th–9th-century frescoes, with an audio guide that explains the biblical scenes and their meaning. As you explore the painted story of Genesis, you will also discover an intriguing detail: the forbidden fruit is not shown as an apple, revealing a different and more surprising interpretation of the original scene. Continue to Masseria Dragone for a tasting that includes a charcuterie board with local cold cuts, traditional bread, crunchy taralli, and a glass of local wine. After this flavorful break, stop at the San Giuliano Dam to enjoy a scenic view before reaching Miglionico. Walk through the medieval village with a licensed guide and visit Malconsiglio Castle, linked to the historic Conspiracy of the Barons. Wrap up the tour and return comfortably to your accommodation in Matera.

The vast Murgia plateau facing the Sassi of Matera constitutes the Regional Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera, which has also been declared a World Heritage Site since 2007. It is a large rocky hilly area marked by deep karst fissures called: "Gravine". The show that appears before the eyes is truly breathtaking, since the whole inhabited area of the Sassi appears in all its splendor beyond the ravine. In a surprising and fascinating naturalistic context, following an initially somewhat steep path, accompanied by Environmental Naturalistic Guides, you descend towards the Gravina stream near which, in an area rich in vegetation, there is a characteristic Rock Church which " speaks to us” of the past. Looking up… the Sassi…. seen from the stream… amazement! Return to the Murgecchia plain and skirt the Gravina.

Experience the magic of Matera with this exclusive package! Enjoy a one-night stay for two in a charming B&B nestled in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Sassi district. Treat yourself to a delicious lunch or dinner featuring traditional local dishes, giving you a true taste of Lucanian cuisine. Then, embark on a 2-hour group walking tour through the iconic Sassi neighborhoods, Caveoso and Barisano. Explore a historic rock-hewn church and step inside a typical cave house to discover what life was like in this fascinating ancient city. This is the perfect chance to immerse yourself in the history, culture, and unique atmosphere of Matera.

Emotional experience on board a Sightseeing to comfortably visit the modern and ancient neighborhoods of the city of Matera and to enjoy the beauty of both Sassi, Caveoso and Barisano districts. The experiential tour ends in the Murgia Matera Park where you can witness an unrepeatable natural spectacle of caves and ravines. You will therefore be able to immortalise an unforgettable panorama that the Belvedere sui Sassi offers.

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour with your own local guide. Join us for a three-hour walking tour to explore the enchanting city of Matera. Visit Casa Cava, a unique space where history and modernity blend, and marvel at the beautiful frescoes of Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista. Take in the stunning views of Piazza Vittorio Veneto and delve into the fascinating history of Chiesa del Purgatorio. Discover the fascinating Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera, and explore the charming Chiesa di Santa Lucia alle Malve. Finally, immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of the Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world.

Discover the timeless charm of Matera and Alberobello on a private full-day tour from Polignano a Mare. Explore Matera’s ancient cave dwellings and rock churches, then wander through Alberobello’s iconic trulli houses. Immerse yourself in history, culture, and unforgettable landscapes—book your private experience today!

Discover one of the most picturesque hill towns in Basilicata without the hassle of a guidebook or map with this private guided stroll through Castelmezzano. Explore the medieval old town perched high above the surrounding hills and learn about its history as an important stop for Crusaders on their way to the Holy Land. Stop to admire the town’s historic church, the ducal palace, and the ruins of the Normal-Swabian castle.

We will discover together what was once defined as the "national shame". Today, Matera, with its Sassi and the Park of rock churches, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Millennia of history and almost uninterrupted human presence have made Matera today a city that has so much to show; we will try to tell it and get to know it.

This is part of one of the world’s largest digital travel guide platforms, used by millions. Travelers can create custom itineraries or let AI build them instantly, based on location, time, and interests. Explore Matera’s lesser-known soul: winding Sassi cave dwellings, hidden Rupestrian churches, secret stone courtyards, symbols carved in ancient rock, and food traditions passed down for generations. Ideal for curious minds and independent travelers.