Top Matera Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

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.

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.

If you're looking for a fun and curious way to visit Matera, you've come to the right place! With this digital guide created with the support of a local guide, you will be able to visit all the most important monuments at your own pace. You'll get to know the stories and curiosities of Matera! But also you will discover everything about local foods, Italian Aperitivo in authentic local restaurants, and much more!

Explore Matera at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour on your phone. You get a clear map of all 10 stops, simple directions through Google Maps, and short audio stories you can play when you reach each location. The route covers the historic heart and the Sassi districts, from Piazza Vittorio Veneto to the Church of San Pietro Caveoso, passing sites like the Matera Cathedral, the panoramic Piazzetta Pascoli, and the iconic Santa Maria di Idris. Start anytime, pause whenever you like, and explore freely. No groups, no schedules. Audio and text available in 7 languages.

Discover Matera with a panoramic bus tour ideal for visiting the Sassi in a comfortable way and without long walks. The experience combines panoramic routes, short walks in the historic center and entrances included in the symbolic places of the city. From Tramontano Castle the tour reaches Piazzetta Pascoli, one of the most suggestive viewpoints to admire the Sasso Caveoso, and Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the heart of modern Matera overlooking the Sasso Barisano. The descent continues towards the Sassi with panoramic stops, a visit to a rock church carved into the rock and a typically furnished Casa Grotta, to understand life in the Sassi until the 1950s. The bus facilitates travel in areas with elevation differences, making the tour suitable for all ages. Ideal for a first visit, for those seeking iconic views, culture and comfort in a single experience.

This 3-hour walking tour is perfect for travelers looking to experience the Sassi of Matera in a deeper and more complete way, beyond the usual panoramic routes. The itinerary explores both historic districts, Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, and includes visits to two of the city’s most important rock churches. Led by a local guide, you’ll learn how Matera evolved from a “built” city into one carved directly into stone, as you pass through historic squares, scenic viewpoints, and rock-hewn spaces that reveal centuries of everyday life and spiritual tradition. The highlight of the tour is the visit to the rock churches, from Sant’Antonio Abate to the striking Madonna de Idris. Here, you’ll admire frescoes dating from the 12th to the 17th century and explore the ancient crypt of San Giovanni in Monterrone. The experience ends with a tasting of traditional Lucanian specialties. The tour runs in small groups, allowing for a more engaging pace and better interaction.

Discover the magic of Matera with the panoramic bus tour! A comfortable and engaging experience that will take you to discover the Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while crossing streets rich in history and charm. During the tour you will admire the ancient houses carved into the rock and enjoy beautiful views of the Murgia Park. The tour also includes the entrance to a typical cave house, to get to know the lifestyle of the Sassi inhabitants up close, and a 40-minute stop in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, one of the most suggestive of the city. On board, an experienced tour leader will accompany you with explanations in Italian and English, to make your trip even more interesting and complete.

START AT 11AM/INIZIO ALLE ORE 11. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi di Matera on a panoramic car tour in a Renault Twingo cabriolet. This unique experience allows you to explore ancient rock churches and traditional dwellings while enjoying the refreshing breeze with the roof down. With an expert driver, delve into the rich history and culture of Matera, accessing hidden corners and breathtaking panoramas that showcase the city's charm. Perfect for small groups, this intimate trip accommodates 2 to 4 adults, ensuring a personalized exploration of the enchanting landscape of Matera without the hassle of walking. - Explore the historical Sassi di Matera in a Renault Twingo cabriolet - Access to unique sites and stunning views of the ancient city - Suitable for small groups of 2 to 4 adults for an intimate experience

Visit Matera on board a bee, a comfortable and fun experience. A tour of the three districts of the Sassi of Matera and the historic center with panoramic stops and curiosities about the recent history of the city of Matera: from a national shame to a city known and appreciated worldwide. It will also be possible to visit a typical "casa cave" house The route lasts just over an hour, accompanied by a local person to discover the secrets of this millennial city. In special requests enter your preferred departure time!

We’ll meet at Tramontano Castle, where I’ll explain the rules of the game and give you a map with riddles linked to the places you’ll need to discover. You’ll have 2 hours to solve them, using both your brain and your legs — but the reward will be worth it! Along the way, you’ll explore hidden corners and discover what I consider to be the true gems of the city. I’ll stay at the starting point to assist you or give you hints, if needed. At the end of the adventure, you’ll return to me to decipher the key and unlock the treasure chest together, while I share stories and fun facts about the places you’ve visited. Everyone will receive a certificate, but only the winner will take home the treasure! It’s the perfect activity to explore Matera in an original way, to give someone a special gift, or simply to enjoy a fun and unique experience! On request, small gifts or notes provided by you can be placed in the chest to make the experience even more personal.

Private panoramic tour of the historic districts of the city, aboard the historic Ape Calessino Piaggio. You will not share the tour with other guests.

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.

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.

Skip the pre-set itinerary and script of a professional guide and enjoy an informal, behind-the-scenes Matera visit with a local host. Learn about daily life in the ancient “cave city” and create a customized route to suit your interests and passions, from landmark churches to little-known eateries. This “Lokafy” experience is aimed at connecting with a Matera native who can offer a uniquely authentic perspective on the city and its people.

Organize with us your Private Tour in the Sassi and Murgia Materana. Aboard a comfortable 8-seater Mercedes van you can discover everything there is to see in the city. From Sasso Caveoso to Sasso Barisano, we will cross the Old Town until we reach the Belvedere with its breathtaking view! Bottles of water will be available to our Guests. We offer customers a “private tour” service that allows you to visit the length and breadth of Matera Everything is set up to allow you as much as possible to enjoy every single moment of your trip, and all in value for money! During the Tour in Van an audio guide service will be provided You can choose the following languages: Italian/English/Spanish/French/German/Portuguese/Bulgarian/ Czechoslovak/Danish/Chinese/Estonian/Polish/Russian/Hungarian Entrance to all listed sites is included during the Tour. In short, only with US you can visit EVERYTHING!

Discover the historical "Sassi" neighbourhoods with a high profile guide. Our guides are all very fluent in English. Starting from the upper part of the city centre, you will get to know the most alive part of the town, where the locals live. Moving towards the Sassi area, you will have the chance to better understand how this complex city developed over the centuries. Passing first by the Sasso Barisano which we will admire from a panoramic terrace, the tour keeps going on through the internal alleys of the Sasso Caveoso with several stops to dig into the depths of Matera’s historical, architectural and cultural background. Our choice on what to include in the tour has been made, taking into careful consideration which sites are most worthy of the presence of a guide. We decided to include a rock-hewn church: Santa Lucia alle Malve. At the end of the tour the guide will share with you infos on which other places it’s worth of visiting on your own.

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.

On this in-depth guided tour of Parco della Murgia, explore the UNESCO-listed Rupestrian churches that Matera is famous for. With a guide, walk along scenic footpaths to visit two must-see churches: the fresco-filled San Falcion and 17th-century Madonna delle Tre Porte. Admission fees to the park and a discount coupon for lunch are also included.

Delve into the history and mystery of UNESCO-listed Matera, home to the Sassi cave city that traces its history back to prehistoric times. Explore one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world with a guide, stopping to visit rupestrian churches and homes and learn about the evolution of this singular cliffside town. Stroll through the Sasso Barisano and pause to snap photos of the town and surrounding valley.

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.

Explore the enchanting city of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aboard a private panoramic minicar, accompanied by an expert local guide. This exclusive tour offers a blend of comfort and cultural richness as you glide through Matera's iconic Sassi districts, ancient rock churches, and scenic viewpoints. Listen to captivating stories that illuminate the city's history while enjoying unobstructed views perfect for photography. With convenient stops at breathtaking locations, this experience is tailored for couples, families, and seniors seeking to discover Matera's beauty in a relaxed and informative manner. - Private panoramic minicar tour with a knowledgeable local guide - Visit the historic Sassi Cave Districts, Barisano, and Caveoso - Enjoy stunning views from panoramic terraces overlooking the Gravina canyon - Perfect for couples, families, and seniors seeking a comfortable exploration

Try something new with this Crypt of Original Sin excursion with hassle-free transportation included. Tucked away in a cave on the stunning Mugia plateau near Matera, this hidden gem—often called the "Sistine Chapel of the south"—is truly one of a kind. With an expert guide leading the way, you’ll explore its fascinating frescoes and uncover the rich history of Basilicata with ease.

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.