Top Matera Walking Tours

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.

With an authorized guide you will visit the beauties of the historic center of Matera reaching, with a pleasant walk, places and breathtaking views.

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.

Starting from Piazza S. Pietro Caveoso, you will explore the Sassi, the ancient districts of the city. Discover Matera's charm, from the most beautiful and breathtaking viewpoints, to the most hidden and fascinating corners. Entering the caves of Matera, you will see how families once lived. You will visit the palombaro, the large cistern for the rainwater collection, and you will learn how the people of Matera collected the rainwater, essential for the survival of the population. Knowing all the secrets of Matera, you will learn how this city went from being the 'shame of Italy' to be a UNESCO site and a jewel of the Italian cultural heritage.

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.

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!

We dive into the Park starting from the Sassi districts, across the suspension bridge that crosses the stream. Visit to the UNESCO Park of Murgia Materana with unspoilt nature, flora, fauna, art, ancient history and archaeology to discover. Rock churches (cut into the rock) with millenary frescoes, cisterns for collecting water, farms and tratturi crossed for millennia on the road between Rome and Jerusalem. Personalized tours with professional hiking environmental guide registered with AIGAE (Italian Association of Environmental Hiking Guides). Limited number of participants. It is a unique and exciting tour. You will discover nature, history and art through one of the oldest territories in the world. Bring hiking shoes, windbreaker, water and hat with visor.

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.

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.

Follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous secret agent on this thrilling walking tour through the cinematic streets of Matera. Discover the iconic locations from No Time To Die as your guide shares behind-the-scenes stories and fascinating insights. Stroll along Via delle Beccherie, linking Via Duomo to the majestic 13th-century Romanesque Cathedral. Then, descend through narrow alleys and stairways into Sasso Barisano, where action-packed scenes came to life among ancient stone architecture. Continue along Via Madonna delle Virtù, overlooking the Gravina ravine—Bond’s high-speed chase route in the legendary Aston Martin. Then head to Via Muro, Matera’s most cinematic street, chosen by Cary Fukunaga for its striking visual power. Take in the stunning views from Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, featured in the film’s most intense moments, and finish in Piazza Pascoli, home to the iconic Hotel Balcony—Bond’s Matera hideout. More than just a tour, it’s a journey into the world of James Bond, surrounded by history, cinema, and breathtaking scenery.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the magic of the Sassi di Matera with an exclusive private guided tour, designed just for you and your group. No crowds, no strangers – you will have an authentic experience with an expert Guide dedicated only to you. You will walk through picturesque alleys, houses carved into the rock and breathtaking views, entering a typical Casa Grotta, furnished as it used to be, to understand the peasant life in the Sassi. You will also visit an evocative Rock Church, carved into the rock and embellished with ancient frescoes, testimony of the millennial spirituality of Matera. The tour is completely customizable in time and rhythm, ideal for couples, families or small groups who want to experience Matera in an intimate and unhurried way. Book your private tour now and be guided into the authentic heart of the Sassi : an exclusive, deep and unforgettable experience.

Meet every day in Jazzo Gattini for a 2-hour exploration of the UNESCO Park of Murgia Materana. Discover its thousand-year-old Neolithic archaeological wonders, and then visit frescoed medieval rock churches overlooking the Gravina canyon and the Sassi di Matera, ancient cisterns, dry stone walls; a full immersion that travels through millennia of human history, from the dawn of time to the present day. This area boasts not only a wealth of history and archaeological wonders, but also an uncontaminated Mediterranean flora and fauna, immersed in a land that never ceases to amaze and amaze those who want to discover it. With us you can also let children participate with games and curiosities about fossils, flora and fauna.

Live an authentic experience that combines nature, tradition and taste in a unique setting. You will walk among majestic centuries-old olive trees, witnesses of history and culture, immersed in a breathtaking landscape with views of the Little Lucanian Dolomites and the Gallipoli Cognato and Foresta Mantenera Park. Here, away from the chaos, you will breathe pure and uncontaminated air, surrounded by the scents of the earth. You will discover the secrets of the cultivation and production of our organic oils, appreciating their quality and unique characteristics. The tasting will take place under the olive groves, where you will taste our fine oils accompanied by platters of cold cuts and cheeses at km 0, the result of the passion and tradition of local companies. A journey into the authentic flavors of Basilicata, between taste and well-being.

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!

Explore the Lucan Dolomites: Trekking between History and Nature Embark on an unforgettable adventure, a moderately difficult hike in small groups, along the Seven Stones Path that connects the villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. The journey will take you through breathtaking landscapes, with altitudes ranging from 920 meters in Pietrapertosa to 660 meters in the Caperrino Stream valley, before climbing again to Castelmezzano. Discover Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa Explore the medieval village of Castelmezzano, famous for its rock-hewn houses and spectacular views. In Pietrapertosa, one of Italy's "Most Beautiful Villages," you’ll uncover the medieval core and the Norman-Swabian Castle. The Seven Stones Path The path will lead you through seven evocative pit stops, where stories of witches, magic, and local traditions come to life through artistic installations and soundscapes, creating an immersive multisensory experience.

Trekking Through the Sassi and the Murgia: History, Nature, and Adventure Explore Matera on a breathtaking hike through stunning landscapes and ancient history! Start from the heart of the Sassi, guided by an expert guide, and follow the itinerary n. 406, leading you deep into the canyon of the Regional Park of Rupestrian Churches. Cross the thrilling Tibetan Bridge, suspended between sky, stream, and rock, and climb up to reach the Murgia plateau, where wild nature meets the charm of rock-hewn sites, and ancient testimonies carved into the stone. After an unforgettable journey through canyons, caves, and breathtaking views, a shuttle will take you back to Matera, leaving you with lasting memories of this incredible experience in the heart of Basilicata. A light trek, but full of emotions! Are you ready to go?

A panoramic excursion in rocky habitats, flanking the Gravina di Matera and its stream which extends for 20 km, from the foot of the city of Matera, made famous for its Sassi and declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. We will follow the stream along the ridge of one side of the ravine, enjoying the landscapes of the Murgia Materana Regional Park. First by exploring the rock church of San Nicola all'Ofra, a farmhouse with its rooms dug into the cliff that communicate with each other: tunnels, stairways, cisterns, churches, developing on 3 levels of height. And then the karst Bat Cave, among the oldest evidence of human life in this area, a series of corridors, a breeding site for flying mammals, a place that hides the treasure of King Barbarossa between history and legend and where thanks research carried out in recent centuries revealed Paleolithic tools and fossils of extinct animals, such as the cave bear.

Discover Matera with an exclusive private walking tour that will guide you through the magic of its Sassi. Begin your journey on the lively Via Alessandro Volta, then admire the majestic Church of Purgatory with its baroque façade. Continue towards Piazza San Francesco, the beating heart of the city, and stroll through Piazza del Sedile, where history comes to life. Visit the Cathedral, with its spectacular view over the valley, and then head to Sasso Barisano, where ancient stone houses will tell you stories from millennia past. Explore the Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and immerse yourself in history by visiting a typical furnished cave house. Finally, reach Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, with its captivating atmosphere, and visit the Church of San Pietro Caveoso, a perfect example of rock-hewn architecture. A unique experience to discover the timeless beauty of Matera!

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.

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.