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.

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.

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.

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 the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, there are many stops for historical, architectural and cultural exploration. During the tour, you will be able to visit from the inside an 11th century rock church, carved into the rock and admire its architectural structure. You must complete your physiological needs BEFORE the tour begins.

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 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.’

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.

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.

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.

Discover the history of a city carved into the rock and inhabited until the 20th century. Matera is a unique place, to be visited at least once in a lifetime. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Go to the 2 main districts carved into the rock, where you will discover cave houses and cave churches. During the tour, admire the view from one of the balconies overlooking the Murgia Materana Park. Discover the history and origins of Matera, one of the oldest cities in all of Europe. Finally, reach one of the highest points of the Sassi and visit the cathedral.

Our private walking tour through the historic Sassi district of Matera lasts approximately 2 hours and is led by a local guide. Together you will explore the narrow streets and panoramic viewpoints of Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, immersing yourself in the rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage of the city.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Are you fascinated by Ghost Towns? Depart from Matera in a comfortable minivan and embark on a captivating journey to discover Craco. Today known as the "town suspended in time," Craco Vecchia retains the intact charm of a place where the clock of history has stopped. Once the beating heart of Basilicata, the village experienced centuries of community life, contributing to the economic and social dynamics of the region. This evocative setting has captured the imagination of filmmakers, becoming the natural set for masterpieces such as Christ Stopped at Eboli by Francesco Rosi and The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson. After this immersion in history, the journey continues to Essenza – Museo dell'Amaro Lucano, an emotional journey through five thematic areas that tell the story of the bond between the territory and the iconic liqueur. The tour concludes with the return to Matera.

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.