All Matera Tours & Excursions in 2026

There are plenty of high-quality tours and experiences in Matera. According to previous travelers, here are the best tours to book right now:

• Discover Matera, the Ancient City—English Tour

• Guided Tour of Matera Sassi

• Matera's Sassi Walking Tour—History & Culture

• Matera: Sassi Tour With the Iconic Churches Carved Into the Rock

• Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera

Yes, guided tours in Matera are definitely worth it. There's a lot of history to unpack when exploring the city's millennia-old cave dwellings, and tours will help you understand how they've evolved from Palaeolithic times to the present day. In addition to cultural and historical insights, guides are a great resource for everything from restaurant recommendations to tips about traveling through the Basilicata region.

Per one customer who booked the Discover Matera, the Ancient City—English Tour, "Gaitano, our guide, was excellent. He made the tour interesting, fun and thought-provoking. We really felt immersed in the history of Matera and its people. We benefited from becoming aware of so many details we would have missed without his input. He was genuinely passionate about the town and both its original and current inhabitants. Not to mention, his personal demeanor was lovely, and the 3 hours went quickly."

Matera tours are available at a range of prices. You can book self-guided audio tours for US$10 or less, while guided walking and bus tours start around US$25. Private tuk-tuk tours last around one hour and start at US$40, but expect to pay US$160 or more for private cooking classes and walking tours.

For a popular tour on the lower end of the price range, book the Panoramic Tour of the Sassi of Matera in Open-Bus With House-Cave for US$25. The tour provides a 90-minute overview of the UNESCO–listed Sassi di Matera, though it's shared with several other travelers and includes a self-guided portion. A pricier option is the Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera for US$350 for a group of up to eight people. The excursion is twice as long and covers a completely private, guided walking tour of the city's two Sassi districts.

Most Matera tours take you to explore the city's ancient cave dwellings and rupestrian churches, either on foot or by Ape Calessino—a 3-wheeled vehicle typical in Southern Italy. You can see more of these cave structures, along with nature trails and panoramic views of cliffs and gorges, on day trips to Murgia National Park.

Consider an all-day or multi-day tour to pack in as many sights and activities as possible. For example, the Discover Matera: Overnight Stay, Meal, and Sassi Tour lets you not only tour an ancient cave residence, but also sleep in a restored cave dwelling in Matera's historic center. You'll also try regional delicacies at a local restaurant, visit a rock church, and enjoy a walking tour of the Caveoso and Barisano Sassi districts.

Spend at least two full days checking out Matera’s cave dwellings, rock churches, and atmospheric alleyways. The stair-filled city is best explored on foot, so you’ll want to take plenty of breaks to sit and soak up the views. Plus, staying in Matera overnight gives you the unique opportunity to watch the sunset over Murgia National Park and sleep in a restored cave bedroom.

According to travelers, these are the best attractions in Matera:

• Sassi di Matera

• Murgia National Park (Parco della Murgia Materana)

• Madonna delle Virtù Church (Chiesa di Madonna delle Virtù)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Matera.

There are tons of great trips to take from Matera. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:

• Lucanian Dolomites Alpine Coaster Adventure From Matera

• Private Vulture Wine Tour From Matera With Sommelier

• Guided Hike From Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa

• From Matera: Murgia Park and Sassi at Sunset Tour

View all of Viator's top Matera day trips.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Matera. Here are some of the best Matera activities under US$25:

• Guided Tour of Matera Sassi

• Matera: Sassi Tour With the Iconic Churches Carved Into the Rock

• Panoramic Tour of the Sassi of Matera in Open-Bus With House-Cave

• Guided Walking Tour in the Regional Park of Rupestrian Churches

• Materasum_Materaunderground

Couples will find plenty of romantic tours in Matera. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Discover Matera, the Ancient City–English Tour

• Guided Tour of Matera Sassi

• Long Private Panoramic Tour With Ape Calessino in Matera

• Ape Tour Matera–Panoramic Tour in Ape Calessino

• Matera: Intimate Wine Tasting Experience With Food Pairings

View all of Viator's top romantic tours in Matera.

There are tons of Matera activities that you can enjoy in the fresh air. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:

• Murgia Materana Park Tour

• From Matera: Murgia Park and Sassi at Sunset Tour

• Matera: Journey of the Sassi, the Murgia and the Tibetan Bridge

• Guided Hike From Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa

• Trekking Towards Torrente Gravina and Rupestrian Churches of the Murgia

View all of Viator's top outdoor activities in Matera.

According to travelers, these are the top museums and cultural attractions in Matera:

• Sassi di Matera

• Murgia National Park (Parco della Murgia Materana)

• Madonna delle Virtù Church (Chiesa di Madonna delle Virtù)

View all of Viator's museum tickets and passes in Matera.