Sassi Walk with Cave House
Sassi Walk with Cave House, 2 hours, rated 4.68 across 7,885 traveller reviews.
from $28From $28, per guest, for the full two-hour Sassi walk.
Check availability →
Things To Do In Matera
Matera is a city of cave dwellings carved into the sides of a gorge, and its two Sassi districts hold rock churches, cave houses and viewpoints that most visitors never fully untangle on their own. This guide covers 39 bookable tours across six categories, from $28 two-hour Sassi walks to private guides and hot air balloon flights, so you can pick the right way in. The prices and review scores below come straight from the live listings.
Every price, rating and duration on this page is taken from the live listing of a tour compared below.
Things To Do In Matera On Your First Day
Start in the Sassi before midday. A two-hour guided walk from $28 per guest covers the cave districts and views over the Gravina, while a $39 version adds a cave house and rock church entries. Keep the Murgia side for another day.
English Group City Walk
English Group City Walk, 2 to 3 hours, rated 4.9 across 1,940 traveller reviews.
from $34From $34, per guest, for the guided English-language group walk. Check availability →
Sassi Walk, Premium Guides
Sassi Walk, Premium Guides, 2 hours, rated 4.9 across 509 traveller reviews.
from $34From $34, per guest, with a premium local guide leading the way. Check availability →
Sassi History and Culture Walk
Sassi History and Culture Walk, 2 hours, rated 4.83 across 425 traveller reviews.
from $34From $34, per guest, joining the history and culture walk. Check availability →
Historic Center and Sassi Walk
Historic Center and Sassi Walk, 2 hours, rated 4.8 across 562 traveller reviews.
from $23From $23, per guest, on the historic center and Sassi walk. Check availability →
City Center Cave Churches Walk
City Center Cave Churches Walk, 2 hours, rated 4.74 across 186 traveller reviews.
from $39From $39, per guest, for the city center cave churches walk. Check availability →
Casa Grotta and Rock Church Entry
Casa Grotta and Rock Church Entry, 2 hours, rated 4.7 across 1,546 traveller reviews.
from $39From $39, per guest, cave house and rock church entries included. Check availability →What Do Matera Tours And Tickets Cost?
Every one of the 39 tours on this page publishes a from-price, and they run from $22 to $343. Walking tours cluster between $23 and $73 per guest for two hours. Panoramic rides on tuk-tuks, Ape Calessinos and the open-top bus sit between $22 and $61. Food tours and cooking classes span $48 to $160, while private guiding starts at $228 per group. Attraction tickets are separate: the 8-site all-inclusive pass runs 25 EUR, and MUSMA entry is 10 EUR.
Every card here matches its live listing: the price is a from-price, the duration is the operator's own, and inclusions vary between tours. Rates move with season, group size and date, so confirm the current figure on the booking page before paying.
Showing all 39 things to do, most reviewed first.
| What it is | Kind | Starts from | Time needed | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sassi Walk with Cave House | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $28 | ★ 4.68 7,885 |
| Alberobello and Matera by Private Bus | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 10h | $44 | ★ 4.69 5,694 |
| English Group City Walk | Walking Tours | Not stated | Not stated | $34 | ★ 4.9 1,940 |
| Casa Grotta and Rock Church Entry | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $39 | ★ 4.7 1,546 |
| Open-Top Eco-Bus Ride | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | 1h 30m | $22 | ★ 4.56 1,241 |
| Alberobello Trulli Walk, 2 Hours | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 2h | $50 | ★ 4.51 833 |
| Historic Center and Sassi Walk | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $23 | ★ 4.8 562 |
| Two-Town Day Tour with Tour Leader | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 10h | $39 | ★ 4.65 524 |
| Sassi Walk, Premium Guides | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $34 | ★ 4.9 509 |
| Private Sassi Tour, 3 Hours | Private Tours | Not stated | 3h | $331 | ★ 4.9 465 |
| Sassi History and Culture Walk | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $34 | ★ 4.83 425 |
| Alberobello Walk with a Local | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 2h | $43 | ★ 4.82 400 |
| 45-Minute Tuk-Tuk Panorama | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | 45m | $39 | ★ 4.2 392 |
| Tour Leader on Board | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 10h | $42 | ★ 4.6 363 |
| Full Sassi Tour with Tasting | Tastes of Matera | Not stated | 3h | $56 | ★ 4.56 341 |
| Overnight Stay, Meal and Tour | Walking Tours | Not stated | Not stated | $168 | ★ 4.8 340 |
| Open Bus with House-Cave Entry | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | 1h 30m | $23 | ★ 4.9 339 |
| Sunset Belvedere Tour, Transfer Included | Adventure Activities | Not stated | 2h 30m | $47 | ★ 4.71 244 |
| Ape Calessino Ride, 40 Minutes | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | 40m | $38 | ★ 4.9 195 |
| Ape Calessino Standard Tour | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | Not stated | $46 | ★ 4.5 189 |
| City Center Cave Churches Walk | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $39 | ★ 4.74 186 |
| Bari Bus Day Trip, 6 Hours | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 6h | $37 | ★ 4.22 174 |
| Ape Calessino Tour, 50 Minutes | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | 50m | $40 | ★ 4.8 162 |
| Tuk-Tuk History and Legends | Panoramic Rides | Not stated | 1h 10m | $61 | ★ 4.9 151 |
| E-Bike Tour, Focaccia and Wine | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 3h | $105 | ★ 4.86 119 |
| Quad Ride, 1 Hour 30 Minutes | Adventure Activities | Not stated | 1h 30m | $91 | ★ 5 117 |
| Private Old Town and Sassi | Private Tours | Not stated | 2h | $343 | ★ 4.9 109 |
| James Bond 007 Walk | Walking Tours | Not stated | 2h | $73 | ★ 4.47 103 |
| Farmhouse Pasta Cooking Class | Tastes of Matera | Not stated | 4h | $160 | ★ 5 96 |
| Private Tour with Official Guide | Private Tours | Not stated | 3h | $228 | ★ 5 68 |
| Small-Group Balloon Flight | Adventure Activities | Not stated | Not stated | $320 | ★ 4.8 61 |
| Alberobello with Private Transfer | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 5h | $56 | ★ 4.4 59 |
| Murgia Park Sunset Walk | Adventure Activities | Not stated | 2h 30m | $29 | ★ 4.7 43 |
| Sassi, Murgia and Tibetan Bridge | Adventure Activities | Not stated | 2h 30m | $114 | ★ 4.8 32 |
| Olive Oil Temples Food Tour | Tastes of Matera | Not stated | Not stated | $48 | ★ 4.7 23 |
| Small-Group Wine Tasting, 1 Hour | Tastes of Matera | Not stated | 1h | $72 | ★ 4.72 20 |
| Pasta Class in a Wine Cellar | Tastes of Matera | Not stated | 3h | $123 | ★ 4.7 19 |
| Craco Ghost Town, Amaro Lucano | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 4h | $240 | ★ 4 7 |
| Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa Hike | Beyond Matera | Not stated | 4h | $331 | ★ 5 6 |
Nothing on the list matches every filter at once.
What Visitors Say About These Tours
★★★★★
“Articulate and seasoned guide who provided a lot of history for an engaging tour.”
Gloria, Verified traveller review of Sassi Walk with Cave House
★★★★★
“Fantastic tuk tuk tour of the Matera Sassi with Michele! He was friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about Matera, showing us hidden corners and sharing fascinating stories about the Sassi. A fun and memorable way to explore this incredible city. Highly recommend Michele!”
Nadia, Verified traveller review of 45-Minute Tuk-Tuk Panorama
★★★★★
“Very informative and engaging guide provided historical and contemporary perspectives regarding Matera. Enjoyed the James Bond movie references too. Highly recommend.”
Glenys, Verified traveller review of James Bond 007 Walk
★★★★★
“This was a great activity to do on the first day in Matera, to get our bearings and learn a bit about the city.”
Caitlin, Verified traveller review of Sassi History and Culture Walk
★★★★★
“Grace gave us a very informative and interesting tour of Matera combining history and some Matera culture.”
Chris_F, Verified traveller review of Sassi Walk, Premium Guides
★★★★★
“Wonderful! We learned so much and our guide, Vito, was accommodating & friendly. He grew up in Matera & shared interesting history and experiences. So glad we did this tour! Our teenager even liked it.”
Holly_H, Verified traveller review of Ape Calessino Ride, 40 Minutes
★★★★★
“This a great experience that gives whole different appreciation of Matera. Far exceeded my expecting which were high to begin with.”
James_C, Verified traveller review of Small-Group Balloon Flight
★★★★★
“What a beautiful city! I would highly recommend this tour. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and he did a great job sharing his knowledge of this city with us.”
Donna_K, Verified traveller review of Private Tour with Official Guide
★★★★★
“Very nice and informative guide. It was a really warm day and she did her best to keep us in the shade through the tour. We learned very interesting facts listening to our guide. She showed us old pictures and comparisons. Her knowledge was appreciated. Would definitely recommend it. Two thumbs up!”
Stella_S, Verified traveller review of Historic Center and Sassi Walk
Verified traveller reviews, reproduced word for word including the reviewer's own wording.
Free Things To Do In Matera
You do not need a ticket to feel the pull of this place. Wandering the Sassi districts on foot costs nothing, and the viewpoints across the Gravina gorge, including the Belvedere Murgia Timone side, are open air and free to reach with your own legs. Children under 18 enter the Museo Nazionale di Matera free, and under 10s get into the Presepe Vivente nei Sassi at no charge. Save your budget for the interiors, which are where the paid tours earn their keep.
Things To Do In Matera When It Rains
Rain changes the Sassi rather than ruining them. Cave houses and rock churches stay dry inside, so the guided walk from $39 with entries included still works well. The cooking class from $160 keeps everyone indoors for four hours around the stove. A tuk-tuk or Ape Calessino ride covers you from the weather while the panorama route rolls on.
- Taranto ItalyThe two-sea city of Puglia, about an hour's drive from Matera: what to see, where to eat and how to plan the day.
- Matera WeatherMonth-by-month temperatures, rainfall and seasonal advice for Matera, from the ERA5 1991-2020 reanalysis.
- Matera In WinterCold-weather Matera: climate data, opening hours, rainy-day plans and the Presepe Vivente.
- Museo Ridola MateraMatera's archaeology museum is closed for works with no reopening date. Here is what that means for your visit and what to see instead.
- Matera Cave Church TicketsPrices, passes and hours for Matera's rock churches, from the operators' own tariff pages.
- Matera In The RainRain in Matera is not a lost day. Cave churches, covered museums, panoramic rides and warm cave restaurants, planned hour by hour.
Things To Do In Matera With Children
Children tend to love the cave districts because they feel like a giant maze. The open-top eco-bus loop from $22 keeps short legs from tiring, and one version adds a cave house visit for the same price tier. Tuk-tuk tours run under an hour, which suits restless riders. The Ape Calessino rides from $38 are another easy win with younger travelers.
Things To Do In Matera At Night
The Sassi glow after dark, and several tours lean into it. A sunset walk in the Murgia runs from $29 for two and a half hours, with a return transfer to the viewpoint folded into a similar outing at $114. For something slower, the food tasting from $72 lasts an hour and makes a good pre-dinner stop. Balloon flights from $320 also lift off at dawn or dusk depending on conditions.
- Matera At NightEvening viewpoints, late-opening churches and night events in the Sassi.
- Matera Nightlife: Bars, Aperitivo And Evenings In The SassiBars, aperitivo hours and evening plans for Matera: what to drink, where the Sassi glow after dark, and how to get home without a car.
- Is It Worth Staying One Night In Matera?The APT data says the average stay is 1.56 nights: here is what one night in Matera covers, and what it misses.
- What Time Is Sunset In Matera?Month by month sunset times for Matera, plus where to stand when the Sassi catch the last light.
Day Trips From Matera Into Puglia And Basilicata
Matera sits close to some of the south's best day trips. Alberobello draws the crowds with its trulli, reachable on guided walks from $43 or a transfer-included trip from $56. Ten-hour bus itineraries from $39 and $42 bundle multiple towns with a tour leader on board. Bari works as a six-hour outing from $37, and an e-bike ride from $105 pairs the countryside with focaccia and wine.
Alberobello and Matera by Private Bus
Alberobello and Matera by Private Bus, 10 hours, rated 4.69 across 5,694 traveller reviews.
from $44From $44, per guest, on the shared full-day bus itinerary.
Check availability →
Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa Hike
Castelmezzano to Pietrapertosa Hike, 4 hours, rated 5 across 6 traveller reviews.
from $331From $331 charged per guest on this hike. Check availability →
E-Bike Tour, Focaccia and Wine
E-Bike Tour, Focaccia and Wine, 3 hours, rated 4.86 across 119 traveller reviews.
from $105From $105, per guest, e-bike ride with focaccia and wine included. Check availability →
Alberobello Walk with a Local
Alberobello Walk with a Local, 2 hours, rated 4.82 across 400 traveller reviews.
from $43From $43, per guest, walking Alberobello with a local guide. Check availability →
Two-Town Day Tour with Tour Leader
Two-Town Day Tour with Tour Leader, 10 hours, rated 4.65 across 524 traveller reviews.
from $39From $39, per guest, for the two-town day tour with tour leader. Check availability →
Tour Leader on Board
Tour Leader on Board, 10 hours, rated 4.6 across 363 traveller reviews.
from $42From $42, per guest, with a tour leader on board throughout. Check availability →
Alberobello Trulli Walk, 2 Hours
Alberobello Trulli Walk, 2 Hours, 2 hours, rated 4.51 across 833 traveller reviews.
from $50From $50, per guest, for the two-hour guided trulli walk. Check availability →
Alberobello with Private Transfer
Alberobello with Private Transfer, 5 hours, rated 4.4 across 59 traveller reviews.
from $56Alberobello day trip with transfer, from $56 per guest. Check availability →
Bari Bus Day Trip, 6 Hours
Bari Bus Day Trip, 6 Hours, 6 hours, rated 4.22 across 174 traveller reviews.
from $37From $37, per guest, on the six-hour Bari bus day trip. Check availability →
Craco Ghost Town, Amaro Lucano
Craco Ghost Town, Amaro Lucano, 4 hours, rated 4 across 7 traveller reviews.
from $240Rate begins at $240 for every guest. Check availability →Getting Between Things To Do In Matera On Foot
Matera rewards walkers, and most of the Sassi can only be reached on foot. The two cave districts tumble down toward the Gravina gorge in a maze of stairways, stone lanes and terraces, so sturdy shoes matter more than transit planning. Give yourself two hours for a guided walk; options start at $28 per guest and the best-rated runs closer to two and a half. Count on a few steep climbs back up to the modern center.
- Bari To MateraTrain, bus or car from Bari to Matera: verified times, distances and arrival planning for the Sassi.
- Rome To MateraTrain via Bari, driving routes, ZTL rules and arrival planning for the journey from Rome to Matera.
- Naples To MateraThe verified ways from Naples to Matera: the FAL train change at Bari and Altamura, driving, parking and the ZTL, and what to do when the journey ends.
- Matera ParkingZTL camera hours, restricted zones and car-free alternatives for visiting Matera by car.
- Matera To AlberobelloDistance, driving times and tour options for the classic Matera and Alberobello pairing.
- How To Get To MateraPlanes, trains and roads into the Sassi: the verified routes from Bari, Rome and Naples.
How To Get Around Matera Without A Car
You will not need a car inside Matera, and parking near the Sassi is limited anyway. The open-top eco-bus loop covers the viewpoints in 1.5 hours from $22, pairing a ride with entry to a cave house on a related option. Ape Calessino and tuk-tuk tours run 40 minutes to just over an hour for travelers who prefer sitting to climbing. For farther towns such as Alberobello or Bari, full-day shared bus trips from around $44 handle the driving.
Is Matera, Italy Worth Visiting?
Matera, in Basilicata in southern Italy, is an inland cave city on the edge of the Gravina canyon, and the honest answer to whether it is worth visiting is yes, with a few conditions this page lays out with figures.
Is Matera The Oldest City In The World?
Matera, in Basilicata, southern Italy, is often called one of the oldest cities on earth. The UNESCO record says something narrower and, read carefully, far more interesting.
Why Is Craco, Italy Abandoned?
Craco is a ghost town in Basilicata, about an hour's drive from Matera, emptied by landslides and evacuated in stages over time. This page explains what happened, and how the empty hill town fits into a Matera itinerary.
What Is So Special About Matera, Italy?
Matera is an inland city in Basilicata, southern Italy, whose old quarters, the Sassi, are cave dwellings and rock churches cut into pale tufa limestone above the Gravina canyon, inscribed by UNESCO in 1993 and still used as a film set.
Is Matera Part Of Puglia?
Matera sits on the Puglia border, shares its name with a Puglian province and appears in half the Puglia itineraries online, but the city itself belongs to Basilicata. Here is the region question answered plainly.
What Does Sassi Mean In Italian?
Sassi is the Italian word for stones, and in Matera it names the two old cave quarters, Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, cut into the pale tufa limestone of the Gravina canyon.
Does It Snow In Matera, Italy?
Matera sits inland in Basilicata at about 400 m above sea level, and its winters are genuinely cold, but snow that settles on the Sassi is a rare and short-lived event.
Where To Stay In Matera With A Car?
Matera is an inland city in Basilicata, southern Italy, and it is one of the few Italian destinations where arriving by car is genuinely practical, as long as you understand where the historic centre closes to traffic.