Sunset Belvedere Tour, Transfer Included

Sunset Belvedere Tour, Transfer Included, 2.5 hours, rated 4.71 across 244 traveller reviews.

Overview

This evening tour gets you across the ravine and into the protected Murgia Timone area, a section of the Regional Park of Rupestrian Churches to which this operator offers exclusive access. A shared coach takes you from the operator's office in Matera, and a licensed guide leads a walking route past natural caves, traces of a Neolithic village, and two rock churches carved into the cliff, San Falcione and Madonna delle Tre Porte, both holding Byzantine frescoes.

The walk continues to the spot known as the Golgota, a filming location for The Passion of the Christ, before the group reaches the Belvedere for the payoff: the Sassi di Matera seen from the opposite side of the gorge as the sun goes down and the city lights come on. Several reviewers said arriving at the viewpoint at just the right moment for the sunset and the lighting of the lights was a highlight of the whole evening.

The whole outing runs about two and a half hours, with roughly two hours of that on foot in the park. Admission tickets for the restricted area and both churches are included, along with the round-trip transfer and a discount coupon for a bar in Piazza Duomo.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Martulli ViaggiStart at the Martulli Viaggi office in Matera. The listing asks you to enter the store and introduce yourselves to the staff.
2. Coach to the parkA shared bus or coach transfer of 15 minutes from Matera to the Murgia Materana Park.
3. Murgia Timone guided walkRoughly 2 hours of walking in the park with photo stops, covering the natural caves, traces of a Neolithic village and the fortified village site of Murgia Timone.
4. San Falcione rock churchA guided visit inside this rock-hewn church with its Byzantine frescoes. The admission ticket is included.
5. Madonna delle Tre PorteA second rock-carved church visit with the guide, also covered by the included admission ticket.
6. Belvedere at sunsetA photo stop at the Belvedere over the Sassi as the light fades and the evening views open up.
7. Return transferA 15 minute coach ride back to the Martulli Viaggi office.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the evening go more smoothly.

• Footwear matters. The listing bars high-heeled and open-toed shoes and asks for comfortable shoes. The route is a walk on natural terrain, so treat it like a light hike rather than a city stroll.
• No shade at all. One reviewer pointed out the walking route has no shade, and said doing it in full summer sun would be challenging even though the path itself is not strenuous. Bring water, as the listing advises.
• Guides know their stuff. Reviewers consistently describe the guides as knowledgeable and engaging, with real depth on local history, flora and fauna. A licensed guide is included with the tour.
• Pace is moderate. One couple described the hike and walk as just the right amount, and another reviewer noted the route does not require any particular effort. Expect an easy walk rather than a demanding hike.
• Timing is the point. The itinerary is built around reaching the Belvedere for sunset, and reviewers said the guide timed it well for the view and the city lights.
• Extra perk at the bar. The ticket includes a discount coupon for MòVado Food & Drink in Piazza Duomo. Food and beverages themselves are not included, so budget separately if you want to eat.

Common issues. A few recurring gripes show up in feedback. The summary of recent reviews notes that clearer coordination at the meeting point and group assignments would reduce waiting and mix-ups, and one reviewer had a similar impression about the transfer logistics, feeling the numbers were not well organised. One reviewer also found the outward journey in an open-top vehicle cold once the temperature dropped and the wind picked up, so bring a layer. If you want a spot in high summer, note the route has no shade, which makes hot evenings tougher.

Common Questions