Private Tour With Official Guide

Private Tour with Official Guide, 3 hours, rated 5 across 68 traveller reviews.

Overview

Three hours with a private guide, walking the Sassi of Matera on foot. The tour starts at Piazza Vittorio Veneto and finishes back at the same square, with a professional guide from Apulia Tours leading only your group through Sasso Barisano, rupestrian churches and cave homes along the way.

The route follows the story of the city from its prehistoric origins to the present, pausing at viewpoints over the town and the surrounding valley for photos. Guides here are repeatedly praised for their depth of knowledge. Reviewers describe tours that went beyond the standard itinerary, with guides adjusting the walk to fit their group's interests and answering questions as they went.

This suits travellers who want the Sassi explained properly rather than just seen. Because it is private, the pace and emphasis can bend toward what your group cares about. Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and note the walk requires moderate fitness.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Piazza Vittorio VenetoMeet your guide at Piazza Vittorio Veneto in central Matera. The tour ends back at this same point.
2. Walk into the SassiSet off on foot into the cave district with your guide, following the historical arc of one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
3. Rupestrian churches and homesVisit rock-hewn churches and cave dwellings, learning how the settlement evolved across the centuries from prehistoric shelter to lived-in town.
4. Stroll Sasso BarisanoWalk through the Sasso Barisano district, with stops to hear about its development and daily life.
5. Valley viewpointsPause for photos of the town and the surrounding valley before returning to the meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A private walking tour means one guide and your group only, which shapes the whole experience.

• Pace and fitness. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness, and one reviewer noted the walk covers the entire Sassi, which is quite large. Expect around three hours on foot at a steady but breakable pace. Guides have adjusted the route to fit groups, according to several reviews.
• Weather and clothing. The experience requires good weather and can be rescheduled or refunded if conditions are poor. One reviewer still enjoyed the tour in drizzle and wind, so bring a layer or rain cover if the forecast looks uncertain. Comfortable walking shoes make sense for a long walk.
• Who the guide suits. Reviewers across the board praise the guides' knowledge and willingness to answer questions. Several mention guides who went beyond the usual stops or tailored the walk. One reviewer also singled out the guide's strong English.
• Photography. Photo stops at viewpoints over the town and valley are part of the route. Reviewers also mention guides pointing out the best spots for views. A charged phone or camera is worth carrying.
• Food and extras. The listing names a professional guide as included and gratuities as not included. Reviewers mention receiving restaurant recommendations from their guide.
• Getting there. The meeting point at Piazza Vittorio Veneto is near public transportation, per the listing. One reviewer appreciated the guide making contact by message before the tour, which helped when the group was running late.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and the listing advises against it for pregnant travellers or anyone with serious heart or other medical conditions. A moderate fitness level is expected. The experience also depends on good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if either condition is not met, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. Gratuities are not included in the price.

Common Questions