Tuk-Tuk History And Legends

Tuk-Tuk History and Legends, 1 hour 10 minutes, rated 4.9 across 151 traveller reviews.

Overview

This is a roughly one hour and ten minute ride through Matera in a tuk tuk, run by ApeVito Tour Experience. The route covers the three districts of the Sassi and the historic center, with panoramic stops along the way for photos and stories. A local guide drives and narrates, covering the city's recent history, from its difficult decades to its revival, plus legends and anecdotes. The tour also includes a visit inside a typical casa cave, a cave house showing how people once lived in the Sassi.

Because it is a private tour, only your group takes part, and reviewers frequently praise the guide's knowledge and willingness to answer questions. One reviewer with mobility limitations specifically recommended it for that reason.

It suits anyone who wants a broad overview of Matera without a long walking commitment. The booking page notes that most travellers can participate, that infants must sit on laps, and that pushchairs are accessible. The meeting point is at the BPER bank entrance in Piazza San Francesco D'Assisi, on Via del Corso, and the tour ends back where it started. Hotel pickup has been arranged in some cases according to reviews, but the standard arrangement is the central meeting point, and you can request a preferred departure time when booking.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet on Via del CorsoMeet at the BPER bank main entrance in Piazza San Francesco D'Assisi, Via del Corso 78. Confirm your exact start time with the local operator in advance.
2. Board the tuk-tukClimb into the vehicle with your local driver-guide. Only your group participates, since this is a private tour.
3. Tour the three Sassi districtsRide through the three districts of the Sassi of Matera, with commentary on the city's history, legends and anecdotes.
4. Panoramic photo stopsStop at viewpoints over the city. One reviewer said the guide knows the best photo stops and even took pictures of the group.
5. Visit a cave houseStep inside a typical casa cave house to see how residents of the Sassi once lived.
6. Return to the meeting pointThe tour finishes back at the starting point on Via del Corso.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things help this tour go smoothly.

• Confirm your time. You should arrange and confirm your departure time with the local provider before the day. The listing invites you to enter a preferred start time with special requests, and operating hours run from morning to early evening daily.
• Photo opportunities. One reviewer mentions the guide knowing the best photo stops and taking pictures of guests. Bring a camera or phone you can grab quickly at each stop.
• Good for limited walking. The vehicle does the climbing for you, which reviewers with mobility challenges appreciated. Note the tour itself is not wheelchair accessible, and the cave house visit involves stepping inside.
• Weather planning. The experience requires good weather, and one reviewer mentioned rain during the ride, with the guide sharing an umbrella at photo stops. If the tour is cancelled for weather you are offered a different date or a full refund.
• Use it as orientation. Multiple travellers said the tour helped them plan the rest of their visit and choose where to walk on foot. One reviewer suggested doing it on a first day in the city rather than a last.
• Family friendly. The booking page notes infants must sit on laps and pushchairs are accessible, and one reviewer toured with two teenage children. Service animals are allowed.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, which matters for some visitors despite the minimal walking involved. Weather can cause cancellation or rescheduling, since the ride requires good conditions. Start times must be confirmed with the operator in advance rather than being fully fixed at booking. Refunds are only guaranteed if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Common Questions