Sassi di Matera Tours
2 Reviews

A European Capital of Culture, the UNESCO-listed Sassi di Matera are one of Basilicata’s most fascinating destinations. The cave dwellings and caverns carved into the hillside of Matera date from prehistoric times and were inhabited until the 1950s. Today, they host unique hotels, restaurants, churches, and museums.
The Basics
To fully appreciate the history of the labyrinth of troglodyte dwellings that make up the Sassi di Matera, it’s best to visit as part of a walking tour. Explore on foot with a guide, weaving your way through the narrow alleyways, and checking out highlights like the frescoed cave churches; the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, an 18th-century house museum; and the MUSMA art museum, situated in an atmospheric cave.
Many day trips include a stop at the Sassi di Matera as well as visits to other nearby attractions like Alberobello, Castel del Monte, and Bari.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Sassi di Matera particularly appeal to photographers and archaeology enthusiasts.
- Due to steep lanes and stairs, much of the Sassi di Matera might be difficult for wheelchair users to navigate.
- Walking tours include stretches under the strong Mediterranean sun, as well as visits to indoor caves with lower temperatures. Take both a sun hat and a light jacket.
How to Get There
The Sassi di Matera are located in the southern region of Basilicata, and aren’t well-served by public transit. The most convenient way to get there is to join a guided tour that provides transportation.
When to Get There
Southern Italy can be very hot in the summer, so if you’re there between June and September, visit the Sassi di Matera in the early morning or late afternoon. These times of day also offer ideal light for photographs.
Layout of the Historic Sassi di Matera
The Sassi di Matera are divided into two distinct districts: Sasso Caveoso, with older dwellings that give an authentic sense of cave life, and Sasso Barisano, where many of the caves have been repurposed as hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has served as a backdrop for a number of films, such as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.
Address: Matera, Province of Matera, Italy
24 Tours and Activities to Experience Sassi di Matera
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Ape Tour Matera - Panoramic tour in ape calessino
A tour of the three neighborhoods in the historic center of the Sassi with panoramic stops and curiosities on the recent history of the city of Matera: from national shame to a city known and appreciated worldwide.
The path lasts about an hour and in this time visitors will be able to observe the area of the Piano, that is the part behind the Sassi and learn about the historical places from another perspective.
The area of the Piano is actually the first area built immediately after the Sassi at the turn of the Renaissance.
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From
$31.71
From
$31.71

Matera Sassi - European Capital of Culture 2019
Get more out of your visit to Sassi di Matera with a guide to show you the best ways around the area. Along with leading you through the region, your guide will also tell you interesting historical and cultural facts as you go. Plus, see tops attractions such as Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.
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From
$191.64
per group
From
$191.64
per group

Private walking tour in Matera
Private tour with a multilingual tour guide that will lead just you discovering the city and its history.
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From
$49.46
Price varies by group size
From
$49.46
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

Private Tour: Matera Sassi Experience with Official Guide
We will visit a beautiful UNESCO site like the Sassi of Matera: SASSI represents an extraordinary urban ecosystem able to perpetuate the most distant prehistoric ways of the past to live in caves up to modernity.
Known as "the Underground City", Matera is famous for being one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. On October 17, 2014, Matera was declared the European Capital of Culture for 2019.
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From
$259.64
per group
From
$259.64
per group

Discover Matera Walking Tour
Explore the lovely Sasso Caveoso district in the city of Matera on a 2-hour tour walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Visit one cave, one church and the historical center, hearing about the fascinating history and subterranean architecture of the city. See parts of the famous Sassi of Matera, ancient cave dwellings that are still in use today and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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From
$122.40
From
$122.40
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Private Panoramic Tour with Piaggio Ape Calessino in Matera
Unique panoramic tour on board the historic Piaggio Ape Calessino, it will give you an indelible memory of the splendid Matera. Customizable for your every need.
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From
$33.38
From
$33.38
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Sassi di Matera Pass and City Cards Official
The Smart Card offers visitors the chance to visit unique and evocative places within the City of Stones:
• Rupestrian Church Madonna delle Grazie
• Casa Grotta Narrante
• Rupestrian Church of Sant’Antonio Abate
• Casa Cava
• Stone Tales Museum
• Immersive Museum of Bruna
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From
$11.13
From
$11.13

Discover the Wonderful Matera Sassi with Local Guide
Join this fascinating 2-hour private tour of the Matera Sassi.
Meet your expert guide in Piazzetta Pascoli, a viewpoint with a breathtaking panorama over the stones of Matera. Make your way down narrow stairways into the heart of Sasso Caveoso, one of the two Civita' districts, towards the baroque style church, San Pietro Caveoso. Venture inside a rupestrian church (carved into the rock), visit Santa Maria di Idris, set into a large, limestone rock and the ancient monastery, Santa Lucia alle Malve that has remarkable 1000 year old frescoes.
Head up a stairway to see a cave house and get an understanding how people once lived.
In the Sasso Barisano district you can admire the churches of Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Clare and the stunning Romanesque Cathedral.
Marvel at this UNESCO World Heritage site and chosen location for numerous Hollywood movies. Together with your guide you'll discover the magic, history, architecture and stories of the exquisite Matera.
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From
$48.22
Price varies by group size
From
$48.22
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Excursion of the Sassi of Matera of 3h Complete
Discover the city of Matera in a journey through the city of the Piano with its Baroque churches, the Rione Civita where the cathedral in Apulian Romanesque style, and the two famous Sassi, Barisano and Caveoso districts, defined for their beauty and history a true cultural landscape.
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From
$44.39
From
$44.39

Matera and the Sassi area
A visit to the 2019 European Capita for Culture and its sassi area is a must during your staying in Italy
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From
$61.82
Price varies by group size
From
$61.82
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

On the Footsteps of James Bond, Matera and Gravina in Puglia
A tour between Matera and Gravina, two cities with an ancient history and unique views, setting of the last of the famous James Bond saga "No time to die". During the tour an expert local guide will show you the locations of the most spectacular chases and the most reckless action scenes that animated the two cities for two months, during the shooting. In Matera you will see how difficult it was for the stuntmen to drive on the streets among the caves and in Gravina you will walk on the famous bridge which is the first scene in the newest trailer of the movie.
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From
$307.25
From
$307.25
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

The Best of Matera Walking Tour
Immerse yourself in the European Capital of Culture 2019 and Unesco world heritage site! Are you ready to explore the secrets of Sassi? Admire the town in carved out rock where inhabitants lived until 20th century. Visit the cave cathedral. Why it is truly unique?
You will find out why Matera is an architectural miracle. Why Matera's cemeteries are quite unusual? And did you know that the city has its own Bizarre Festival? You will see the most impressive places of the city together with a professional local guide.
…More
From
$375.24
per group
From
$375.24
per group

The Sassi Caves of Matera Private Walking Tour
The Sassi Caves of Matera, nestled in the southern region of Basilicata, still remains relatively undiscovered even with its coveted status as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the European Capital of Culture in 2019. On this 2.5-hour private tour, your expert guide will share stories of Matera's incredible history, cave dwellings, and Rupestrian (rock) churches, all offering you an appreciation for this unique city. As you stroll through the labyrinth of narrow stairs and alleys, you'll visit must-sees sites including Sasso Caveoso, Sasso Barisano, the Rupestrian churches, and its "new" historic center (Il Piano).
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From
$246.04
per group
From
$246.04
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Ape tour Matera - Guided tour in ape calessino
A tour of the three districts in the historic center of the Sassi with panoramic stops and curiosities about the recent history of the city of Matera: from national shame to a city known and appreciated worldwide. It will also be possible to visit a cave house and a rock church.
The route lasts just over an hour and in this time visitors will be able to observe the Piano area, that is, the part close to the Sassi and get to know the historical places from another perspective.
The Piano area is actually the first area built immediately after the Sassi at the turn of the Renaissance.
…More
From
$46.98
From
$46.98
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use

The Best of Matera Walking Tour
Immerse yourself in the European Capital of Culture 2019 and Unesco world heritage site! Are you ready to explore the secrets of Sassi? Admire the town in carved out rock where inhabitants lived until 20th century. Visit the cave cathedral. Why it is truly unique?
You will find out why Matera is an architectural miracle. Why Matera's cemeteries are quite unusual? And did you know that the city has its own Bizarre Festival? You will see the most impressive places of the city together with a professional local guide.
…More
From
$375.24
per group
From
$375.24
per group

Matera 2 hours walking tour
Discover the old mountainside city of Matera on a 2-hour private walking tour. Visit the city’s key landmarks like Palazzo Lanfranchi, the church of San Pietro Caveoso, the Sasso Caveoso, and visit a typical cave house from the region. Learn about the history of this centuries-old city from your informative guide and even walk the streets where Mel Gibson filmed scenes from ‘The Passion of the Christ.’
…More
From
$170.01
Price varies by group size
From
$170.01
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Sassi and Murgia walk by electric bike
The 2-hour tour gives guests the opportunity to stroll in contact with nature with an assisted pedal bike. Crossing, in a fun and carefree way, the ancient "Sassi" districts (Barisano and Caveoso), they will reach the Murgia Materana National Park. Our guests will be accompanied on the nature walk by a leader who, at the head of the group, will indicate the right way to go. Within the tour, included in the ticket, stop and visit of the suggestive Madonna della Palomba Sanctuary, stop in an ancient tuff quarry still active, arrival on the panoramic point of Murgia Timone and free stop of 15 minutes.
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From
$30.91
From
$30.91

Matera Walks
Matera is a beautiful town in the Italian region of Basilicata. If travelling in southern Italy, you cannot miss a stop to this gem! Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera". The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy. The Sassi are habitations dug into the calcareous rock itself, which is characteristic of Basilicata and Apulia. Take a stop at the Cathedral of Matera and at Palazzo Lanfranchi, to historical buildings of Matera.
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From
$181.75
Price varies by group size
From
$181.75
Price varies by group size

Tour of the Sassi of Matera
The itinerary winds along alternative and less touristic routes to discover the most hidden and authentic corners of the historic center. The historical story is accompanied by the social story of the local guide who will involve customers by narrating anecdotes and stories of past life
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From
$142.19
Price varies by group size
From
$142.19
Price varies by group size

Full-Day Tour of Matera
Named the European Capital of Culture for 2019, the city of Matera is like no other. Famed for its sassi (ancient cave dwellings) and rock-carved churches, the city is rich in history and unique scenery. This full-day tour makes it easier than ever to explore: following pickup from your area accommodation, travel via comfortable vehicle to Matera, where you’ll go on an in-depth walking tour, can enjoy a traditional lunch, have time at your leisure to explore independently, and more.
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From
$285.32
From
$285.32
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Combo Offer: 3 Private Walking Tour Unesco (matera Alberobello Castel Del Monte)
This package includes 3 private walking tour to the UNESCO sites of Matera, Alberobello, Castel del Monte.
Visits can be made whenever you want, just communicate time and date.
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From
$603.13
per group
From
$603.13
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

COMBO OFFER: 4 PRIVATE WALKING TOURS (Matera Alberobello Castel del Monte Lecce)
This package includes 3 private walking tour to the UNESCO sites of Matera, Alberobello, Castel del Monte, Lecce.
Visits can be made whenever you want, just communicate time and date.
…More
From
$804.17
per group
From
$804.17
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

COMBO OFFER 5 Pvt WALKING TOUR (Matera Alberobello Lecce Ostuni Cas. del monte)
This package includes 5 private walking tour to the UNESCO sites of Matera, Alberobello, Castel del Monte and the towns of Ostuni and Lecce
Visits can be made whenever you want, just communicate time and date.
…More
From
$1,005.21
per group
From
$1,005.21
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas

Matera by night private walking tour
Private walking tour guided by a licensed tour guide that will lead you to discover Matera in the evening with the lighting that make the city as a living nativity.
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From
$49.46
Price varies by group size
From
$49.46
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
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