The 14 Best Tours in Matera

1.Sassi Tour with Cave House and Rupestrian Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6,618 reviews · 2 hours · from $31Our pick

Walk Matera’s Sassi with a licensed guide, entering a traditional cave house and the Rupestrian Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Guides such as Maria, Lorenzo, Stefania, and Giuseppe are praised for clear storytelling and a relaxed pace. Expect narrow lanes, stairs, wide views, and a memorable glimpse of daily life in old Matera.

“Great knowledge of the history of Matera and it was well paced.”

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2.Discover Matera, the ancient city – English tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,771 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $36Top rated

Walk through Matera’s Sasso Caveoso and part of Sasso Barisano with Renato, Sara, Domenico, or Gaetano. This 2 to 3 hour English tour focuses on the people, homes, water systems, bakeries, architecture, and social history of the Sassi rather than a church-by-church route. Expect uneven alleys, valley views, personal stories, and a group of up to 20.

“We had a great tour with Gaetano as our guide. Got lots of information and interesting facts. He also shared some personal experiences, which is always nice. We really liked the tour and can warmly recommend this!”

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3.Guided Tour of Matera Sassi

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,312 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $18Best value

Walk through Matera’s Sassi with guides such as Maria, Luigi, Angela, or Giusy, learning how people lived in the rock-cut quarters. The two-hour English tour includes Sant’Antonio Rupestrian Church, a Casa Grotta cave dwelling, San Pietro, and Piazzetta Pascoli. Expect hills, steps, uneven stone, and a shared group tour.

“If you’re going to Matera, then a tour of the Sassi is a MUST. Be prepared for lots of walking//steps and surprisingly slippery surfaces. If you’re visiting in summer and can book the tour towards the evening, that would be ideal! A couple in our group were quite clever- they hopped off the tour and stayed in the Sassi for a couple of hours (probably to have lunch and shop). They said they would hop on another tour for the other half that would take them back up… Genius! I’m sure that was pre-arranged so ask your tour provider if that’s an option for you! Enjoy!”

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4.Sassi Tour with Entry to Rock Houses and Churches

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 622 reviews · from $40

Walk Matera’s Sassi from Piazza Vittorio Veneto to Piazza Giovanni Pascoli with an authorized local guide. You’ll see the Cathedral from outside, enter a furnished cave home, visit Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, and hear how daily life changed in the old districts. Guides may include Anna, Guido, Patrizia, Maria, or Andrea.

“The tour was excellent with lots of information and explanations. We'll paced - neither too fast or too slow. Would really recommend”

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5.Sassi of Matera: Eco-Bus Open Top Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 592 reviews · from $23

This 90-minute open-top bus tour takes you through Matera’s Sassi, along Via Madonna delle Virtù, and into the Sasso Caveoso district. You’ll stop at San Pietro Caveoso Square for about 40 minutes, visit a furnished cave dwelling, and hear Italian and English commentary from guides such as Anita and Angelo. It is a practical choice when heat, hills, or limited time make walking difficult.

“Had to wait in a queue at caves wasting quite a bit of precious time . So didn’t have time to go up to church and see view . Could have done with 30 mins longer at caves but overall helpful to orientate you on the first visit and guide Anita was cheerful helpful and knowledgeable.”

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6.Matera’s Sassi Walking Tour – History & Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 476 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Spend two hours walking through Matera’s Sasso Barisano, Civita, and Sasso Caveoso with local guides such as Antonio and Giorgia. Expect clear English commentary, stories about daily life, an ancient cave church with frescoes, and a useful introduction before exploring the Sassi on your own.

“Georgia was a terrific tour guide. She knew so much about the Sassi and was engaging with the history. Highly recommend the tour!”

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7.Guided Tour, Historic Center Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 461 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Walk from Piazza Vittorio Veneto through Matera’s Sassi Barisano and Sasso Caveoso with an English-speaking local guide. Visit Santa Maria de Idris rock church and a furnished Casa Grotta, hear about daily life in the caves, and enjoy wide views over the old town. Guides have included Patrizia, Anna Maria, Annalise, Lorena, and Lorenza.

“Brilliant tour with a brilliant guide! So passionate about Matera, extremely knowledgeable, perfect English, so friendly and responsive to questions, slow-paced with plenty of time for photos and questions. Only 8 in the group so extremely easy and enjoyable. Doing this tour is a must if you really want to see the things that matter and learn the full story of Matera. Absolutely loved it!”

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8.Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 451 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Walk through Matera’s Barisano and Caveoso districts with a private English-speaking guide. You’ll visit a cave church, furnished cave home, and Saint Mary of Idris, then taste local products. Guides such as Giuseppe, Angela, Anna, and Giusy have been praised for clear stories, local insight, and an easy pace.

“La nostra storia all interno dei sassi… emozionante spiegazione ! racconti di vita vissuta dai nostri avi”

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9.Discover Matera: Overnight Stay, Meal, and Sassi Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 335 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $178

Spend one night in Matera’s Sassi, enjoy breakfast and a traditional Lucanian meal, then join a two-hour English walking tour through the Caveoso and Barisano districts. Guides such as Giusy, Pasquale Marchetti, and Romina bring the cave churches, homes, and viewpoints to life.

“Very pleasant and interesting visit to Matera with the guide Pasquale Marchetti, very culturally prepared and nice in the exhibition.”

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10.Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 333 reviews · from $28

Meet your Italian-speaking guide at Piazza Vittorio Veneto and walk through Matera’s Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. See cave homes, rupestrian churches, the restored Cathedral, and views toward Murgia Materana Park. Guides such as Giuseppe, Mario, and Angela are praised for clear explanations and patient service.

“Mario gave us a great insight and understanding into life in Matera now and in the past. Mario’s English was excellent and he was willing and able to answer our many questions. Thank you Mario for a great tour”

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11.3-hour Private Full Sassi di Matera Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 316 reviews

Walk Matera’s Sassi districts with a private English- or Italian-speaking guide. You’ll visit Casa Cava, a traditional Casa Grotta, rock churches, viewpoints, and Matera Cathedral. Guides such as Anna, Maria, Luigi, and Stella have earned praise for clear local history and helpful orientation. Hotel pickup is available in the historic center and Sassi area.

“Our guide, Maria, is a history enthusiast and provided excellent historical narrative as she guided us through the Sassi di Matera. She was thorough in all that she showed us. We visited a number of the major churches, she pointed out the Palumbaro to visit later on our own, went inside a gallery where she showed us a scale model of the Sassi to provide perspective of the Caveoso and Barisano, and guided us to view points and through the labyrinth of streets, with constant historical commentary. She is an expert of the area and helped us decode the labyrinth of streets here in the Sassi to the point where…”

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12.Open Top Bus Tour with Entrance to Casa Grotta

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 278 reviews · 1.5 hours - 105 minutes · from $23

Ride through Matera’s UNESCO-listed Sassi with a local driver, stopping at scenic viewpoints, a medieval rock church, and Casa Grotta Narrante. The 105-minute tour is an easy way to cover steep terrain, with audio in English, French, Spanish, and Italian. Guides such as Imma, Angelo, and Cosimo bring extra local color.

“After a mishap with the first driver who left without us (a group of 8 in a bus of 8 😂) the agency provided us promptly with another bus. The driver, Cosimo, was the best! He narrated parts of the tour in Italian and using Google translated broadcasted everything on the bus’ speakers. He made the tour worth every penny. Grazzie Cosimo!”

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13.The Sassi of Matera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · from $23

Start in Piazza Vittorio Veneto with views of Matera’s ancient districts, then follow a local guide through the center to Piazza Duomo, cave churches, a furnished cave home, and a historic cellar. Guides including Vito, Michele, and Giuseppe bring the city’s past to life during this 2 to 2.5-hour walking tour.

“Guida espertissima e molto simpatica. 2 ore e mezzo in cui si capisce bene la struttura della citta'”

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14.Caves and Rock Churches Walking Tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · from $28

Start in Piazza S. Pietro Caveoso and follow local guide Gaetano Campanile through Matera’s Sassi. You’ll enter an old cave home, see the rainwater system that helped families survive, visit St. Mary of Idris, and learn how Matera changed from Italy’s shame to a UNESCO-listed cultural treasure.

“Gaetano was great - his explanations were very informative and interesting; in addition to the sassi we visited beautiful ancient churches, an old cistern and a workshop. He was very friendly and gave us tips of things to do and see in Matera. It was also extremely good value for money. I highly recommend!”

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