The 14 Best Matera Tours

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, visiting a traditional cave house and the Rupestrian Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. You’ll hear local stories, see Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso, and finish near Piazzetta Pascoli. Tours run in English, Italian, French, Spanish, or German.

“the meeting point on the booking was different to the one that came through on the email which causes confusion.”

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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 Sasso Barisano with Renato, Sara, Domenico, or Gaetano. This 2 to 3 hour English tour focuses on the people, homes, water systems, and social history of the Sassi rather than a church-by-church route.

“Super interesting tour, our guide was very knowledgeable about the city. I would definitely recommend.”

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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, and Giusy, visiting a rock-cut church and a furnished cave house. The two-hour English tour covers steep lanes, slippery stone, churches, daily life in the old caves, and a final view from Piazzetta Pascoli.

“The group was a reasonable size and our guide relayed some interesting information. However her accent was strong which made her difficult to follow and she seemed to jump between topics.”

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4.Sassi Tour with Entry to Rock Houses and Churches

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

Walk Matera’s historic center with a licensed guide in English, Italian, German, French, or Spanish. See the Sasso Barisano, Piazza Duomo, a furnished cave home, Santa Maria de Idris, San Giovanni in Monterrone, and a historic cemetery. The $40 price includes entry tickets.

“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

Ride into Matera’s Sassi with an Italian and English-speaking tour leader, stopping at San Pietro Caveoso Square for about 40 minutes. You’ll visit a furnished cave home, see film locations from 007 and The Passion of Christ, and hear stories from guides such as Angelo and Anita.

“We saw more than we ever would have seen by walking everywhere.”

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

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

Spend about two hours walking Matera’s Sassi, Civita, and Sasso Caveoso with an English-speaking local guide such as Antonio or Giorgia. Expect clear history, family stories, city views, narrow lanes, and an ancient cave church, with a small extra fee possible for entry.

“Giorgia was a very knowledgeable and engaging guide. She was able to answer all questions and was able to speak to all aspects of Matera. This is one of the best tours we’ve experienced.”

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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 Matera’s historic center, Sasso Barisano, and Sasso Caveoso with a local English-speaking guide. You’ll enter Santa Maria de Idris rock church and a traditional cave house furnished as it was in the 1950s. Expect about two hours of steps, views, stories, and hands-on history.

“A tour of the entire Sassi area was excellent. Our guide Patrizia was very good and spoke English very well. We ended up walking around for 2.5 hours and felt we really got a great overview of the entire place.”

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

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

Spend about three hours with a private English-speaking guide exploring Matera’s Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso, Piano, and Civita districts. Visit Madonna de Idris, Sant’Antonio Abate, and a furnished cave home, then sample local products. Guides such as Giuseppe, Angela, Giusy, and Stella have led past departures.

“Our guide, Stella, spoke English very well and brought to life the history of the Sassi of Matera and how the modern town relates to the ancient cave dwellings. Very pleasant stroll through the various sites with plenty of good information. Highly recommend.”

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

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

This two-day Matera package pairs a B&B night in the Sassi with breakfast, a Lucanian meal for two, and a two-hour English walking tour. Guides may include Giusy, Pasquale Marchetti, or Romina. You’ll visit Sant’Antonio Abate rock church and a furnished cave house.

“Special thanks to our guide Giusy, an exciting and fun tour.”

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10.Guided Walking Tour

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

Meet your guide at Piazza Vittorio Veneto for a 2.5-hour walk through Matera’s Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Expect cave homes, rupestrian churches, Cathedral views, and context about local life. Guides may include Giuseppe, Mario, or Angela. The tour is conducted in Italian.

“Our guide Angela was very knowledgeable and even spoke excellent English. She even waited 30 minutes for us until we finally found a parking spot, without ever rushing or shortening the tour afterwards. Great experience.”

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11.3-hour Private Full Sassi di Matera Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 316 reviews

Walk Matera’s Barisano and Caveoso districts with an English or Italian-speaking private guide. Visit Casa Cava, Sant’Antonio, Madonna delle Grazie, a traditional Casa Grotta, and Matera Cathedral, with time for viewpoints and local history.

“Thank you, Anna, for the excellent trip and much information about the city's history!”

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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 tour leader, stopping at a Casa Grotta, Sant’Antonio Abate rock church, and key viewpoints. The 105-minute route suits short visits and avoids long climbs. Bring headphones and a charged phone for the POPGuide audio guide.

“Was all encompassing tour of the basics of Maters given our limited time”

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13.The Sassi of Matera

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

Start in Piazza Vittorio Veneto with views over Civita and Sasso Barisano, then walk through Matera’s lanes, Piazza Duomo, cave churches, a furnished cave home, and a historic cellar. Guides such as Vito, Michele, and Giuseppe bring local stories to life.

“Guida molto preparata e simpatica. Le 2 ore e mezza sono volate nonostante i 38° e i sali e scendi attraverso i sassi.”

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14.Caves and Rock Churches Walking Tour in English

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

Walk Matera’s Sassi with local historian Gaetano Campanile, entering an old cave home and the rock church of St. Mary of Idris. Over 2.5 hours, you’ll hear how Matera’s families lived, collected rainwater, and helped turn the city from Italy’s shame into a UNESCO site.

“Gaetano is an amazing tour guide, and if you want to book a tour in Sassi di Matera to delve deep into its history and beauty, then I can highly recommend doing his! By the end of the tour we were in awe at everything we had learned. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions as they will all be answered with so much knowledge. Gaetano is very professional and great at his job, as well as being very funny which made the tour so much fun. Would give 11/10 to this experience if we could. Grazie mille Gaetano!”

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