The 15 Matera Tours Still Worth Queueing For

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. You’ll see Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso, Via Madonna delle Virtù, and key viewpoints. Guides including Maria, Lorenzo, Angela, Giuseppe, and Stefania are praised for clear stories, humor, and a relaxed pace.

“We liked the information on the history of Matera. We felt bad she twisted her ankle :(”

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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 Matera’s Sasso Caveoso and part of Sasso Barisano with Renato, Sara, Domenico, or Gaetano. In a small group of up to 20, you’ll explore cave homes, rupestrian heritage, old water systems, bakeries, family stories, and film locations rather than follow a church-by-church route.

“Gaetano was an excellent tour guide. We loved learning about the history and culture of Matera. We appreciated the small group size.”

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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, depending on the departure. You’ll enter a rock-cut church and Casa Grotta, hear how families once lived in cave homes, and finish at Piazzetta Pascoli. The English tour lasts about two hours and includes both admission fees.

“We liked It a lot. It was super nice and super interesting. Juicy knew all about matera and we could feel the passion and LOVE for this city”

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4.Tour di Alberobello e Matera in bus privato da Bari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 701 reviews · from $67

Travel from Bari to Alberobello and Matera by private bus, then explore both on your own with a printed brochure, QR-code walking routes, and free time. See the Siamese Trulli, Matera’s Sassi, Casa Noha, and the rock church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Optional guided tours may be available.

“Very convenient and well organized tour. I especially like that they had audio guides and Google maps walking routes for the city. Good value for anyone looking to get to Alberobello and Matera from Bari!”

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5.Sassi Tour with Entry to Rock Houses and Churches

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

Walk Matera’s Sassi with an authorized local guide in English, Italian, German, French, or Spanish. See the Cathedral from outside, enter a furnished cave home, visit Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, and learn how families once lived in the rock. Guides such as Maria, Patrizia, Andrea, and Anna are praised for clear stories and patient pacing.

“Excellent Tour Guide. Congrats Address will be more visible in the street. . We got lost to get to the location and we were worried that we will lost the tour But everything was great!”

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

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

Take a 1.5-hour open-top bus ride through Matera’s Sassi, with a stop at San Pietro Caveoso Square and entry to a furnished cave dwelling. Guides such as Anita and Angelo explain the city in Italian and English. It is a smart choice when heat, hills, or limited time make a walking tour less appealing.

“Great overview. Particularly good if you have any mobility impairment.”

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7.Tour of Alberobello and Guide to Matera, from Bari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 478 reviews · 10 hours · from $93

Spend about three hours exploring Alberobello’s trulli at your own pace, then join a local guide in Matera for the Sassi, cave churches, and city history. The $93 price includes transport, digital maps, audio guides, and the Matera tour. Guides may include Pasquale, Giuseppe, Paola, or Cosimo.

“There was ample time for both tours. Our guide at Matera was excellent! I feel like I got a very good history of Matera and comprehensive views of this area including a church in a cave. Our guide was passionate, positive and inspiring. A memorable tour!”

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

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

Walk through Matera’s Sasso Barisano, Civita, and Sasso Caveoso with local guides such as Antonio or Giorgia. In about two hours, you’ll connect cave homes, rock churches, poverty, migration, and Matera’s modern revival. The small English-speaking group is limited to 16 people and ends at Palazzo Lanfranchi.

“Interesting info that brought the tour to life. We liked the bonus of the sese of humour. Would highly recommend”

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

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

Explore Matera’s historic center, Sasso Barisano, Sasso Caveoso, Santa Maria de Idris, and a traditional cave house on a two-hour English walking tour. Guides such as Patrizia, Lorena, and Anna Maria explain local life, rock churches, courtyards, and the city’s past. Expect steps, uneven ground, and a group of up to 20 people.

“Patricia our guide was very knowledgeable. Really learnt a lot about the history of Matera, particularly the Sassi.”

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

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

Spend about three hours walking Matera’s Barisano, Caveoso, Piano, and Civita districts with an English-speaking private guide. Visit Madonna de Idris, Sant’Antonio Abate, and a furnished cave home, then sample local products. Guides such as Giuseppe, Stella, Angela, and Anna are praised for clear storytelling, though the hilly route requires steady walking.

“È stato una esperienza eccezionale. Assolutamente raccomandabile. Guida turistica con molta esperienza e conoscenze dettagliate su Matera.”

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11.Sassi di Matera: Guided Walking Tour with Cave House/Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 343 reviews · from $34

Spend two hours walking Matera’s Sassi with an authorized English or Italian guide. You’ll explore narrow lanes, viewpoints, a furnished cave home, and a frescoed rock church while learning how families lived here. Guides may include Gaetano, Cosimo, Giuseppe, Maria Teresa, or Antonia. Expect steps, uneven ground, sun, and groups of up to 25.

“Great tour (2.30 h) by native guide Antonio. A lot of inside stories ablut the history, the archete ture of the cace dwellings, the water system etc. brought with great expertise and occesionally very fine humor. One of the best guiding tours we ever had.”

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

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

This two-day Matera package pairs a night in a B&B in the Sassi with breakfast, lunch, and a traditional Lucanian menu for two. On day two, a guide such as Giusy, Pasquale, or Romina leads a two-hour walk through Caveoso and Barisano, including Sant’Antonio Abate and a furnished cave house.

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

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13.Guided Walking Tour

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

Meet your Italian-speaking guide at Piazza Vittorio Veneto and walk through Matera’s Sassi, from Sasso Barisano to Sasso Caveoso. You’ll see cave homes, a rock church, the restored Cathedral, and views across Murgia Materana Park. Guides such as Mario, Angela, and Giuseppe are praised for clear explanations and patient help.

“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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14.3-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, cave homes, rock churches, viewpoints, and Matera Cathedral while learning how this remarkable city was built. Guides including Maria, Luigi, Anna, Stella, and Angela have been praised for clear storytelling and helpful orientation.

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

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15.Open Top Bus Tour with Entrance to Casa Grotta

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

Explore Matera’s UNESCO-listed Sassi by open-top bus, with stops at scenic viewpoints, a Casa Grotta, and the rock church of Sant’Antonio Abate. The 105-minute tour suits first-time visitors and anyone avoiding steep walks. Use the POPGuide audio app in English, French, Spanish, or Italian, and look for guides such as Imma, Angelo, or Cosimo.

“Easy to book… great tour. Imma was a great tour guide. Thank you 5*”

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