Matera Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Matera tours and things to do in one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities: wander the ancient cave dwellings of the Sassi on a guided walk, step inside a Casa Grotta cave house and rock-hewn church, ride an Ape Calessino through the lanes, watch the sunset glow over the Murgia canyon, learn to roll orecchiette in a pasta class, and day-trip to the trulli of Alberobello. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
Explore Matera by interest
Whatever brings you to Matera — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Matera
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
The Sassi
Cave districts.
Casa Grotta
Cave house.
Murgia Belvedere
Canyon views.
Local Cuisine
Pasta & wine.
Alberobello
Trulli town.
Rock Churches
Frescoed crypts.
Sassi Lanes
Ancient streets.
Sunset Sassi
Golden hour.
1 hr awayAlberobello
Trulli town.
Ravine awayMurgia Park
Canyon views.
Nearby awayCrypt of Sin
Rock frescoes.
Basilicata awayWine Country
Local flavours.
Center awayThe Sassi
Cave districts.
Sassi awayCasa Grotta
Cave house.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Matera visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Warm and pleasant — ideal for walking the Sassi.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Hot and busy, with long sunny days.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Mild and golden — a lovely time to visit.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cool and quiet, with atmospheric light.
For photos
Sunrise and sunset light the Sassi beautifully.
Best overall
April to June and September to October are ideal.
One day
A Sassi walk, a cave house and the sunset.
Two days
Add an Ape ride and Alberobello.
Three days
Add a cooking class and Puglia.
For history
The Sassi, cave houses and rock churches.
For food
Pasta classes and wine tastings.
For views
The Murgia Belvedere and sunset.
On foot
The Sassi are best explored on foot, with steps.
Ape & open bus
Ape Calessino and buses avoid the climbs.
By car
A car reaches Alberobello and Puglia.
By train
Trains link Matera with Bari for connections.
Where to stay
Stay in a Sassi cave hotel for the full experience.
Euro
Italy uses the euro; cards widely accepted.
Sassi walk
Take a guided walk to grasp the history.
Cave house
Visit a Casa Grotta to see how families lived.
Ape ride
Ride an Ape Calessino to skip the steep climbs.
Sunset
Head to the Murgia Belvedere for golden hour.
Cooking class
Learn to make orecchiette in a cave cellar.
Good shoes
The Sassi have steps and cobbles — wear flat shoes.
Sassi tours
Popular walking tours sell out — book ahead.
Cooking classes
Small classes fill up — reserve early.
Ape rides
Panoramic rides fill up — book ahead.
Sunset tours
Murgia sunset tours sell out — reserve early.
Alberobello trips
Day trips fill up — book ahead.
Peak season
Spring and autumn are busiest — book ahead.
Sassi walk
Around €20–45 for a guided Sassi walking tour.
Cave house tour
About €25–50 with cave house and church entry.
Ape ride
Roughly €25–50 for an Ape Calessino tour.
Cooking class
Around €55–90 for a pasta class with a meal.
Alberobello trip
About €55–100 for an Alberobello day trip.
How to save
Join group Sassi walks to keep costs down.
Matera through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Walking.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Long days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot.
- Best for
- Golden light.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- Quiet & moody.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cool.