Tours/Matera/Matera : Sassi tour with the iconic churches carved into the rock
Viator · group up to 20 pax

Matera : Sassi tour with the iconic churches carved into the rock

4.8(515)Matera1 hour
VIATOR4.5(82)TRIPADVISOR4.9(433)

Description

With an authorized guide you will visit the beauties of the historic center of Matera reaching, with a pleasant walk, places and breathtaking views.

Tour Options

Tour in French Language
  • Museum entrances: House cave of peasant civilization Rock Church of Santa Maria de idris San Giovanni al Monterrone
Tour in english
  • Entrances Museums: House Cave of rural civilization Rock Church of Santa Maria de Idris San Giovanni al Monterrone
Guided Tour in Italian
  • Entrances Museums: House Cave of rural civilization Rock Church of Santa Maria de Idris San Giovanni al Monterrone
Tour in Spanish
  • Museum entrances: Neighborhood cave house Rock Church Santa Maria de Idris San Giovanni al Monterrone
German language tour
  • Tours in German Museum entrances: Entrance to the Rock Church of Santa Maria de Idris and San giovanni al Monterrone Entrance House cave museum of civilization

Itinerary

Pass by

Meeting point Central Office in Via Don Minzoni, 13

Pass by

Start your journey in the heart of Matera from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, one of the main squares of the city, meeting point of social and cultural life. From here, the walk through the old town allows you to admire historic buildings, churches and picturesque views that tell centuries of history. Each alley and square houses stories of everyday life, art and tradition, while the architecture and facades of the buildings show the evolution of the city over time. The local Guide will accompany you through alleys, squares and monuments, revealing curiosities, anecdotes and details that often escape those who visit the city unaccompanied. Walking through the portals, squares and cobbled streets, you can immerse yourself in the magic of the historic center of Matera, understanding the balance between daily life and artistic heritage. This experience allows you to experience the city with new eyes, discovering the authentic and timeless charm of Matera.

10 min

Experience Matera from a unique perspective with a guided tour of the Sasso Barisano viewpoint. From this elevated position you can admire the entire neighborhood with its fascinating interweaving of cave houses, cave churches and picturesque alleys. The Guide will tell you about the history, architecture and daily life of the people who inhabited this extraordinary context, revealing curiosities and details often hidden from visitors. Observing the Sasso Barisano from above allows you to understand its structure and charm without having to walk the narrow alleys, optimizing the time of the walk. The panoramic view offers perfect scenery for memorable photographs and prepares the way for a more in-depth visit of the caveous rock

Admission included20 min

There will be a visit inside one of the most beautiful rock churches, the Church of Santa Maria di Idris.

Pass by

Discover the authentic heart of Matera with a guided tour of the Sasso Caveoso, the most iconic part of the Sassi. Walking through the neighborhoods, ancient neighborhoods where families shared courtyards and common areas, the Guide will tell stories and curiosities that will immerse you in the daily life of the past. You will visit the underground oil mills, testimonies of peasant ingenuity and oil production, and the barbarian cemetery, a rare archaeological site that preserves memories and ancient tales. Every alley, courtyard and corner tells centuries of history, work and devotion, offering an authentic and engaging experience. Between panoramic views and hidden details, you can experience the true essence of the Sassi, understand the culture of Matera and bring with you unique memories of a place without equal.

Admission included15 min

Visit the typical Casa Grotta di Matera and immerse yourself in the daily life of its inhabitants until the 1950s. This fascinating cave environment, furnished with original objects and traditional tools, tells how families lived in the narrow caves carved into the rock. Walking through rooms, kitchens and inner courtyards, you will discover the secrets of domestic life, survival strategies and habits that have characterized centuries of Matera history. The Guide will reveal stories, anecdotes and curiosities that make each corner unique and suggestive, allowing you to fully understand the culture and traditions of the Sassi. The visit to the Casa Grotta offers an authentic, emotionally engaging experience, and a unique opportunity to relive the city’s past firsthand, among genuine environments, original details and an atmosphere that still retains the charm of a time long gone.

Highlights

Entrance House cave
Entrance Church of Santa Maria De Idris San Giovanni in Monterrone

What's included

Included
Entrance House cave
Entrance Church of Santa Maria De Idris San Giovanni in Monterrone
Not included
Bottled water
Snacks

Traveller Ratings

4.8
515 reviews
5
461
4
34
3
7
2
7
1
6

Important Information

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(515)

S
SIM7652379
July 4, 2026
Fantastic tour through the Sassi with Pepe 👌

From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, we walked along Via delle Beccherie, up and down the stairs towards the Duomo. Pepe, our tour guide, told us a lot about the historical background of the Sassi and led us from one beautiful spot to the next. 👌 We visited the Chiesa di Santa Maria de Idris and a museum, the Casa Grotta dei Vicinato. From some wonderful viewpoints, we were able to take photos of the Sassi and the caves where the poor people lived. Pepe knows everything and answered our many questions. This tour is highly recommended and very interesting with Pepe❗️

U
U704WQelenap
July 2, 2026
Recommended

Very pleasant and comprehensive

L
lucianodO1761GZ
July 2, 2026
A location to visit at least once

Interesting tour and very knowledgeable guide

9
918rodf
June 28, 2026
Great tour

Great tour. Good value as it included entry into two attractions.

J
JillBoynton
June 26, 2026
Matera walking tour

Tour was excellent with good highlights of each area. Sometimes a little difficult to hear guide, use of radios would be a welcome addition!

D
D573WLameliar
June 25, 2026
The best way to visit the Sassi of Matera

We had the opportunity to visit the Sassi of Matera with Beppe, who was truly excellent at helping us understand the city thanks to his clear, concise, accurate, and interesting communication. Thanks to him, we faced the sun and the climbs without feeling tired.

Y
Yves_C
June 23, 2026
Experienced and very...

An experienced and very interesting guide, we truly discovered the history of Matera; I highly recommend it.

N
Nicole_C
June 20, 2026
Matera is a special place...

Matera is a special place - full of the history and stories to tell. The guide is professional, but she seems to just do her work and annoyed when people asked questions.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that you appreciated the unique beauty, history, and stories that make Matera such a special destination. At the same time, we are sorry to learn that your experience with the guide did not fully meet your expectations. We work with knowledgeable and experienced professionals, and we believe that engaging with guests and welcoming their questions is an important part of creating a memorable experience. Your comments are valuable to us and will be shared with the guide as constructive feedback. Thank you for choosing our agency. We truly appreciate your review and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future for an even more enjoyable experience.

G
Gennaro B
June 19, 2026
Tour of the Sassi

We strolled among the stones, magnificently guided by Simone, a friendly and very knowledgeable guide. Despite the sun, we enjoyed a lovely walk, clearly explaining both historical facts and artistic interests. I highly recommend his guidance for visiting the Sassi.

L
Lena_S
June 17, 2026
Great guide with Insights into Stassi and Cave civilisations

Such an insightful trip, all because of our guide. I would recommend this tour anytime. This tour is not to be missed -to appreciate the cave civilisations , life in the sassi, and cave churches, Byzantine art. Our guide was also patient and waited for us, a senior couple, to catch up with the group.

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