Matera city tour

Book our Matera Sassi tour to discover the beautiful UNESCO world heritage site. Matera is a city in Basilicata where it is possible to truly breathe the history and be enchanted by the ancient and mysterious charm of its “sassi“, the typical houses which are the most important testimony of the residential settlements which have emerged in the place over the years, from Paleolithic, when caves were inhabited, passing through the Middle Ages, up until today. The tour of Matera can start from its Sassi which in 1993 were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Departure: Our company offers Matera Tours and neighboring areas which stand out for their comfort and customisation. For this reason, our customers will have the possibility to choose any place of their choice as a departure and arrival point, even places such as the Amalfi Coast, Naples and Rome.

Duration: The choice of destinations to visit will also be yours. For this reason, the duration of the tour may vary. They range from a minimum of one day – for those wishing to visit only Matera in one day – up to 2-7 day tours, personalized based on your needs. For details and quotes, contact us.

Experiences: It is possible to include different types of experiences within the Tour, based on your needs. Among the most popular we have guided tour inside the “Sassi”, wine and oil tastings, visits to underground oil mills, visits to local cellars and farms, cooking classes and much more.

How it works: One of our drivers will be at your disposal for the entire duration of the Tour and will take you from one place to another with maximum comfort, taking into account the presence of areas not accessible to cars. All our drivers speak Italian and English, and will always be available to offer you suggestions or respond to your requests.

Vehicle: Our tours in Matera take place with a 9-seater minivan (8 passengers + driver) equipped with air conditioning and comfortable seats. For larger groups, contact us.

Time: We consider the holiday a moment of relaxation and we want our customers to enjoy their stay in an air of peace and tranquility. For this reason, we let them choose how and when to start the Tour in Matera and its duration.

How to visit Matera Sassi

The Sassi are divided into two neighborhoods: Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. The buildings are made of stone blocks, very suggestive both day and night, and inside they house bars, restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops, artisans’ shops, churches and much more.

• The main point of the town, however, is Piazza Vittorio Veneto, from which you can admire the stones from a different perspective.

• Not far from here, you can find the Cathedral dedicated to the Santissima Madonna della Bruna and Sant’Eustachio, the two protectors of the city and enjoy a beautiful view of the Sasso Barisano. The building’s facade is in Apulian Romanesque style and it is marked by a portal, a statue of the Virgin Mary.

• You cannot miss a visit to the rock church of Santa Maria di Idris, located in the Sasso Caveoso area. It is a small church built inside a rock filled with Byzantine frescoes.

• Matera is also known for its large underground cistern, called Palombaro Lungo, built in 1846 by Monsignor Di Macco and discovered in 1991 after renovation work on the square. You can visit it and, in this way, come into close contact with water, which is fundamental to the city of Matera.

• The Tramontano Castle, built in the 16th century in the Aragonese style, is also a very suggestive place. It was built on a hill not far from the town. We suggest you to climb to the top of one of its towers in order to enjoy a splendid view.

• Right after the Castle, you can visit the belvedere in Piazzetta Pascoli, dedicated to the poet Giovanni Pascoli, who gave lectures in Matera between 1882 and 1884. From belvedere you can enjoy an amazing view of the Civita and Sasso Caveoso districts.

• Palazzo Lanfranchi Museum, the National Museum of Medieval Art and the Ridola Museum are all within easy reach of Piazzetta Pascoli, something that you cannot miss if you really like history and art.

What to eat in Matera

The “Sassi” (stones) are divided into two districts: Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano. The buildings are characterised by blocks of stone, which are very suggestive both by day and by night. In this spendid land there are bars, restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops, artisans’ workshops, churches and much more inside them.

After visit some of the most beautiful and important places in Matera, you can enjoy its typical dishes. They are rich in flavours and genuine ingredients: pulses, vegetables, cheese, mushrooms, home-made pasta. Among other things, try the Crapiata, made with legumes and potatoes, and the Pignata, made with sheep meat and vegetables.