Private 3-Hour Excursion to the Sassi di Matera
by Martulli Viaggi
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€290Overview
This full private 3-hour walking excursion covers the Sassi di Matera, including both the Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso districts. The tour begins in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where the guide meets the group and provides an introduction to Matera’s layout and history. The first stop is the Church of Purgatory, visited from the outside to explain its Baroque features and local religious themes. The route continues through the historic center of Matera, with a 10-minute stop to discuss the city’s urban development before entering the Sassi districts. Next, the Cathedral Basilica of Matera is visited; it sits atop a hill and offers views over the Sassi, allowing participants to orient themselves within the rock-hewn landscape. The tour proceeds to Piazza San Pietro Caveoso for a 10-minute pause to observe the distinctive atmosphere of the area. In Sasso Barisano, the rock-carved Church of Sant'Antonio Abate is visited, where medieval frescoes and carved spaces are explained during a 10-minute stop. Then, in Sasso Caveoso, the tour visits a Casa Grotta museum, which displays rooms furnished as they were before the 1950s and illustrates the living conditions of local families; this stop lasts about 15 minutes. The walk continues along Via Madonna delle Virtù, a scenic stretch overlooking the Gravina canyon and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, lasting about 15 minutes. Another 10-minute stop at Piazza San Pietro Caveoso provides an opportunity for photos of the cityscape. The tour includes a 20-minute visit to the rock church of Madonna de Idris, known for its historically significant frescoes. The excursion concludes with a tasting of local food samples lasting about 15 minutes. Entrance tickets to the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, the Casa Grotta museum, and the rock church of Madonna de Idris are included. Participants receive a 10% discount coupon for Mòvado Food&Drinks bar in Piazza Duomo before the tour. The route involves uneven stone pavements, steps, and narrow alleys, so comfortable walking shoes and a moderate level of mobility are required. The itinerary is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Chiesa del Purgatorio
The tour opens with an outside visit to the Church of Purgatory, introducing Baroque Matera and local themes of faith, death, and rebirth.
Historic city center
A ten-minute walk through the city’s historic core to understand Matera’s urban development before entering the Sassi districts.
10 min
Cathedral Basilica of Matera
The Cathedral sits on a hilltop overlooking the Sassi, providing a viewpoint to orient within the rock-hewn urban landscape.
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
A brief stop to appreciate the unique atmosphere and views of the Sassi from this square.
10 min
Chiesa Rupestre Sant'Antonio Abate
Located in Sasso Barisano, this rock church features medieval frescoes and carved spaces reflecting its spiritual past.
10 min
Casa Grotta museum
This stop shows rooms furnished as they were before the 1950s, revealing daily life and living conditions of former inhabitants.
15 min
Via Madonna delle Virtù
A scenic walk offering views over the Gravina canyon and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches where nature and history meet.
15 min
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
Another brief photo stop at this square surrounded by iconic views of the Sasso Caveoso district.
10 min
Rock church of Madonna de Idris
A visit to this rock-carved church above Sasso Caveoso, decorated with frescoes of historical and spiritual significance.
20 min
Tour conclusion with local food tasting
The tour ends with small samples of traditional local food products.
15 min
Meeting point
Agenzia Martulli Viaggi
End point
In front of the Cathedral
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Private 3-Hour Excursion to the Sassi di Matera
by Martulli Viaggi
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€290Overview
This full private 3-hour walking excursion covers the Sassi di Matera, including both the Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso districts. The tour begins in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where the guide meets the group and provides an introduction to Matera’s layout and history. The first stop is the Church of Purgatory, visited from the outside to explain its Baroque features and local religious themes. The route continues through the historic center of Matera, with a 10-minute stop to discuss the city’s urban development before entering the Sassi districts. Next, the Cathedral Basilica of Matera is visited; it sits atop a hill and offers views over the Sassi, allowing participants to orient themselves within the rock-hewn landscape. The tour proceeds to Piazza San Pietro Caveoso for a 10-minute pause to observe the distinctive atmosphere of the area. In Sasso Barisano, the rock-carved Church of Sant'Antonio Abate is visited, where medieval frescoes and carved spaces are explained during a 10-minute stop. Then, in Sasso Caveoso, the tour visits a Casa Grotta museum, which displays rooms furnished as they were before the 1950s and illustrates the living conditions of local families; this stop lasts about 15 minutes. The walk continues along Via Madonna delle Virtù, a scenic stretch overlooking the Gravina canyon and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, lasting about 15 minutes. Another 10-minute stop at Piazza San Pietro Caveoso provides an opportunity for photos of the cityscape. The tour includes a 20-minute visit to the rock church of Madonna de Idris, known for its historically significant frescoes. The excursion concludes with a tasting of local food samples lasting about 15 minutes. Entrance tickets to the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, the Casa Grotta museum, and the rock church of Madonna de Idris are included. Participants receive a 10% discount coupon for Mòvado Food&Drinks bar in Piazza Duomo before the tour. The route involves uneven stone pavements, steps, and narrow alleys, so comfortable walking shoes and a moderate level of mobility are required. The itinerary is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Chiesa del Purgatorio
The tour opens with an outside visit to the Church of Purgatory, introducing Baroque Matera and local themes of faith, death, and rebirth.
Historic city center
A ten-minute walk through the city’s historic core to understand Matera’s urban development before entering the Sassi districts.
10 min
Cathedral Basilica of Matera
The Cathedral sits on a hilltop overlooking the Sassi, providing a viewpoint to orient within the rock-hewn urban landscape.
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
A brief stop to appreciate the unique atmosphere and views of the Sassi from this square.
10 min
Chiesa Rupestre Sant'Antonio Abate
Located in Sasso Barisano, this rock church features medieval frescoes and carved spaces reflecting its spiritual past.
10 min
Casa Grotta museum
This stop shows rooms furnished as they were before the 1950s, revealing daily life and living conditions of former inhabitants.
15 min
Via Madonna delle Virtù
A scenic walk offering views over the Gravina canyon and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches where nature and history meet.
15 min
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
Another brief photo stop at this square surrounded by iconic views of the Sasso Caveoso district.
10 min
Rock church of Madonna de Idris
A visit to this rock-carved church above Sasso Caveoso, decorated with frescoes of historical and spiritual significance.
20 min
Tour conclusion with local food tasting
The tour ends with small samples of traditional local food products.
15 min
Meeting point
Agenzia Martulli Viaggi
End point
In front of the Cathedral
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.