Guided Tour of Matera Historic Center, Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House
by Passi nei Sassi
Choose from 5 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.€44Overview
The tour begins at the central office on Via Don Minzoni, 13, where guests meet the authorized guide. From there, the group walks to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the social and cultural hub of Matera, to start exploring the historic center. The guide leads a walking route through the old town’s alleys and squares, showcasing historic buildings, churches, and views that reflect the city’s long history. Throughout the walk, visitors learn about the evolution of Matera’s architecture and hear stories about local life and traditions. Next is a 10-minute visit to the Sasso Barisano viewpoint, which offers a wide view over the neighborhood’s cave houses, churches, and narrow streets. The guide explains the area's history and daily life, providing context before continuing the walking tour. The group then spends about 20 minutes inside the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, exploring one of the rock churches carved into the stone. The tour continues through Sasso Caveoso, the most recognized part of the Sassi. Walking through this area, visitors see shared courtyards, underground oil mills, and an ancient barbarian cemetery, with the guide sharing details about the daily lives and history of past inhabitants. Finally, there is a 15-minute visit to the Casa Grotta di Matera, a restored cave house furnished with original objects and tools that show how families lived there until the 1950s. The guide describes domestic life and the traditions of the Sassi during this period. The entire guided walking tour lasts about two hours and includes entrance to the cave house and the Church of Santa Maria de Idris. Bottled water and snacks are not provided.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Meeting point
The tour starts at the central office on Via Don Minzoni, 13, where guests meet the authorized guide before the walking tour begins.
Historic center walk
From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the main square and cultural center of Matera, the guide leads a walk through the old town. Visitors see historic buildings, churches, and streets that illustrate centuries of history, with the guide providing details about the architecture and local traditions.
Sasso Barisano
This 10-minute stop offers a high view over the Sasso Barisano neighborhood, showing cave houses, churches, and narrow alleys. The guide explains the area's history, architecture, and daily life of past residents.
10 min
Church of Santa Maria de Idris
Visitors spend about 20 minutes inside this rock church, one of Matera’s notable cave churches carved into the stone.
20 min
Sasso Caveoso walk
The tour continues through the Sasso Caveoso district, visiting neighborhoods with shared courtyards, underground oil mills, and a barbarian cemetery. The guide tells stories about the local history and daily life of former inhabitants.
Antica Matera Casa Grotta
This 15-minute visit to a restored cave house shows how families lived until the 1950s. The house contains original furnishings and tools, with the guide describing domestic life and survival practices in the caves.
15 min
Meeting point
Agency Passi nei Sassi
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Guided Tour of Matera Historic Center, Sassi Rock Churches and Cave House
by Passi nei Sassi
Choose from 5 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.€44Overview
The tour begins at the central office on Via Don Minzoni, 13, where guests meet the authorized guide. From there, the group walks to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the social and cultural hub of Matera, to start exploring the historic center. The guide leads a walking route through the old town’s alleys and squares, showcasing historic buildings, churches, and views that reflect the city’s long history. Throughout the walk, visitors learn about the evolution of Matera’s architecture and hear stories about local life and traditions. Next is a 10-minute visit to the Sasso Barisano viewpoint, which offers a wide view over the neighborhood’s cave houses, churches, and narrow streets. The guide explains the area's history and daily life, providing context before continuing the walking tour. The group then spends about 20 minutes inside the Church of Santa Maria de Idris, exploring one of the rock churches carved into the stone. The tour continues through Sasso Caveoso, the most recognized part of the Sassi. Walking through this area, visitors see shared courtyards, underground oil mills, and an ancient barbarian cemetery, with the guide sharing details about the daily lives and history of past inhabitants. Finally, there is a 15-minute visit to the Casa Grotta di Matera, a restored cave house furnished with original objects and tools that show how families lived there until the 1950s. The guide describes domestic life and the traditions of the Sassi during this period. The entire guided walking tour lasts about two hours and includes entrance to the cave house and the Church of Santa Maria de Idris. Bottled water and snacks are not provided.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Meeting point
The tour starts at the central office on Via Don Minzoni, 13, where guests meet the authorized guide before the walking tour begins.
Historic center walk
From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the main square and cultural center of Matera, the guide leads a walk through the old town. Visitors see historic buildings, churches, and streets that illustrate centuries of history, with the guide providing details about the architecture and local traditions.
Sasso Barisano
This 10-minute stop offers a high view over the Sasso Barisano neighborhood, showing cave houses, churches, and narrow alleys. The guide explains the area's history, architecture, and daily life of past residents.
10 min
Church of Santa Maria de Idris
Visitors spend about 20 minutes inside this rock church, one of Matera’s notable cave churches carved into the stone.
20 min
Sasso Caveoso walk
The tour continues through the Sasso Caveoso district, visiting neighborhoods with shared courtyards, underground oil mills, and a barbarian cemetery. The guide tells stories about the local history and daily life of former inhabitants.
Antica Matera Casa Grotta
This 15-minute visit to a restored cave house shows how families lived until the 1950s. The house contains original furnishings and tools, with the guide describing domestic life and survival practices in the caves.
15 min
Meeting point
Agency Passi nei Sassi
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.