Most booked tours and tickets in Matera
Matera : Sassi tour with the iconic churches carved into the rock
4.8564 reviews2h
from €20
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Tour in the Sassi of Matera with Casa Grotta and Rock Church
5.0425 reviews2h
from €12
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Panoramic Tour of the Sassi of Matera in Open-Bus with House-Cave
4.9342 reviews1h 30m
from €20
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Top sights in Matera
- 1Sassi di Matera
- 2Cave Churches (Chiese Rupestri)
- 3Casa Grotta Museum
- 4Palombaro Lungo Cistern
- 5Cave Hotel Experience
- 6Sunset at Murgia Viewpoint
- Walk Through 9,000 Years of History: Explore the Sassi di Matera, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. Step inside a reconstructed cave dwelling at the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario museum to understand daily life, and visit rock churches like Santa Lucia alle Malve with Byzantine frescoes dating back to the 8th century.
- Experience Unique Cave Accommodations: Sleep in history at a converted cave hotel like Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita or Sant'Angelo Luxury Resort. These boutique stays blend ancient stone walls with modern luxury, offering an immersive night in the very dwellings that define Matera's identity.
- Discover a Cinematic Landscape: Matera's dramatic topography has made it a favorite film location. Visit the spots where 'The Passion of the Christ' was filmed, see the ancient cisterns featured in 'No Time to Die,' and capture the otherworldly scenery that makes photographers swoon, especially at golden hour from the Murgia viewpoint.
Tickets and passes in Matera
Tuk Tuk tour Matera - between History, legend and anecdotes
4.8153 reviews1h
from €53
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Food and drink experiences in Matera
Matera: Sassi Farmer's Pasta Class in an Ancient Wine Cellar
4.719 reviews3h
from €108
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Pasta & Tiramisu Class at Local's home with tasting in Matera
4.611 reviews3h
from €179
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Day trips and outdoor activities from Matera
Hidden gems in Matera
Places most visitors miss, many of them free.
Cripta del Peccato Originale (Crypt of Original Sin)
A stunning 9th-century rock church located in the countryside outside Matera, often called the 'Sistine Chapel of rupestrian art.'
Museo della Scultura Contemporanea (MUSMA)
A contemporary sculpture museum uniquely housed in the cavernous spaces of the 17th-century Palazzo Pomarici in the Sassi.
Chiesa di San Pietro Barisano (Underground)
While the upper church is notable, its lesser-visited underground levels contain macabre and fascinating 'scolatoi,' where monks were desiccated after death.
Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio
A small, less-crowded viewpoint near the Convento di Sant'Agostino, offering a spectacular, slightly different angle over the Sasso Caveoso.
Laboratorio di Ceramica di Giuseppe Mitarotonda
A small, family-run ceramic workshop in the Sassi where artisans create traditional Basilicata pottery using ancient techniques.
Day trips from Matera
Alberobello
1 hour 15 min by car
Venture into Puglia to visit another UNESCO site famous for its trulli, the unique conical-roofed whitewashed houses. It's a fascinating contrast to Matera's cave architecture and offers a different perspective on southern Italian vernacular building.
Metaponto & Ionic Coast
50 min by car
Escape to the sea and ancient Greek history. Metaponto is home to impressive Greek temple ruins, while the nearby beaches offer a chance to relax on the Ionian Sea after days of cave exploration.
Craco
1 hour by car
Visit the haunting 'ghost town' of Craco, a medieval hilltop village completely abandoned due to landslides. Its eerie, crumbling structures perched on a cliff have featured in many films and offer a powerful, melancholic beauty.
Plan your Matera trip
Things to do in Matera: FAQ
What are the best things to do in Matera?+
Top sights include Sassi di Matera, Cave Churches (Chiese Rupestri), Casa Grotta Museum and Palombaro Lungo Cistern. Away from the crowds, try Cripta del Peccato Originale (Crypt of Original Sin) and Museo della Scultura Contemporanea (MUSMA).
What are the most popular tours in Matera?+
The most booked experiences on Viator are Discover Matera, the ancient city - English tour (4.9 stars, 1,953 reviews); Guided Tour of Matera Sassi (4.7 stars, 1,553 reviews); Matera : Sassi tour with the iconic churches carved into the rock (4.8 stars, 564 reviews).
How much do tours in Matera cost?+
The tours and tickets on this page start between €12 and €290 per person, depending on length and what is included.
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.