The Sassi, on foot – private Matera Walking Tour.
Two hours. No scripted path. One archaeologist who spent years excavating what you’ll see.
This private Matera walking tour takes you into the Sassi as most visitors never see them. The Sassi of Matera are not a walking route — they’re a layered record of 8,000 years of human settlement, most of it underground and invisible to the untrained eye. This tour is built around making that visible.
We’ll move through the alleys and down into the underground at a deliberate pace, taking paths most visitors never find. Along the way I’ll explain not just what you’re looking at, but why it exists — the geology that made cave-dwelling possible, the ancient symbiyosys between the comunity and the rock, the cultural and social dynamics that turned a prehistoric settlement into a medieval city, and the postwar politics that led to the forced evacuation of 17,000 people from these same streets.
Every tour includes at least one underground site — chosen based on your interests. If you’re drawn to Byzantine frescoes, we’ll go one way. If you want to understand the engineering of negative architecture, we’ll go another. Or both! I adapt the route to you, not the other way around.
- Duration: 2 hours, with optional 3rd hour
- Private: just you (and your group) — no strangers
- Fully customisable itinerary
- Conducted entirely in English
- Includes at least one cave site
Frequently Asked Questions
What will we see on the walking tour?
The Sassi of Matera — both the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano — including hidden alleys, panoramic viewpoints, and at least one underground rupestrian site chosen based on your interests. The route is never fixed: I adapt it to what matters to you.
How long is the tour?
The standard tour is 2 hours. A third hour can be added at booking — I recommend it if you want to visit more than one underground site or include the Old Town. Most guests find 2.5 to 3 hours is the ideal pace for this experience.
Is this suitable for first-time visitors to Matera?
Yes — and it’s the best way to start. Understanding the Sassi from an archaeological perspective on your first day changes how you see everything else in Matera. As one guest put it: “If you can do this on your first day, do it sooner rather than later.”
How much does the Matera walking tour cost?
Tours are priced per group, not per person — rates depend on duration and group size. The standard 2-hour tour and the extended 3-hour version are quoted separately. Tickets are not included, but you will get a discount if you buy them during the tour (there’s no need to book in advance any site we’ll be visiting). Get in touch for a personalised quote.
Can I combine this tour with a wine tasting?
Absolutely! After the walking tour I offer a wine tasting with food pairing in a beautiful cave restaurant in the Sassi – conducted by me as a certified sommelier. Total lenght of the experience: 3-4 hours.