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Book City Tours in Matera - Guided Tours, Bus Tours, Audio Guided Tours & More

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Matera
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Visit the Matera's Paleolithic Cave Dwellings

Imagine sleeping inside a cave that had been inhabited by someone over 9000 years ago. What would that be like? You're about to find out at Matera, a city of interconnected excavated caves that date back to the Paleolithic age. Discover rock churches, grottoed hotels, and restaurants, as cave dwellings embedded in this unique city. Hike along the gorges of the Murgia plateau and visit Byzantine caves with frescoes centuries-old. Choose from a variety of guided tours, walking tours, and bike tours to explore the caves of Matera.

Why Go on a Matera Caves Tour?

Matera Caves
  • Visit Ancient Cave Dwellings: Cities from Mesopotamia might have been older, but none have stood the test of time like the cave dwellings of Matera that originated in the Paleolithic age.
  • Live the Troglodyte Life: Know what it's like to inhabit a cave carved into the rocky slopes of Basilicata. Visit the famous Casa Grotta Cave House and interact with locals learning about their unique houses and lifestyles.
  • Explore Ruprestrian Caves: Visit several of Matera's rupestrian caves that are carved out of the mountains and
  • Cave Attractions: Attend exhibitions related to the caves of Matera, explore the water system cisterns and the even the Crypt of Original Sin in your Matera Caves tour.

Your Matera Caves Tour Options Explained

Guided Tours

Guided Tours

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

  • Discover the caves of Matera with an expert local guide in a guided tour available in English, Italian, Spanish, and French.
  • Explore Matera's cave houses and learn about the astounding architecture of the interconnected caves. 
  • Gain entry to the rock-hewn churches and the Cave House.

Cancellation Policy: Cancel these tickets 48 hours before your experience and get a full refund.

Recommended Tours

​Guided Tour of Sassi of Matera
Murgia Park & Rupestrian Churches Guided Tour with Transfer

Matera Caves

Tours with Audio Guide

Duration: 45 mins - 1 hour 15 minutes

  • Explore the City of Matera and get entry to cave attractions.
  • Get a multilingual audio guide available in English and Italian.
  • Depending on the ticket, take the tour on a tuk-tuk or bus.

Cancelation Policy: Cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Recommended Tours

​45-min Tour of Sassi of Matera with Porter & Audio Guide
Bus Tour of Matera with Audio Guide & Access to Casa Grotta

Bus Tours

Bus Tours

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

  • Sit back in an open-air bus as you cruise through Matera visiting its top attractions. 
  • Get access to a comprehensive audio guide in the language of your choice to make your tour an informative and meaningful one.
  • Visit the cave dwellings of Casa Grotta nei Sassi di Matera, occupied by people several centuries ago, and even an exhibition at Cava Paradiso.

Cancelation Policy: Cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Recommended Tours

​Bus Tour of Matera with Audio Guide & Access to Casa Grotta

20426-matera-2.5-hour-e-vespa-tour-in-matera-01

E-bike Tours

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

  • Zip between the ancient buildings of Matera on an iconic Vespa in 2.5 hours and get access to several cave attractions.
  • Get the freedom and flexibility to explore the culture and history of the site at your own pace. 
  • Allow an English or Italian tour guide will take you to the best spots in town and share local insights.  

Cancelation Policy: Cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Recommended Tours

​2.5-Hour E-Vespa Tour of Sassi di Matera

Why Buy Matera Caves Tours Online?

Tours of Matera Caves in Basilicata are best booked online. There are several benefits to booking tours online.

  • Advanced booking: Be assured of a tour when you arrive. Booking online also helps you plan your travel and accommodation in advance knowing the appointed date and timing of your tour. 
  • Convenience: Avoid the hassle of arranging a tour guide or searching for tour services while you're there. You’ll also get 24/7 customer service for your experience by phone, email, or chat.
  • Variety of experiences: Explore Matera the way you'd like to. Peruse a variety of tours such as guided tours, bus tours, and bike tours, and choose based on your preference.

Which Matera Caves Tour Should You Choose?

1. Looking for Transfers?

Opt for bus tours and audio guide tours if you are looking for a hassle-free and convenient way of touring Matera and its caves. Your audio-guided journey in a bus or tuk-tuk will be informative without you having to worry about logistics.

2. Looking to Gain Insights?

If you are hoping to learn about the fascinating origin and architecture of Matera's cave settlements and structures, then a guided tour is the way to go. Your multilingual guide will direct you to the most interesting cave attractions of the UNESCO Heritage Site and give you an expert perspective on them.

3. Looking to Explore Matera?

Matera is best explored on foot. In our walking guided tours you will get the time and space to truly take in the sights and appreciate the archaeological value of Matera.

Explore the Matera

Enter the ancient realm of Matera and witness one of the oldest cities in the world. From rupestrian churches and cave lodgings to excavations in the hills, the city of Matera is a world apart from what you're normally used to.

Matera Caves

Rupestrian Churches

The rock churches of Matera are holy spaces that were carved straight from large rocks. However, it is easy to mistake these structures for large amorphous boulders. They are said to be the work of Byzantine monks from the 15th century. Inside them, you will find rupestrian frescoes that delight the eyes as the soft light pours into the cavernous interiors.

cathedral of Matera

The Duomo of Matera

At the highest point of the ridge that separates the two Sassi in Matera stands the towering, pale yellow structure of the Matera Cathedral. Dedicated to the protector of the city Saint Eustace, the church was constructed in the 13 century. In the center of its simple yet elegant facade is a rose window and behind it, a large 170 ft. bell tower. Inside you will find delightful interiors, Byzantine frescoes, and gold-gilded stucco moldings.

Matera Caves

Cavernous Neighbourhoods

Stroll the narrow and winding streets of the ancient city of Matera until you reach the hermetic buildings in the center of Sasso Caveso. The houses here are small and layered onto top of each other against the hillside giving them a Post-classical appearance. The caverns here are so visually stunning that they have been used as locations for filming as in 'The Passion of Christ' by Mel Gibson and 'OO7: No Time to Die'. You may also find various grottoed shops and restaurants in this area.

Matera Caves

Cave Houses

Visit one of Matera's traditional cave houses that are said to have been dwellings of troglodytes for millennia. Cave houses such as the Casa Grotta Cera Una Volta and the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario are limestone cave dwellings that have been refurbished for public exhibitions. They lend unique insight into the lives of the former inhabitants of Matera. You will see how they conducted domestic life and arranged their household items and even cattle in their cavernous homes!

Crypt

Crypt of the Original Sin

If you follow the ravine that cuts through the Murgia Plateau, you will find several natural caves that look like gaping black holes on the mountainside. There is one, however, that is of great archaeological and artistic interest - The Crypt of Original Sin. Discovered in 1963, this cave was said to be inhabited by monks in the 8th century who left beautiful frescoes. The themes of the Creator, Light and Darkness, and Adam and Eve are rendered on the rough walls of the cave.

Plan Your Visit to the Matera Caves

Mediterranean climate

Matera enjoys a Mediterranean climate that sees hot summers and moderate winters. The winter months between December and March are tolerable but can get a little cold. The warmest months are between June and August. Matera's caves are difficult to explore especially while moving between several locations due to soaring temperatures. The spring months of April, May, and June and the autumn months of September, October, and November are the best times to take a cave tour in terms of weather.

Bus

Address: The caves of Matera are located in Matera city in the region of Basilicata, Italy. It lies about 65 km from the city of Bari. [Find on Maps]

Getting There

  • By Walk: The Sassi area of the city (where most of the attractions are found) is a relatively small area that can be covered on foot.
  • By Bus: Frequent buses (15 urban lines and 2 circular lines) circulate within Matera between 7 AM and 10 PM that can reach you to your destination. The Sassi Line is a special bus that reaches the UNESCO Heritage site.
  • By Taxi: It is easy to hail or book a cab in Matera through the Matera Taxi Consortium which has pre-established rates.
  • By Car: Cars are good for circulating within the city but keep in mind that cars are not allowed in the Limited Traffic Zones (ZTLs) of the Sassi. 
ATMs

Despite its history and old-world charm, attractions in Matera have all the modern facilities one could wish for including closely situated toilets.

wheelchair

Most of Matera is wheelchair accessible. With well-paved roads and ramps to buildings, wheelchair users can easily navigate their way through the city. However, entrances to some rock caves and other cave attractions, especially those on elevated platforms are not wheelchair accessible.

Eat
  • La Focagna: Try the crapiata in Taverna La Focagna, a grottoed restaurant, and wash it down with a beer or a local wine. 
  • Morgan: Located inside a cavernous hall, this restaurant serves gourmet-style dishes with a peperoni cruschi to die for.
  • l Fiore del Latte: If you are looking for a homely ambiance and food crafted with love, head on over to Il Fiore del Latte for their Tagliolini and an array of cheeses.  
  • Pizzeria I Due Sassi: Enjoy sizzling pizzas at this restaurant which has a patio-style table arrangement and the best views of Matera's rustic surroundings. 
  • Mosto Osteria Della Birra: At this resto-bar, you can help yourself to gourmet burgers and an amazing variety of beer. 
Stay
Tips
  • As the Rupestrian Churches are carved into the rock and can be quite dimly lit, it's recommended to bring a flashlight to better appreciate the details of the artwork.
  • Cars are restricted within the main sassi area. Therefore it is recommended that you park your vehicle in one of the surrounding parking lots. 
  • Matera is best explored by foot. Therefore ensure that you have comfortable walking shoes. 
  • Matera is known for hot days and chilly nights so it is best to bring appropriate clothing for both extremes. 
  • Photography for personal use is allowed in most cave tours. However, make sure to avoid using flash and tripods.
Dolomiti Lucane
  • Musma: Visit Musma or the Matera Museum of Contemporary Sculpture to view amazing sculptures in a beautiful 16th-century cave palace in the Sasso Caveoso district.
  • Murgia Materana Park: Hike along the gorges of the Murgia plateau and appreciate the arid landscape of Basilicata. You may also discover vacant caves along the hillsides.
  • Dolomiti Lucane: Located 80 km away, Dolomiti Lucan is a stunning mountain range in the region of Basilicata that was formed 15 million years ago and is a great place to visit. 
  • Pisticci: Located 51km from Matera is the quaint town of Pisticci, known for its Amaro Lucano, one of Italy's most famous liqueurs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Matera Caves Tours

How can I buy Matera caves tours?

You can purchase Matera caves tours online. Do this in order to get advance booking in a convenient way.

Are Matera caves tours available online?

Yes, you get Matera caves tours online. In doing so you can choose from a variety of tours and attractions as well as avail of discounts and offers.

How much do Matera caves tours cost?

A guided tour of the Matera caves will cost you approximately €15.

What are the different types of Matera caves tours available?

At present, you can avail yourself of guided tours, bus tours, tours with audio guides and and e-bike tours. Book now for the best prices.

What is the cancelation policy for Matera caves tours?

Matera caves tours come with a free cancellation policy which means that you can cancel your tickets before the date of your experience and get a full refund.

Do I need to book Matera caves tours in advance?

No, you are not required to book your Matera caves tours in advance but it is recommended. With advance booking, you can go for a Matera tour hassle free without looking for a tour service in the city.

Are guided tours of Matera caves available?

Yes, guided tours of the caves of Matera are available. A guided tour will include a multilingual local guide and a visit to a range of cave attractions within the city.

What is Matera?

Matera or the Sassi di Matera is a paleolithic city in the Basilicata region of Italy known for its cave dwellings and rupestrian churches.

How long does a Matera caves tour last ?

A Matera cave tour takes to multiple attractions in the city of Matera. Therefore a tour may take anywhere between an hour or two hours.

What is the best time to visit the Matera?

Avoid visiting Matera during the summer season. The spring months of April, May, and June and the autumn months of September, October, and November are the best times to visit in terms of weather.

Is Matera caves tours wheelchair accessible?

Matera for the most part is wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchair users will not be able to go on hikes outside Matera or climb elevated structures that are frequently found within the city.

Things to do in Matera
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