Matera Full-Day Tours: Top 5 Picks & Helpful Tips

Matera, you know, that old Italian city carved right into the rock, isn’t just any stop on a trip, it’s almost a whole time-travel adventure. When you go there, it isn’t hard to believe you’ve stepped back centuries. The Sassi districts, you see, those cave dwellings, are something else altogether. Planning your trip, very especially figuring out how to make the most of just one day, could be a little tricky. That’s why looking into a guided tour can really pay off, because with a guide, you won’t just see stuff, but you’ll hear stories that really bring the place alive. We looked into some of the better choices available, to really help you sort through everything, so you can find the thing that matches your speed and style. Whether you like digging into history, trying all the local treats, or just taking photos of a super-unique town, we’ve got some tours that you just might want to hear about. Read our full review: Matera Tours Full Review and Details

1. Matera City Walking Tour

A walking tour of Matera, often, turns out to be just a great starting point, especially if you want to get your bearings in a spot so packed with winding paths and historical spots. Think of it as getting a personal introduction to the town. Guides, they’re usually locals who know the city’s history backwards and forwards, are going to show you all the can’t-miss sights. It will be something, wandering through the Sassi Barisano and Sassi Caveoso, the areas where people have carved out homes and churches from the actual rock for, like, thousands of years. You often hear some cool facts and tall tales about Matera’s past. Then there is, like, the old churches, some even tucked away in caves, that have frescoes that are so old. These tours might even swing by some hidden gems that most tourists usually miss, really adding a whole different dimension to what you experience. Typically these walks run for a good two or three hours, it’s almost enough time to give you the lay of the land and also a good dose of stories and culture. It’s worth wearing comfy shoes, since you are doing a fair bit of walking. And don’t forget to charge your phone or camera, as you are going to want to snap pictures constantly. It just is, really, one photo opportunity after another. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Matera City Walking Tour)

2. Matera Food Tour

Food tours, well they do bring a different sort of fun, mainly if you are one to travel with their taste buds as much as their eyes. In Matera, this often involves going to a bunch of little eateries that locals have known about for generations. So often you will try all kinds of Southern Italian fare. We’re talking about handmade pasta, tangy cheeses, cured meats that are just mouth-watering, very fresh-baked bread. What is special about food tours here is they are often connected to Matera’s history. That local dish might come with stories that link way back to how people used to live in the Sassi. It’s very like digging into the cultural heritage one bite at a time. Beyond just what’s on your plate, guides will also share what’s up with the ingredients that are locally sourced, and all the recipes that families have been passing around for decades. Often this becomes a cultural lesson disguised as lunch. It’s very something different from your usual sightseeing trip. These types of tours usually span over three or four hours and give you a genuine feel for Matera, beyond the regular tourist trails. Just be prepared, too it’s almost wise to show up hungry. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Matera Food Tour)

3. Matera by Night Tour

Seeing Matera when the sun’s gone down is, well it gives you an all-new perspective. The city, often, turns magical. So that tour gives you the chance to wander around when everything’s lit up. It is so captivating when the soft lights make the Sassi look like they’re floating in the darkness. Typically a nighttime tour guide is just going to walk you around the areas of town that really shine once it is dark. It isn’t just about how it looks. You often get stories, told under the stars, about Matera’s history that you don’t usually hear during the daytime. The atmosphere becomes somehow more romantic, also just peaceful, it is almost something to behold. Everything gets quieter when the crowds go home. Very this tour might be great if you are hoping to experience the quieter side of Matera. Tours typically go for a couple of hours, they are at the very perfect pace to take in the environment and also snag some photographs. Dress warmly, that’s one suggestion to keep in mind, the evenings do get cool, and bringing a camera is more than a great idea. This whole thing is almost the right moment to capture Matera’s striking appearance under the night sky. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Matera by Night Tour)

4. Matera Churches and Rupestrian Tour

For anyone that really has an interest in history, specifically Matera’s spiritual heritage, there is always the Matera Churches and Rupestrian Tour. This type of excursion is usually crafted around going to many of the rock-cut churches in and near the Sassi. These churches, carved centuries ago, typically boast incredible frescoes and old architectural quirks that really speak to the skills and devotions of past residents. Often, you will find guides know pretty well everything concerning the past behind each place. They might unfold stories regarding the symbolism that’s found inside all of that artwork. So too, they tell about what role these locations really held in the everyday lives for communities. These trips aren’t just a visit to historical locations. They almost give people a closer look into the spiritual foundation which has defined Matera. It usually becomes an adventure, too it’s almost certain you’ll explore some remote areas plus sites most tourists generally overlook. The excursions run for around 3 or 4 hours. In other words you may need the appropriate footwear when heading out. The ground tends to be uneven, inside those historical church buildings so that may prove beneficial. That being said, if old spiritual sites interest you, it’s very something that shouldn’t get skipped while in Matera. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Matera Churches and Rupestrian Tour)

5. Matera Photography Tour

If taking photographs is a big part of how you love traveling, Matera’s Photography Tour will really call to you. It’s not just your normal sightseeing thing, but so often the tour will pair you up with some skilled photographer who gets all the top photo spots. So often you find that the person teaches something regarding how you may fine-tune what you are doing to truly catch the city’s essence, regarding shadows in order to camera angles. They give insight regarding just what times during the day are optimal in relation to obtaining great light, really pointing out covered-up points for shooting pictures of. This tour also tends to go way deeper as compared with only instructing on how best to take snapshots. Additionally they often help someone fully grasp Matera. And they may really encourage someone to explore how different backdrops convey different ideas. Possibly they could even motivate someone’s individual imaginative flare, really by offering a closer look from the city through the camera lens. Commonly that sort of tour moves with a relaxed stride, very meaning that people possess sufficient time and energy to arrange shots. Not only does it encourage learning on your own. You find assistance right away which really helps in increasing how skilled anyone happens to be at pictures taking. The specific excursion lasts usually roughly two to three hours. With it anyone from beginners through really avid photography enthusiasts. Matera offers, very genuinely, photo opportunities by the bucket load. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Matera Photography Tour)