Discover Matera, one of the most extraordinary cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a comprehensive guided walking tour led by a licensed English-speaking guide.

The tour begins at the main office of Passi nei Sassi, located at Via Don Minzoni 13. From here, we reach Piazza Vittorio Veneto, where the guided experience officially starts. This square represents the modern entrance to the ancient city and offers an ideal introduction to Matera’s history and urban development.

From Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the tour continues through the historic centre and the Civita, the oldest fortified area that separates the two Sassi districts. Walking through panoramic viewpoints and ancient streets, the guide explains how Matera evolved over thousands of years, from prehistoric settlements to medieval and modern times.

The focus of the tour is the Sasso Caveoso, the most ancient and original district of Matera. Here you will explore the unique rock-hewn architecture and understand how people lived in these cave dwellings until the mid-20th century. Along the route, you will visit ancient olive oil mills, rainwater cisterns, traditional courtyards (vicinati), and a Barbarian necropolis, all key elements that tell the storey of daily life, survival, and community in the Sassi.

The tour includes entrance to two private museums, offering an in-depth and immersive experience. The first is Casa Grotta del Vicinato, a traditional cave house museum that recreates the living conditions of peasant families, complete with original furnishings and tools. The second visit is to the spectacular Roccione del Monterrone, where you will enter the rock churches of Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, renowned for their remarkable Byzantine frescoes carved directly into the rock.

The guided tour ends at Piazza Giovanni Pascoli, one of the most beautiful panoramic terraces in Matera, overlooking the Sassi and the Gravina canyon. From here, visitors can continue exploring the city independently.

At the end of the tour, the guide will suggest additional attractions to visit on your own (not included in the itinerary), such as Matera Cathedral in Piazza Duomo and the impressive Palombaro Lungo, the underground water cistern located beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

This tour is ideal for travellers who want to fully understand Matera’s history, culture, and unique landscape through a complete, well-structured, and engaging walking experience in English.