Name: Discover Matera, the ancient city - English tour
SKU: 117399P1
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (1949 reviews)

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Discover Matera, the ancient city - English tour

4.9(1.9 k)· Matera· By Renato Favilli - Guida Turistica Matera Watch the video

Free cancellation

From

€30per person

1 to 8 travelers per booking.

Time

1 × Adult × €30€30

Total€30

About the activity

Embark on an immersive journey to uncover the unique essence of Matera, delving into its history and the very philosophy of life in this remarkable city. Join Renato or Gaetano, both licensed guides with a profound passion for Matera, as they lead you through its ancient districts, recognized as some of the oldest in the world. Experience an authentic open-air museum that vividly portrays human life from the Stone Age to the present day. This tour offers a non-traditional exploration, revealing the city's history, the lives of its former inhabitants in the Sassi, and its art and architecture. Gain a comprehensive understanding of Matera's transformation from the "Shame of Italy" to a "World Heritage" site. You'll also pass by filming locations for "007; No Time to Die" and "The Passion of the Christ". The group size is capped at a maximum of 18 people. Radios will be provided if needed to enhance the tour experience.

What's included

✓Entry to the Diver
✓Visit to a cave dwelling

Itinerary

1
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
The tour unfolds through the most evocative sites and vistas of ancient Matera, traversing the Sasso Caveoso and a portion of the Sasso Barisano. During this unique exploration, you will uncover the city's history, understanding why Matera remained largely unknown until the early 21st century. As you wander through the alleys, you'll grasp the Materan way of life, hearing tales of those who inhabited the Sassi, alongside insights into art, anthropology, and architecture. Through a 360° perspective, discover how Matera evolved from the "Shame of Italy" to a "World Heritage" site. This is not a typical tour focused on visiting churches; instead, the city is revealed through its intricate network of streets. Besides Renato, your guides could be Sara, Domenico, or Gaetano, all deeply passionate about Matera and the Sassi region.
· Non-stop passage

How to use your ticket

Your mobile or paper ticket is accepted. Please ensure you have one ticket per booking.

Meeting point and return

For guests staying in the Sassi of Matera, simply follow the main road accessible to vehicles until you reach Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.

A guide holding a green flag will be present 15 minutes prior to the tour's commencement.

If arriving by car, utilize the multi-story car park on Via Rocco Scotellaro. From there, descend to Piazza San Francesco d'Assisi and continue along Via B. Buozzi for approximately 350 meters to reach Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.

In the square, a guide will be waiting with a flag or a sign displaying: R.Favilli Group Tour.

For guests staying in the Sassi of Matera, simply follow the main road accessible to vehicles until you reach Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.

A guide holding a green flag will be present 15 minutes prior to the tour's commencement.

In the square, a guide will be waiting with a flag or a sign displaying: R.Favilli Group Tour.

Please ensure you arrive at the tour's starting location 15 minutes before the scheduled time.

Meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Practical information

Service animals are permitted on the tour.
Convenient public transportation options are available nearby.
The tour is suitable for individuals of all fitness levels.

Activity options

English tour
Starting point:
Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, Piazza S. Pietro Caveoso, 75100 Matera MT, Italy

Duration

2 h à 3 h

How to prepare for your experience

Arrive 15 minutes early to meet your guide.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the tour involves exploring ancient streets.
Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and unique architecture.
Service animals are welcome.
Public transport is easily accessible for reaching the meeting point.
The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Uncover the millennia-old secrets of Matera, a city carved from stone and steeped in history.

Cancellation conditions

A full refund is possible if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the tour's scheduled start time.

Any questions?

Product code: 117399P1

Activity offered by Renato Favilli - Guida Turistica Matera via Viator.

Who is this activity suitable for?

History enthusiasts
Culture seekers
Architecture admirers
Film buffs

Activity essentials

Explore Matera's ancient districts, among the oldest globally.
Discover the history and philosophy of this unique city.
Experience an authentic open-air museum.
Learn about Matera's transformation from "Shame of Italy" to "World Heritage".
Pass by filming locations for famous movies.
Led by passionate, licensed local guides.

Matera: good to know

Population: 59,685 (2023)
Elevation: 401 m
Currency: euro
Official language: Italian
Driving: on the right
Power plugs: C, F, L · 230 V
Emergency number: 112
Capital city: Rome

Average temperatures

9°Jan
9°Feb
11°Mar
14°Apr
18°May
23°Jun
27°Jul
27°Aug
23°Sept
18°Oct
14°Nov
10°Dec

Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum group size for this tour?

The maximum group size is 18 people.

Are radios provided during the tour?

Yes, radios will be provided if necessary to facilitate the tour.

Can I bring my service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

How do I get to the meeting point if I'm staying in the Sassi?

If you are staying in the Sassi, follow the main road accessible to vehicles until you reach Piazza San Pietro Caveoso.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour will be cancelled if the weather is bad.

Reviews

4.94.9(1.9 k)

5 stars

1.8 k

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.

★★★★★Tripadvisor review
An excellent 2-3 hour tour!
S8563RYricharda, October 2026
The tour was a little tricky to get to the meeting point - need to allow 15-20 minutes from parking if it'sm your first time in Matera. Our guide was superb. He was incredibly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and a pleasure to listen to. I would highly recommend this tour!
★★★★★Viator review
Gaetano was fabulous!
Kathleen_C, October 2026
Gaetano was an amazing tour guide. His English was terrific and his insights about Matera and his stories were fabulous. I am a world traveler and Gaetano was top notch!
★★★★★Viator review
Great experience of Materia
panzarinotony, October 2026
The tour guide was excellent and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the tour and his growing up experience in Materia.
★★★★★Viator review
Matera & Guide both Special
GeraldL_S, October 2026
A HIGHLY informative, personalized tour by a guide who is knowledgeable, personable & VERY aware of all the negative & positive turns in the road for Matera. RENATO FAVILLI is a guide par excellence!!
★★★★★Viator review
Best Tour in Matera
Floyd_R, October 2026
We have done hundreds of free and paid city walking tours in the 133 countries we have visited over the past 20 years, and this was one of the best. Renato Favilli owns this company and does most of the tours himself. He is originally from Matera and really understands the city, showing us the cave he was born in and using examples from his own family. Rather than just taking us to rock churches (which you can easily do on your own), he showed us the great sites that you would never find otherwise. He made architecture interesting by showing us the cisterns (both ancient, from the 1300s, and newer, from the 15-1600s) that won the city its UNESCO award. We also visited a replica of an ancient cave home with great insight from Renato. Before the 1960s, Matera was called the "shame of Italy", as the cave area was like the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, rife with poverty, orphaned children being abused, and people living in caves with no plumbing or electricity, mostly illiterate with no chance of improvement. However, it was the only life they knew, so they were hesitant to leave. Over 18 years, the government gradually provided free housing for residents, and the city emptied from 1950 to 1990, with the caves eventually being converted into shops, newer homes, restaurants, and hotels. You will get a good feel for the positives and negatives of this transformation.

5 activities · Italy

Matera, Italy, has 5 activities, tours and experiences to book. Also worth exploring nearby: Bari.

01Activities to book

The best experiences in Matera

5 in the catalogue

Top pick

Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera

from €290★ 4.9

Top pick

Matera's Sassi Walking Tour - PREMIUM GUIDES

from €30★ 4.9

Free cancellation

Matera: Sassi Tour with Iconic Rock-Carved Churches

from €20★ 4.8

Free cancellation

Guided Tour of Matera Sassi

from €15★ 4.7

Top pick

Discover Matera, the ancient city - English tour

from €30★ 4.9

All activities · Matera · 5

02Categories

Guided tours in Matera

5 activities

Top pick

Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera

from €290★ 4.9

Top pick

Matera's Sassi Walking Tour - PREMIUM GUIDES

from €30★ 4.9

Free cancellation

Matera: Sassi Tour with Iconic Rock-Carved Churches

from €20★ 4.8

03Explore nearby

Nearby cities

1 city

Bari

Frequently asked questions about Matera

What is there to do in Matera?

Matera has 5 activities, tours and day trips you can book online. Among the most booked: « Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera », « Matera's Sassi Walking Tour - PREMIUM GUIDES », « Matera: Sassi Tour with Iconic Rock-Carved Churches ».

What are the top-rated activities in Matera?

According to traveller reviews: « Matera's Sassi Walking Tour - PREMIUM GUIDES » (4.9/5, 512 reviews) ; « Discover Matera, the ancient city - English tour » (4.9/5, 1,951 reviews) ; « Full Private 3h Excursion to the Sassi di Matera » (4.9/5, 466 reviews).