The Sassi of Matera, the two old districts of cave houses and rock churches carved into a ravine, are a UNESCO World Heritage site and a maze of steep lanes and stairs that is hard to read on your own. On Viator, two guided walks lead the field: a tour built around the people who lived in the caves, rated 4.9 across 1,915 reviews, from about $35, and a tour that includes the rock-carved churches, rated 4.8 across 553 reviews, from about $23. Both are capped at 20 people.
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The verdict
The people-of-the-Sassi tour is our pick: 1,815 of 1,915 reviews are five stars. It walks the Sasso Caveoso and part of the Sasso Barisano, visits a cave house, and focuses on how families lived in the caves and why Matera was once called “the shame of Italy” before it became a UNESCO site. Reviewers praise the guides’ wit and their personal connection to the city.
The rock-churches tour costs about $12 less and includes entry to the church of Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, carved into the rock, plus a cave house. It is the one to book if the churches are the reason you came.
Both are two-hour walks on steep lanes and stairs, and neither is wheelchair accessible.
The Sassi are built on a ravine: expect steps, slopes and uneven stone for the whole walk, and wear shoes with grip. In summer, heat is the main complaint: one reviewer booked the 5:30 pm departure in August to avoid it, and another praised the guide for keeping the group in the shade. Bring water: it is not included on the rock-churches tour.
Which one is for you?
Take the people-of-the-Sassi tour if
- You want the most reviewed walk in Matera: 4.9 from 1,915 travelers.
- You are more interested in how people lived than in art.
- You want to see inside a cave house.
- You have up to three hours.
Take the rock-churches tour if
- You want to go inside a rock-carved church.
- You want the lower price, from about $23.
- Two hours fits your day better.
- You would like to start near the center, on Via Don Minzoni.
What each price covers
The people-of-the-Sassi tour, from about $35
Included: a guide for the Sasso Caveoso and part of the Sasso Barisano, and a visit to a cave house.
Not included: the listing names no extras. The supplier can cancel for bad weather or too few participants, with a new date or a refund.
The rock-churches tour, from about $23
Included: a guide, entry to the church of Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, and entry to a cave house.
Not included: bottled water and snacks.
Where each one starts
- People-of-the-Sassi tour: Piazza San Pietro Caveoso, where a guide waits with a flag or a sign reading “R. Favilli Group Tour”. From the multi-story car park on Via Rocco Scotellaro, walk down to Piazza San Francesco d’Assisi and along Via Buozzi.
- Rock-churches tour: the Passi nei Sassi agency, Via Don Giovanni Minzoni 13.
Side by side
| People of the Sassi | Rock churches | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 from 1,915 | 4.8 from 553 |
| Five-star reviews | 1,815 (95%) | 491 (89%) |
| Price | from about $35 | from about $23 |
| Length | 2 to 3 hours | 2 hours |
| Group cap | 20 | 20 |
| Cave house | Included | Included |
| Rock church entry | Not listed | Santa Maria de Idris |
| Water | Not listed | Not included |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the people-of-the-Sassi tour
Great walking tour of Matera! So much info was learned and the pace perfect!
Louise_M, September 2026, via Viator
His wit and knowledge kept the small group enthralled.
Julia_B, June 2026, via Viator
On the rock-churches tour
It was a really warm day and she did her best to keep us in the shade through the tour.
Stella_S, August 2026, via Viator
Her knowledge of the city was incredible and we never felt rushed at any of the stops.
MARIA_G, September 2026, via Viator
Both tours are reviewed mostly with five stars, and the praise goes to the guides. About 2% of the people-of-the-Sassi reviews are three stars or lower; on the rock-churches tour, fewer than 5%.
How the Sassi fit a southern Italy trip
Matera is in Basilicata, close to the Puglia border, and many travelers reach it from Bari. Without a car, compare the Alberobello and Matera day trip from Bari; for a longer trip, see the eight-day Puglia tour. In Bari, add a street food tour.
For the city itself, read our Matera guide and plan the area with our Puglia guide.
Questions travelers ask
Which Matera walking tour should I book?
For the best reviews, book the people-of-the-Sassi tour, rated 4.9 from 1,915 reviews on Viator, from about $35 (checked September 2026). To go inside a rock-carved church for less, book the rock-churches tour, from about $23.
Do Matera tours go inside the cave houses?
Yes. Both tours include a visit to a cave house.
Is a Matera Sassi tour hard work?
The walk follows steep lanes, stairs and uneven stone. Neither tour is wheelchair accessible; wear shoes with grip and bring water.
How long is a guided tour of the Sassi?
About two hours; the people-of-the-Sassi tour can last up to three.
Can I cancel a Matera walking tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the people-of-the-Sassi tour for the stories and the reviews; book the rock-churches tour to step inside Santa Maria de Idris for less.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, group caps, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 117399P1 and 311315P1), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either tour.