Matera & Alberobello Day Trip from Bari: Caves, Trulli & Tasting

Summary

Walk through Matera’s caves and Alberobello’s trulli in one day

You’ll walk ancient stone streets in Matera, step inside cave homes at Sassi di Matera with your guide, then taste olive oil and wine inside real trulli houses in Alberobello—all with easy pickup from Bari. Expect quiet moments, local flavors, and stories that stick with you long after you’re back home.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget the weird silence when we first stepped into the Sassi di Matera — it was like the stones were holding their breath. Our guide, Paolo, just grinned and let us stand there for a second before telling us how people lived in these caves for thousands of years. The air felt cool and a bit earthy, almost like old bread. I tried to picture what it must’ve been like back then, but honestly, my brain just kept snagging on the fact that someone once slept right where I was standing. It made me feel small in a good way.

After wandering through narrow lanes (and getting slightly lost — thanks Google Maps), we ducked into Casa Grotta. Paolo showed us old tools and explained how families crammed into these tiny spaces. He laughed when I asked if he’d ever want to live here; “Only if you cook,” he said. We grabbed coffee at a little bar where the owner nodded at us but didn’t say much — maybe she was used to tourists gawking at her view.

The drive to Alberobello took about an hour or so. Sunlight bounced off those whitewashed trulli roofs — honestly, they look even stranger up close than in photos. Inside one, you could smell olive oil and something sweet (maybe almond cookies?). Our host poured us a splash of local wine and handed out taralli — crunchy little rings that I’m still craving now. There was this moment when everyone just stood around chewing quietly, which felt kind of funny after all the chatter earlier. The tour wrapped up with more stories about Puglia’s oddball houses before Paolo dropped us back at our place in Bari. I didn’t expect to feel so attached to rocks and cones by the end of it, but here we are.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Matera and Alberobello UNESCO sites

• Pick up from accommodation
• Travel to Matera
• Visit Sassi di Matera caves
• Visit Casa Grotta museum
• Coffee break
• Travel to Alberobello
• Visit Trulli houses inside
• Taste local products
• Return to accommodation

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Bari to Matera & Alberobello?

The tour lasts a full day starting at 9:30am with return to your accommodation in the evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation or a specified point in Bari is included.

Are entry fees for Matera’s Casa Grotta included?

Yes, all entry fees including Casa Grotta museum are covered.

Is food or tasting part of the experience?

Yes, you’ll taste local products such as olive oil, taralli, and wines during the visit in Alberobello.

Is this tour suitable for families with infants?

Yes, infants can join; prams/strollers and specialized infant seats are available.

How far is Matera from Bari by car?

The drive from Bari to Matera takes about an hour each way by private transport.

Will there be a local guide throughout the day?

Yes, a local guide accompanies you for both Matera and Alberobello visits.

What are the main highlights of this tour?

The Sassi di Matera cave dwellings and Alberobello’s UNESCO-listed trulli houses.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation from Bari with hotel pickup and drop-off, guided visits through both Sassi di Matera (with Casa Grotta museum entry) and Alberobello’s trulli houses, plus tastings of local olive oil, taralli snacks, wines—and all entry fees are taken care of so you can just enjoy wandering without worrying about tickets or logistics.