Matera: Ape Calessino Sassi Tour with Private Driver

Matera’s ancient Sassi by tuk tuk with photo stops and cave visits

You’ll ride through Matera’s ancient Sassi in a classic Ape Calessino tuk tuk with a friendly local driver: no big groups or rushing around. Stop for photos at sweeping viewpoints, visit cool cave homes, and enjoy stories along the way. The tour is stroller-friendly and lets you soak up Matera’s atmosphere without breaking a sweat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Matera by Ape Calessino

• Ride Ape Calessino through Old Town
• Cross the Sassi neighborhoods
• Stop for photos and videos
• Visit churches in the squares
• See characteristic Case Grotte museums

The experience

I’ll be honest. We almost missed the start because I got distracted by a bakery near the piazza (that smell of fresh focaccia just pulls you in). Our driver, Antonio, just grinned and waved us over to the little blue Ape Calessino, no rush at all. The thing looked like a toy but somehow fit all three of us plus my nephew’s stroller. There was this gentle rattling as we zipped off into Matera’s old town, sun bouncing off pale stone walls and laundry flapping overhead.

I’d read about the Sassi but it’s different when you’re actually winding through those narrow lanes. You can hear voices echoing from somewhere above or behind a doorway, and every corner smells faintly of dust and basil. Antonio pointed out churches tucked into rock faces and stopped so we could peek inside one of those cave houses (Case Grotte), which felt cool and almost damp compared to the heat outside. My nephew kept trying to touch everything. At one point I tried repeating something Antonio said in Italian. He laughed so hard I thought he’d stall the tuk tuk.

The whole tour felt relaxed, not rushed at all. We could hop out for photos whenever something caught our eye (which was often), and there was this moment where the city opened up below us: honestly, I still think about that view sometimes. It wasn’t perfect. I spilled some water on myself during a bumpy stretch, but nobody cared. By the end, my shoes were dusty and my phone full of crooked photos, but it felt like we’d actually seen Matera instead of just ticking it off a list.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation through Matera’s old town in an Ape Calessino with an Italian-speaking driver (and multilingual audio guide if needed), plus plenty of chances to stop for photos or explore cave houses: stroller access is no problem either.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 17:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 85 years) · Senior (86 to 90 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideItalian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ape Calessino Tour Matera

Traveler reviews

4.51★★★★★★★★★★

191 verified traveler reviews

5 ★149

4 ★19

3 ★6

2 ★6

1 ★11

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is this Ape Calessino tour in Matera private or shared?

The tour is private. Just for your group with your own driver.

Is there an audio guide available for non-Italian speakers?

Yes, there’s a multilingual audio guide in Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, and English.

Does the tour include stops for photos or visits inside sites?

Yes, there are short stops for photos and to visit churches or cave house museums along the route.

How long does it take to get around Matera by Ape Calessino?

The tour optimizes time by zipping through narrow streets that would be tiring to walk, especially in summer.

Are service animals allowed on this Matera tuk tuk tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is public transportation nearby after the tour ends?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to where the tour finishes.