Matera balloon flight for small groups: Sassi from above

Rise above the Sassi at dawn, see a World Heritage city from the air

A hot air balloon flight over Matera takes you above the Sassi, the ancient stone quarter that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, French or German and breakfast in the city center beforehand. The operator holds an ENAC license from Italy's National Civil Aviation Authority, the only such authorization for commercial passenger flights in southern Italy. Groups stay small, and children can join from age 7.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight over Matera

• Fly in hot air balloon to Matera
• Admire Sassi di Matera from above

The experience

The balloon lifts off in the early morning, when the light hits the Sassi at its best angle and the air is calmest. You rise gradually above the pale stone buildings stacked into the hillside, seeing the layout of the ancient quarter (the way the dwellings nest into one another, the narrow passages between them, the churches tucked into the rock face) in a way no ground-level walk can show. The Sassi spreads out below as a single organism, a city within a city, and the perspective from the air is what makes the UNESCO designation real.

Before the flight, you gather in the city center for breakfast, a chance to meet the small group and the guide who will fly with you. The guide speaks your language and knows the history and geography of what you are about to see. The flight itself lasts between one and four hours depending on wind and weather conditions. The operator adjusts the timing to the day's conditions rather than forcing a fixed schedule. After landing, you return to the city center.

The company was founded to show southern Italy from a new angle, literally and figuratively. They hold the only ENAC license for commercial passenger balloon flights in the region, which means they meet the standards of Italy's National Civil Aviation Authority and carry specific aeronautical insurance. Small groups mean you are not crammed into a basket with strangers. The experience stays intimate and the guide can answer questions without shouting over a crowd.

What’s included

• Breakfast in the city center.
• hot air balloon flight over the Sassi di Matera.
• live guide in English, Spanish, French or German.
• return to the city center after landing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Child (7 to 16 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 32 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mongolfiere al sud Italia

Is this one for you?Small groups suit travelers who want to avoid crowds and have room to move and ask questions during the flight. The early-morning timing and the need for moderate fitness mean this works best for people comfortable with heights and willing to start the day before most of the city wakes up.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 16 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What is the Sassi di Matera and why does it matter?

The Sassi is the ancient quarter of Matera, a city carved into limestone cliffs and built layer upon layer over centuries. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 and was named European Capital of Culture for 2019. From the balloon, you see how the stone buildings interlock and how the quarter functions as a single architectural organism.

How early does the balloon flight depart?

The flight launches in the early morning when conditions are best and light is optimal. The exact departure time depends on weather and wind. The operator adjusts the schedule to the day rather than fixing it in advance.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my flight?

The operator monitors wind and weather conditions and adjusts or reschedules the flight if conditions are unsafe. Balloon flights require calm air, so poor weather may mean a different departure time or date.

Is this a private flight or will I share the balloon with other people?

This is a small-group flight, so you travel with a handful of other passengers rather than a large tour group. The exact group size varies, but the operator keeps numbers small to preserve the intimacy of the experience.