Matera Food Walking Tour: Sassi street food with a local guide

Food and history are woven into the same streets in Matera

A two-hour food walking tour through Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, led by a local guide in English. You stroll through stone-carved alleys and historic districts, stopping to taste Basilicata's iconic street foods (crispy peperoni cruschi, handmade cavatelli, traditional cialledda, and artisanal gelato), while your guide connects the flavors to the city's layered past and the daily life of its cave-dwelling communities. The group stays small, and the route takes in Piazza Duomo, the Cathedral, and Belvedere Giovanni Pascoli.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Matera's historic sites and food

• Admire Matera's 13th-century Cathedral
• Walk Via Bruno Buozzi panoramic route
• View Sasso Barisano through three arches
• Stroll Matera's lively streets and shops
• Taste local street foods and artisanal gelato

The experience

If you have a free afternoon in Matera, this walk moves at a pace that lets you absorb both the food and the place. The route threads through the maze of the Sassi, passing the Cathedral perched on the Civita, the former Monastery of Santa Lucia and Agata, and the panoramic overlooks where the ravine opens toward the rock churches of the Murgia Materana. Your guide reveals how the food (each dish rooted in what the land and history made available) belongs to this specific city, not to a generic version of southern Italy.

The tastings are woven into the walk rather than clustered at the end. You'll taste peperoni cruschi, the sun-dried peppers that give Basilicata cooking its signature sweet bite, then move through the alleys to try cialledda, the bread salad made with tomatoes and seasonal greens, and handmade cavatelli served with simple local sauces that let the pasta's texture speak. The walk finishes with artisanal gelato in the heart of the Sassi. Because the group stays small and the guide is local, the stops feel less like a checklist and more like someone showing you where they actually eat.

The walk covers significant ground through narrow, uneven stone streets, so comfortable shoes matter. Two hours is enough to see the main landmarks and taste without rushing, though the Sassi itself could hold you for days. The guide speaks English and will answer questions about what you're eating and why it matters to Matera's identity.

What’s included

• Crispy peperoni cruschi.
• traditional cialledda made with bread, tomatoes, and seasonal ingredients.
• handmade cavatelli served with local sauces.
• artisanal gelato with natural ingredients and seasonal flavors.
• a local English-speaking guide leading a small group through the Sassi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:45, 15:30 and 17:45

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Hili Travel s.r.l.

Is this one for you?The walk moves steadily through uneven stone streets for two hours, so it suits travelers who are comfortable on their feet and ready to navigate narrow alleys. The pace is what lets you taste and absorb the history without feeling rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What exactly is cialledda, and is it filling enough as part of the tour?

Cialledda is a traditional Matera salad made with bread, tomatoes, oregano, and fresh seasonal ingredients. It's substantial and meant to be a proper part of the meal, not a sample. Combined with the cavatelli, peperoni cruschi, and gelato, the tastings add up to a light lunch rather than snacks.

How much walking is involved, and are the alleys steep?

The tour covers the main streets and overlooks of the Sassi over two hours, moving through stone-carved alleys and connecting the historic districts. The terrain is uneven and there are steps, so the walk suits all fitness levels but requires comfortable shoes and a willingness to navigate narrow passages.

Does the guide explain the history of the cave dwellings while we walk?

Yes. Your local guide brings the stories of the ancient communities and cave dwellings to life as you move through the districts, connecting the daily life of the Sassi to the food you're tasting and the landmarks you pass, including the Cathedral and the former Monastery of Santa Lucia and Agata.

What is peperoni cruschi, and why is it important to Basilicata cooking?

Peperoni cruschi are sun-dried peppers native to Basilicata with a delicate sweet flavor and a crispy texture. They're iconic to the region's food identity and appear in many traditional dishes. Tasting them fresh gives you the foundation for understanding Matera's flavors.

Is the tour suitable if I have a gluten intolerance?

The tour includes handmade cavatelli and cialledda made with bread, both containing gluten. If you have gluten intolerance, this tour is not suitable as written, though you may want to contact the operator to discuss possible adjustments before booking.