Matera Sassi: Overnight Stay, Cave Tour & Local Meal

Summary

Stay in Matera’s Sassi caves, taste Lucanian food and wander ancient alleys with a local guide

You’ll sleep right inside Matera’s ancient Sassi caves, wake up to quiet stone streets, share Lucanian dishes at a local spot, and follow a guide through winding alleys into cave homes and churches carved from rock. Expect small surprises — like learning why bread is sacred here or catching laughter echoing between walls older than most countries.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the quiet to hit so hard when we first stepped into the Sassi of Matera. It’s like the stone walls muffle everything except your own footsteps and the distant clatter from someone’s kitchen window. Our B&B was tucked right into the old district — you know those houses that look like they grew out of the rock? The room felt cool even though it was warm outside, and there was this faint smell of stone dust mixed with coffee from somewhere nearby. I slept weirdly well, maybe because it felt like hiding inside history.

The next morning, after a breakfast that included bread so dense you could probably use it as a doorstop (I mean that in a good way), we met our guide near a little agency office. She waved us over with a grin and started off through these winding alleys — honestly, I lost my sense of direction after five minutes. We wandered through Caveoso and Barisano, passing old men on doorsteps who nodded but didn’t really say much. At one point our guide pointed at some faded religious graffiti on a wall and told us about how families used to live packed into these cave houses. She let us step inside one — low ceilings, rough walls, tools still hanging up like someone might come back for them any minute. It smelled earthy and faintly sweet, maybe from old wood or something.

Lunch (or dinner if you book later) was at this place where they served something called “crapiata” — kind of a thick bean stew? I tried to ask for seconds in Italian but totally butchered it; the waiter just laughed and brought more anyway. There’s something different about eating Lucanian food in Matera itself — maybe it’s just being surrounded by all that stone and silence. Afterward we still had our voucher for MòVado Food & Drink but honestly I was full enough to roll down the hill.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and overnight in Matera

• Arrive in Matera
• Check in at charming B&B
• Enjoy evening at leisure
• Stay overnight in Sassi district

Day 2 — Sassi walking tour and local meals

• Have sweet breakfast at café
• Join 2-hour guided Sassi tour
• Visit Sant'Antonio Abate church
• Explore typical cave house
• Enjoy traditional Lucanian lunch

Top questions

Is breakfast included in the overnight stay?

Yes, breakfast is included at your B&B in Matera’s Sassi district.

How long is the guided walking tour?

The group walking tour lasts approximately 2 hours through Caveoso and Barisano.

Are entry tickets to attractions included?

Yes, entrance tickets to a rock-hewn church and a typical cave house museum are included.

Can I choose lunch or dinner for my meal?

You can select either lunch or dinner featuring traditional Lucanian cuisine for two people.

Where will I be staying during this Matera tour?

You’ll stay overnight in a double room at a cozy B&B located within the Sassi district.

Is transportation provided?

No private transport is included but public transportation options are available nearby.

Is this day trip suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do I get any discounts during my stay?

You’ll receive a 10% discount voucher for MòVado Food & Drink to use on local products or drinks.

What’s included

Your booking covers an overnight double room in Matera’s historic Sassi B&B with breakfast, entry tickets to both a rock-hewn church and cave house museum during your two-hour guided walking tour through Caveoso and Barisano neighborhoods, plus lunch or dinner featuring classic Lucanian dishes for two people. You’ll also get a discount voucher for tasting local products or drinks at MòVado Food & Drink.