Matera Sassi: Walking Tour of Cave Houses & Local Stories

Summary

Step through Matera’s winding Sassi alleys and cave homes with stories at every turn

You’ll walk through Matera’s winding Sassi with a local guide who brings stories alive inside real cave houses. Hear about daily life past and present, touch ancient stones, and pause for unexpected moments — like sunlight spilling across hidden courtyards or laughter echoing off walls. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s feeling part of something old and ongoing.

What’s the experience like?

We ducked under a low archway and suddenly the world went quiet — just the sound of our shoes on old stone. Giulio, our guide, paused to let us catch up (I was distracted by some laundry flapping above us — blue sheets against that pale rock). He grinned and pointed out where the city almost disappears into itself, these layers of caves and houses stacked like someone kept changing their mind. I didn’t expect it to feel so lived-in, you know? Not just history but people still waving from their doorways.

The air inside the first house cave was cool and smelled faintly of earth — not musty, more like after rain. Giulio told us how families used to share these spaces with goats and chickens (he mimed a goat noise; we laughed, maybe too loudly). He showed us grooves in the wall where water used to run down during storms. It’s strange: you think about ancient places as silent or empty, but here there’s this gentle buzz — kids shouting somewhere above, a woman calling to her neighbor in dialect I couldn’t catch.

I tried to imagine living here when candles were the only light. The sun outside was sharp but inside it felt soft and almost secret. Giulio answered every question patiently — even my clumsy one about how people handle winter cold (he shrugged: “You get used to it”). We wandered between corners that looked forgotten until suddenly they opened onto wide views over Matera’s ravine. I still think about that view sometimes; it caught me off guard. Anyway, we ended up back near where we started, but nothing looked quite the same as before.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Matera's House Cave

• Visit the House cave

Top questions

How long is the guided tour of Matera Sassi?

The exact duration isn’t specified, but it involves a walk with stops at important sites in the Sassi area.

Is this tour suitable for families with small children?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

Are service animals allowed on this Matera Sassi tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on the tour.

Does the tour include entry into actual cave houses?

Yes, you will stop at and enter house caves during the walking tour.

Is public transportation available near the meeting point?

Yes, there are public transportation options available nearby.

Do infants need to sit on an adult's lap during the tour?

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap if not in a stroller or pram.

Is this Matera Sassi walking tour accessible for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Matera’s Sassi with stops at key sites like real house caves—led by someone who knows every twist of these stone streets—and time to linger wherever stories or questions take you along the way.