Matera: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio & Food Tips

Summary

Walk ancient Matera’s Sassi, taste local food, hear hidden stories

You’ll trace winding alleys through Matera’s Sassi with your own digital guide—pausing for stories about hidden underground chambers and centuries-old churches whenever you want. Taste real local food thanks to insider tips, switch between languages on the go, and let yourself get lost (in a good way) among sun-warmed stones and echoes of history.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t really know what to expect from a self-guided walking tour of Matera. I’d seen those photos — the pale stone houses stacked like puzzle pieces — but actually standing there in the Sassi di Matera, hearing the quiet echo under my feet as I followed the digital guide’s map, felt different. My phone buzzed with stories about the hypogeum Materasum below me, and I had to pause just to let it sink in: there’s literally another city beneath this one. The air down there was cool and a bit musty, like old books or cellars back home.

The best part? I could wander at my own pace (I’m slow when it comes to taking photos — sorry to anyone who travels with me). The audio guide switched languages easily; I tried listening in Spanish for a bit just because I could. When I reached Piazza Vittorio Veneto, kids were chasing pigeons and an old man nodded as he passed by. The guide pointed out the Palombaro Lungo right underneath us — apparently built in phases since the 1500s — and suddenly the square felt layered with time. The Cathedral up on Civita was glowing in that late afternoon light; honestly, I almost missed it because I was distracted by the smell of fresh focaccia drifting from a bakery nearby.

There were suggestions for places to eat tucked into the app too. At one spot, I ordered something called “crapiata” (Li laughed when I tried to say it in Italian — probably butchered it), and sipped a tiny glass of amaro while watching locals chat over their aperitivo. It was nice not having to rush or stick to someone else’s schedule for once. Sometimes I’d just stop and listen to the bells or watch shadows stretch across those ancient walls. Even now, thinking back, it feels like Matera is still echoing somewhere in my head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Matera's historic sites and churches

• Pass by Matera Sotterranea hypogeum
• Pass by Palazzo dell’Annunziata
• Visit Palombaro Lungo underground water structure
• Explore the Sassi historical districts
• Visit Cathedral of Maria Santissima della Bruna
• Pass by Casa Noha building
• Visit church on Monterrone promontory
• Visit church with baroque façade statues
• Visit Baroque Church of Purgatory

Top questions

Is this Matera walking tour guided by a person?

No, it’s a self-guided tour using a digital audio and written guide created with input from a local expert.

What do I need for the self-guided tour?

You’ll need a smartphone with internet connection; details for activating your digital guide are provided after booking.

Are restaurant recommendations included?

Yes, you’ll get advice on authentic local restaurants and foods within the digital guide.

Can I use public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the starting points in Matera.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can use prams or strollers along most routes.

How long does it take to complete this walking tour?

You can explore at your own pace; most people spend several hours wandering Matera’s main sites.

Which languages are available for the audio guide?

The digital audio guide is available in English, Spanish, Italian, and German.

What landmarks are included on this day trip in Matera?

You’ll visit sites like Sassi di Matera, Palazzo dell’Annunziata, Palombaro Lungo, Casa Noha, several rock churches, and more.

What’s included

Your day includes access to a digital audio-guide (with written content too) in multiple languages—English, Spanish, Italian or German—plus Google Maps-connected navigation between monuments like Sassi di Matera and Casa Noha. You’ll also get genuine recommendations for where locals actually eat aperitivo or try regional dishes along your route. Just bring your phone (and headphones if you want privacy), then start exploring whenever you’re ready.