Matera Treasure Hunt: Solve Riddles Through Sassi

Solve clues through hidden corners and unlock the treasure chest together

A 2-hour treasure hunt through Matera's Sassi district where you solve riddles on a map, explore the Cathedral, churches and underground chambers, then return to decipher the final key and open the treasure chest with the guide. Everyone receives a certificate. The winning team takes home the treasure. Water and the riddle map are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Matera treasure hunt exploration

• Meet at Tramontano Castle
• Receive game rules and map
• Head to Piazzetta Pascoli
• Explore Sasso Caveoso alleys
• Visit Church of Madonna dell’Idris
• Discover Sasso Barisano area
• Visit Piazza Vittorio Veneto
• Explore Cathedral and Piazza Duomo
• Visit San Pietro e Paolo Church
• Visit San Francesco D'Assisi Church
• Visit Sant'Agostino Church
• Visit rock Church of Santo Spirito
• Explore underground chambers
• Return to starting point to unlock treasure

The experience

You meet at Tramontano Castle, where the guide hands you a map marked with riddles tied to real places across the city. You have 2 hours to work through them: moving on foot through the alleys of Sasso Caveoso, past the Church of Madonna dell'Idris, into Sasso Barisano, and across to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. The route is yours to choose. The riddles point you toward the Cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, Sant'Agostino, and the rock Church of Santo Spirito. The guide stays at the starting point but is there if you need a hint or get stuck.

As you move through the city solving each clue, you're also walking past Matera's actual history: the carved facades, the narrow passages, the layered churches built into the stone. The treasure hunt forces you to notice details you'd miss on a standard tour, because you're looking for something specific at each stop. When the 2 hours are up, you return to Tramontano Castle to decode the final key together and open the chest while the guide shares stories and facts about what you've seen.

Everyone who finishes gets a certificate. The team that solves all the riddles first takes home the treasure. On request, you can add small gifts or notes of your own to the chest beforehand, turning the hunt into something personal: a way to celebrate someone or mark a moment in the city.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• treasure map with riddles.
• certificate of participation for all players.
• access to the guide for hints during the hunt.
• decoding of the final key and opening of the treasure chest at the end.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 17:00 and 18:15

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 78 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 100

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Michele

Is this one for you?The hunt starts at Tramontano Castle, reachable by public transport or taxi, so you don't need a car to join. The 2-hour window fits easily into a morning or afternoon in Matera, and the self-guided route lets you move at your own pace between the riddle stops.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

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.

How does the treasure hunt work? Do I follow a set route or choose my own path?

You choose your own direction using the riddle map as your guide. The clues point you toward specific landmarks like the Cathedral and the churches, but you decide the order and pace within the 2-hour window.

What churches and sites will I actually see during the hunt?

You'll pass or visit the Church of Madonna dell'Idris, the Cathedral, the Church of San Francesco, Sant'Agostino, and the rock Church of Santo Spirito. The treasure hunt is designed to lead you past Matera's most important attractions as you solve the riddles.

What happens if I can't solve all the riddles in 2 hours?

The guide stays at Tramontano Castle to offer hints if you get stuck. At the end of the 2 hours, you return to the castle and decipher the final key together, so everyone unlocks the treasure chest regardless of how many riddles you solved independently.

Where exactly do we start, and how do I get to Tramontano Castle?

You meet at Tramontano Castle in Matera. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car, so you can reach the starting point by bus or taxi.