Private Hot Air Balloon Flight over Matera: Sassi at Sunrise

Rise above the Sassi and see Matera's ancient stone quarters from the air

A private hot air balloon flight over Sassi di Matera with a live guide in English or Italian, followed by breakfast with local products at a traditional masseria. The experience takes between one and three hours depending on weather and wind conditions. Children are welcome from age seven, and the operator holds the only commercial aviation license for passenger flights in southern Italy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot air balloon flight over Matera

• Take exclusive hot air balloon flight
• Fly over the Sassi of Matera
• Enjoy breakfast during the experience

The experience

Between one and three hours in the air gives you time to circle the Sassi (Matera's UNESCO-listed quarter of stone dwellings carved into the limestone plateau) from a vantage point no ground tour reaches. The flight is private, so the balloon carries only your group. A live guide in English or Italian narrates what unfolds below: the labyrinth of cave houses, the churches tucked into cliff faces, the ravines that shaped settlement patterns for millennia. Wind and weather decide the exact duration and the altitude you climb to, but the operator (the only Italian company in southern Italy licensed by ENAC, the National Civil Aviation Authority, to fly passengers commercially) times the flight to catch the light that makes the Sassi's pale stone glow.

After landing, breakfast waits at a traditional masseria (a fortified farmhouse) with products sourced within the region: bread, cheese, cured meat, fruit and local wine. The meal grounds the morning in the food and craft traditions the landscape below reflects. Public transportation runs near the launch site, so you can reach it without a rental car.

What’s included

• Exclusive private balloon flight over Sassi di Matera.
• live guide in English or Italian.
• breakfast with local Km0 products (bread, cheese, cured meat, fruit and wine) at a traditional masseria.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:00 and 06:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 to 65 years) · Youth (7 to 16 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Mongolfiere al sud Italia

Is this one for you?Book this flight if you want the Sassi to yourself (no shared basket, no other passengers), and you're comfortable with the physical demands of a balloon flight (a moderate fitness level is needed). The private arrangement also means the guide tailors the route and pace to your group's interests.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 16 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

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.

What exactly is the Sassi di Matera?

The Sassi is Matera's ancient quarter, a dense settlement of cave dwellings and stone houses built into and carved from the limestone cliffs. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in the world, with a history stretching back to the Paleolithic era.

How high does the balloon go?

The altitude depends on wind conditions and weather on the day of your flight. The guide will adjust the flight path to give you clear views of the Sassi and the surrounding landscape while staying within safe operating parameters.

Is this a shared flight or private?

The flight is private to your group only. No other passengers join you in the balloon, so the experience and timing are yours alone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Wind and weather conditions determine whether the flight can operate safely. The operator will reschedule your flight to another day if conditions are unsafe, or discuss options with you in advance.