Matera tours

Things to do in Matera

You've never seen anything like Matera. Nicknamed the 'subterranean city' for its rock-hewn buildings, this small city in the Basilicata region of southern Italy will leave you speechless. The biggest draw is the 'Sassi,' a fascinating multi-level network of cavern houses, but the city is filled with surprises, so let a local guide design a Matera private tour to explore Italy's most surreal destination. The Sassi was long considered a slum, the residents of its crumbling houses diseased and impoverished. But the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation sparked regeneration, and today restaurants and guest houses have moved in, capitalizing on the underground ambiance. Follow your guide to cavern dwellings you would have missed, gape at ancient Rupestrian churches, then dine in a troglodyte trattoria. Basilicata cuisine emphasizes local ingredients, so try hand-made Orrechiette pasta or braised rabbit. Access to Matera is easy - disembark at Bari and your guide will be waiting dockside