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Matera Walking Tour: Explore Rock Churches
4.7
112 Ratings
Matera
Join our guided tour of the rock churches in Matera’s Natural Historical Park. Explore the fascinating Parco della Murgia Materana and be captivated by the charm of the park’s landscape and the unique spectacle of the Sassi at sunset.
Join our guided tour of the rock churches in Matera’s Natural Historical Park. Explore the fascinating Parco della Murgia Materana and be captivated by the charm of the park’s landscape and the unique spectacle of the Sassi at sunset.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Matera Tourist Information | Guided Tour Matera - Gather with your group in the heart of Matera and embark on a minivan/minibus journey to the Park of Rupestrian Churches.
- Parco della Murgia Materana - Enter the protected archaeological site of Murgia Timone with your included ticket. Investigate the remnants of the ancient Neolithic village…
- Matera Tourist Information | Guided Tour Matera - Gather with your group in the heart of Matera and embark on a minivan/minibus journey to the Park of Rupestrian Churches.
- Parco della Murgia Materana - Enter the protected archaeological site of Murgia Timone with your included ticket. Investigate the remnants of the ancient Neolithic village etched into the rock, where some of the earliest human settlements in southern Italy were established. Uncover caves, cisterns, and artifacts that provide insight into prehistoric life in the region.
- Chiesa Rupestre di Madonna delle Tre Porte - Proceed to the Church of Madonna delle Tre Porte, celebrated for its Byzantine frescoes and spiritual importance. Your guide will share the symbolism and history embedded in these age-old artworks.
- Castello Tramontano, Matera, Italy - After witnessing the sunset from the Belvedere viewpoint, unwind during the shared transfer back to Matera’s city center.
What's Included
- Entry ticket to the protected Murgia Timone area and Belvedere viewpoint
- Shared round-trip transfer from Matera city center
- 10% Discount Coupon at MòVado Food & Drink bar in Piazza Duomo
- Certified tour guide
- Entry tickets to the rupestrian churches
- Entry ticket to the protected Murgia Timone area and Belvedere viewpoint
- Shared round-trip transfer from Matera city center
- 10% Discount Coupon at MòVado Food & Drink bar in Piazza Duomo
- Certified tour guide
- Entry tickets to the rupestrian churches
What's Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
Embark on an adventure to uncover the wild and ancient aspects of Matera with a guided walking tour through the Regional Park of the Rupestrian Churches. Begin with a shared transfer from Matera’s city center and gain entry to the protected Murgia Timone area, with the entry ticket included in the package.
This exclusive access allows exploration of one…
Embark on an adventure to uncover the wild and ancient aspects of Matera with a guided walking tour through the Regional Park of the Rupestrian Churches. Begin with a shared transfer from Matera’s city center and gain entry to the protected Murgia Timone area, with the entry ticket included in the package.
This exclusive access allows exploration of one of Matera’s most significant archaeological sites, featuring the ancient Neolithic village, the panoramic Belvedere with views of the Sassi, and the rock-carved rupestrian churches.
Accompanied by an expert guide, traverse scenic paths above the Gravina canyon and explore the rock-hewn churches of San Falcione and Madonna delle Tre Porte, adorned with Byzantine frescoes from the 12th to 17th centuries.
Proceed to the striking Golgota hill, chosen by Mel Gibson as a filming site for The Passion of the Christ due to its breathtaking and timeless landscape. Conclude the tour at sunset from the Belvedere, where Matera’s Sassi are bathed in golden light.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Shared tour. This experience will be shared with other guests
- The actual tour time may vary from the scheduled time as it depends on the sunset time.
Location
Matera Tourist Information | Guided Tour Matera
Via Alessandro Volta
Please enter the office and introduce yourselves to the staff.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.7
(112 Ratings)
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Elisabetta_i
Apr 7, 2026
Passionate - We made the visit with Francesco, an archaeologist from Matera, very good and obviously passionate about his land and his work. He transferred so much enthusiasm to us and described both the historical and social and cultural aspects that made us grasp the beauty and importance of the place we were staying. Nice, but at the same time very significant also the anecdotes that enriched his story and that involved the boys. Beautiful are the caves and rock churches and not least the view of Matera at sunset.
Review provided by Viator
Monicatd3928tl
Apr 5, 2026
FANTASTIC SUNSET - Very nice also this tour, I highly recommend it, also because it is also suitable for children and the elderly, our guide was Francesco, very prepared archaeologist, even on film anecdotes 😂
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Federica_r
Mar 20, 2026
Tour in the Murgia materana - Beautiful tour expertly guided by Francis, very prepared and very nice.
Splendid view of Matera especially when it lit up
Review provided by Viator
Foodiemoo
Oct 23, 2025
Awesome walk - This walking tour started off in an interesting way, as we were on a bus with another small group that had booked a different tour (the Sassi?), and there appeared to be a lot of confusion about that guide showing up. However, once we got to the park, our guide, Mimma, got off the bus with us, and it turned out we were the only people on the walk. It was extremely windy and a bit chilly, but that didn’t deter Mimma from explaining the area’s history and sights, and stopping along the way to share with us her delight I some of the flora and fauna in the park. She was also extremely accommodating and patient with my trying to listen and speak in Italian, which I really appreciated.
We reached the rim of the gorge shortly before sunset and were able to see one of the ripestrian churches and return for the lovely view of the sunset and lights coming on in Matera.
We really enjoyed meeting and chatting with Mimma about all sorts of subjects.
You should be aware that this is more about the views of Matera from the other side of the gorge/canyon, and the history of both areas, than it is about the churches
Review provided by Tripadvisor
49annaclarac
Oct 3, 2025
a physical and sensory experience... - Matera and its Murgia are places full of history... and charm. He accompanied us in exploring such a particular environment, a prepared, motivated and friendly guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbara
Sep 27, 2025
Excellent, informative, enjoyable excursion! - Our guide, Mimme, was fantastic. She is very knowledgeable about both the botanical and the human history of le Murghe. Her English is excellent and intelligible. We were fortunate to be a group of just 6 so we covered a lot of ground, had lots of questions answered—
I would warn folks to take extra layers of clothes, as after sunset it gets chilly. ( we were there late September) Also bear in mind: you will walk a lot! Wear footware to hike nimbly in.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Diana_w
Sep 26, 2025
Guided tour of Parca della Murgia -
Enjoyable tour with Ivan, a very well-informed guide who answered questions on the history, ecology, archaeology and geology of Parca della Murgia and two Rupestrian churches. The view of Matera at sunset is stunning.
Review provided by Viator
C9562gtbarbarac
Sep 21, 2025
After the stones of Matera if you have time take a step back in time with the - Experience to do when you come to Matera.A big round of applause to the guide Francesco a person you see who loves to do his job and also to Giovanni the driver, for tips on where to eat on the way back
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isleofwightseagull
Oct 3, 2025
In view of the weather we should have been offered a refund/reduction - Disappointing. I contacted the agency a few hours before to ask if the trip was still going ahead in view of the bad weather forecast. They didn’t respond so we turned up anyway. The man who greeted us at the office was unwelcoming (rather rude even) and chaotic.
We ended up spending a total of around 15 minutes actually walking in the park and perhaps another 15/20 inside a couple of churches. The rest of the time we were sheltering from the rain in the minibus.
It was lovely to see the frescoes and I cannot criticise our guide, Claudio, who was friendly and enthusiastic and did his best despite the weather. However, I do feel that the 140 euros we paid was excessive given the situation. The trip should either have been cancelled or we should, at the very least, been offered a partial refund.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Serendipity1980italy
Apr 19, 2026
Tour schedule not respected - I had booked months in advance the tour of the Murgia Materana at 6 pm on April 18.
Two days earlier almost randomly, just because I had asked for a confirmation, I discovered that the tour was brought forward to 5.30 pm.
I take note of the disappointment at the failure to communicate and they tell me that they would have warned me.
In fact, on the same day some people complained about the failure to communicate time variation discovered by chance at the counter on the same day.
Moreover, the automatic confirmation arrived for 6 pm, so very unclear!!!
I put aside the disappointment at the little organization and prepare to live the experience, dreamed of for a long time.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
I booked a tour that included a visit to the rock churches Madonna delle Tre Porte and San Falcione and I didn’t see any of this.
We visited other equally interesting sites but that's not how it works!
We were on the opposite side of the above attractions.
Many other customers were puzzled.
You don't change the schedule of a tour without even warning!
Considering also the little organization in the previous phases I will certainly not turn to the same agency again.
Too bad because the guides are really competent!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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