Matera, Sassi Caves and Alberobello Private Day Trip from Bari
Easily explore more of Puglia and Basilicata, including the UNESCO cave dwellings and trullo houses
Want to visit Matera and Basilicata while you’re in Puglia but finding it all a bit complicated? Then make it easy on yourself and skip the local trains and buses on this hassle-free private day trip, taking in historic Matera, the incredible Sassi Caves, and the charming Puglian town of Alberobello—all in just one day! With comfortable air-conditioned transport from Bari or Polignano a Mare, entry fees, and an expert local guide, exploring this stunning part of Italy has never been easier.
- Round-trip transportation
- Two UNESCO-listed sites
- Matera
- Sassi Caves
- Alberobello
- See the iconic trulli houses
Your day starts the easy way, with hotel pickup included from most Bari or Polignano a Mare hotels. After meeting your private driver and friendly local guide for the day, you'll board your comfortable air-conditioned minivan and set off on a scenic drive through the Puglian countryside. Soon you'll reach Matera, which lies in the neighboring Basilicata region and is sometimes called the Jerusalem of the West. Enjoy a tour of the city and the incredible cave dwellings at Sassi de Matera which are listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site.
After break to buy yourself some lunch, you'll get back on the road to visit the charming town of Alberobello in Puglia. This is where you'll see the famous trulli houses, which are also listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site and date back centuries. Your tour ends with drop-off back at your hotel of meeting point in the early evening.
Matera, Sassi Caves, and Alberobello Private Day Tour Description
Your 8-hour tour includes:
Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned private minivan
Guided tour of Matera
Admission to the Sassi cave dwellings
Free time to buy lunch in Matera (lunch not included)
Guided tour of Alberobello and the trulli houses
Friendly English-speaking private guide
Hotel Pickup Included from Bari or Polignano a Mare
Your day begins easily with hotel pickup from Bari and surrounding towns, and a relaxing drive through the Italian countryside in your comfortable private vehicle.
Please reach out to ensure that your accommodations are in range, and if not we'll provide a convenient meeting point to join the group.
Guided Tour of Matera
Before being named the European Capital of Culture in 2019, few visited this ancient hilltop city in the Basilicata region. Often unfairly portrayed as backwards or past civilization, Basilicata is traditionally Italy's poorest region and it developed it's own unique culture and history through isolation.
As you stroll around the highlights of striking city built on the rocky hill, your guide will describe the city and it's renaissance into a destination for historians, artists, and archaeologists.
The Caves of the Sassi Neighborhood
From the local dialect for stone, the Sassi has been inhabited for over 9,000 years. After centuries of disrepair and poor living standards, the cave dwellings were evacuated in the years after World War II. The Italian government relocated families who had claims to the same homes for millennia.
Your personal guide will lead you through these fascinating urban caves that have been lovingly restored over the last three decades and are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today the caves are full of shops, restaurants, and a museum describing life in the Sassi. A unique experience not found anywhere else in the world, enjoy the history of this great citadel.
Free Time for Lunch
In the afternoon you'll have some time to explore independently and enjoy an authentic lunch in Matera. Lunch is not included, but your guide can give you some local recommendations of place to eat and traditional Materese dishes to try.
Guided Tour of Alberobello
After lunch, your driver will take you back into Puglia to visit the picturesque town of Alberobello where you'll enjoy a tour through the cobbled streets the discover what makes this historic town so special.
Alberobello is home to the famous trulli houses, iconic cone-shaped homes that date back centuries and have become synonymous with the region. You guide will explain the history of these unique structures and the building techniques that have helped them to survive for so long.
Your tour ends with drop-off back at your hotel or meeting point with plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your evening in the south of Italy.
What you get with this tour
Frequently Asked Questions
What to bring?
Sunscreen, a water bottle, and comfortable shoes are recommended.
What to bring?
Sunscreen, a water bottle, and comfortable shoes are recommended.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is not included, but your guide will be more than happy to tell you about some great local lunch spots in Matera.
Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?
No, it's run by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Puglia. They're a specialist local tour company who we know uphold our high standards.