SASSI DI MATERA: Guided Tour by Ape Calessino

Name: SASSI DI MATERA: Guided Tour by Ape Calessino
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 112.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.93 (28 reviews)

4.9 (28 verified reviews)

A blue and white Ape Calessino tuk-tuk on a cobbled bend, with the Sassi and cathedral tower behind.

The Sassi di Matera rising up the hillside to the cathedral bell tower, with a road curving below.

A woman in a sun hat stands beside a pale blue Ape tuk-tuk on a Matera square, Sassi houses behind.

Two blue and white open-sided Ape tuk-tuks parked on a stone terrace at sunset, Matera in the distance.

A rocky crag crowned by a small rock-cut church and cross, seen against a clear sky in Matera.

About This Experience

This tour drives you through the Sassi in an Ape Calessino, a three-wheeled open buggy, with a local guide licensed by the Basilicata Region. It runs for about 1.5 hours from the Info Matera tourist information office and back, and it is private to your group of up to 20 people. The price was $112 per person on a bookable date in October 2026, the highest price of the vehicle tours compared here.

The vehicle carries you through the lanes of the Sassi with views along the way, then stops for two guided visits. The first is the rock-cut church complex of Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, where the frescoes date from the 12th to the 17th century. The second is a cave house furnished with period furniture and farm tools. A photo stop in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso and a pass through the archaeological area, used as a set for The Passion of the Christ, round off the ride.

Both entry tickets and a map of the Sassi are in the price. The tour suits travelers who want to see inside a rock church and a cave house without walking the full route, and small groups who want the vehicle to themselves. The listing marks it as not suitable for pregnant women, and the church and cave house visits still involve steps on foot.

With 28 reviews and a 4.9 rating, the record is short. The listing names Italian as the guide's language, so confirm an English-speaking guide with the operator before you book. You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start, which leaves time to settle the language question first. Bring comfortable shoes with grip and a camera, as the listing advises.

Highlights

Ride through the Sassi in an open Ape Calessino buggy
Guided visit to the Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone rock churches
Frescoes dating from the 12th to the 17th century
Guided visit to a cave house furnished with period tools
Photo stop in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
Private to your group, up to 20 people

What's Included

✓ Ape Calessino with driver
✓ Local guide licensed by the Basilicata Region
✓ Entry ticket to the rock-cut church complex
✓ Entry ticket to the cave house
✓ Map of the Sassi

Not Included

Anything not listed as included
Food and drinks

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes with grip
Camera
Sun protection in summer

Good to Know & Caveats

The listing names Italian as the guide's language; confirm English with the operator before booking.
Private to your group of up to 20 people, priced per person.
The church and cave house visits involve steps and uneven stone on foot.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.

Not Suitable For

Pregnant women

Meeting Point

The Info Matera tourist information office in Matera; your voucher confirms the exact spot and time.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.9/5 by 28 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Luccia did a fantastic job providing historical background for the redevelopment of Matera and in particular, went out of her way to assist a mobility impaired person in our group. Ape Calessino turned out to be an excellent way to get mobility impaired to places they would otherwise get to in Italian towns.
— , 2026-09

A great way to get an overview of the old town. I would suggest staying the night there. It’s quite large. A lot of sites so the tuk tuk made it easier to get around , especially for elderly or disabled.
— , 2026-09

We liked it. Good impression on Matera. Our guide Lucia was very knowledgeable and motivated and told us many stories about the history. We were 5 thus split on 2 Ape. The tour included the visit of the church and the historic house. Very nice too.
— , 2026-09

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Ape Calessino tour cost?

It cost $112 per person on a bookable date in October 2026. That covers the vehicle and driver, a licensed guide, entry to a rock-church complex and a cave house, and a map.

Which church and cave house does the tour enter?

The listing names the rock-cut complex of Santa Maria de Idris and San Giovanni in Monterrone, with frescoes from the 12th to the 17th century. It also visits a cave house furnished with period furniture and tools, which the listing does not name.

Is the Ape Calessino tour in English?

The listing names Italian as the guide's language. Ask the operator about an English-speaking guide before you book.

Do I have to walk on this tour?

Much less than on a walking tour, because the buggy covers the lanes between stops. You still walk into the church complex and the cave house, which involves steps and uneven stone.

Can I cancel?

Yes. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before the start.