Matera: Open Top Bus Tour with Entrance to Casa Grotta

Name: Matera: Open Top Bus Tour with Entrance to Casa Grotta
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 22.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.29 (386 reviews)

4.3 (386 verified reviews)

Looking down on a hairpin road below stone houses and cliffs of the Gravina gorge, with a small red bus.

A green and red minibus stands in the square before a rock-cut church with a bell tower and arched gateway.

Red seats on the open upper deck of a tour bus, with the Sassi and cathedral tower beyond.

A green and red tour minibus rounds a curve between stone houses with green doors and shutters in Matera.

Evening on a lamp-lit Matera street, with people strolling and cafe tables under parasols beside stone buildings.

About This Experience

This is a 90-minute panoramic bus tour of the Sassi, run by Martulli Viaggi from its office in Via Alessandro Volta, in Matera's upper town. At $22 per person it is the cheapest tour with a page on this site, and the price includes entry to the Casa Grotta Narrante, a cave house furnished as it was when families lived in the Sassi up to the 1950s.

The bus passes Tramontano Castle, stops for photos at the Convent of Sant'Agostino, and pauses for the cave house visit. It then follows Via Madonna delle Virtù along the Gravina ravine, with views across to the Murgia plateau, and stops in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso before returning past the castle. The stops involve short walks on mostly flat ground, with a few small steps.

Commentary comes from the POPGuide app on your own phone (English, French, Spanish) or over the bus speakers, and the tour leader on board speaks Italian with some help in English. The tour suits travelers who want an overview with less walking at a low price. Strollers and large bags are not allowed, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The rating is 4.3 from 386 GetYourGuide reviews. Low-star reviewers mention late or rescheduled departures, a driver with little English, and audio that was hard to follow when the app failed or other languages played over the speakers. Download the app in advance and bring your own earphones. If you want a live English-speaking guide, a walking tour will suit you better.

Highlights

Tramontano Castle
Photo stop at the Convent of Sant'Agostino
Via Madonna delle Virtù along the Gravina ravine
Views across to the Murgia Materana plateau
Photo stop in Piazza San Pietro Caveoso
Private group option available

What's Included

✓ Panoramic bus tour with an Italian-speaking tour leader (some assistance in English)
✓ Audio guide in English, French or Spanish through the POPGuide app
✓ Entry ticket to the Casa Grotta Narrante cave house
✓ City map
✓ 10% discount coupon at MòVado Food & Drink bar in Piazza Duomo

Not Included

Headphones
Smartphone to play the audio guide
Food and drinks
Child seats

What to Bring

Headphones or earbuds
Charged smartphone with the POPGuide app
Comfortable shoes for the short walking stops

Good to Know & Caveats

Arrive at the office 15 minutes before the start to scan the audio-guide QR code.
Children traveling free must sit on a parent's lap.
Baby strollers and luggage or large bags are not allowed.
Stops involve short walks on mostly flat surfaces with a few small steps.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund.

Not Suitable For

Wheelchair users

Meeting Point

The Martulli Viaggi office at Via Alessandro Volta 5, in Matera's upper town; your voucher confirms the time.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.3/5 by 386 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Monica was a great guide sharing knowledge of the Sassi and the driver managed to navigate the tightest route
— , 2026-10

Really good value tour. Although it was advertised as a tour where you had to download an App and listen to commentary in fact there was a recorded commentary in English and the guide also explained everything in English and Italian. Very friendly and informative. Cool open sided but and skilful driving much appreciated on hot day. My only criticism is that some major sites such as the Cathedral and any of the many rick churches was not included.
— , 2026-08

By mistake we booked the tour in french instead of English. Our lady tour guide was the best, she explained everything to us in English, she put English audio in the bus. When we were visiting the Casa Grotto she organised for us Audio in English. That's was very sweet of her, she still take care of us. Even she have to double job and explain everything in two languages.
— , 2026-07

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Matera open-top bus tour cost?

It cost $22 per person on a bookable date in October 2026, the lowest price of the Matera tours with a page on this site. That includes entry to the Casa Grotta Narrante cave house and a city map.

Is there a guide on the bus?

There is an Italian-speaking tour leader with some help in English. The English, French and Spanish commentary plays through the POPGuide app on your own phone, so bring earphones.

Which cave house does the bus tour enter?

The Casa Grotta Narrante on Via Madonna delle Virtù. It is a different museum from the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario.

How much walking is there?

Only short stretches at the stops, mostly on flat ground with a few small steps. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and strollers are not allowed.

Can I cancel the bus tour?

Yes, up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Some reviewers had their slot moved by the operator, so keep your phone on the day before.