Matera and Grottaglie Day Trip
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore UNESCO World Heritage Site Matera
- Discover Grottaglie's renowned ceramics
- Stroll through Matera's ancient cave dwellings
- Visit Grottaglie's historic center
- Enjoy scenic views of Southern Italy's Murgia region
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation in a comfortable minivan
- Guided tours of Matera and Grottaglie
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
The first stop is Grottaglie after about 50 minutes driving from Lecce. The city is famous for its its colorful ceramics and here you'll enjoy some free time to discover the center.
Matera is the famous city of the Sassi and shows itself in all its ancient beauty. Here you will have plenty of time to visit the maze of narrow streets where worship and tradition create a unique atmosphere made up of churches and dwellings carved into the rock, the location of many famous films.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is conducted in English; ensure you understand the language.
- Confirm your hotel pickup details at least 24 hours before departure.
- Be prepared for a full-day excursion with minimal breaks.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring uneven terrains.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and architecture.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
- Infants Required On Laps
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- This tour require a minimum of 2 pax
Traveler reviews
Lack of compliance
I hired a tour for two cities with a professional driver. A couple, Cristiano and Cathya, arrived at the hotel on time. They were not guides; they just took advantage of a transportation opportunity and took us to and from Matera. We did not visit the other city. I hired a professional tour and received partial transportation service. There are platforms that offer the same at a lower price. I do not need Viator for that. On a separate note, Cristiano and Cathya were very kind; he drives very safely, and we arrived at the place thanks to Google Maps. Matera is extraordinary; Viator is disappointing.
Beautiful surroundings and a very nice cultural walk. The guided walking tour even with 40 degrees was incredible.!!!!!
It is one of the walks that should be taken, very charming, romantic places, ideal to visit and enjoy as a couple.
Lovely day trip to Grottaglie and Matera.
Matera is a fascinating place, now a nature reserve, but for thousands of years home to human inhabitants. We were able to walk down and see close up where people used to live, even as recently as the 1960s.
Too long sitting in a minivan
Nine hours tour from Lecce visiting Grottaglie (not interesting) & Matera (very beautiful and intoxicating). Total travelling time was approximately 5 hours 30 minutes in a not very comfortable minivan which equates to more than 60% of total tour time. Conclusion: Lecce is too distant for a day trip to Matera (& Grottaglie).
Full day tour to Matera and Grottaglie June 17th (slightly disapointed)
We were slightly disappointed with this trip as we felt that in our option, there's no need to stop at Grottaglie for 2 hours as half an hour to an hour was plenty of time to see the ceramic shops which would have meant that we had more time in Matera. When we got to Matera there were no tours as it was the hottest time of the day which meant we were left to wonder around trying to find the Sassi by ourselves so we were rushing to try to find everything that we wanted to see as to not miss anything out. We understood that there was no guide on this trip just a driver, who was lovely but we were disappointed as there was no option to have a tour when we got to Matera. This was expensive but as we didn't have a car we had to pay it in order to visit Matera which I'm happy we did as it's an amazing place but wish we'd been able to have a full tour and more time there.