3 daysLikely to sell outBruna Festival in Matera 6 Days with Hotel Transfer and Tour
New6 daysBari
Length
6 days
Itinerary
6 days planned
Group
Max 24
Guides
English, Italian
Overview
Experience one of the most intense and authentic events in Southern Italy with this 6-day and 5-night guided tour dedicated to the Bruna di Matera Festival, a tradition that has been celebrated for over 600 years.
The trip combines culture, faith, folklore and UNESCO territories, including overnight stays, transfers, guided tours and selected food and wine experiences.
From the timeless charm of the Sassi of Matera to the trulli of Alberobello, from the flavors of Alta Murgia to the culminating moment of the “tear” of the Triumphant Chariot, you will experience the party from a privileged perspective and without organizational thoughts.
An ideal itinerary for those who love religious traditions, photography, local culture and authentic experiences.
Day by day itinerary
1Independent arrival in Bari, followed by transfer to Matera.⌄
Meeting at Bari Airport, followed by a shared transfer to Matera.
Meals: Lunch: Welcome drink at MòVado Food and Drink in Piazza Duomo with presentation of the program.
Overnight: Check in at a 3-star hotel in Matera.
2Discover Matera and the Traditions of the Town's Feast of 2nd July⌄
In the morning, take part in a guided walking tour of about 2 hours through the Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture 2019. Accompanied by a local guide, you will enter a fully furnished cave dwelling (Casa Grotta) to understand how people once lived in the Sassi, and visit a rock-hewn church, where frescoes and silence reveal the city’s deep spirituality. This is not just a walk—it is an engaging experience built around questions, curiosity, and small details that come to life step by step. Ideal for first-time visitors who want to go beyond postcard views and discover the authentic heart of Matera. Free time for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Triumphal Chariot workshop, where the symbolic "centerpiece" of the festival is created each year. Return to the city center at the end of the visit.
In the evening comes the moment everyone has been waiting for: the lighting of the illuminations in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. In an instant, the city bursts into energy and color, offering one of the most iconic spectacles of the "Festa della Bruna", town's feast. Enjoy some free time before returning to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel. · Dinner: Apericenacon pinse, cutting boards and traditional Matera products at MòVado Food and Drink in Piazza Duomo.
Overnight: Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Matera.
3Visit Ostuni and Alberobello⌄
Morning departure for Ostuni. Visit a traditional masseria for a dairy-making experience followed by a tasting. Guided by expert cheesemakers, you will witness each stage of milk processing up close—from hand-stretching to the creation of fresh mozzarella. The cheese tasting allows you to appreciate differences in flavor, texture, and aroma that only freshly made products can offer. A genuine opportunity to connect with the rural traditions of Puglia through a hands-on, authentic experience.
Transfer to Alberobello. Free time for lunch. Later, join a guided walking tour of approximately 2 hours among the city’s most iconic trulli. Explore the authentic Aia Piccola district, where time seems to stand still. With a local guide, you will learn why the trulli were built this way, visit the historic Casa d’Amore, and reach the Church of Sant’Antonio, the only trullo church in the world. Return to Matera and enjoy free time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
Overnight: Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Matera.
4Discover Altamura and Gravina in Puglia⌄
Departure for Altamura, in the heart of the Alta Murgia, renowned for its DOP bread baked in a wood-fired oven and its magnificent cathedral, built by the will of Emperor Frederick. A town rich in history, authentic flavors, and centuries-old traditions. Enjoy a guided visit, including a stop at a traditional bakery with a tasting experience.
Continue with the transfer to Gravina in Puglia, a fascinating town poised between rock and history, renowned for its aqueduct bridge, rock-cut churches, and the striking scenery of its stone-carved historic center. Take part in a guided walking tour of the historic center, the aqueduct bridge, and the rock-cut churches. Return to Matera and enjoy free time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel. · Lunch: Tasting experience at a traditional bakery in Altamura.
Overnight: Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Matera.
5July 2: Festa della Bruna, Town's Feast in Matera⌄
The Feast of the Bruna begins before dawn with the suggestive procession of shepherds, who cross the Sassi carrying the ancient painting of the Madonna, accompanied by bangs of barrels and popular songs. After the end of the procession, relax and rest, to resume the festivities in the afternoon. The statue of the Madonna is hoisted on the sumptuous papier-mâché Triumphal Chariot, escorted by the Knights of the Brunette, to travel the ancient streets to Piazza Duomo. After the ritual three laps in the sacred square and the “Salute” to the city, the party ends with the “tear”, the spectacular destruction of the Chariot by the festive crowd – the three laps will be visible from the bar MòVado Food & Drink, in the small corner of the square dedicated to our guests, where you can have lunch and / or dinner, taking advantage of a 15 percent discount voucher. Free lunch and dinner and return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
Overnight: Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Matera.
6End of the Tour: Transfer to Bari⌄
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and enjoy a transfer to Bari Airport.
Meals: Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.
What's included
- ✓Dairy production workshop with tasting experience
- ✓Experiences related to the Matera town's feast, with a privileged viewing position during the traditional “Three Leaps of the Chariot” event in Duomo square
- ✓Entrance fees to museums included during the guided tours
- ✓Transfers to/from Bari Airport and all transfers required for the scheduled excursions
- ✓Guide for the duration of the tour
- ✓Lunch
- ✓Local assistance
- ✓Dinner
- ✓Breakfast
- ✓Tourist tax
- ✓Guided walking tours in Matera, Alberobello, Altamura, and Gravina in Puglia
- ✓5 nights in a double room at 3 star hotels or similar
Not included
- ✕Lunches and dinners not expressly included (other than tastings)
- ✕Personal expenses and gratuities
- ✕Optional travel insurance
Good to know
Cancellation: If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The tour is confirmed once a minimum of 8 participants is reached
- Please report any food intolerances at the time of booking
- 15% discount voucher at Movado Food&Drink to be used during the gathering on July 2, on the occasion of the traditional Chariot performance in Piazza Duomo.
- The program may be subject to changes due to requirements related to the festival
From
$1,334
