Matera: sunset horseback riding tour on Murgia

The best part of this ride is the setting: you leave the noise behind and follow quiet Murgia paths through the Parata Forest as the sun drops. Gentle, well-cared-for horses and a patient instructor make this a calm way to see the countryside around Matera without rushing from one sight to the next.

I like two things here. First, the ride is friendly to less experienced riders, with instruction and safety equipment included. Second, the route mixes Mediterranean maquis, dry-stone walls, worked fields, and open plateau views, giving you more than a basic horseback loop. The experience feels old-fashioned in the best sense.

The main consideration is the riding itself. You need to be in good health, comfortable around animals, and able to sit on a horse for two hours. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, people with animal allergies, or people with visual impairments. Bring long pants and sturdy closed shoes, not sandals.

Key points to know before you book

• Sunset through Parata Forest: The ride is timed around the changing light, with wooded sections and open views across the Murgia.
• A gentle introduction to riding: An instructor explains the basic rules and helps you get set up before the group leaves.
• Small groups of up to 10: This keeps the outing more personal and makes it easier to receive guidance.
• Masseria Morsara meeting point: You arrange the exact starting address by mobile phone and should arrive 15 minutes early.
• About $101 for two hours: The price includes instruction, riding equipment, and full insurance, but not transfers, food, or drinks.

Leaving Masseria Morsara on horseback

Your outing begins at Masseria Morsara, where an instructor waits for the group. The exact address is available by contacting the provider by mobile phone, so this is not a tour where you should simply wander around Matera looking for a stable. Build in time to confirm the meeting details and arrive 15 minutes before departure.

At the farm, you meet the horses and receive the gear needed for the ride. The instruction covers the basic rules for handling and riding safely. That matters even if you have ridden before, because each stable has its own procedures and every horse has its own temperament.

The horses are described as tame, peaceful, and affectionate, and the care they receive is one of the strongest parts of the outing. I would still treat this as a real riding activity, not a photo opportunity with a short walk attached. You will be mounted and moving along rural paths for roughly two hours.

The instructor speaks English and Italian. That is useful for safety instructions, steering guidance, and questions along the way. With a maximum of 10 participants, the group is small enough for the instructor to keep an eye on riders who need extra help.

The first paths through the Murgia

Once everyone is ready, the group sets out along trails crossing the Murgia. The pace is slow and steady, which suits the setting. You are not being pushed through a long list of stops. Instead, you have time to notice the smells of the shrubs, the quiet of the plateau, and the rhythm of the horse beneath you.

This part of the ride should appeal to you if you like seeing rural places at ground level. From a car, the Murgia can pass in a blur of fields and stone. On horseback, you move more slowly and become aware of small changes in the terrain and vegetation.

The route passes through Mediterranean maquis, a low, aromatic mix of shrubs adapted to the dry climate. The plant life gives the ride a strong local character, especially as the air cools toward evening. You may also pass dry-stone walls and carefully tilled fields, reminders that this is working countryside rather than a park designed only for visitors.

The tour calls for a certain sensitivity toward the setting. That means keeping the pace, listening to the instructor, and allowing the horse to do its work. If you want a fast ride or a long stretch of galloping, this is probably not the right choice. If you want a quiet outing with time to look around, the slow pace is a benefit.

A horse ride for beginners, with sensible limits

You do not need to be an expert rider. The tour includes basic training from professional instructors, and the horses are chosen for their calm nature. The available information specifically says that less experienced riders can take part with the guide’s support.

That does not mean every rider will find the activity effortless. Sitting on a horse for two hours can be tiring, especially if you have never ridden before. You also need enough balance and mobility to mount, remain seated, and follow the instructor’s directions.

Wear comfortable clothing and long pants. The latter protect your legs from rubbing against the saddle and vegetation. Closed shoes are essential, since sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. A jacket is also worth packing because the air can feel cooler once the sun begins to set.

Bring your own water. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no promise of a meal or refreshment stop during the ride. Eat beforehand if you know you will need something substantial, but keep your clothing practical and your belongings limited.

The tour is not suitable for people with animal allergies, mobility impairments, or visual impairments. Wheelchair users cannot take part, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. These are important restrictions, not minor footnotes, because the activity takes place on horseback along rural paths.

Through the Parata Forest as evening arrives

The Parata Forest gives the ride its most atmospheric section. Here, the route moves through wooded surroundings before opening back toward the wider Murgia. The contrast is part of the appeal: one moment you are surrounded by shrubs and trees, and the next your view can stretch across fields and stone walls.

The forest also helps break up the ride. Open plateau paths give you wide views, while the wooded sections offer shade and a cooler feel. The route is less about a single famous monument and more about the changing character of the countryside.

This is a good place to slow your attention. You can listen to the horses, notice the scent of the maquis, and watch the light change through the trees. The outing has a quiet quality that you will not get on a busy city tour or a tightly scheduled sightseeing bus.

You should not expect a narrated archaeological tour. The instructor’s main job is to lead the horses and keep the group safe, while the natural setting provides much of the interest. If you want detailed commentary about every plant, wall, and field, ask what level of explanation is offered when you book.

Sunset over the Murgia plateau

The sunset is the payoff. The ride is arranged to reach an attractive part of the route as the light softens, though the exact departure time changes and must be checked when you select your date.

Sunset changes the Murgia from a bright, exposed plateau into a quieter place of long shadows and warm color. Dry-stone walls pick up the last light, fields become more muted, and the wooded paths feel cooler. You are seeing the area at a time when the atmosphere matters as much as the view.

I like that the sunset is part of the ride rather than a separate stop reached by car. You experience the change gradually, with the horse carrying you along the path. That gives the evening a sense of movement without making it feel hurried.

Keep your expectations practical. Weather, cloud cover, and the exact route can affect the sunset view. The tour promises a sunset setting, not a guaranteed cloudless panorama. Bring a jacket, and do not rely on this outing for a formal dinner or a full evening program afterward.

What the $100.82 price covers

At $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in the Matera area. Still, the price includes several items that can add up when booked separately: professional riding instruction, the horse, riding equipment, safety gear, and full insurance for the duration of the activity.

You are also paying for a small group and an organized route through rural terrain. The group limit of 10 means the instructor can give more attention than on a large commercial outing. For a first-time rider, that support may be more valuable than a lower headline price.

The price does not include transportation to Masseria Morsara. You also pay separately for food and drinks. That makes the outing easier for visitors with their own transport, but less convenient if you are staying in Matera without a car and hoped for a hotel pickup.

I see the value most clearly if you want a distinct evening activity rather than another town walk. You get access to a stable, a horse, instruction, insurance, and a guided route in a rural area that is not easily experienced on foot within a short period. If you only want a quick photo with a horse, the cost will feel high.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your plans around Matera are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to confirm transport and the meeting address.

The practical shape of the two hours

The schedule follows a simple pattern:

• You arrive at Masseria Morsara 15 minutes early.
• You meet the instructor and receive basic safety and riding guidance.
• You get fitted with the necessary equipment and meet your horse.
• The group rides through Murgia paths and the Parata Forest.
• You pass Mediterranean maquis, dry-stone walls, wooded sections, and cultivated fields.
• You watch the sunset during the route.
• You return to the meeting point at the end.

That straightforward structure is a strength. You do not spend much of the two hours waiting for transfers or moving between unrelated stops. The tradeoff is that there are no included extras such as food, drinks, or hotel transport.

The ride ends back at the meeting point. Plan your evening around that return rather than assuming you will finish in central Matera. Since the tour takes place outside the town and the exact address is supplied by phone, confirm how you will get there and back before the day of the ride.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to you if you like open countryside, quiet routes, animals, and unusual sunset views. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want a slower evening away from stone streets and city noise.

It is also a reasonable choice for a first horseback ride, provided you are in good health and comfortable trying something physical. The professional instruction and calm horses lower the barrier for beginners, while the small group gives the instructor room to help.

You may want to skip it if you dislike animals, have an allergy to horses, or have trouble with balance or mobility. It is also a poor match if your ideal riding tour includes speed, technical trails, or a long stop for a meal.

Families should check the age rules before booking. The supplied information confirms that adults in good health may participate, but it does not give a minimum age for children. Do not assume younger riders can join without asking first.

Booking and packing advice

Book at least 24 hours before the departure date. Daily excursions are organized, but the stable needs advance reservations. Check available times carefully because sunset changes throughout the year.

Before paying, confirm the meeting point by mobile phone. The activity begins and ends at Masseria Morsara, not at a general Matera tourist office. Arrive 15 minutes early so the group can begin the instruction and equipment fitting on time.

Pack:

• Water
• A jacket
• Comfortable clothes
• Long pants
• Closed, comfortable shoes

Leave sandals and flip-flops at your accommodation. Shoes are not allowed indoors, and the activity requires proper riding footwear. Since food and drinks are excluded, plan your meal separately.

The provider is CREA Experience. Instruction is available in English and Italian, and full insurance is included. If you have a medical concern, animal allergy, or any uncertainty about mounting a horse, ask before booking rather than waiting until arrival.

Should you book the Murgia sunset ride?

Book it if you want a peaceful, small-group outing that brings you close to the Murgia at its most atmospheric hour. The gentle horses, friendly professional team, safety equipment, and Parata Forest route make this more than a quick stable visit. The sunset, quiet paths, dry-stone walls, and maquis give the two hours a clear sense of place.

Skip it if you need hotel transport, included refreshments, wheelchair access, or a high-energy riding adventure. At about $101, the value depends on wanting the full package: instruction, equipment, insurance, a horse, and an organized ride through rural countryside.

For the right rider, this is a memorable way to slow down near Matera. Wear sensible clothes, arrange your transport, confirm the meeting address, and let the evening unfold at the horse’s pace.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding tour begin?

The tour begins at Masseria Morsara. You can obtain the exact address by contacting the provider on a mobile phone.

How long does the experience last?

The horseback riding experience lasts two hours.

What time does the tour start?

Starting times vary. You need to check availability for the date you want to book.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 15 minutes before the activity begins.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks English and Italian.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is riding instruction included?

Yes. Professional instructors provide horse riding training and explain the basic safety rules before the ride.

Is riding equipment included?

Yes. The price includes the necessary horse riding and safety equipment.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You should bring water.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable clothes, long pants, and suitable closed shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and you should bring a jacket.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.