Matera: sunset horseback riding tour on Murgia

The best sunsets sometimes arrive on horseback. This two-hour ride across the Murgia near Matera combines quiet trails, Mediterranean maquis, dry-stone walls, and wide rural views with the warm light of evening. I especially like the gentle horses and the calm pace, which make the outing approachable even if you have little riding experience. I also like the small-group limit of 10 people, since that gives the instructor room to keep an eye on the group.

The main consideration is practical: this is a countryside ride, not a sightseeing tour in Matera’s historic center. Transfers are not included, the meeting address must be confirmed by mobile phone, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, animal allergies, or visual impairments.

What makes this Murgia horseback ride special

• Sunset through Parata Forest: The ride reaches wooded paths and open plateau views as the evening light changes.
• Quiet, old-fashioned travel: Horseback lets you cross the Murgia at a slow pace, with time to notice scents, silence, fields, and stone walls.
• Friendly horses: The horses are described as tame, peaceful, and well cared for, a useful point for first-time riders.
• Professional instruction: You receive basic riding guidance, safety rules, equipment, and insurance before setting off.
• Small groups of up to 10: The group size keeps the outing more personal than a large stable excursion.
• A rural setting outside the city: You trade Matera’s famous cave dwellings for open countryside and wooded trails.

Starting at Masseria Morsara

Your meeting point is Masseria Morsara, a farm setting in the Murgia area. The exact address is available by contacting the provider on a mobile phone, so I would not leave this detail until the last minute. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before departure. An instructor will meet you and the ride finishes back at the same place.

There is no transfer included. That matters if you are staying in Matera and do not have your own way to reach the farm. The booking information does not specify a pickup service, so arrange your transport before committing to a sunset time.

Once you arrive, the outing begins with preparation rather than an immediate ride. You meet your horse, receive riding equipment, and go through the basic rules for handling and riding safely. This is good practice, not wasted time. Horses may be calm, but riders still need to understand how to mount, guide, stop, and behave around the animals.

The activity includes a training session from professional instructors. That makes the tour more accessible to beginners than a ride that assumes you already know what you are doing. Still, you should be comfortable sitting on a horse and following instructions. The provider specifically excludes people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with animal allergies, and visually impaired participants.

Riding into the Parata Forest

The route follows Murgia trails through the Parata Forest. You can expect a mixture of wooded stretches, scrub, fields, and open views rather than one continuous forest path. The variety is part of the appeal. One moment you are passing through cool shade, and the next your view opens across the plateau.

The Mediterranean maquis gives the ride much of its character. This low, aromatic vegetation fills the countryside with strong natural smells, especially noticeable when you are moving slowly rather than sealed inside a vehicle. I like that the tour makes room for these small details. You are not simply being taken to a viewpoint, you are moving through the countryside at a pace that lets you notice it.

Dry-stone walls and carefully worked fields add another layer to the route. These are modest sights, but they help you read the Murgia as a lived-in rural area. The walls mark fields and paths, while the tilled ground shows that this is working countryside, not a decorative park created for visitors.

The experience is described as a way to slow your daily rhythm. That may sound poetic, but it has a practical meaning here. A horse moves more slowly than a car, and the route is designed around quiet paths rather than a rapid list of stops. If you want constant commentary, dramatic attractions, or a packed schedule, this may feel too gentle. If you want two hours away from traffic and concrete, the pace is the point.

What the horses and guide add

The horses are a major part of the appeal. They are described as beautiful, friendly, peaceful, and well cared for. Those qualities matter more than appearance alone. A calm horse can make a first ride feel far less intimidating, especially when you are learning how to respond to an animal beneath you.

The guide leads the group through the trails and remains available to help riders along the way. The staff are described as friendly and experienced, with particular praise for the Armando team. The supplied feedback also emphasizes that the riding felt safe and that the horses were well looked after.

I would still treat this as a real riding activity, not a passive carriage ride. You will receive instruction, but you are expected to listen and take part. Wear long pants and comfortable clothing. Avoid sandals and flip-flops, and bring a jacket because the temperature can drop as daylight fades. Water is also on the required packing list.

The provided information does not promise a particular riding skill level beyond support for less experienced participants. It also does not say that you will trot or gallop. You should therefore expect a controlled ride along Murgia paths, not an action-packed horseback outing. That is a good match for a sunset setting, when steady movement is safer and more enjoyable than speed.

The sunset payoff

The ride is timed around sunset, but the exact starting time changes with availability. Check the schedule carefully when booking, since sunset shifts throughout the year. Arriving early is especially sensible for an evening activity. You will need time to locate the farm, meet the instructor, complete the safety briefing, and get fitted with equipment.

The best views come as the route passes between wooded sections and more open parts of the plateau. Parata Forest provides a green break from the exposed countryside, while the open stretches allow your gaze to travel across fields and distant horizons. The setting is less about one famous viewpoint and more about the changing light across a broad rural area.

Sunset also gives the ride a different mood from a daytime excursion. The heat should be less intense than in the middle of the day, and the long shadows make the walls, shrubs, and fields more defined. On the other hand, evening conditions make your clothing choice important. Bring that jacket, and do not assume that a warm afternoon will remain warm after the sun drops.

There is no food or drink included. Bring water, but do not expect a meal, tasting, or aperitif at the end. If you want dinner afterward, plan it separately in Matera or nearby. The two-hour duration is long enough to feel like a proper outing without taking over the whole evening.

Is the $100.82 price fair?

At $100.82 per person, this is not a budget activity. The value depends on what you want from your time around Matera. You are paying for a two-hour guided ride, professional instruction, riding equipment, safety gear, full insurance during the activity, the horse, and access to a rural route that would be difficult to experience in the same way on foot or by car.

For someone who already rides regularly, the price may feel high if you are mainly looking for saddle time. The tour does not list an extended ride, advanced riding, or a specialized horse trek. For a beginner, though, the instruction and safety support add real value. You are not simply renting a horse and being sent along an unfamiliar trail.

The small group also helps justify the cost. With a maximum of 10 participants, the instructor can provide more direct attention than on a large stable outing. The included insurance is another practical benefit, although it should not replace sensible behavior or careful listening during the briefing.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans around Matera are still changing. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Book at least 24 hours before the ride, since excursions are organized daily but require advance reservations.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this ride to adults in good health who like open countryside, animals, quiet travel, and unusual sunset settings. It is particularly suitable if you want to see a less urban side of the Matera area and prefer a slower activity to a bus tour or busy attraction.

It also suits cautious beginners. The horses are presented as tame and affectionate, and the instructor provides basic training and safety rules. The positive feedback focuses on the calm horses, friendly staff, and safe feel of the outing. Those are exactly the qualities I would want if I were introducing a friend to horseback riding.

This is less suitable if you dislike animals, have an allergy to horses, or need accessible facilities. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or visually impaired participants. You also need to wear proper footwear and long pants, so this is not a ride to fit casually between sightseeing stops in sandals.

The ride may not suit families with young children either, since the stated eligibility is for adults of legal age and good health. The provided information does not describe a children’s program, so do not assume younger participants can join.

How this fits into a Matera visit

Matera is famous for its stone-built urban quarters and cave dwellings, but the Murgia gives you a different way to understand the area. Instead of focusing on buildings and lanes, this outing takes you into the countryside around the plateau. You see fields, scrub, forest, walls, and open horizons.

That contrast is useful. After spending time among stone streets and busy viewpoints, two hours on horseback can feel like a reset. You are still close to the Matera region, but the experience is shaped by rural quiet rather than architecture.

The activity is also a good choice for a second day in the area. On a first day, you may want to focus on Matera itself. Once you have explored the city, the horseback ride gives you a change of pace without requiring a full-day trip.

The description uses both Basilicata and an Apulia adventure reference. The important point for planning is that the activity takes place in the Murgia area near Matera, at Masseria Morsara. Use the confirmed meeting details rather than assuming the ride begins in central Matera.

Practical preparation for a comfortable ride

Pack lightly, but bring the things that matter:

• Water
• A jacket for the cooler evening
• Comfortable clothing
• Long pants
• Closed, secure shoes suitable for riding

Do not wear sandals or flip-flops. The activity also lists shoes indoors as not allowed, so follow the farm’s instructions about footwear once you arrive. Electric wheelchairs are not permitted.

Arrive 15 minutes early. Since the meeting address is confirmed by mobile phone, keep your phone available and make contact before departure if you need directions. Do not count on a transfer, food, or drinks being provided.

The ride is offered in English and Italian. If you need detailed instruction in one of those languages, confirm that the guide for your selected departure can communicate comfortably with you. The group is limited to 10 people, and the activity returns to the same meeting point.

Should you book the Murgia sunset ride?

Book it if you want a quiet, nature-focused evening, enjoy horses, and are happy to trade city sights for rural paths. The strongest reasons to choose it are the gentle horses, attentive instruction, small group, and sunset setting through Parata Forest. The high rating of 4.9 from 11 pieces of feedback also fits the most praised features: friendly staff, safe riding, and well cared-for animals.

Skip it if you need accessible transport, dislike animals, want a fast-paced ride, or are looking for dinner and sightseeing in one package. At $100.82, it is best viewed as a special two-hour outing rather than a cheap way to get around.

For the right rider, this is a thoughtful way to meet the Murgia: slowly, quietly, and from the back of a calm horse.

FAQ

How long does the horseback ride last?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule when booking.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The ride begins and ends at Masseria Morsara. The exact address is available by contacting the provider on a mobile phone.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts. An instructor will meet you at the meeting point.

Is riding instruction included?

Yes. Professional instructors provide basic horse-riding training, safety rules, and the required riding equipment.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear comfortable clothes and long pants. Bring water and a jacket, and do not wear sandals or flip-flops.

Is the ride suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for people with animal allergies or visual impairments.