Overview
Our eight-day cycling in Puglia highlights holiday is a gem of an adventure into this region that has so many cultural and natural heritage wonders within a close distance. For example, cycle from the UNESCO town of Alberobello through the wine region of Locorotondo. Or cling to the coast all the way to the historic town of Gallipoli. Explore coastal grottoes one day and the Baroque beauty of Lecce the next. Stay in a mix of 3-star hotels and traditional guesthouses, with luggage transfers. There is an option to rent e-bikes on this tour, which is also accessible by rail.
- Alberobello
- Itria Valley with Ostuni, Cisternino and Locorotondo
- Lecces
- Gallipoli
- Fortified village of Acaya
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Alberobello
Your holiday starts in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello in an area called Valley of Trulli. The two souls of Alberobello are divided by Piazza Martellotta: Rione Aia, with its streets still authentic and almost always silent, and Rione Monti, which is more touristy.
- Accommodation: Hotel Sant’Antonio or similar (optional upgrade: Trullidea Resort or similar)
Day 2: Alberobello to Ostuni | 40km
During your first day by bike, you get to visit two of the most beautiful villages in the region: Locorotondo, famous for its white wines, and Cisternino, the Casbah of the Itria Valley. You then arrive at Ostuni, also known as the White City, on the border between the Southern Murge and Salento Plain.
- Accommodation: Hotel La Terra or similar
- Cycling: 40km, ↑400m ↓500m
Day 3: Ostuni to Manduria | 60km
From the Murge hills, cycle south to the vast Salento Plain and then on to Manduria, the capital of Primitivo grapes. Here you can visit the Museum of Primitivo Wine, located in the Manduria Winery.
- Accommodation: Sine Tempore B&B or similar (optional upgrade: Corte Borromeo or similar)
- Cycling: 60km, ↑400m ↓500m
Day 4: Manduria to Gallipoli | 70km
Cycle to Torre Colimena and the salt pan, then follow the coast southwards through ancient coastal villages to Porto Cesareo, which is perfect for a seafood lunch. Continuing south, your day comes to a close in Gallipoli, with one of the most beautiful historic centres of Salento and streets full of shops, restaurants, churches and views of the sea.
- Accommodation: B&B Corte Casole or similar (optional upgrade: Relais Corte Palmieri or similar)
- Cycling: 70km, ↑380m ↓440m
Day 5: Gallipoli to Leuca | 50km
We recommend a morning dip at Purità beach this morning before you head off along the low, sandy coast as far as the heel of Italy. From the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, take in the monumental fountain built to honour the end of the Apulian aqueduct, the longest and most complex in Europe.
- Accommodation: Hotel Terminal or similar (optional upgrade: Hotel L’Approdo or similar)
- Cycling: 50km, ↑250m ↓150m
Day 6: Leuca to Otranto | 50km
Cycling along the undulating coastal road, you can choose from a few routes. Discover, for example, Acquaviva Bay or if you like snorkelling, Grotta Azzurra. Cycle through Porto Badisco, where you can take a detour to explore Grotta dei Cervi, the archaeological wonder of Puglia. After passing Capo d’Otranto, you come to Otranto, the easternmost city in Italy, where you stay for the night.
- Accommodation: Hotel Albania or similar (optional upgrade: Hotel San Giuseppe or similar)
- Cycling: 50km, ↑680m ↓760m
Day 7: Otranto to Lecce | 55km
The low and jagged coast today offers good options for dips in the coast’s famous natural pools, such as Grotta della Poesia near Roca. Follow the coastal path onto Le Cesine Coastal Reserve, then head inland towards Lecce. abandoning the coast and heading towards Lecce. A few kilometres before you get there, you see the fortified citadel of Acaya. Leaving Acaya, cycle on narrow country roads to the Baroque city of Lecce.
- Accommodation: Hotel delle Palme or similar (optional upgrade: Arco Vecchio B&B or similar)
- Cycling: 55km, ↑300m ↓270m
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extend you time to enjoy Lecce, also known as the Florence of the south.
What to expect
Accommodation
Standard accommodation for this trip is mostly in selected 3-star hotels and B&Bs. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Sant’Antonio (Alberobello)
- La Terra Hotel (Ostuni)
- Sine Tempore B&B (Manduria)
- B&B Corte Casole (Gallipoli)
- Hotel Terminal (Leuca)
- Hotel Albania (Otranto)
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Trullidea resort (Alberobello)
- Corte Borromeo (Manduria)
- Relais Corte Palmieri / Bastioni San Domenico (Gallipoli)
- Villa la Meridiana / Hotel L’Approdo (Leuca)
- Hotel San Giuseppe (Otranto)
- Palazzo dei Dondoli / Arco Vecchio B&B (Lecce)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included each morning. When no restaurant is available on the route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops, or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your hotel or the restaurants in the town where you stay overnight (you will be recommended the best ones for sure).
Difficulty and terrain
Cycling is mostly on mostly flat, well-asphalted country lanes and secondary roads with little traffic; however, note that sometimes you will have to cycle on more highly trafficked roads when approaching and riding in the larger towns. Average daily distances vary between 40km and 70km, with daily elevation gain ranging from 250m to 680m. The trip is suitable for regular cyclists who have an active lifestyle (read more about difficulty grades).
When to go
The trip can start from the end of February until mid-November (please note that it can be scorching in July and August). The period between 20 July and 28 August is on request only. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. Puglia enjoys a comfortable Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild winters. For more information, see Best time to go to Italy.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival/departure airports for this holiday are the ones in Bari (BRI) and Brindisi (BDS).
By train or bus
‘If you are able to travel to Italy without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail. Arrival in Alberobello: The Ferrovie Sud-est connects Alberobello with the train stations of Bari, Taranto and Lecce. This service is replaced by bus rides on Sundays and public holidays.
Departure from Lecce: You can take the direct train to reach both Bari and Brindisi train stations, where you will find connections to the respective airports.
For the most updated information about trains, visit trenitalia.it.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in charming hotels and guesthouses; private ensuite rooms
- 7 breakfasts
- Welcome briefing
- Luggage transfer on all cycling days (one piece up to 20kg per person)
- Travel app with route notes, maps and tracks. On the spot, you will receive luggage tags.
- Phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Flights and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Bike rental
- Extra and excess luggage (a supplement will be applied)
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
- Local tourist taxes
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Bike rental (with bike insurance incl.)
- Helmet rental
- Additional nights along the route
- Hotel upgrade on request and with a supplement
- Airport transfers
Bikes
Strong and resistant bikes, suitable for riding along paved roads in safety and for cycling on gravel tracks. You can book a trekking bike (male and unisex), gravel or an e-bike. All bikes come with a pannier and with flat pedals. Bikes are equipped with a lock and repair kit. Tandem bikes, kids bikes and child bike trailers are available on request.
Trekking bikes (unisex and male) – reliable and resistant bicycles, comfortable and suitable for those who enjoy a slow ride. The Speedlifter handlebar adjustment system allows the handlebar height to be adjusted (from 0 to 10cm). Speedlifter with a 35 cm seat post, this model is suitable for cyclists from 150 cm to 180 cm in height (unisex) and 155 cm to 200 cm in height (male).
Aluminium frame and fork; Mudguard and rear carrier; Shimano Deore shifters, front and rear derailleur, cantilever brake lever; Anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres; Royal Freeway saddle
Bianchi gravel bikes are suitable for all roads. The support of large wheels will allow you to deal even with off-roads.
• Steel Bianchi CrMo Frame and Fork + rear rack
• Shimano Sora shifters, front and rear derailleur / Tektro cantilever brake lever
• Anti-puncture Kenda tyres
• Bianchi Velo saddle.
E-bikes – latest generation pedal-assisted bicycles with Bosch eBike system. The characteristics of the supplied batteries (36 V – 13,4 Ah Capacity – 500 Wh) allow a range of over 100km. The Speedlifter handlebar adjustment system allows the handlebar height to be adjusted (from 0 to 10cm). By combining the Speedlifter with a 40 cm seat post, this model is suitable for cyclists from 150 cm to 190 cm in height.
Aluminium frame and fork; Mudguard and rear carrier; Shimano Deore shifters, front and rear derailleur / Tektro cantilever brake lever; Anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres; Royal Freeway saddle
