Apulia - Heel of Italy
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Bike UNESCO sites of Alberobello, Matera and surroundings
From the Sassi of Matera, in Basilicata, you will head on to the Apulian land.
After crossing the Murgia plateau, you will stay in the Itria valley, characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand. These are cultivated in farms called Masserie, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed trulloes made with drystone techniques.
In the last days you will head south to the Salento. Sun, sea, wind. Nature strikes in the first place, when one gets to this land stretch in balance between two seas. The cities and inland towns expressions of the unique Lecce Baroque with Messapi and Salento Grecìa can still be seen. Its language, songs and feasts still show the culture of Magna Graecia.
Highlights
- Sassi, ancient Matera districts and the Park of Rock Churches
- Locorotondo and Cisternino, whitewashed villages
- Matera and Alberobello, UNESCO World Heritage sites
- Ostuni, an architectural jewel referred to as "the White Town"
- Staying in Masseria (farmhouse)
- Gallipoli, founded by Greeks, located by the Ionian Sea
- Otranto, with its beautiful castle and cathedral
Learn More
Learn more about our guided tours or see more bike tours in Italy.
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Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Arrival to Matera
You will be transferred from Bari airport to your hotel. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a guided walking visit of the Sassi, ancient Matera districts, and the Park of Rupestrian Churches (included in tour cost). We suggest dinner on your own in a typical Sassi restaurant carved in the rock.
Overnight in Matera.Day 2: Matera – Alberobello (43 miles/69 km)
You will pass through the small villages of Gioia del Colle and Noci and on to Alberobello, the capital town of Trulloes and a UNESCO’s world heritage site. Accommodation in a Trullo house or a restored farmhouse.
Overnight in Alberobello.Day 3: Ostuni "the White" (28 miles/45 km)
Crossing the Itria Valley, with stops in the characteristic Locorotondo and Cisternino, you will reach Ostuni, which is reputed an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.
Overnight in Ostuni.Day 4: Castles and farmhouses (34 miles/55 km)
Cycling south through the quiet country lanes to the charming town of Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria, famous for its 13th Century's Castle and delightful historic center. We continue through the countryside to a Masseria, a typical Apulian converted farmhouse and our accommodation for the night.
Overnight in Avetrana.Day 5: Gallipoli and the Ionian Coast (37 miles/60 km)
Today your route will pass through Porto Selvaggio and skirt the Ionian coast to reach Gallipoli, derived from the Greek word kalépolis meaning "beautiful city." Have a picnic on a sandy beach and try to swim if the weather is nice.
Overnight in Gallipoli.Day 6: Far East (44 miles/71 km)
Cycling to Otranto, the route will take you to the wildest and eastern rocky coast of Southern Italy. The sun and the atmosphere is unique in a place where Turkish and Greeks landed centuries ago. Otranto has a wonderful centre with walls and a castle. A masterpiece is the mysterious mosaic, in the Romanesque Cathedral.
Overnight in Otranto.Day 7: Lecce, the Baroque gem (28 miles/45km)
Last stage will take you to Lecce, the Baroque town with wonderful façade of buildings and churches. Taste a puccia (local bread filled with salami or vegetables) or a pasticciotto (delicious pastry), and enjoy shopping and walking in the city centre.
Overnight in Lecce.Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and transfer to Bari airport.Surface and terrain
Much of the terrain on the tour is panoramic and flat, but there is considerable rolling and hilly terrain including some extended climbs. We recommend this tour for cyclists in above average physical condition or who don't mind the occasional uphill walk.
Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Comfort hotels
Hotel Casino Ridola, Matera
www.hotelridolamatera.itTipico Suite, Alberobello
Casa d' Autore, Ostuni
www.casadautore.itMasseria Bosco, Avetrana
www.masseriabosco.itAl Pescatore, Gallipoli
www.alpescatoregallipoli.comPalazzo De Mori, Otranto
www.palazzodemori.itPalazzo Dei Dondoli, Lecce
www.palazzodeidondoli.itInterested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Bari, Italy
Nearest train station: Matera, ItalyFrom Bari, you can take a direct regional train called FAL to Matera.
Tour end
Nearest airport: Brindisi, Italy
Nearest train station: Lecce, ItalyFrom Leece, you can take a train or shuttle bus to the Brindisi or Bari airports.
Please note, the tour includes transfers to/from the Bari airport and the tour start and end.
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Dates
May 15; Jun 15; Sep 04; Oct 02*, 2023 (minimum 6 participants) *fully booked
Prices
Tour package
Per person, double occupancy €1780 Single use room (1 person/1 room) €2080 Bike Rentals
Hybrid touring bike, 27 speed €120 Full carbon road bike €240 Gravel and road bike €240 Electrically assisted bike €240 Helmet €10 Extra Nights, Matera
Per person, double occupancy €105 Single use room (1 person/1 room) €145 Extra Nights, Lecce
Per person, double occupancy €105 Single use room (1 person/1 room) €145 Included services
- 7 nights in double rooms
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer
- Road book and maps (1 set per room)
- 7-days technical and emergency assistance
- Cycling guide
- Support van assistance
- Guided walking tour in the Sassi di Matera
- Transfer to/from Bari airport
Local hotel taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to each hotel (approximately €1-5 per person/night).
Bike rentals
Bikes available for rent on this tour (must be reserved in advance at time of booking):
- Hybrid bike, 27-speed
- Gravel and road bike
- Full carbon road bike
- Electrically assisted bike*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
Bikes come equipped with the following at no extra cost:
- Cycle-computer
- Panniers
- Universal tool and spare tube
- Lock
Other equipment available to rent:
- Helmets (€10)
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.Helmets:
While helmets are available to rent, please plan to bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
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Route Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Kris January 28, 2019
Great bike ride through historic sites, splendid scenery, and fantastic food.
We did a self-guided tour with e-bikes–and were happy with our arrangements throughout. We picked this ride because of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the fact we hadn't visited this part of Italy. It's so cool to bike through agricultural areas, small towns and the regional centers. A highlight was the stay in Masseria Bosco in the middle of the vast olive orchards–a lux experience and fine restaurant in an historic agricultural property. All the city hotels were great, too. We loved both Matera and Alberobello and took some extra time there on our own. The ride from sea to sea (Adriatic to Ionian) was truly spectacular. And, wow, the food! In short, the whole experience was well-curated. Anyone wanting to try a bike tour would be wise to start here with the expert recommendations and support by biketours.com and their local partners.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ JackieDog September 26, 2017
Confusing directions
Wonderful way to see the countryside but frustrating as the directions were often vague or inadequate.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 16-23
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Suelikestobike May 25, 2017
Delicious, warm and quiet
We were looking for a tour that would get us off the beaten track in Italy. This fit the bill. Nice accommodations, low traffic and of course it's Italy, so good food. We also hoped for warm sunny weather in May and it delivered! Matera was outstanding. Book an extra day and a tour. Not a flashy tour but enjoyed it. Service provided by the bike tour operator was great.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 13-20
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5 tours with Bike Tours .com
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
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