Apulia: Cycling the Heel of Italy’s Boot

Cycling the Heel of Italy’s Boot

7 night guided bike tour in Italy

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
• Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• 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.

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival to Matera
You will arrive in Matera independently and get settled in at 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 then depart on your own.

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.it

Tipico Suite, Alberobello
www.tipicosuite.it

Casa d' Autore, Ostuni
www.casadautore.it

Masseria Bosco, Avetrana
www.masseriabosco.it

Al Pescatore, Gallipoli
www.alpescatoregallipoli.com

Palazzo De Mori, Otranto
www.palazzodemori.it

Palazzo Dei Dondoli, Lecce
www.palazzodeidondoli.it

Interested 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, Italy

From Bari, you can take a direct regional train called FAL to Matera.

Tour end
Nearest airport: Brindisi, Italy
Nearest train station: Lecce, Italy

From 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.

See more tips on getting to and from your tour

Dates

Prices

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 who rides with you
• 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 (€5)

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.

Tour Company