Scenic road - Puglia, Italy

Puglia - Italy

Puglia : Experience Italian South Cycling Tour

Self-Guided 8 days

Embark from Puglia's main city Trulli and descend along the heel of Italy all the way to Salento. You will slowly discover the white villages of the Itria Valley and other gems of the region all by bicycle.

Style
Road cycling
Gain
2450 m
Distance
325 km
Level
Easy

Tour overview

EXPLORE THE HEEL OF ITALY BY BIKE

Cycling through the Italian regions of Matera and Puglia takes you to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Begin in Matera, a wonderful city literally carved into the soft limestone rock. Then visit Alberobello’s picturesque Trulli. The tour follows the eastern Mediterranean’s physical and cultural influences all the way down to the far south.

As you alternate between the elegant white-washed villages in an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Mediterranean, olive groves and vineyards dominate the landscape as far as the eye can see. The tour concludes in Lecce’s alleys, a true jewel of Baroque architecture.

This self-guided tour includes GPS tracks and detailed maps of all routes so you can travel at your own pace. Our support van transports all of your luggage from hotel to hotel. If you have any problems, the helpful team will be there to help.

Start point
Alberobello
End point
Lecce
See program for full itinerary
Flying in
Bari
Flying out
Brindisi

Flights not included. Direct flights available at lastminute.com

Highlights of your cycling trip

Medieval town - Matera, Italy

Historical Landscapes

Puglia's landscape is dreamy and full of rich history. The rolling roads beg to be ridden and lead to some of Italy's oldest cities. Trust us when we say you will definitely fall in love with the south of Italy here.

Charming Accommodation

Each hotel has been carefully chosen for its idyllic setting. Throughout your journey, you'll feel well rested after each day in the saddle. Every hotel is of high quality, with fantastic facilities that will make your trip even more memorable.

cyclist in the Tuscan countryside - Italy

Self Guided

Pedal at your own pace, following the maps and tracks provided during the pre-tour briefing. We'll recommend places to stop for lunch and sightseeing along the way. If technical assistance is required, it will be provided throughout the event.

Tour destination

PUGLIA - ITALY

Puglia is a well-known region in Italy. You can trace the footsteps of an endless procession of conquerors and cultures, from ancient towns with a tangible past to extravagant churches designed by Europe's finest architects. Take in the sea of olives and vineyards, as well as the olive-green Mediterranean sea. The food in the region is on par with that of Italy and will leave you wanting more.

Discover More
  • Weather

    Puglia is a dreamy destination all year round, with warm and mild weather. Summer can be oppressively hot in the midday sun for some. If you prefer slightly cooler temperatures, consider booking in the spring or autumn for a more comfortable ride.

  • Terrain

    Dusty, hilly, and rolling terrain. The roads in southern Italy are beautiful, with challenging climbs and fun descents. Summer heat really kicks up the dust. If you normally ride at the back of the peloton, don't forget to bring your glasses and a face mask!

  • Culture

    Warm and inviting. Italian hospitality is well-known around the world. Prepare to be blown away by the region's hearty food and rich flavours, incredible wines, and the all-important family feeling. Puglia will leave an indelible impression on you.

Accommodation during your tour

Hand Selected Hotels

3-4* Accommodations

Throughout the week you’ll be staying in beautiful three & four-star hotels. Each one has been specifically selected to make sure you are able to rest and relax after a full day of exploring. They also have all the facilities you will need as travelling cyclists.

Included Breakfasts

Start your day off with a good breakfast to kick off the day and fuel your riding. You’ll need the calories and every drop of coffee!

Once you reach the stop for the day choose your own spot for a delicious dinner to wind down from the day’s adventures.

Tour itinerary

Your guide to a perfect cycling tour

Alberobello to Ostuni
  • Distance
    40 km
  • Altitude Gain
    440 m

Today a beautiful route awaits you among gentle slopes, vineyards, and fields, dotted with Trulli that rise towards the blue sky. Once in Ostuni, we leave the Valle d’Itria and the Murge behind us, to enter the Salento plain, the southernmost area of Puglia.

You will cross the villages of Locorotondo and Cisternino, ending the day in Ostuni. All three of these villages are known for their whitewashed houses, which make them glow blindingly in the sun.

Locorotondo is one of the jewels of the Itria Valley, perched on a small hill, it can be seen from afar for its characteristic circular shape and for the houses with the typical pitched roofs covered in stone, called “cummerse”. Here you can taste a refined white wine, which holds one of the first DOC of Puglia, the Locorotondo DOC wine, characterized by freshness and liveliness, which stands out in the panorama of Puglia wines, a region dominated by red wines with a rustic character.

In Cisternino you will not find the monumental churches of Ostuni or the perfect Trulli of Alberobello and not even the elegant “cummerse” of Locorotondo. Yet it will seduce you for its simplicity of an authentic rural village, where you can get lost in the alleys and squares.

Ostuni is a wonderful village, which shines in pure white, perched on three hills, which dominate the valley. At the top of the town stands the Cathedral dedicated to Santa Maria dell’Assumption, a splendid example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture, which deserves a brief stop in front of the majestic facade, characterized by three portals, surmounted by three rose windows, of which the central one is a beautiful example of medieval symbolism.

Overnight stay: Ostuni

Getting there

Information to help you book your flights and get around.

Any questions about flights and transfers? The Epico team is here for you. Ping us via the chatbot in the corner of your page or send an email to [email protected]

Flying in

Fly in airport options: Bari

When best to arrive: in the morning the day the tour starts

Where the tour starts: we meet in the afternoon in Alberobello

Transfers: not included, please reach out to us to find out more information on how to book transfers

Flying out

Fly out airport options: Brindisi

When best to depart: in the evening of the day the tour ends after 17:00

Where the tour ends: in the afternoon in the town of Lecce

Transfers: not included, please reach out to us to find out more information on how to book transfers

Tour essentials

What’s included in your cycling trip.

  • Hotel Room
    Breakfast and Accommodation

    Standard accommodation is shared double room with one other person on the tour and with ensuite facilities. Breakfast and some dinners are included on the tour.

  • GPS Routes

    Access to routes of the tour through the RIDE WITH GPS mobile application.

  • Daily Luggage Transfers

    Support vehicles will transport your luggage on to the next hotel, so you only have to carry your essentials.

Cycling bottle

What’s not included in your cycling trip.

  • Transfers

    Transfers upon arrival and departure are not included. Please contact us for more information on how to add these to your tour.

  • Flight

    Flights are not included in the tour package. Please follow our advice about which flights will be best suited for this tour. Reach out to us if you have any questions about flights.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is essential and we always recommend you carry out your own insurance search for your specific needs.

Extra
Bike rental
Only €80 for the entire trip

It’s not always easy travelling with a bike but fear not, road bikes are available for rental for the duration of the tour. To make sure you get the maximum from your bike for your trip, we’ve partnered with some of the best brands in cycling to give you the latest choice of equipment.

With a variety of sizes available, we can ensure your bike fits you perfectly.  All rental bikes are mechanically checked and adjusted before each and every hire so you can have peace of mind that your bike will be running smoothly from start to finish!

You can select this option when you proceed to checkout. 

canyon-Endurace-CF7-Sram-Rival
Brands and models mat vary from the image

Fitted to you and ready to ride!

More things to maximise your cycling trip

  • EXTRA
    Single accommodation
    €196 per person for entire trip

    If you’d like a whole room to yourself, that’s no problem. For an extra €196 for the trip duration, you can enjoy the comfort of your own room. Just select this option when you proceed to book your tour.

Booking options

Choose when you want to travel

Don't see the travel dates you want or have a special request, such as adding a non-rider, please contact us.

  • This tour has flexible dates. We can make it start and finish the day you need. Contact us to request alternative tour dates!
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Booking options