Heel of Italy
Italy Bike Tours
Bike Italy in breathtaking Apulia!
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length6–8 days
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Prices from€565 Rates
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Overview
This bike tour in Apulia is the best way to see this land full of history and tradition with natural and architectural wonders, friendly hospitality, a magical atmosphere complete with a warm sun, blue sky, clear blue seas and a dreamlike coast. The region is also characterized by endless olive groves, long fields of grain, and vineyards.
You start cycling in Matera, UNESCO world heritage site with its "sassi" and European capital of culture 2019, and arrive in Lecce, also known as "Florence of the South" because of its magnificent baroque architecture. This region still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.
Check out all our bike tours in Italy.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Day 2: Matera – Alberobello, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 3: Alberobello – Ostuni, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 4: Ostuni – transfer to Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km) (+ 44mi./70km train transfer)
Day 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto, 35 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Otranto – Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Departure from Lecce.DAY 1: Arrival in Matera.
Arrival in Matera. Visiting Matera is a unique experience. For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-colored soft stone. Most of the houses are excavated on two ravines and are called "Sassi", which is a World Heritage Site. The rock-hewn churches are very ancient, often Byzantine.DAY 2: Matera – Alberobello, 44 mi. (70 km)
We cycle to the famous trulli of Alberobello and Locorotondo. Trulli were generally constructed as dwellings or storehouses. Alberobello is situated upon two hills, once separated by a riverbed. On the eastern hill is the new town, with modern architectural features. On the western hill, the trulli are lined up in an urban conglomeration, subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both National Monuments from 1930, and today World Heritage Sites.DAY 3: Alberobello – Ostuni, 35 mi. (55 km)
We cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is a reputed architectural gem, and is commonly referred to as the “White City” due to its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Today’s stretch is through hilly terrain.DAY 4: Ostuni – transfer to Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km) (+ 44mi./70km train transfer)
A train transfer (not included) will bring you to Lecce. The ride is about 1 hour, costing approximately €10 per person. After a few kilometers through this amazing baroque town, you go deep into "Salentinian countryside" before approaching the Ionian coast and your destination, Gallipoli.DAY 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Cycling Apulia further along the Ionian coast, you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. The name Santa Maria di Leuca was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it "leukos", meaning white. The small town is a famous seaside resort and fishing area located on a part of the coast alternated by cliffs and small sandy coves.DAY 6: Santa Maria di Leuca – Otranto, 35 mi. (50 km)
Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.DAY 7: Otranto – Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today you will cover the coastal region of the Adriatic, riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush. At the end of the day, you'll enter into Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has deserved the nickname of Florence of the South. You'll come to appreciate the rich sculpted motives done in the 17th-century with the tender stone from Lecce. The old town enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls bears the impression of that exuberant period. In Lecce, the presence of several religious orders gave rise to a procession of churches of which the façades are magnificent, like open-air altars, real windows into the society of that period.DAY 8: Departure from Lecce.
Your Puglia bike tour will end following breakfast. Lecce is well connected by train with the airports in Bari and Brindisi.Shorter 6 day version possible, round tour from Lecce.
Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
Day 2: Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Otranto - Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 6: Departure from LecceLooking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
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Accommodation
Great 3 star to 4 star hotels, B&B’s, and in a typical trullo or residence in Alberobello, mostly within city centers. Very comfortable rooms with private facilities, and mostly in city centers. In the trullo accommodations there is no air conditioning.
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 5 or 7 nights
- Breakfast buffets
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing in English
- Route descriptions & maps (one set per booked room)
- 27-speed hybrid bicycle
- 7 day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Local hotel taxes, approximately €10 - €15 per person (for the entire tour)
- Remaining meals
- Train transfer Ostuni - Lecce, ± €10/person
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
2019
8 Day Tour
Saturdays, August 24 to October 19, 2019
Fridays, September 6 to September 27, 2019
Season 1: March 23 and October 19, 2019
Season 2: September 29 to October 18, 2019
Season 3: August 24 to September 28, 2019
*Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 5
6 Day Tour
Monday, October 21, 2019
Season 1: October 21, 2019
Season 2: October 1 to October 20, 2019
Season 3: August 26 to September 30, 2019
*Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 52020
Note: this specific itinerary is not being offered in 2020. We are excited to offer this alternative: Puglia - Heel of Italy Check it out!
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2019 Prices
8 day tour
Season 1: $ 1167 £ 584 $ 1,049 € 690 Ft 292485 kr 101451 ₪ 2649 ¥ 114091 Mex$ 14973 NZ$ 1295 kr 8249 zł 3007 S$ 994 kr 8064 CHF 660 $ 726 Season 2: $ 1337 £ 669 $ 1,201 € 790 Ft 334874 kr 116155 ₪ 3033 ¥ 130626 Mex$ 17143 NZ$ 1483 kr 9444 zł 3443 S$ 1139 kr 9232 CHF 755 $ 831 Season 3: $ 1438 £ 720 $ 1,292 € 850 Ft 360307 kr 124976 ₪ 3263 ¥ 140547 Mex$ 18445 NZ$ 1595 kr 10162 zł 3704 S$ 1225 kr 9934 CHF 813 $ 894 Single supplement: $ 338 £ 169 $ 304 € 200 Ft 84778 kr 29406 ₪ 768 ¥ 33070 Mex$ 4340 NZ$ 375 kr 2391 zł 872 S$ 288 kr 2337 CHF 191 $ 210 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 956 £ 478 $ 859 € 565 Ft 239498 kr 83073 ₪ 2169 ¥ 93422 Mex$ 12261 NZ$ 1060 kr 6755 zł 2462 S$ 814 kr 6603 CHF 540 $ 594 Season 2: $ 1091 £ 546 $ 980 € 645 Ft 273410 kr 94835 ₪ 2476 ¥ 106650 Mex$ 13997 NZ$ 1210 kr 7711 zł 2811 S$ 930 kr 7538 CHF 617 $ 678 Season 3: $ 1176 £ 588 $ 1,056 € 695 Ft 294604 kr 102187 ₪ 2668 ¥ 114918 Mex$ 15082 NZ$ 1304 kr 8309 zł 3029 S$ 1002 kr 8122 CHF 664 $ 731 Single supplement: $ 254 £ 127 $ 228 € 150 Ft 63584 kr 22055 ₪ 576 ¥ 24802 Mex$ 3255 NZ$ 282 kr 1793 zł 654 S$ 216 kr 1753 CHF 143 $ 1588 Day Tour
Season 1: March 23 and October 19, 2019
Season 2: March 24 to April 28 and September 29 to October 18, 2019
Season 3: April 29 and June 15 and August 24 to September 28, 2019
6 Day Tour
Season 1: March 25 and October 21, 2019
Season 2: March 26 to April 29 and October 1 to October 20, 2019
Season 3: April 30 and June 17 and August 26 to September 30, 2019Extra Options
2019:
Bike helmet: $ 25 £ 13 $ 23 € 15 Ft 6358 kr 2205 ₪ 58 ¥ 2480 Mex$ 326 NZ$ 28 kr 179 zł 65 S$ 22 kr 175 CHF 14 $ 16 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 189 £ 95 $ 170 € 112 Ft 47476 kr 16467 ₪ 430 ¥ 18519 Mex$ 2430 NZ$ 210 kr 1339 zł 488 S$ 161 kr 1309 CHF 107 $ 118 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 161 £ 80 $ 144 € 95 Ft 40270 kr 13968 ₪ 365 ¥ 15708 Mex$ 2062 NZ$ 178 kr 1136 zł 414 S$ 137 kr 1110 CHF 91 $ 100 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 169 £ 85 $ 152 € 100 Ft 42389 kr 14703 ₪ 384 ¥ 16535 Mex$ 2170 NZ$ 188 kr 1195 zł 436 S$ 144 kr 1169 CHF 96 $ 105 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 118 £ 59 $ 106 € 70 Ft 29672 kr 10292 ₪ 269 ¥ 11574 Mex$ 1519 NZ$ 131 kr 837 zł 305 S$ 101 kr 818 CHF 67 $ 74 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 127 £ 64 $ 114 € 75 Ft 31792 kr 11027 ₪ 288 ¥ 12401 Mex$ 1628 NZ$ 141 kr 897 zł 327 S$ 108 kr 876 CHF 72 $ 79 Single room: $ 178 £ 89 $ 160 € 105 Ft 44509 kr 15438 ₪ 403 ¥ 17362 Mex$ 2279 NZ$ 197 kr 1255 zł 458 S$ 151 kr 1227 CHF 100 $ 110 Lecce (per person/night): $ 102 £ 51 $ 91 € 60 Ft 25433 kr 8822 ₪ 230 ¥ 9921 Mex$ 1302 NZ$ 113 kr 717 zł 261 S$ 86 kr 701 CHF 57 $ 63 Single room: $ 152 £ 76 $ 137 € 90 Ft 38150 kr 13233 ₪ 346 ¥ 14881 Mex$ 1953 NZ$ 169 kr 1076 zł 392 S$ 130 kr 1052 CHF 86 $ 95 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 76 £ 38 $ 68 € 45 Ft 19075 kr 6616 ₪ 173 ¥ 7441 Mex$ 977 NZ$ 84 kr 538 zł 196 S$ 65 kr 526 CHF 43 $ 47 Brindisi to Matera, Lecce to Bari, Lecce to Brindisi: on request -
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This Puglia bike tour in Italy is considered easy to moderate. Cycling is mostly on flat terrain in the lowlands, but sometimes the path is hilly. The itinerary is almost always on asphalt roads and bike paths. Traffic is almost non-existent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches along the coast, and a train transfer from Ostuni to Lecce. Total vertical distance is 450 m.
Airport Info
Fly to Bari, and train to Matera takes about 1½ hr. Train travel in Italy is very economical.
Local Travel
A short taxi ride from the Matera train station to your hotel.
Climate
The average high/low temperatures in °F for the area are: March, 58º/44º; April, 63º/48º; May,71º/58º; June, 78º/62º; July, 83º/67º; August, 82º/66º; September, 77º/61º ; and October, 70º/55º
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Matera and Lecce available by request.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Girolibero.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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Photos
![Enchanting Matera, a UNESCO Site, in region Basilicata, Italy. Flickr:Francesca Cappa]()
![Harbor in Santa Maria di Leuca, Puglia, Italy. Wikimedia Commons]()
![The famous <i>trulli</i> in Alberobello, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Guldem Ustun]()
![<i>Pane e Pomodori</i> in Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Caspar Diederik]()
![Inglesia in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:andresumida]()
![From bike to beach in Otranto, Italy. Flickr:Andrea D'Alba]()
![Shopping in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Gianfranco Vitolo]()
![Trulli shops in Alberobello, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Michele Vangelista]()
![Baroque architecture in Lecce, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:pululante]()
![Locals in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:David Talens]()
![Blue waters of Otranto, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Giuseppe Milo]()
![Gea cycling along the coast in Puglia, Italy.]()
![<i>Doppio Zero</i> in Lecce, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:karsalfrink]()
![Locorotondo exemplifies Puglia's characteristic white architecture. Flickr:Biggs]()
![More shopping in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Gianfranco Vitolo]()
![Gelato in Apulia or Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Pug Girl]()
![Hilltop white village of Ostuni, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Michele Vangelista]()
![<i>Saltata di Cozze</i> in Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Caspar Diederik]()
![Trulli shops in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy. Flickr:Laurent]()
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