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: $ 1199 £ 589 $ 1,089 € 690 Ft 280407 kr 103388 ₪ 2749 ¥ 113106 Mex$ 15503 NZ$ 1326 kr 8290 zł 2924 S$ 1011 kr 7742 CHF 677 $ 760 Season 2: $ 1373 £ 675 $ 1,247 € 790 Ft 321046 kr 118372 ₪ 3148 ¥ 129498 Mex$ 17750 NZ$ 1519 kr 9492 zł 3347 S$ 1158 kr 8864 CHF 775 $ 870 Season 3: $ 1477 £ 726 $ 1,342 € 850 Ft 345429 kr 127362 ₪ 3387 ¥ 139334 Mex$ 19098 NZ$ 1634 kr 10213 zł 3602 S$ 1246 kr 9538 CHF 834 $ 936 Single supplement: $ 348 £ 171 $ 316 € 200 Ft 81277 kr 29968 ₪ 797 ¥ 32784 Mex$ 4494 NZ$ 384 kr 2403 zł 847 S$ 293 kr 2244 CHF 196 $ 220 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 982 £ 483 $ 892 € 565 Ft 229609 kr 84658 ₪ 2251 ¥ 92616 Mex$ 12694 NZ$ 1086 kr 6788 zł 2394 S$ 828 kr 6340 CHF 554 $ 622 Season 2: $ 1121 £ 551 $ 1,018 € 645 Ft 262120 kr 96645 ₪ 2570 ¥ 105730 Mex$ 14492 NZ$ 1240 kr 7750 zł 2733 S$ 945 kr 7237 CHF 633 $ 710 Season 3: $ 1208 £ 594 $ 1,097 € 695 Ft 282439 kr 104137 ₪ 2769 ¥ 113926 Mex$ 15615 NZ$ 1336 kr 8350 zł 2945 S$ 1018 kr 7798 CHF 682 $ 765 Single supplement: $ 261 £ 128 $ 237 € 150 Ft 60958 kr 22476 ₪ 598 ¥ 24588 Mex$ 3370 NZ$ 288 kr 1802 zł 636 S$ 220 kr 1683 CHF 147 $ 1658 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: $ 26 £ 13 $ 24 € 15 Ft 6096 kr 2248 ₪ 60 ¥ 2459 Mex$ 337 NZ$ 29 kr 180 zł 64 S$ 22 kr 168 CHF 15 $ 17 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 195 £ 96 $ 177 € 112 Ft 45515 kr 16782 ₪ 446 ¥ 18359 Mex$ 2516 NZ$ 215 kr 1346 zł 475 S$ 164 kr 1257 CHF 110 $ 123 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 165 £ 81 $ 150 € 95 Ft 38607 kr 14235 ₪ 378 ¥ 15573 Mex$ 2134 NZ$ 183 kr 1141 zł 403 S$ 139 kr 1066 CHF 93 $ 105 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 174 £ 85 $ 158 € 100 Ft 40639 kr 14984 ₪ 398 ¥ 16392 Mex$ 2247 NZ$ 192 kr 1201 zł 424 S$ 147 kr 1122 CHF 98 $ 110 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 122 £ 60 $ 111 € 70 Ft 28447 kr 10489 ₪ 279 ¥ 11475 Mex$ 1573 NZ$ 135 kr 841 zł 297 S$ 103 kr 785 CHF 69 $ 77 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 130 £ 64 $ 118 € 75 Ft 30479 kr 11238 ₪ 299 ¥ 12294 Mex$ 1685 NZ$ 144 kr 901 zł 318 S$ 110 kr 842 CHF 74 $ 83 Single room: $ 182 £ 90 $ 166 € 105 Ft 42671 kr 15733 ₪ 418 ¥ 17212 Mex$ 2359 NZ$ 202 kr 1262 zł 445 S$ 154 kr 1178 CHF 103 $ 116 Lecce (per person/night): $ 104 £ 51 $ 95 € 60 Ft 24383 kr 8990 ₪ 239 ¥ 9835 Mex$ 1348 NZ$ 115 kr 721 zł 254 S$ 88 kr 673 CHF 59 $ 66 Single room: $ 156 £ 77 $ 142 € 90 Ft 36575 kr 13485 ₪ 359 ¥ 14753 Mex$ 2022 NZ$ 173 kr 1081 zł 381 S$ 132 kr 1010 CHF 88 $ 99 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 78 £ 38 $ 71 € 45 Ft 18287 kr 6743 ₪ 179 ¥ 7376 Mex$ 1011 NZ$ 86 kr 541 zł 191 S$ 66 kr 505 CHF 44 $ 50 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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Reviews
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Dara W.
July 26, 2019Verified Reviewer
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April 26, 2018Verified Reviewer
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October 30, 2017Verified Reviewer
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October 23, 2017Verified Reviewer
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November 9, 2016Verified Reviewer
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April 23, 2016Verified Reviewer
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October 7, 2014Verified Reviewer
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June 15, 2011Verified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
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