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: $ 1144 £ 584 $ 1,043 € 690 Ft 290556 kr 102500 ₪ 2706 ¥ 111497 Mex$ 15169 NZ$ 1277 kr 8223 zł 3019 S$ 997 kr 8117 CHF 656 $ 744 Season 2: $ 1310 £ 669 $ 1,194 € 790 Ft 332665 kr 117355 ₪ 3099 ¥ 127656 Mex$ 17368 NZ$ 1462 kr 9415 zł 3457 S$ 1142 kr 9293 CHF 751 $ 852 Season 3: $ 1409 £ 720 $ 1,285 € 850 Ft 357931 kr 126268 ₪ 3334 ¥ 137351 Mex$ 18687 NZ$ 1574 kr 10130 zł 3719 S$ 1228 kr 9999 CHF 808 $ 917 Single supplement: $ 332 £ 169 $ 302 € 200 Ft 84219 kr 29710 ₪ 784 ¥ 32318 Mex$ 4397 NZ$ 370 kr 2383 zł 875 S$ 289 kr 2353 CHF 190 $ 216 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 937 £ 479 $ 854 € 565 Ft 237919 kr 83931 ₪ 2216 ¥ 91298 Mex$ 12421 NZ$ 1046 kr 6733 zł 2472 S$ 816 kr 6646 CHF 537 $ 610 Season 2: $ 1069 £ 546 $ 975 € 645 Ft 271606 kr 95815 ₪ 2530 ¥ 104225 Mex$ 14180 NZ$ 1194 kr 7687 zł 2822 S$ 932 kr 7587 CHF 613 $ 696 Season 3: $ 1152 £ 589 $ 1,051 € 695 Ft 292661 kr 103243 ₪ 2726 ¥ 112305 Mex$ 15279 NZ$ 1287 kr 8283 zł 3041 S$ 1004 kr 8176 CHF 661 $ 750 Single supplement: $ 249 £ 127 $ 227 € 150 Ft 63164 kr 22283 ₪ 588 ¥ 24238 Mex$ 3298 NZ$ 278 kr 1788 zł 656 S$ 217 kr 1764 CHF 143 $ 1628 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 6316 kr 2228 ₪ 59 ¥ 2424 Mex$ 330 NZ$ 28 kr 179 zł 66 S$ 22 kr 176 CHF 14 $ 16 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 186 £ 95 $ 169 € 112 Ft 47163 kr 16638 ₪ 439 ¥ 18098 Mex$ 2462 NZ$ 207 kr 1335 zł 490 S$ 162 kr 1317 CHF 106 $ 121 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 157 £ 80 $ 144 € 95 Ft 40004 kr 14112 ₪ 373 ¥ 15351 Mex$ 2089 NZ$ 176 kr 1132 zł 416 S$ 137 kr 1118 CHF 90 $ 103 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 166 £ 85 $ 151 € 100 Ft 42110 kr 14855 ₪ 392 ¥ 16159 Mex$ 2198 NZ$ 185 kr 1192 zł 438 S$ 145 kr 1176 CHF 95 $ 108 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 116 £ 59 $ 106 € 70 Ft 29477 kr 10399 ₪ 275 ¥ 11311 Mex$ 1539 NZ$ 130 kr 834 zł 306 S$ 101 kr 823 CHF 67 $ 76 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 124 £ 64 $ 113 € 75 Ft 31582 kr 11141 ₪ 294 ¥ 12119 Mex$ 1649 NZ$ 139 kr 894 zł 328 S$ 108 kr 882 CHF 71 $ 81 Single room: $ 174 £ 89 $ 159 € 105 Ft 44215 kr 15598 ₪ 412 ¥ 16967 Mex$ 2308 NZ$ 194 kr 1251 zł 459 S$ 152 kr 1235 CHF 100 $ 113 Lecce (per person/night): $ 99 £ 51 $ 91 € 60 Ft 25266 kr 8913 ₪ 235 ¥ 9695 Mex$ 1319 NZ$ 111 kr 715 zł 263 S$ 87 kr 706 CHF 57 $ 65 Single room: $ 149 £ 76 $ 136 € 90 Ft 37899 kr 13370 ₪ 353 ¥ 14543 Mex$ 1979 NZ$ 167 kr 1073 zł 394 S$ 130 kr 1059 CHF 86 $ 97 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 75 £ 38 $ 68 € 45 Ft 18949 kr 6685 ₪ 177 ¥ 7272 Mex$ 989 NZ$ 83 kr 536 zł 197 S$ 65 kr 529 CHF 43 $ 49 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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