Matera to Lecce
Italy Bike Tours
Bike among the trulli, wine, & olive trees from the Sassi of Matera to Salento
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1524 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This is a bike tour in Puglia, Italy that includes the bucket list destinations of Matera, Alberobello, and Lecce!
They say once you visit ancient Matera, you will agree, it is one of the most unique and spectacular places in all of Europe. The town is literally carved out of the rock. The cave dwellings and houses tumble down the hillsides, connected by stone steps and narrow paths.
The small town of Alberobello is known for its trulli, the characteristic white-washed conical-roofed houses of the area. Because this town is very popular with tourists, with this itinerary, you will stay in Locorotondo, but still visit Alberobello, which provides for a more authentic experience.
As you continue further south, towards Salento, the land flattens out and becomes increasingly more arid. You will ride through vineyards bordered by the dry stone walls characteristic of the area.
All along the way, you will stop off several times to taste the best cheese, wines, and bakery products of this area. Enjoy your 'slow travel' immersion in this sun-kissed land!
Highlights
- Sassi district of Matera, the ancient heart of the city
- Trulli of Alberobello
- Salento coast
- World-famous food and wine
- Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’, with its baroque architecture
- The landscape of the "Heel of Italy"; gnarly olive trees, fertile soil, dry stone walls, and of course, the sea!\
- Unique accommodations
Check out all our tours in Italy including bike and boat, hiking, and villa rentals.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Day 2: Matera - Putignano / Castellana 37 or 44 mi. (60 or 70km)
Day 3: Around Putignano: Conversano, Castellana and Polignano a mare 40 mi. (64km) - Self guided: option short ride 28 mi. (45 km), option longer ride, including Monopoli 51 mi. (82km)
Day 4: Putignano to Alberobello / Locorotondo 22 or 28 mi. (35 or 45 km)
Day 5: Around Alberobello / Locorotondo 28 or 20 mi. (45 or 32 km)
Day 6: Alberobello / Locorotondo to Manduria 44 or 37 mi. (70 or 60 km)
Day 7: Manduria / Avetrana - Lecce, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 8: Departure from Lecce*All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Day 1: Arrival in Matera
We’ll meet in Matera for the trip briefing and to supply your bikes.
Accommodations:
Residence del casalnuovo
Hotel Sassi
B&B Corte San Leonardo
B&B Torretta ai sassi
Hotel San DomenicoDay 2: Matera - Putignano / Castellana 37 or 44 mi. (60 or 70km)
Pedaling towards Gioia del Colle you find yourself in the“Murge” between Basilicata and Puglia, in what once was the granary of the Roman Empire and later, Italy. It is characterized by rolling hills and ancient oak forests. Gioia del Colle is known for its mozzarella and burrata. You will continue cycling to Putignano with many histoic sights.
Accommodations:
B&B PetranticheDay 3: Around Putignano: Conversano, Castellana and Polignano a mare 40 mi. (64km) - Self guided: option short ride 28 mi. (45 km), option longer ride, including Monopoli 51 mi. (82km)
Today you can enjoy exploring the towns of south-east Bari. You can taste a typical Octopus sandwich and have a swim in the sea in Polignano a Mare; in Conversano you will enjoy the cherry trees with their spring blooms, early summer fruit, and fig trees in fall . Finally Castellana Grotte, where it is possible to visit some astonishing caves, a complex of underground cavities of karst origin.
Accommodations:
B&B PetranticheDay 4: Putignano to Alberobello / Locorotondo 22 or 28 mi. (35 or 45 km)
You will travel through the area known as Valle D'Itria. A coffee stop may be enjoyed in the lesser known and less touristy town of Noci. Gentle hills bring you to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 thanks to its 1.500 "Trulli" houses with conical roofs.
Accommodations - Alberobello
Hotel Cuor di Puglia
B&B C'era una volta
Hotel colle del sole
Hotel Lanzillotta
B&B Palazzo agrustiAccommodations - Locorotondo
B&B da concavo e convesso
Masseria AprileDay 5: Around Alberobello / Locorotondo 28 or 20 mi. (45 or 32 km)
A day spent discovering the Valle d’Itria. Leaving Locorotondo the first stop is Martina Franca, which has retained its own particular charm. The old town is surrounded by stone walls with baroque gateways leading to the main square. You can visit the Ducal Palace or taste the famous capocollo of Martina Franca, a Slow Food Presidium.
Leaving behind Martina Franca you will find yourself back in the gently undulating countryside, heading towards the ‘Pomona’ botanical conservatory, a real biodiversity sanctuary where they have hundreds of fruit trees from all over the Mediterranean (including an amazing collection of more than 400 varieties of figs). You will come back to Locorotondo, crossing vineyards dotted with trulli.
Accommodations - Alberobello
Hotel Cuor di Puglia
B&B C'era una volta
Hotel colle del sole
Hotel Lanzillotta
B&B Palazzo agrustiAccommodations - Locorotondo
B&B da concavo e convesso
Masseria AprileDay 6: Alberobello / Locorotondo to Manduria 44 or 37 mi. (70 or 60 km)
The longest section of the trip will take you up to Avetrana, crossing the border between the Valle d’Itria and Salento: you will notice the change in the landscape around you during the day. Passing by Martina Franca, you’ll travel along a short section of the ‘Aqueduct Cycleway’, a path along the aqueduct of Puglia. Then you’ll go on to Ceglie Messapica, a city known for its bread, that you can try in one of the oldest bakeries in the city, located in the old town. In Francavilla Fontana you can visit the Basilica Minore of the Holy Rosary and Argentina Palace. You will continue through Oria, ‘city of witches,' and Erchie, to your overnight accommodations.
Accommodations - Manduria
B&B Sinetempore
B&B DF
*If the B & B is fully booked in Manduria, you will cycle on to Avetrana. In this case, daily mileage will be approx. 10 km more.Accommodations - Avetrana
Masseria BoscoDay 7: Manduria / Avetrana - Lecce, 38 mi. (60 km)
On this, the final day, you’ll head towards the ‘Florence of the South’: the city of Lecce. Along the way, you pass through the fascinating ghost town of Monteruga, founded in the 1920s and completely abandoned in the 1980s. This is the area of ‘Salice Salentino’, whose vineyards produce a DOCG wine very popular around the world. You’ll go through a few small villages where, all year round, you’ll find the squares filled with elderly residents, hats pulled down against the sun, discussing politics and agriculture. Here it seems that time has stood still. Later in the afternoon, you’ll reach your destination, the city of Lecce.
Accommodations:
B&B Orangerie D'Epoque
Uproom &SuiteDay 8: Departure from Lecce
Take a look at our new and featured tours, collections, and special offers.Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated in 3 and 4-star accommodations with the possibility (with supplement) to upgrade. You will find the hotels generally used on this tour in the daily itinerary. Please remember that final hotel lists are always based on availability. Sometimes, hotel confirmations can take a few weeks to finalize as well as, at times, changes necessitated even after hotel confirmations, so please be patient.
Bicycles
Men’s & women’s city & touring bikes
Please note that we will do our very best to accommodate specific bike requests but we cannot always guarantee your preference.
Bianchi Spillo Onice
- Light aluminum men or women's frame
- 21 speed Shimano Deore gearing
- 28-inch wheels
- Front suspension
- Royal Freeway saddle
Specialized Crosstrail
- Light aluminum frame
- 24 speed Shimano FD-M191 & SL-M310 gearing
- Specialized Trigger Sport 700 x 38c tires
- Front suspension
- V-brake, linear-pull
- Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle
Specialized Sirrus
- Light aluminum frame
- 24 speed Shimano Altus gearing
- Nimbus 2 - 700 32 c tires
- V-brake, linear-pull
- Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle
Velo De Ville (L 100)
- Aluminum frame
- 24 speed Shimano Acera gearing
- Schwalbe Tyrago tires
- Shimano disc brakes
- Medicus trekking saddle
All bikes are equipped with rear racks, pannier bags, spare inner tubes, repair kit, and first aid kit.
Electric bikes
Please note that we will do our very best to accommodate specific bike requests but we cannot always guarantee your preference.
EY559 Rebel Jet
- Sport hybrid alloy frame
- Shimano XT 10 speed
- Schwalbe Big Apple 28" tires
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Frame-mounted 500 Wh battery
- Yamaha PW-SE engine
EY419 Rebel City Wave
- City Wave Alloy Frame
- Shimano Acera 8 speed
- Kenda K192 700 x 42c tires
- Rear mounted 400 Wh battery
- Yamaha PW-SE engine
EY319 Rebel Street
- Street wave alloy frame
- Shimano Acera 8 speed
- Shimano MT200 brakes
- Rear mounted 400 Wh battery
- Yamaha PW-TE
Inclusions
What’s Included
Self-guided
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- 7 breakfasts
- 4 tastings with wine, cheese, & local products
- 5 dinners
- Luggage transfer
- Ride with GPS application for navigation
- 21-speed hybrid bike rental with front suspension, rear racks, pannier, helmet rental repair kit, small first aid kit
- Roadbook with cultural information & tips about the route
- 24-hour emergency hotline
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- 7 breakfasts
- 3 tastings with wine, cheese, & local products
- 7 dinners or lunches
- Luggage transfer
- 21-speed hybrid bike rental with front suspension, rear racks, pannier, repair kit, & small first aid kit
- Bike assistance & mechanic
- 6 days’ route support
- Cycling guide
- Hotel taxes & service charges
- 24-hour emergency hotline
Guided bike tour will depart only if at least 6 people join the group. If not tour will be conducted as a “semi guided tour”, clients will have a guide for 3 days and they will ride self guided(with Ride with GPS application) for 3 days
Guided
What’s Not Included
- Arrival/departure airport transfers
- Meals not mentioned as included
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
Self-guided
Departures every Sunday from April 2 to July 2 (last departure) & from September 3 to December 17, 2023
Departures on any other day of the week are possible with supplement. See pricing.
Guided
Departures Sundays, April 16, May 14, June 4, October 15 & November 5, 2023
Minimum number of participants for fully guided tour: 6 people
If less than 6 participants, the tour will convert to a semi-guided tour, clients will have a guide for three days, and then ride self-guided for 3 days. Please see pricing.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
2023
Self-Guided
Twin/Double Accommodations: $ 2570 £ 1352 $ 2,231 € 1524 kr 225862 ₪ 6303 ¥ 245703 Mex$ 30480 NZ$ 2779 NOK 17797 kr 18411 $ 1,655 Single Accomodations Supplement: $ 455 £ 240 $ 395 € 270 kr 40015 ₪ 1117 ¥ 43530 Mex$ 5400 NZ$ 492 NOK 3153 kr 3262 $ 293 Solo Traveler Supplement (no charge if starting on Sunday): $ 169 £ 89 $ 146 € 100 kr 14820 ₪ 414 ¥ 16122 Mex$ 2000 NZ$ 182 NOK 1168 kr 1208 $ 109 High Season Supplement (June 18 - September 17): $ 304 £ 160 $ 264 € 180 kr 26677 ₪ 744 ¥ 29020 Mex$ 3600 NZ$ 328 NOK 2102 kr 2174 $ 196
Guided
Twin/Double Accommodations: $ 2843 £ 1496 $ 2,468 € 1686 kr 249871 ₪ 6973 ¥ 271821 Mex$ 33720 NZ$ 3074 NOK 19689 kr 20368 $ 1,831 Single Accomodations Supplement: $ 390 £ 205 $ 338 € 231 kr 34235 ₪ 955 ¥ 37242 Mex$ 4620 NZ$ 421 NOK 2698 kr 2791 $ 251
*Minimum number of participants for fully guided tour: 6 people
If less than 6 participants, the tour will convert to a partially guided tour.Extra Options
Self-guided tour starts on any other day except Sunday: $ 211 £ 111 $ 183 € 125 kr 18525 ₪ 517 ¥ 20153 Mex$ 2500 NZ$ 228 NOK 1460 kr 1510 $ 136
Electric bike
Self-guided: $ 185 £ 98 $ 161 € 110 kr 16302 ₪ 455 ¥ 17734 Mex$ 2200 NZ$ 201 NOK 1285 kr 1329 $ 119 Guided: $ 204 £ 107 $ 177 € 121 kr 17933 ₪ 500 ¥ 19508 Mex$ 2420 NZ$ 221 NOK 1413 kr 1462 $ 131Extra nights in Matera or Lecce
Twin/double: $ 140 £ 74 $ 122 € 83 kr 12301 ₪ 343 ¥ 13381 Mex$ 1660 NZ$ 151 NOK 969 kr 1003 $ 90 Single room: $ 185 £ 98 $ 161 € 110 kr 16302 ₪ 455 ¥ 17734 Mex$ 2200 NZ$ 201 NOK 1285 kr 1329 $ 119Airport transfers, one way:
Bari Airport to Matera Hotel $ 135 £ 71 $ 117 € 80 kr 11856 ₪ 331 ¥ 12898 Mex$ 1600 NZ$ 146 NOK 934 kr 966 $ 87 (1 person) € 50 (2-3 people) $ 67 £ 35 $ 59 € 40 kr 5928 ₪ 165 ¥ 6449 Mex$ 800 NZ$ 73 NOK 467 kr 483 $ 43 (4 or more people) Lecce to Bari Airport € 180 (1 person) € 90 (2 people) € 75 (3-4 people) € 60 (5 or more people) Transfers are payable on arrival.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This tour is rated easy to moderate with the average daily distance of 34 mi. (55 km). Please see the day to day itinerary for daily mileage and note that you do have some longer days. You will cycle on a varied terrain ranging from coastal flatlands to some hills inland. Traffic is almost nonexistent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. Entering and exiting towns will entail more traffic. The route includes very beautiful stretches on the coast.
Airport Info
Fly to Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) located 70 km from Matera and 166 km from Lecce.
Local Travel
Bari Wojtyla (BRI)
Train:
Every 30/40 minutes the local train connects the airport to the central train station in Bari. Travel time is approximately 20 minutes. Once you arrive at the Central Trail Station in Bari, you will actually go to a separate small station to access onward train travel to Matera. Just ask any ticket counter attendant for assistance. There are 14 daily departures and 6 are express trains. Continuing on to Matera by train, travel time is approximately 2 hours.
Shuttle bus + train:
From the airport to the Central train station, you can take the Tempesta express bus and then continue on by train to Matera. Bus travel time is 30 minutes. At the end of your tour in Lecce, you can return by train to Matera city center and then onward by either bus or train to Matera airport.As always, as an alternative to public transportation, taxis are available at the airport for tavel into the city centers.
Climate
The region of Puglia experiences a Mediterranean climate. Spring comes early here is with temps around 68 ° F (20 ° C) by the end of April. Summer arrives in May and lasts through to the end of September. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures reaching 86° F. October and November are lovely and temperatures in the 70s remain. Winter in Puglia is mild and therefore, still conducive for cycling. On average, the warmest month is July, the coolest month is January, and November is the wettest month. We advise checking local conditions before your arrival.
Day of Rest
On this tour, there are two days in which you may do a “loop” ride or simply sleep in and then stroll about the town!
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Salento Bici.
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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