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: $ 1234 £ 614 $ 1,133 € 690 Ft 268814 kr 104880 ₪ 2652 ¥ 127318 Mex$ 14894 NZ$ 1419 kr 8283 zł 2977 S$ 1062 kr 7704 CHF 659 $ 820 Season 2: $ 1413 £ 703 $ 1,297 € 790 Ft 307773 kr 120080 ₪ 3036 ¥ 145770 Mex$ 17053 NZ$ 1624 kr 9483 zł 3408 S$ 1216 kr 8820 CHF 754 $ 938 Season 3: $ 1520 £ 757 $ 1,396 € 850 Ft 331148 kr 129200 ₪ 3266 ¥ 156841 Mex$ 18348 NZ$ 1748 kr 10203 zł 3667 S$ 1308 kr 9490 CHF 812 $ 1,010 Single supplement: $ 358 £ 178 $ 328 € 200 Ft 77917 kr 30400 ₪ 769 ¥ 36904 Mex$ 4317 NZ$ 411 kr 2401 zł 863 S$ 308 kr 2233 CHF 191 $ 238 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 1010 £ 503 $ 928 € 565 Ft 220116 kr 85880 ₪ 2171 ¥ 104253 Mex$ 12196 NZ$ 1162 kr 6782 zł 2438 S$ 869 kr 6308 CHF 539 $ 671 Season 2: $ 1153 £ 574 $ 1,059 € 645 Ft 251283 kr 98040 ₪ 2479 ¥ 119015 Mex$ 13923 NZ$ 1326 kr 7742 zł 2783 S$ 992 kr 7201 CHF 616 $ 766 Season 3: $ 1243 £ 619 $ 1,141 € 695 Ft 270762 kr 105640 ₪ 2671 ¥ 128241 Mex$ 15002 NZ$ 1429 kr 8343 zł 2999 S$ 1069 kr 7760 CHF 664 $ 825 Single supplement: $ 268 £ 134 $ 246 € 150 Ft 58438 kr 22800 ₪ 576 ¥ 27678 Mex$ 3238 NZ$ 308 kr 1801 zł 647 S$ 231 kr 1675 CHF 143 $ 1788 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: $ 27 £ 13 $ 25 € 15 Ft 5844 kr 2280 ₪ 58 ¥ 2768 Mex$ 324 NZ$ 31 kr 180 zł 65 S$ 23 kr 167 CHF 14 $ 18 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 200 £ 100 $ 184 € 112 Ft 43634 kr 17024 ₪ 430 ¥ 20666 Mex$ 2418 NZ$ 230 kr 1344 zł 483 S$ 172 kr 1250 CHF 107 $ 133 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 170 £ 85 $ 156 € 95 Ft 37011 kr 14440 ₪ 365 ¥ 17529 Mex$ 2051 NZ$ 195 kr 1140 zł 410 S$ 146 kr 1061 CHF 91 $ 113 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 179 £ 89 $ 164 € 100 Ft 38959 kr 15200 ₪ 384 ¥ 18452 Mex$ 2159 NZ$ 206 kr 1200 zł 431 S$ 154 kr 1116 CHF 95 $ 119 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 125 £ 62 $ 115 € 70 Ft 27271 kr 10640 ₪ 269 ¥ 12916 Mex$ 1511 NZ$ 144 kr 840 zł 302 S$ 108 kr 782 CHF 67 $ 83 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 134 £ 67 $ 123 € 75 Ft 29219 kr 11400 ₪ 288 ¥ 13839 Mex$ 1619 NZ$ 154 kr 900 zł 324 S$ 115 kr 837 CHF 72 $ 89 Single room: $ 188 £ 93 $ 172 € 105 Ft 40906 kr 15960 ₪ 403 ¥ 19375 Mex$ 2267 NZ$ 216 kr 1260 zł 453 S$ 162 kr 1172 CHF 100 $ 125 Lecce (per person/night): $ 107 £ 53 $ 99 € 60 Ft 23375 kr 9120 ₪ 231 ¥ 11071 Mex$ 1295 NZ$ 123 kr 720 zł 259 S$ 92 kr 670 CHF 57 $ 71 Single room: $ 161 £ 80 $ 148 € 90 Ft 35063 kr 13680 ₪ 346 ¥ 16607 Mex$ 1943 NZ$ 185 kr 1080 zł 388 S$ 138 kr 1005 CHF 86 $ 107 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 80 £ 40 $ 74 € 45 Ft 17531 kr 6840 ₪ 173 ¥ 8303 Mex$ 971 NZ$ 93 kr 540 zł 194 S$ 69 kr 502 CHF 43 $ 53 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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June 27, 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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6 years ago
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