14-day cycling holiday in Puglia | From Matera to Lecce through the Salento

Day 1: Arrival in Matera

You will arrive at Bari airport, where a transfer will take you to your hotel in Matera. You will meet our local partner for a briefing about the trip and to pick up your bikes and GPS navigators.

Day 2: From Matera to Putignano and Castellana (60/70 km)

After leaving the countryside of Matera, your first stop is in Gioia del Colle, a town famous for its “mozzarella Fior di latte” and burrata. After a short break, you will start cycling again and arrive in Putignano after about 23 km. Putignano has become famous over the years for its picturesque carnival. Here you will explore the beautiful historic centre. In the evening, you will spend the night in your hotel, where your luggage has been taken.

Day 3: Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and Castellana Grotto (61 km)

Today's bike ride takes you to a number of towns southeast of Bari. In Polignano a Mare, you can sample the typical octopus sandwich, in Monopoli you can swim in the clear blue sea, and in Castellana Grotte you can visit amazing caves. These caves are known for their breathtaking formations of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as their beautiful underground landscapes.

Day 4: From Putignano to Alberobello, Locorotondo and Martina Franca (35 km/41 km/45 km)

Today you continue to the region known as Valle D'Itria. First, we pass through Noci, probably the least known and least touristy town in the Valle d'Itria, but definitely worth a visit. Gentle hills take you to Alberobello with its typical “Trulli” houses and Locorotondo with its characteristic houses with pointed roofs, called “cummerse”. A visit to Martina Franca is also a must, an elegant old town with beautiful Baroque architecture.

Day 5: From Alberobello or Locorotondo to Manduria (70/60 km)

As you cross the border between Valle d'Itria and Salento, you will notice that the landscape around you changes throughout the day. You will cycle a short distance on the Aqueduct Cycleway, pass through the town of Ceglie Messapica, famous for its bread, visit the Basilica Minore of the Holy Rosary and the Palace of Argentina in Ceglie Messapica, and discover the town of witches, Oria.

Day 6: Around Manduria (45 km)

This ride takes you further along the long coastline lined with the dunes of Torre Colimena, where you can visit the Salina dei Monaci and possibly spot some birds. Cycling north along the coast, you will reach San Pietro in Bevagna, where you can swim in the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea on a crystal-clear sandy beach. From San Pietro in Bevagna, head to Manduria, where you can visit an ancient archaeological site from the Messapian era and the Primitivo Museum.

Day 7: From Manduria to Lecce (60 km)

On this day, you will cycle to the baroque city par excellence, Lecce. The route mainly runs through the Salice Salentino area, whose vineyards produce a DOCG wine that is very popular worldwide. You will pass through a few small villages where, all year round, the squares are filled with locals, hats pulled down against the sun, discussing politics and agriculture, and it seems as if time has stood still.

Day 8: From Lecce to Otranto (58 km)

Today's route is flat with many interesting cultural sights. First, you will visit Acaya, a fortified town with an enormous castle, after which you will descend to ‘le Cesine,’ a WWF-protected area with many species of migratory birds. From there, you will cycle towards the coast, past the ruins of Roca Vecchia, an ancient Bronze Age town, and the Alimini lakes. A few more kilometres and you will arrive in Otranto, where narrow streets can be found around every corner.

Day 9: Otranto area (29 km)

Time to explore the surroundings of Otranto. Riding along the small river ‘Idro’, which gave the town its name, you will arrive in Casamassela, where old looms are still used in the ‘Le Costantine’ foundation. After a guided tour, you will head towards Giurdignano, where you will cross a Bronze Age megalithic park with enormous stones. In the late morning, you will enjoy local specialities in a real family bakery. Optionally, you can go horse riding in the morning or afternoon.

Day 10: Otranto - Leuca coast (52 km)

Today you will cycle along the wildest stretch of coastline in Salento. You will visit the Palacia Lighthouse and a small red lake located in a disused bauxite quarry. Then you will continue along the coast. You can visit the Zinzilusa cave, which descends almost 200 metres into the earth. After crossing the bridge over the ‘ciolo’, you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca where you will visit the sanctuary.

Day 11: From Leuca to Gallipoli (61 km)

Today you will discover Cape Leuca, the southernmost point of Apulia. After seeing an amazing defence tower located in the centre of a small village, it is time to visit an enigmatic tomb made of large stones. Finally, you will visit Leuca piccola, an important place of pilgrimage that still has a large underground structure. Through olive groves and dry stone walls, you will reach Ugento, where you can visit the archaeological museum. In the afternoon, you will return to the Ionian coast to St. Andrew's Island and the Punta Pizzo nature park. In Gallipoli, you can enjoy an aperitif on a terrace overlooking the sea.

Day 12: Gallipoli area (60 km)

This day is dedicated to exploring the inland area of Gallipoli. The first stop is Galatone, where you will find typical examples of Baroque architecture. The next stop is in the town of Galatina, where we highly recommend a visit to the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria. On the way back, you will pass Mariangela and Antonio's cheese farm. You will drive through Alezio, where you can visit the Messapian Civilisation Museum and learn more about the people who lived here before the Greek and Roman conquests. It is also possible to take a cooking class or go on a sailing trip here.

Day 13: Return to Lecce (52 km)

Today is the last day of your trip. You will pass many 19th-century fortified farms and villas on the way back to Lecce. You will stop in Nardò to visit the decadent Baroque-style historic centre. Then you will stop in Copertino to discover the impressive Norman castle. A few kilometres before Lecce, you will make a final stop at a traditional artisan pottery workshop run by the Martina brothers, skilled guardians of this ancient art. You will arrive in Lecce in the late afternoon and return your bicycles.

Day 14: Return home

An airport transfer will pick you up at the hotel and you will return home after an active cycling holiday in Puglia.

Frequently asked questions about this cycling holiday in Puglia

When is the best time to go on this cycling holiday through Puglia and Salento?

The best time for a cycling holiday in Puglia and Salento is April, May, September and October. The temperatures are ideal for daily cycling stages of between 29 and 70 kilometres. In July and August, the heat in southern Italy can be intense, making longer rides more difficult.

How does the logistics of bikes and luggage work during these fourteen days?

During this 14-day cycling holiday in Puglia, your luggage will be transported to the next hotel every day. You will receive your bicycle and GPS navigation upon arrival and will only cycle with a light daypack. You will return the bicycle in Lecce. This allows you to combine freedom with comfort.

What level of cycling ability is required and what makes this trip different from regular Puglia tours?

A basic level of fitness is sufficient for this cycling holiday through Salento. The routes are mainly flat to slightly undulating and vary between 29 and 70 kilometres per day. The focus is on enjoying the landscape, the coast and the local gastronomy, not on speed or sporting performance.