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Following the roads and cycle routes of Puglia and Basilicata, this cycling holiday in Italy will take you to discover two UNESCO World Heritage gems: the fascinating Sassi of Matera and the picturesque town of Alberobello, famous for its narrow streets lined with trulli, the region’s iconic cone-shaped houses.
Cycle through the Itria Valley and its small towns, including Locorotondo and Martina Franca, renowned for its elegantly curved balconies. In Cisternino, stop to savour the famous “bombette”, an irresistible local speciality. This adventure continues to Ostuni, nicknamed the white city for its pristine white buildings. Visit its cathedral and enjoy authentic cuisine before riding on towards the treasures of Salento.
In this southern region, you will discover Gallipoli, set on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge and known for its golden sandy beaches and seaside charm. Further east, fall under the spell of Otranto, famous for its turquoise waters, medieval atmosphere and cathedral with a spectacular mosaic covering its floor. Stroll along its picturesque promenade before bringing your journey to a magnificent close in Lecce, the “Florence of the South”, with its breathtaking Baroque architecture and many cultural treasures.
For more ideas for holidays in Italy or along the Adriatic Sea, read our story about bellissima Italia: nature, culture and the art of living.
Arrive in Matera and settle into your hotel. Allow time to explore the city of the Sassi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its spectacular landscapes and a history stretching back more than 30000 years. If you arrive late in the evening, we recommend extending your stay in this wonderful and unique city.
Overnight in Matera.
Welcome meeting and bike handover. Today you cross the southern Murgia to reach one of Italy’s most distinctive towns, Alberobello. It is known for its characteristic cone-shaped houses, the trulli, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a remarkable example of construction without mortar, a technique inherited from prehistoric times and still used in the region. These homes, topped with pyramidal roofs, are built from limestone stones gathered from neighbouring fields. The town is built on 2 hills separated by a riverbed: the new town is on the eastern hill, while the old town lies to the west.
Overnight in Alberobello.
Today you cycle through the hills of the Itria Valley: nature lovers will not be disappointed! With olive groves stretching as far as the eye can see, the valley alternates between red earth and green vineyards, with white trulli beneath the blue sky… Before reaching your final destination, we suggest stopping first in Locorotondo for a typically Italian aperitif and in Martina Franca to visit its historic centre, magnificent square and striking palazzi; in Cisternino, you can take a lunch break, perhaps at one of its traditional butcher’s shops. Finally, you take the road towards Ostuni, the white city whose arches and whitewashed houses gleam like a pearly white tiara, spread across three hills.
Alternative: to reduce the distance on this first cycling stage, we can offer a route covering 35km in total, passing through Locorotondo and Cisternino and finishing in Ostuni (+340m).
Overnight in Ostuni.
Depart in the morning from Ostuni station for Lecce (journey time approximately 55 minutes, cost per person 6,10 €, tickets to be purchased locally, not included. Please note: bicycles travel free only on regional trains). On arrival in Lecce, you set off by bike towards Gallipoli (you can visit Lecce at the end of your tour). You will discover the Baroque churches of Galatina and Galatone. Once in Gallipoli, stroll through the old town and stop at one of the terraces to admire the sunset.
Overnight in Gallipoli.
Leaving Gallipoli, you follow the Ionian coast to Torre San Giovanni, where the crystal-clear sea is sure to tempt you! A short detour inland lets you discover the small villages of Ugento and Specchia, one of Italy’s most beautiful “borghi”. You then continue to Santa Maria di Leuca (approximately 35km), where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. You are now at the southernmost point of Salento.
Alternative: to reduce the distance on this first cycling stage, we can offer a route of 52km with +230m.
Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca.
Today you head north along the beautiful Adriatic coast. Passing through the marinas of Tricase Porto and Castro Marina, you eventually reach Otranto, one of Salento’s most remarkable towns. If you wish, you can enjoy a delicious seafood dinner, stroll through the historic centre and perhaps buy a few souvenirs in the small local shops.
Overnight in Otranto.
In the morning, you can explore the town. We recommend the 17th-century Aragonese castle, the medieval old town and the Romanesque cathedral, renowned for its large rose window and famous floor mosaic. The route continues north along the Alimini salt lakes to the seaside village of Torre dell’Orso, home to one of Salento’s most beautiful beaches. Don’t miss the chance to swim in the Grotta della Poesia. Shortly before reaching Lecce, you will pass through the charming little village of Acaya, where you can admire the castle and the lovely square.
Overnight in Lecce.
Your trip ends after breakfast in Lecce.
Before leaving, we recommend visiting the Baroque old town, with its 17th-century sculptures carved from soft stone.
We may occasionally need to change the itinerary shown, either for logistical reasons (accommodation capacity issues, changes in terrain conditions, landslides, damaged trails, etc.) or because of weather conditions. These changes are always made in your best interests, for your safety and greater comfort!
Depart on a date of your choice from 15/01/2026 to 30/11/2026.
Season 1: 15/01 – 27/03/2026; 07/04 – 31/05/2026; 21/09 - 30/11/2026.
Season 2: 01/06 – 13/07/2026; 25/08 – 20/09/2026.
Season 3: 28/03 – 06/04/2026; 14/07 – 31/07/2026.
Season 4: 01/08 – 24/08/2026.
| Season | Price per person | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard category | Deluxe category | |||||
| 2 to 3 people | 4 to 5 people | 6 to 8 people | 2 to 3 people | 4 to 5 people | 6 to 8 people | |
| Season 1 | 960 € | 950 € | 940 € | 1380 € | 1370 € | 1360 € |
| Season 2 | 1170 € | 1160 € | 1150 € | 1740 € | 1730 € | 1720 € |
| Season 3 | 1380 € | 1370 € | 1360 € | 2160 € | 2150 € | 2140 € |
| Season 4 | 1680 € | 1670 € | 1660 € | 2755 € | 2745 € | 2735 € |
Transfers from Bari railway station or port incur an additional charge on top of the total. Transfers are available to/from the city centre, railway station and bus station.
Additional charges are also payable locally for delays of more than 30 minutes and services before 9 am or after 7 pm.
Extra night, price per person per night including breakfast
An extra night can be booked at each stop. Please contact us for nights during season 4.
(An additional charge applies for each extra day of bike hire when a night is added along the route. Please contact us for rates based on the type of bike hired.)
| Dates | Standard category | Deluxe category | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double room | Single room | Double room | Single room | |
| Season 1 | 90 € | 120 € | 145 € | 190 € |
| Season 2 | 100 € | 130 € | 165 € | 215 € |
| Season 3 | 115 € | 150 € | 185 € | 250 € |
| Extra day of hybrid or gravel bike hire | 42 € | |||
| Extra day of electric bike hire | 48 € | |||
Francesca Bigolin
Italy travel expert
Tania Gherli
Italy travel expert
Suitable for intermediate to experienced cyclists. There are no technical difficulties, but previous experience of cycling for several consecutive days is recommended, and you need to be in good physical shape. For greater comfort, you can hire an electric bike. Without this option, the difficulty level of this trip is rated 3 out of 5. . The route mainly follows small secondary roads, offering spectacular scenery, particularly along the coast. As you approach larger towns and cities, especially in summer, the roads may be somewhat busier. Please note that there are no cycle paths in this region, but the charm and beauty of the routes more than make up for this.
You only need to carry a small bag with your belongings for the day. We recommend packing a change of clothes in your panniers, as rare and unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams, can sometimes delay the delivery of your luggage. Luggage may arrive as late as 18:00.
Bookings are available for 2 people or more.
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days of cycling.
We provide a digital travel information pack containing your accommodation list, any vouchers and all the information you need for your trip to run smoothly. You also have access to an app with maps, day-by-day information and GPS tracks.
This is a self-guided trip, so you travel independently throughout your stay.
You can choose between 2 comfort categories:
Category A - standard: mainly B&Bs and 3* hotels.
Category B - deluxe: mainly 4* and 5* hotels.
In Alberobello, you may stay in the famous “trulli” in either comfort category.
The “trulli” do not have air conditioning. Accommodation is in a room for two people with a bathroom; single rooms can be booked for a supplement.
Breakfast is included. For lunch, you can order a picnic from your accommodation or stop along the way at an inn or a traditional restaurant. For dinner, you will have a choice of places to eat in the towns where you stay overnight.
Please let us know about any food allergies or special dietary requirements when booking; we will do our best to adapt your breakfasts accordingly.
On Day 1, in the afternoon at your hotel in Matera.
On Day 8, after breakfast at your hotel in Lecce.
Pre-trip extension in Matera
We offer an extension in Matera before your cycling trip (1 or 2 nights). This extension includes:
Price on request.
Please contact us for groups of more than 2 people.
Bike hire
The bikes we offer come in various models: unisex/women’s or men’s.
Crossway aluminium frame. 21-30 gears (subject to availability). Men’s or women’s model.
Fork: SR Suntour NCX Lite D-RL 63
Brakes: Shimano M445160 mm Cen
Frame: unisex aluminium. Battery 418 KWhz.
Brakes: TektroAurigahydraulic180.
Wheels: Merida Big 7 comp D.
Display: STePS SC-E6010
Bike hire includes the following accessories:
Important: the stages of your trip are provided through an app to download onto your mobile phone or GPS device (the app can be used offline). We therefore recommend bringing a phone mount to attach to your bike’s handlebars.
We also recommend bringing your own reusable water bottle.
Matera is approximately 65km from Bari Airport.
Lecce is approximately 45km from Brindisi Airport.
Alberobello is approximately 70km from Bari Airport and approximately 75km from Brindisi Airport.
Bari Wojtyla Airport (BRI) to/from Matera
Brindisi Casale Airport (BDS) to/from Lecce
A direct bus connects Brindisi Airport to Lecce.
The bus stop in Lecce, known as the Lecce City Terminal, is at the northern entrance to the city, close to the historic centre. Depending on where your accommodation is in Lecce, you can continue on foot or by bus. Route 21 “Navetta Foro Boario” is a shuttle service connecting the large car park near the City Terminal to the castle, close to Piazza Sant’Oronzo.
The Brindisi Airport–Lecce service runs 9 times a day, taking approximately 40 minutes: see https://www.marozzivt.it/ .
A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, either during a day’s route or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out. However, we emphasise that you alone must decide whether it is appropriate to swim; any swimming is therefore your responsibility and undertaken at your own risk.
Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to encourage everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.
As a member of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the sector develop more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we make sure to:
We also share the values of the traveller’s ethical charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and foster meaningful encounters.
Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices in environmental protection, ethics and sustainable management, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.
This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification programme, recognises our concrete actions in support of responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy
For cycling
Please note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of resisting perspiration odours. As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you feel cold when wet.
Protection from sun and rain
After the day’s activities
You can also find this information in our comprehensive article, which will guide you on what to pack in your panniers for your next cycling trip.
Italy
Capital: Rome
Population: 60600000 inhabitants
Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals). For entry requirements during the Covid-19 pandemic, please consult the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.
Bring your European Health Insurance Card, which you should request from your health insurance provider at least 15 days before departure. Health conditions are similar to those in France.
Italian National Tourist Office
23 Rue de la Paix, 75002 Paris
Tel: 0142660396
Website
French Consulate in Rome
Piazza Farnese, 67
00186 Rome
Tel: + 3906686011
+39.
There is no time difference between France and Italy.
Puglia enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate, making it an excellent holiday destination for most of the year. Spring arrives early and is generally warm and sunny, with temperatures reaching 20°C by late April. Summer is long, hot and dry, lasting from late May to late September. Temperatures generally rise to around 30°C in July and August, with the occasional hotter week. The sea warms up to a pleasant 20°C, making for lovely, refreshing swims. Puglia’s magnificent beaches are full of life! Autumn, spanning October and November, generally remains mild, with temperatures only really falling below 20°C from early December. The winter months can bring some rain but are generally mild, with average temperatures between 12°C and 15°C.
Source: The Thinking Traveller
Italian and English, sometimes a little French.
Euro.
Estimated carbon footprint per traveler, in kg CO₂ equivalent.
4,4 · 24 reviews
Pierre 7/1/26
— Nice route with no cars. Unpleasant welcome and the roadbook not always reliable
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re delighted that you enjoyed this itinerary.
However, we’re sorry to hear that the service didn’t meet your expectations and that you found the roadbook to be unreliable in some places. Your comments are invaluable and will be shared with our teams to help improve our travelers’ experience as well as our roadbooks.
We hope to have the pleasure of accompanying you again on a future trip.
— Reply from Lorène (GrandAngle.Travel)
Rachel 12/27/25
— Wonderful family cycling trip with two teenage daughters. Sublime scenery, with flower-filled countryside (Easter vacations), lush greenery and wild, jagged coasts with no mass tourism. The villages are full of architectural gems. The roads winding through the fields are virtually car-free, and we were surprised that there was so little traffic even along the coast, with motorists very respectful of bicycles. Very nice and comfortable hotels in the superior category. Very good quality bikes. Extremely practical route planner. Beware, the wind can blow very hard and with our muscular bikes, we really struggled for two days with the head-on sirocco. No such problem with electric bikes. And don't hesitate to take the direct train from Milan to Bari for a truly green trip: it's easy and you can see the whole coast. Then a bus takes you to Matera. The journey is already part of the discovery! We absolutely recommend this trip, especially in spring!
—
— Reply from the team
Jean-Michel 12/27/25
— Very nice discovery, pleasant little roads and paths between Basilicata and Puglia, we didn't come across many cars. We didn't come across many cars, but rather a few farm implements, as this is a region of livestock and crops, so we weren't surprised. Normal traffic on the outskirts of towns to reach our accommodation. We return home with our heads full of memories and lots of photos. A 6-day, 410 km bike ride at the beginning of May in sunshine, with varied landscapes and lots of flowers. Ideal cycling weather.
Jean-Luc, Mireille, Etienne, Anne-Martine 7/4/26
— We were thrilled by this trip and can only recommend it! Be careful, though, about the time of year, to avoid as much as possible extreme heat and towns overrun with tourists.
—
— Reply from the team
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