Puglia Road Bike Tour
Self-guided – 13 days
A Grand Tour across Puglia, designed to let you discover our region with its variety of colours, landscapes and flavours. Your journey starts from Giovinazzo, then it gets to Matera, the magical city of Sassi. From there on, you ride southwards, from the area of the ravines to that of the vineyards, from the famous crystal-clear beaches and baroque churches of the Salento to its more hidden little villages and dry-stone walls. Next up is the white town, Ostuni, between wide fields and thousand-year-old olive trees, followed by the Itria Valley with its “trulli” and “masserie”, until you get back to your starting point, Bari, from where you will travel back home with a piece of Puglia in your heart. Are you ready for your ride?
Itinerary
DAY 1: GIOVINAZZO
Arrival in Giovinazzo and check-in.
Welcome briefing and bike fit with a member of Puglia Cycle Tours crew.
DAY 2: GIOVINAZZO - CASTEL DEL MONTE
≅ 75 km
Start your ride visiting the old town centre of Giovinazzo, before heading north towards the lively seaside towns of Molfetta and Bisceglie. Enjoy a walk in the fancy town of Trani, admiring the Basilica, suspended over the sea. From here cycle inland, towards Castel del Monte: you will see it from far away, standing out in the sunset, a silent presence since centuries.
⇑ + 800mt ⇓ – 380mt
DAY 3: CASTEL DEL MONTE - MATERA
≅ 100 km
Cycle in the incredible varied landscapes of the Murgia Plateau, the hilly area between the Apulia and the Basilicata region. You will pass by Gravina admiring the ravines surrounding the town, and by Altamura, famous for its PDO bread. You will finish in the UNESCO site of Matera. Discover its unique history and explore the “Sassi” district, enjoying a breath-taking view of the cave dwellings at sunset.
⇑ + 950mt ⇓ – 1080mt
DAY 4: MATERA – CRISPIANO
≅ 90 km
You leave the “Sassi” town, heading to the Ravines land and the town of Laterza, famous for the tasty bread and beautiful pottery. Along the route, you will even cross one of the ravines over a stone bridge! Finally your daily accommodation in Crispiano, a small town surrounded by vineyards and farms.
⇑ + 1030mt ⇓ – 1220mt
DAY 5: CRISPIANO - MANDURIA
≅ 75 km
Pedal in the area of the “100 masserie”: these are typical fortified farmhouses, built even centuries ago, but many of them are still in full activity! You can have your first stop in Grottaglie, the town of the handmade ceramics production, and then continue, surrounded by vineyards to reach Manduria, the town of the Primitivo PDO wine.
Wine tasting highly recommended!
⇑ + 500mt ⇓ – 620mt
DAY 6: MANDURIA - GALLIPOLI
≅ 80 km
It is time to cycle towards the Ionian Sea: take advantage of the famous sandy shores of Punta Prosciutto, Torre Lapillo or Porto Cesareo along the route.
After crystal-clear waters and the scents of Mediterranean scrub, you will reach Gallipoli. Its name means “beautiful town” in ancient Greek, and it is the perfect place to explore a lovely historic centre, and enjoy a good glass of wine or a savoury seafood by the sea.
⇑ + 340mt ⇓ – 410mt
DAY 7: GALLIPOLI - OTRANTO
≅ 105 km
Head towards Santa Maria di Leuca, better known as “Finis Terrae”. Take a breath, and gaze at the far end of Italy! Now ride along the Adriatic coast, and make sure to have a stop at Zinzulusa cave or Porto Badisco before finally reaching Otranto. Discover the secrets of the mosaics in the Medieval Cathedral, and admire the sunset on the easternmost city of Italy.
⇑ + 1050mt ⇓ – 1030mt
DAY 8: OTRANTO
0 km
We thought you may need a day to relax during the tour.
Please enjoy Otranto and its beauties in this day you can dedicate to yourself.
DAY 9: OTRANTO – LECCE
≅ 85 km
Today’s bike ride winds through the “Grecìa Salentina“, between ancient menhirs and “pagliare”, typical country buildings used by farmers. Then you will go towards the coast, dotted with numerous 16th century watchtowers and natural caves, among which the wonderful “Grotta della Poesia” stands out. You will finally arrive in Lecce: relax in the narrow streets of the old town centre sipping a refreshing “leccese” coffee, among baroque churches and palaces, and the sparkling of stone.
⇑ + 460mt ⇓ – 430mt
DAY 10: LECCE – OSTUNI
≅ 85 km
Not only history and breath-taking landscapes: stop for a glass of wine in Guagnano or Salice Salentino, to discover the most famous wine production areas of our region. After a gentle ride in a countryside full of century-old olive trees, you finally arrive in Ostuni. Its white walls will shine from afar, and once there, it will be a pleasure to get lost in the labyrinth of the old town, among narrow stairs and hidden courtyards.
⇑ + 460mt ⇓ – 320mt
DAY 11: OSTUNI – ALBEROBELLO
≅ 100 km
Welcome in the Itria Valley! This is the land of dry-stone walls, olive, almond and cherry trees, oak woods, rolling hills and “trulli”, the conic roof–shaped houses symbols of Puglia. You have the chance to pass by the most representative towns of this area: Cisternino and its grilled specialties, the noble Martina Franca, Locorotondo with its panoramic walk over the valley. Your daily destination is Alberobello, UNESCO site, and world capital of Trulli.
⇑ + 1200mt ⇓ – 960mt
DAY 12: ALBEROBELLO – BARI
≅ 90 km
The final stage of your Puglia Road Bike Tour: you head straight to the coast passing first by Putignano, famous for its ancient Carnival, then Castellana and its Caves. You will meet the Adriatic Sea once again in Monopoli, a very lively town thanks to its fishing harbour and old centre. Continuing by the coastline, you cannot miss a stroll in Polignano a Mare and the view from the balconies overlooking the cliff. Only a short effort left, in order to reach your destination: Bari, the city where your tour began.
Here we hope to say “arrivederci”, until you come back to visit our beautiful Puglia!
⇑ + 630mt ⇓ – 1030mt
DAY 13: BARI
Check out and end of services
