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Amazing Puglia: Sassi, Trulli and Salento
Amazing Puglia: Sassi, Trulli and Salento is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided cycling tour from Matera to Lecce, a challenging point-to-point route across Basilicata and Puglia. It links two UNESCO sites – the Sassi of Matera and the trulli of Alberobello – with the white towns of the Itria Valley and Ostuni, then, after a short train ride to Lecce, the Salento coast from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca and Otranto. The tour ends among the Baroque churches of Lecce.
Book this tour from € 1,035 Ask a tour advisor
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Matera
Arrive at your own pace in Matera, on the border between Basilicata and Puglia, famous for the Sassi, its ancient cave districts listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the rock-hewn churches open to visitors, a traditional cave house and the caves reborn as hotels and restaurants; if you arrive late, an extra night here is well worth it. Overnight in Matera.
- Day 2
Matera – Alberobello
76 km · +553 mElevation profile
After the bike handover and fitting you cross the southern Murgia via Gioia del Colle and Noci, the longest stage of the tour. Your goal is Alberobello, the capital of the trulli: about 1,500 of these conical dry-stone houses fill the Monti and Aia Piccola districts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Overnight in Alberobello.
- Day 3
Alberobello – Ostuni
50 km · +570 m
Today you ride over the hills of the Itria Valley, a patchwork of red earth, olive groves, vineyards and white trulli. Stop in Locorotondo to taste its white wine, in Martina Franca for its intact historic centre and Baroque palazzi, and in Cisternino, where the butcher's shops grill the meat you choose, including the local bombette. The day ends in Ostuni, the White Town, whose whitewashed houses cover three hills around the cathedral. Overnight in Ostuni.
- Day 4
Ostuni – Lecce (train) – Gallipoli
61 km · +247 mElevation profile
A regional train takes you from Ostuni to Lecce in about 55 minutes (ticket not included; bikes travel free only on regional trains). From Lecce station you ride 62 km through the Baroque heartland of Salento, past the churches of Galatina and Galatone, to Gallipoli on the Ionian Sea; you will visit Lecce at the end of the tour. Overnight in Gallipoli.
- Day 5
Gallipoli – Santa Maria di Leuca
Main route via Specchia 72 km · +431 mShorter option via Torre San Giovanni 52 km · +155 mElevation profile Main route via SpecchiaElevation profile Shorter option via Torre San Giovanni
You leave Gallipoli along the Ionian coast towards Torre San Giovanni, where the clear water is hard to resist. The main route then turns inland to Ugento and Specchia, one of Italy's most beautiful villages, before reaching Santa Maria di Leuca at the southern tip of Salento, where the Ionian meets the Adriatic; a shorter option of 52 km (+230 m) is also available. Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca.
- Day 6
Santa Maria di Leuca – Otranto
57 km · +494 mElevation profile
Today you ride north along the Adriatic coast of Salento, through the small harbours of Tricase Porto and Castro Marina, on a hilly and scenic stage. In Otranto, one of the gems of Salento, enjoy a seafood dinner and an evening stroll through the historic centre. Overnight in Otranto.
- Day 7
Otranto – Lecce
64 km · +283 mElevation profile
In the morning, visit Otranto's cathedral, with its medieval mosaic floor and the relics of the 813 martyrs. Along the Alimini Lakes you reach Torre dell'Orso and the Grotta della Poesia, perfect for a swim, then Acaya and its castle, a pleasant stop for an espresso, before arriving in Lecce. Overnight in Lecce.
- Day 8
Lecce
Breakfast and end of services. Before you leave, take a last look at the Baroque Basilica di Santa Croce and stock up on pasticciotti, Lecce's classic shortcrust pastries. Arrivederci Puglia!
Tour details
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided bike tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Puglia and Basilicata
- Distance
- 380 km
- Level
- Challenging
- Departures
- Flexible dates: you choose your arrival day
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 7 nights in B&Bs or 3* hotels (Economy category) or in 4*/5* hotels (Deluxe category).
- Meals
- Breakfast every day. Lunches and dinners are not included.
- Bikes
- Touring bike, E-bike, Road bike, Gravel bike
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| EconomyB&B / 3* hotel | € 1,035 | € 1,210 | € 1,375 |
| Deluxe4*/5* hotel | € 1,400 | € 1,725 | € 2,125 |
Seasons
| Dates | Season |
|---|---|
| 7 Jan – 27 Mar | Low season |
| 28 Mar – 6 Apr | High seasonEaster |
| 7 Apr – 31 May | Low season |
| 1 Jun – 13 Jul | Mid season |
| 14 Jul – 24 Aug | High season |
| 25 Aug – 20 Sep | Mid season |
| 21 Sep – 21 Dec | Low season |
| 22 Dec – 6 Jan 2027 | High seasonChristmas and New Year |
| Dates | Season |
|---|---|
| 7 Jan – 21 Mar | Low season |
| 22 Mar – 4 Apr | Mid seasonEaster |
| 5 Apr – 18 Apr | Low season |
| 19 Apr – 2 May | Mid seasonspring public holidays |
| 3 May – 31 May | Low season |
| 1 Jun – 12 Jul | Mid season |
| 13 Jul – 24 Aug | High season |
| 25 Aug – 20 Sep | Mid season |
| 21 Sep – 21 Dec | Low season |
| 22 Dec – 6 Jan 2028 | High seasonChristmas and New Year |
Included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Touring or gravel bike rental
- Bike equipment: rear pannier and lock (helmet and water bottle on request*)
- Repair kit: spare inner tube, pump, tyre lever
- Luggage transfers from one accommodation to the next
- Access to our navigation app with preloaded GPS tracks, roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Telephone assistance
- *Reduce waste: we encourage you to bring your own helmet and refillable water bottle. If you need them, just let us know in advance.
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Minivan support
- Tourist taxes
- Train ticket Ostuni – Lecce
- Anything not listed under “What's included”
Supplements
| Single room | +30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings for 1 participant only, to cover per-person logistics costs) | € 360 |
| August supplement (1–24 Aug), Economy | € 255 per person |
| August supplement (1–24 Aug), Deluxe | € 505 per person |
| E-bike rental | € 160 per bike |
| Road bike rental | € 75 per bike |
Prices are per person in a double room and based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? You are welcome: the single traveller supplement applies.
Book this tour from € 1,035 Ask a tour advisor
Bikes available for this tour
Touring bike
E-bike
Road bike
Gravel bikeRoute map
What our guests say
★ Average rating 4.3/5 from 6 reviews
- ★★★★★
riding by the sea, through small towns and olive groves, nice bikes, lots of places to stop for coffee and food, great food and historical places
Staff was very helpful, food was great in puglia
J., Canada
Organisation ★★★★★Routes ★★★★☆Accommodation ★★★★☆Value for money ★★★★☆ - ★★★★★
The tour was well organized and bikes were new and good quality. We chose regular touring bikes and we managed fine. There were just a few hills that were challenging. The staff was very responsive and provided lots of information. The weather was superb which made the riding wonderful. Most accommodation was comfortable and breakfasts were plentiful. We recommend this trip.
Karin, Canada
- ★★★★☆
The Puglia area and towns are absolutely extraordinary. So many layers of interesting history, spectacular structures, fantastic food and beautiful landscapes.
NAOMI, USA
Read all 6 reviews
- ★★★★☆
Generally the accommodation was great and in fantastic locations.
MARTINE, NZL
- ★★★☆☆
All of the towns selected were a pleasure to explore; combination of in-land and seaside locations; quality hotels.
Very pleased to explore an area of Italy unknown to us. Arrangements from the office in terms of hotels and arranging two additional days very good. Bike allocation needs to be matched with planned routes. Thank you.
NEIL, Rep. of Ireland
Organisation ★★★★☆Routes ★★★☆☆Accommodation ★★★★★Value for money ★★★☆☆ - ★★★★★
Routes and food
B.M., Ireland
Questions about this tour
How long is the tour and how much does it cost?
8 days and 7 nights, from €1,035 per person in the Economy category (B&Bs and 3* hotels, low season, double room). The Deluxe category with 4*/5* hotels starts at €1,400.
Where does the tour start and end, and how do I get there?
It starts in Matera and ends in Lecce. Bari airport is the most convenient for Matera and Brindisi airport for your flight home from Lecce; airport transfers are not included but can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres will I ride?
Challenging: 380 km over 6 riding days of 52–78 km, with up to 650 m of climbing a day. Day 5 has a shorter 52 km option, and an e-bike makes the hilly stages much easier.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal, and the tour can be booked all year with low, mid and high season prices. From 1 to 24 August a supplement of €255 (Economy) or €505 (Deluxe) per person applies.
Which bikes are available? Can I ride an e-bike?
Yes. A touring or gravel bike is included, and you can switch to an e-bike for €160 or to a road bike for €75.
What is included in the price?
7 nights with breakfast, bike with pannier, lock and repair kit, luggage transfers between accommodations, our navigation app with GPS tracks and roadbook, luggage and medical insurance and telephone assistance. The train ticket from Ostuni to Lecce is not included.
Book this tour from € 1,035 Ask a tour advisor
