Cycling in Puglia: A 8-Day Tour of the Highlights

Puglia, in the heel of the boot, is an ideal place for cycling. The terrain is fairly flat and rolling. It’s especially wonderful to visit here in the spring and fall. Pleasant temperatures, varied natural scenery, authentic Italian culture, delicious cuisine, and quaint villages.

What’s more, the region has become increasingly accessible in recent years. You can easily get here by both public transportation and plane, and it’s still a truly authentic slice of Italy.

Below, we describe the 8-day cycling tour that we took ourselves with a reputable local travel specialist. The route begins in Alberobello and ends in Lecce. You’ll get a wonderful glimpse of Puglia in just one week, but you can, of course, extend your trip.

You can plan this cycling trip entirely on your own. If, like us, you’d prefer to have it organized—with luggage transport, bikes, and hotels—read more below.

Day 1: Arrival in Alberobello, the town of the trulli

Located in the Valle d’Itria, Alberobello is one of the towns where the trulli are well preserved (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Trulli are limestone dwellings characteristic of the southern region of Puglia. They are built without cement and feature conical stone roofs. Every year, many tourists flock to Rione Monti, the neighborhood home to about a thousand trulli, which have been fully restored into hotel rooms, tourist shops, restaurants, or wine bars.

A Less Touristy Alberobello

In the Rione Aia Piccola neighborhood, on the southeastern slope of the city, you’ll find about 400 trulli, but these are used as homes or vacation rentals. You’ll encounter far fewer tourists in this neighborhood. Feel free to wander around the city—your camera will be working overtime here.

Day 2: Cycling from Alberobello to Ostuni (40 km)

The day begins with the “welcome briefing” and the handoff of the bicycles, which may or may not include a pannier, helmet, and smartphone mount.

The route to Ostuni passes through Martina Franca, Locorotondo, and Cisternino. It’s a rolling route, except for the approaches to the villages, which are all perched on top of hills; you’ll have to pedal a bit harder there.

• Martina Franca is a white village perched atop San Martino Hill, but its distinctive Baroque style gives it a Spanish feel. You can also ride a bike through the historic center.
• Locorotondo is one of the most beautiful white villages in Puglia. As the name suggests, the streets in the car-free town center run in a circle. The village is characterized by its rectangular white houses with pointed roofs and colorful scenes throughout the town center.
• Just like Locorotondo, Cisternino is also on the list of Italy’s most beautiful villages: “i borghi più belli d’Italia.” The village is known as the “Kasbah” of the Itria Valley, with its “fornelli”—small restaurants housed in former butcher shops. Stop by Piazza Vittorio Emanuele for a cup of coffee, ice cream, or a “bombette” (a pastry filled with meat and cheese).

• Ostuni is located on the southwestern edge of the Murge Plateau, about 8 km from the Adriatic Sea. The imposing brown cathedral with its colorful majolica dome can be seen from afar. The “città bianca” (white city) owes its name to the white lime that is applied to the houses every year and features a historic center with narrow streets, many small shops, and restaurants.

TIP: When in Ostuni, try the meatballs at Trattoria Fave e Fogghje. Reservations are highly recommended.

Day 3: Cycling from Ostuni to Manduria (62 km)

As you cycle toward Manduria, you’ll see the landscape gradually change from the Itria Valley to the Salento plain, where olive groves give way to vineyards and farms. Along the way, you’ll pass through towns such as:

• Carovigno, with its picturesque historic center
• Francavilla Fontana, home to a unique cemetery
• Oria, with its medieval atmosphere, impressive castle, and basilica
• Manduria is known for the delicious Primitivo wine produced here. Be sure to try it. You’ll also find Baroque architecture and remnants of the Messapians (an ancient people who lived from 1,200 to 1,000 B.C.), for example in the archaeological park.

TIP: If you’re staying at B&B Sine Tempore, be sure to order the aperitivo featuring the local Primitivo di Manduria. It’s a delightful way to unwind in the garden of this beautiful B&B.

Day 4: Cycling from Manduria to Gallipoli (70 km)

First, head downhill toward the coast, after which the flat route offers a variety of sights along the way.

• Stop by the Salina dei Monaco Reserve, a beautiful nature reserve separated from the sea by a strip of sand, where you can see flamingos.
• Along the coastline, you’ll find various defense towers—or what remains of them—from the time of Emperor Charles V, including the Torre Colimena, which is surrounded by large cacti.
• The charming fishing village of Porto Cesareo, with its narrow alleys and whitewashed houses, is the perfect place to enjoy a lunch of fresh fish by the water.
• About 20 km before reaching Gallipoli, you’ll pass through the Porto Selvaggio Regional Nature Reserve, a 1,100-hectare nature reserve with 7 kilometers of coastline, marked by two towers: Torre Uluzzo to the north and Torre dell’Alto to the south.
• The old town of Gallipoli juts out into the Ionian Sea like a sort of bump and is of Greek origin. The name comes from the Greek Kalepolis, which means “beautiful city.” It consists of narrow alleys, beautiful vistas, and the colorful fishing harbor. Via Corso Roma, you leave the peninsula and enter the new part of the city.

Day 5: Cycling from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca (55 km)

A flat route, mostly along a bike path that winds along the coast, passing through towns like Torre Panne and Torre Vado. Early in the season, not much is open yet, but you can see that everyone is busy preparing for the summer.

• In Torre San Giovanni, you’ll find a small harbor nestled between low volcanic cliffs and fine white sand, after which the road continues to Punta Ristola, the southernmost tip of the Salento Peninsula. On a clear day, you can see Corfu from here.
• The final stop on this route is Santa Maria di Leuca, home to the Basilica di Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae and the nearly 50-meter-tall lighthouse built in 1864, which is still in operation today.

Day 6: Cycling from Santa Maria di Leuca to Otranto (57 km)

The route is known for being challenging, but also for being the most beautiful hike. The challenge lies mainly in the many ascents and descents, which are more than compensated for by the stunning views along the coast.

• Not long after Leuca, you’ll cross the 40-meter-high bridge at Baia di Ciolo. From the bridge, you’ll have a beautiful view of the swimmers in the bay between the two large rock formations.
• There are more than enough places to stop for lunch along the way, such as in Tricase, which has plenty of coves and caves along the coast.
• Or in Castro, where you can visit the old town perched on top of the hill.
• Porto Badisco is a great place for snorkeling.
• Otranto is Italy’s easternmost city; it’s more touristy and bustling (especially the historic center), but it has a lot of charm. Right in the heart of the city, you’ll find two sandy beaches that are perfect for relaxing.

Day 7: Cycling from Otranto to Lecce (59 km)

A flat route, with the first section passing through the countryside near the Alimini Lakes. This area is home to an ecosystem with a considerable diversity of animal and plant species.

• Then head back toward the coast, with the option to go for a swim at the beach near Torre dell’Orso or further along the route at San Foca.
• In Madonna di Rocca Vecchia, you can stop to visit the Grotta della Poesia, where you can take a leap into the water from a height of about 3 to 4 meters. The Italians—especially the young people—take full advantage of this opportunity.
• On the final stretch along the coast, you’ll cycle through the WWF Riserva Naturale Le Cesine. The route then heads inland, taking you through the sleepy village of Acaya with its imposing 16th-century “Castello di Acaya.” Finally, you’ll arrive in Lecce. In Lecce, you’ll return the bikes to your accommodation.

Day 8: Departure from Lecce, the Baroque masterpiece of southern Italy

From Lecce, you can take public transportation back to the airport in Bari or Brindisi, or extend your stay a little longer.

Cycling in Puglia on a map

Plan Your Own Trip or Join an Organized Cycling Tour in Puglia

You can plan this trip entirely on your own, but you can also leave it to local experts. Our experience with this small local organization has been nothing short of excellent. They offer a variety of cycling vacations (as well as hiking vacations) in Puglia.

Tips for Extending Your Cycling Trip in Puglia

There are various ways and places to extend your cycling trip through Puglia—whether you’d like to take an extra hike or spend a day soaking up the culture in one of the Baroque cities.

Our tips:

Extra day in Otranto

From Otranto, you can take a walk of about 9 km. If you walk southeast from Otranto, you’ll soon reach the Laghetto Cave di Bauxite. The lake was formed during bauxite mining in a quarry and is now a popular destination because of its beautiful colors; the bright orange of the bauxite stands out against the blue sky and the surrounding greenery.

Following the route, you’ll reach the rugged and jagged coastline, where the water has free rein. Here, you’ll also enjoy a view of the Faro di Punta Palascìa, the lighthouse at Italy’s easternmost point. Be sure to bring your swim gear so you can take a dip at Baia delle Orte.

If the sea is too rough, stop by the Orte restaurant, where you can enjoy the spectacle of the sea from the terrace. Follow a section of the Cammino del Salento to return to Otranto.

Extra day in Lecce

The beautiful city of Lecce, known by several nicknames—such as “the Florence of the Baroque” or “the Rome of the South”—and brimming with sights, is perfect for exploring on foot. In addition to the art and Baroque architecture, you’ll find narrow streets lined with white buildings, charming shops and boutiques, and a wide variety of cafés and restaurants.

Be sure to check out the amphitheater in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, where numerous artists and musicians perform, the Basilica di Santa Croce, which dates back to 1114 but was completely rebuilt in 1659, and the 12th-century Castello Carlo V. All of these buildings are adorned with countless ornaments carved from “pietra dorata” (gilded stone). This is a type of stone that’s easy to work with, quarried in the immediate vicinity of the city. Despite the city’s popularity and crowds, a visit to Lecce is truly a must on any trip to Puglia.

Extra day in Bari

If you’re flying to Bari from the Netherlands, spending the night in this port city is more than worth it. In Bari Vecchia, you can enjoy wandering through the charming alleys, with a sight to see around every corner.

The Basilica of San Nicola, the Norman-Swabian Castle, the Cathedral of San Sabino, and the harbor are definitely worth a visit. In this historic part of town, you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants where you can sample local specialties. The new part of town is characterized by wide shopping streets that run perpendicular to one another, where you can find just about every well-known brand.

Extra day(s) in Matera

Although Matera is not located in Puglia but in the Basilicata region, it’s well worth a visit if you’re in southern Italy. This cluster of old white-stone houses, cave dwellings, authentic churches, and a maze of alleys and stairways is a popular destination. The Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1993 and lie beneath the current city center in a valley where you can wander endlessly. In Sasso Barisano, you’ll find, among other things, the Casa Grotta di Via Fiorentini, where you can see how people and animals used to live. To learn more about the history, you can visit Sasso Caveoso visit Casa Noha in Sasso Caveoso. Here, through film footage and historical documents, they provide a glimpse into life in the Sassi in the past.

From Matera, you can take a walk through Parco della Murgia Materano to visit the rock churches. On the other side of the valley, along the Gravina and Jesce rivers, you’ll have a truly breathtaking view of the Sassi of Matera.

With a little luck, you might also come across a shepherd here with his herd of Podilica cows, a breed native to this region. They are known for their great strength, require very little to survive, and produce milk with a rich, herbaceous flavor. Each cow wears a large cowbell so the shepherd can easily find them; the sound of these bells can be heard from far away.

Extra Day in Ostuni

From Ostuni, you can cycle to the coast. You’ll pass through vast olive groves before arriving at the Parco Naturale Dune Costiere, a sprawling nature park of dunes and wetlands along the beach. At Lido Morelli, you’ll find a lovely sandy beach where you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas. There’s also a bar here where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or a light lunch. To learn more about olive oil production, it’s well worth booking a tasting on your way back to Ostuni—for example, at the beautiful Masseria Il Frantoio.