Puglia Bike Tour
Tour Essentials
Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks and après velo cocktails; 4 gourmet dinners; local wine, beer or spirits with every meal.
Why we've chosen this tour
We have chosen this tour for the way it connects Puglia’s landscapes with its food culture. The route links Otranto, the Salento coast, Locorotondo, Alberobello and centuries-old olive groves through farm visits, family cooking and thoughtfully paced rides.
Is this tour for you?
This Level 2 itinerary suits recreational and intermediate cyclists who are comfortable riding on consecutive days. Main routes range from 18–30 miles (29–49 km), with longer options up to 40 miles (65 km). Electric-assist bike options and route support provide additional flexibility.
Not sure? Call us on 03 9824 0898 — we'll tell you honestly whether this tour is the right fit.
Tour Details
This six-day cycling tour moves through southern Puglia from Otranto and the Salento coast to the whitewashed towns and trulli of the Valle d’Itria.
Rides are paired with fresh seafood, mozzarella at a working farm, a home-cooked lunch in Alberobello, olive-oil tasting and a hands-on cooking class at a traditional masseria.
The Level 2 routes range across coast roads, farmland, olive groves and gently rolling inland terrain, with shorter or longer options on most riding days.
Inclusions
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 4 gourmet dinners at our favourite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary cycling gear including a custom cycling jersey, t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS with pre-programmed route maps
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
Bike Options
- Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 road — Included in trip price
- Cannondale Quick 3 hybrid — Included in trip price
- BMC Roadmachine AMP TWO road e-bike — $400 supplement, subject to availability
- Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 4.0 ST hybrid e-bike — Included in trip price
- Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 4.0 hybrid e-bike — Included in trip price
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Welcome to Puglia
Our guides meet you in Lecce for a transfer to the start of our Puglia tour near the enchanting seaport of Otranto. After a bike fitting and safety talk, we’ll set off on our bikes through a sea of olive trees. You’ll soon realize why Puglia is the biggest olive-producing region in Italy as you cycle through this stunning landscape. Stop in Otranto to explore the town before completing the loop back to the hotel. Tonight, head to a small winery to experience the legendary hospitality of Southern Italy during our first Pugliese dinner.
- Meals: Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Otranto, Minervino, Uggiano la Chiesa
- Ride: 19 miles / 30 km, elevation gain: 731 feet / 223 metres
- Shorter Option: 12 miles / 19 km, elevation gain: 377 feet / 115 metres
- Overnight: Palazzo Ducale Venturi or Le Capase
Day 2 – Seacoast, Sanctuaries, and Seafood
Today we’ll ride one of the most stunning coastal roads in Europe with breathtaking views of cliffs, bays, and the endless sea. Pass through fishing villages like Porto Badisco and Santa Cesarea Terme. Our destination is Leuca, a lighthouse and sanctuary that has drawn pilgrims for centuries. Here the land ends as we reach the heel of the Italian boot. This afternoon, take a swim, challenge yourself with some extra miles and stop for a seafood lunch at our friend’s restaurant overlooking a small fishing port. This evening, explore historic Otranto; your guides are happy to recommend their favourite local restaurants for dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
- Destinations: Porto Badisco, Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro, Tricase Porto, Santa María di Leuca
- Ride: 30 miles / 49 km, elevation gain: 1,637 feet / 499 metres
- Longer Option: 40 miles / 65 km, elevation gain: 2,453 feet / 748 metres
- Overnight: Palazzo Ducale Venturi or Le Capase
Day 3 – Locorotondo and the Valle d’Itria
This morning we’ll transfer north to the stunning Itria Valley. Our first destination is a small farm that produces mozzarella: before we begin biking, we’ll taste some life-changing cheese and other farm-fresh products. Today’s ride takes us to the picturesque village of Locorotondo, known for its maze of white-washed streets and considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Stop for lunch at our friend Roberto’s local trattoria, then ride through the lush farmland of the Valle d’Itria to our hotel. The design of the property is anchored by its restored trulli, the conical stone structures unique to Puglia. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool before we regroup for dinner.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Pascarosa, Locorotondo, Trito
- Ride: 20 miles / 32 km, elevation gain: 1,168 feet / 356 metres
- Longer Option: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 1,853 feet / 565 metres
- Overnight: Ottolire Resort or Borgo Canonica
Day 4 – Alberobello, Mimmo, and Masserie
Ride across the Itria Valley through pastures and vineyards until you arrive at the enchanting heart of Cisternino, recognized as one of the most picturesque villages in Italy. Our route will pass more and more trulli houses on our way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello. Here, our friend Mimmo will show us around his town before inviting us to a home-cooked lunch in his family’s trullo. After lunch, transfer or cycle with spectacular views of the coast to our final hotel, a five-star luxury resort here on the coastal plain. Tonight, we dine alongside locals at an unforgettable traditional restaurant.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Cisternino, Locorotondo, Alberobello, Savelletri
- Ride: 18 miles / 29 km, elevation gain: 1,220 feet / 372 metres
- Longer Option: 38 miles / 62 km, elevation gain: 1,653 feet / 504 metres
- Overnight: Masseria San Domenico or Borgo Egnazia or La Peschiera
Day 5 – Cooking and the Coast
Cycle along the coast through the quaint fishing village of Savelletri, past the Roman ruins of Egnazia, and down tiny roads that wind through endless, centuries-old olive groves. We’ll visit the beautiful masseria of our friends Chiara and Filippo where we’ll taste their olive oil and prepare our own lunch at a cooking class. After lunch opt to go directly back to the hotel, or bike up the ridge for a stunning view of this colorful canvas: the bright blue Adriatic set against the rich brown and vibrant olive green hues. This evening we’ll celebrate this amazing region with a farewell dinner at our hotel.
- Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
- Destinations: Savelletri, Torre Canne, ruins of Egnazia, Pezze di Greco
- Ride: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 1,138 feet / 347 metres
- Shorter Option: 13 miles / 21 km, elevation gain: 535 feet / 163 metres
- Overnight: Masseria San Domenico or Borgo Egnazia or La Peschiera
Day 6 – Goodbye to Puglia
After breakfast on the terrace, enjoy a stroll on the grounds of the masseria or take a morning dip in the pool, relax at the spa, or visit the beach. We will then transfer you to the Bari Airport as you head on to your next destination.
- Meals: Breakfast
Tour Highlights
- Cycle along Italy’s most stunning coastal road to the lighthouse of Leuca at the tip of the Italian peninsula
- In the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, visit our friend Mimmo for lunch at his family’s trullo—the conical stone dwelling unique to Puglia
- Taste fresh mozzarella at a family-run farm
- Take a cooking class at our friends’ masseria and learn to make orecchiette pasta
- Stay at a boutique hotel in the heart of Valle d’Itria that conveys a sense of place through its design and construction
Food & wine
Eat: Artisanal olive oils, fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, mozzarella cheese, grilled lamb and vegetables, and hand-crafted breads
Drink: Light, refreshing whites like Fiano and powerful regional red wines including Salice Salentino and Primitivo
Accommodation
The five nights are divided between southern Salento, the Valle d’Itria and the Adriatic coastal plain, with properties that reflect Puglia’s palazzi, trulli and masseria traditions.
Palazzo Ducale Venturi or Le Capase — 2 nights
Accommodation is scheduled at Palazzo Ducale Venturi or Le Capase for 2 nights while the itinerary explores Otranto, Minervino, Uggiano la Chiesa, Porto Badisco.
Ottolire Resort or Borgo Canonica — 1 night
Accommodation is scheduled at Ottolire Resort or Borgo Canonica for 1 night while the itinerary explores Pascarosa, Locorotondo, Trito.
Masseria San Domenico or Borgo Egnazia or La Peschiera — 2 nights
Accommodation is scheduled at Masseria San Domenico or Borgo Egnazia or La Peschiera for 2 nights while the itinerary explores Cisternino, Locorotondo, Alberobello, Savelletri.
Luggage transfers between the properties are included.
Tour Notes
Physical Requirements
This is a Riding Level 2 tour. Published main cycling stages range from 18–30 miles (29–49 km), with elevation gains of 731–1,637 feet (223–499 metres).
Pricing
- All prices shown are USD per person, based on double occupancy
- Currency conversion to AUD is correct at time of publishing (24 June, 2026) and is intended as a guide only
- 2026 single supplement is from $1,300 USD
- 2027 single supplement is from $1,500 USD
- Final prices are subject to verification at the time of booking
Exclusions
- Airfare
- Dinner on one free night
- Gratuities for tour guides
- Travel Protection
General Notes
- Pick-up: Lecce (Porta Napoli) at 11:00 am
- Drop-off: Bari Airport at 9:30 am
- Any scheduled departure can be made private
- Routes, hotels and other itinerary details may change. Arrival and departure details for alternate itineraries and future-year departures may also change
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