8 days discovering Puglia by bike, from the trulli to the Adriatic Sea

After your transfer from the airport, stroll at your leisure through Matera, famous for its cave dwellings, the famous Sassi di Matera, literally “stones of Matera.”

You drive through the countryside towards Gioia del Colle, the birthplace of mozarella, and the town of Noci. At the end of the day, you reach another remarkable place, the town of Alberobello and its trulli, the typical cone-shaped dwellings so emblematic of the region.

You ride through the fertile valley of Istria, surrounded by wooded hills, vineyards and huge olive groves. On the way, you cross white villages which will remind you of Greece. You will also get the chance to taste the typical white wines of the region, including the one of Locorotondo. You get to Ostuni, the white city, where you can admire the cathedral and many palaces.

You will reach Lecce by train in an hour and then cycle through the baroque city of Lecce, the capital of the province of Salento. Discover the cathedral, the Duomo di Lecce, and the episcopal palace which form one of the most beautiful baroque complexes in Italy. Then admire the Basilica of Santa Croce, which will impress you with its abundance of sculpted decorations both inside and outside. We recommend returning to the lively piazza S. Oronzo for an evening ice cream.

You drive on peaceful country roads in the middle of olive trees. You will pass through the town of Galatina, a city of art classified for the richness of its baroque architecture. Discover its historic center surrounded by walls and don't miss the Basilica of Santa Maria d'Alessandra, which presents magnificent frescoes from the end of the 14th century. Continue through the countryside to Galatone, discover the church of Santuario Crocifisso della Pièta and the remains of its feudal castle. You continue to the coast of the Ionian Sea where you stop in Gallipoli. An ancient fishing port surrounded by a fortress, the city combines tradition and modernity, between its remarkably preserved historical center and its lively party places until the early hours of the morning.

You continue your bike ride to Santa Maria di Leuca at the tip of the heel of Italy. You ride along the coast and can make a halt on some of the most beautiful beaches in southern Italy: Lido Marini, Pesculuse Torre Vado. The city of Santa Maria di Leuca, dominated by its lighthouse, is a popular retreat for Apulians and is very enjoyable for its relaxed lifestyle.

You continue along the coast and enjoy the magnificent views of the sea from cliffs. On clear days, you can even see the coastline of Albania. Today, you can bathe in the fresh water of natural streams : Castro Marina, Santa Cesarae term or Porto Badisco. Your day ends in Otranto, a pretty town built around its ancient trading port.

This stage is more demanding than the other stages of the trip: we advise you to leave early that day to be able to take regular breaks.

Start your day visiting Otranto. Explore the Aragonese castle before you stroll in the cathedral, which stands out for its magnificent rose window and the beautiful mosaic adorning its soil. You ride to Lecce sometimes along the coast, sometimes on back country roads lined with stone walls and olive trees. You go through villages built around their medieval castle before reaching Lecce.

You can extend your stay or leave Lecce after breakfast.