Italy Guided Biking / Puglia

Tour Dates: March, April, May, June, September, October and November

This is a beautiful guided cycling trip through the region of Puglia, Italy, which lies in the heel of the boot, along the sun-drenched Adriatic Sea.

This trip begins in Poligano and ends in Monopoli.

Surrounded by the sun-drenched beaches of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, the Puglia peninsula offers cyclists an unmatched opportunity to experience the relaxed and unrushed Italy from 30 years ago. Panoramic vistas, archeological treasures, World Heritage sites, and some of Italy’s most savory cuisine and regional wines await!

Puglia’s proximity to Africa and the Grecian peninsula helped make it one of Italy’s richest archaeological regions, boasting over 2000 years of habitation. Our cycling route includes Matera, reknown for its prehistoric Sassi cave dwellings, and Ostuni, the “White City.” The landscape near Alberobello is dotted with hundreds of ancient conical shaped dwellings called trulli houses. Polignano, with its famous historical center, sits atop picturesque limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic. We end in Lecce, a beautiful ancient city known as the Florence of the South in honor of its Baroque architecture.

Price: Call us

Price Includes:
  • 7 days/6 nights, 6 nights hotel, 6 breakfasts, 3 dinners
  • knowledgeable bilingual guide
  • vehicle support
  • luggage transfers
  • trip information package that includes maps, route descriptions, and suggested sights to visit
  • emergency phone numbers for our Italian staff support (shorter & longer itineraries available)
Price Does Not Include:

International flights, Hybrid or road bike rental: €120 euros, lunches and 3 dinners and beverages.

This is an easy to moderate tour, perfect for the athletic-novice to advanced rider. The riding is easier than our Tuscany tour, and we will be accompanied by a support van should you need a lift. The lodgings are a fun collection of beautifully restored old-world hotels, trulli-style inns, a masseria farmhouse and a renovated 15th century convent. Since Puglia is a major agricultural region, famous for its wine and olive oil, you can count on fantastic meals!

Tour Difficulty

This tour is rated easy to moderate difficulty over rolling terrain. There are a couple days that have longer options and we will provide transfers so that you can expect 35 – 65 km of riding each day.

  • Difficulty: Rolling hills and flat
  • Road Conditions: Smooth & Paved
  • Recommended Bike: Hybrid or Road

We can arrange longer and shorter itineraries – just let us know. An additional cycling day to Lecce can be arranged

Tour Highlights

  • Sun-drenched beaches of the Adriatic
  • Panoramic vistas
  • Archeological treasures
  • World Heritage sites
  • Italy’s most savory cuisine and regional wines

Sample Itinerary

All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8.

Day 1 – Arrival

We will meet you at the Polignano a Mare train station at a predetermined time. If you choose, we can provide optional shuttles from and to the Bari or Brindisi airport or train station for an additional fee. We will transfer you to your first accommodation and you will have a briefing and we will custom fit you to your bikes. We will provide you with exceptional maps and route notes to help you navigate your way along the countryside and find special hidden gems to stop, explore, and dine. Your lodging is in the beautiful cliff top town of Poligano a Mare. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening, but we recommend you take a stroll around town to sample the famous ice-cream and granite of Polignano!

Day 2 – Cycling: Polignano-San Vito –Conversano –Turi loop – Approx 60 km

For your first ride, you will embark on a charming route along stunning the Adriatic coastline from Polignano a Mare to the picturesque village of San Vito, with its multi-coloured boats moored up in the tiny port, You will continue through the olive groves to the sleepy, beautiful town of Conversano, set in the hills with its rambling alleyways and sun-baked piazza dominated by the Norman castle and Romanesque cathedral. Our journey then takes us up to Turi, the cherry capital of Southern Italy – if you are here in May you can enjoy an abundance of fresh ruby cherries to help you on your ride. To finish there is a gorgeous descent looking out across the Adriatic Sea and back into vibrant Polignano. Wow, what a day!

Day 3 – Cycling: Polignano-Castellana Grotte-Putignano-Alberobello – Approx 60 km

Today, you will leave Polignano and climb to the stunning cave complex of Castellana Grotte. Tours in English are held at 11am and are well worth the time to see the intricate stalactites and stalacmites. From Castellana you pedal through rolling countryside savouring the sweet aroma of mint that grows by the roadside and stop to enjoy the little towns of Putignano and Noci, with their characteristic whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. Our destination is Alberobello with its plethora of unique trulli houses, the most famous architectural symbol for which this region is known. Here your lodging for the night is in your very own trullo so you can enjoy the magical experience of sleeping under the iconic cones.

Day 4 – Cycling: Alberobello-Locorotondo-Martina Franca-Ceglie Messapica – Approx 50 km

Before leaving Alberobello, take some time to taste a few local products or maybe visit the museo del territorio to discover the history of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our cycling today takes us deep into the Itria Valley to visit stunning Locorotondo – nicknamed “città del vino” for its excellent dry white spumante (sparkling) wine made from local Verdeca grapes. Here in Locorotondo, meander the atmospheric alleyways bedecked with geraniums and citrus plants. Continue on to Martina Franca – a must-see town for its marvellously intact historic centre, beautiful Baroque architecture, and stunning palazzi; a jewel splendidly positioned on the hillside with wonderful panoramic views across the Itria Valley. From here we head to Ceglie Messapica, your home for the next two nights. This town is famed for its gastronomy and has a charming historical center that you are bound to in love with! Dinner included.

Day 5 – Cycling: Ceglie Messapica-Ostuni-Carovigno loop – Approx 42 km

Today you embark on a circular bike ride to Carovigno and the famous “White City” of Ostuni. This ride will take you along rolling country roads lined with ancient stone walls within the fertile Itria Valley. Along the ride, we recommend you stop at the sanctuary of St. Maria del Belvedere, a beautiful historic landmark that must be viewed. When you arrive in Ostuni you can explore the beautiful white cobbles of the old town and enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the town’s many excellent restaurants. Don’t leave without visiting the elegant 14th century Cathedral! From Ostuni we ride back to Ceglie Messapica, where your rich day will surely be rewarded with a final night’s rest at the Masseria.

Day 6 – Cycling: Ceglie Messapica-Cisternino-Eganzia-Monopoli – Approx 55 km with and additional loop of 35 km

As you progress to Cisternino, one of the most lovely and chic hilltop towns in Puglia, you will soak in sweeping views of the Itria Valley below and see firsthand why this town is starting to gain some serious international repute. After progressing over some rolling hills to the edge of the plateau, you will enjoy panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline and the lower fertile plains. From here we head through the tiny towns until we reach the outskirts of Monopoli and your accommodation for the night, the family owned Tenuta Chianchizza. A further optional loop takes you back to the coast and to the fascinating Bronze Age and Roman Ruins of Egnazia.

Day 7 – Departure

After breakfast, you will depart for your flight home or next destination.