Discover the best of southern Italy by bike on this beautiful journey from Matera to Lecce in the Heel of Italy. Ride through the rolling Murgia countryside, the olive groves and trulli of the Itria Valley, the whitewashed streets of Ostuni and the spectacular coastlines of Salento. With a mix of quiet country roads, historic towns, sandy beaches and dramatic Adriatic cliffs, Puglia offers an incredible combination of cycling, food, culture and scenery.

Tour Dates: October 4th - October 10th, 2026

Duration: 7 days, 6 nights 

Distance: 347km

Grading: Easy/Moderate (see below)

• Fully guided trip with experienced guide

• Bike supplied - fitted with rack, panniers and repair kit. Electric Bike also available.

• 6 night's accommodation

• Breakfast and snacks each day 

• Local Transfers

• Detailed information pack with maps

Arrive in Matera, settle into your hotel and meet the group. After a trip briefing and bike fitting, enjoy some time exploring the extraordinary Sassi before our first evening together.

The ride commences by pedalling through the magnificent Murgia landscape riding on quiet roads and rolling terrain. Our destination is one of Puglia's most recognisable towns, Alberobello, famous for its collection of trulli – traditional white stone houses topped with distinctive conical roofs. After arriving in Alberobello, you'll have time to explore the historic centre and soak up the atmosphere of this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The riding takes us through a landscape of ancient olive trees, vineyards and small rural villages. We'll pass through the charming towns of Locorotondo and Cisternino, both perfect examples of the whitewashed architecture and relaxed lifestyle of this part of Italy. Our destination is Ostuni, dramatically positioned on a hilltop and known as the "White City".

Leaving Ostuni behind, we head further south through the peaceful Apulian countryside. Today's route follows quiet country roads through olive groves and traditional farmland, passing through Francavilla Fontana before continuing towards the historic town of Munduria. Along the way we will stop at Oria, dominated by its impressive medieval castle and has a fascinating historic centre.

We'll continue south through the Salento countryside before joining the beautiful Ionian coastline. The route takes us through the Porto Selvaggio area before arriving at Gallipoli. It’s historic centre sits on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge and is surrounded by the blue waters of the Ionian Sea. This is a day to slow down and enjoy the scenery, with opportunities to stop for lunch, take in the coastline and, weather permitting, enjoy a swim in the sea.

The ride heads to the Salento peninsula towards the eastern coast of Italy. The landscape changes as we approach Otranto, with rugged cliffs, small bays and spectacular views across the Adriatic.
Otranto has played an important role in the history of southern Italy for centuries, and its impressive historic centre is enclosed by ancient walls and dominated by its castle. We'll have time to explore the town and visit the magnificent cathedral, famous for its extraordinary medieval mosaic. It's one of the most memorable stops of the entire tour.

Our final day of cycling takes us towards Lecce, the magnificent Baroque city at the heart of Salento. After almost a week of riding through southern Italy, today's route provides the perfect finale as we make our way inland towards the city, famous for its ornate limestone buildings, spectacular churches and beautiful historic centre. We will finish the tour with a meal together, a chance to try a pasticciotto, a traditional Lecce pastry, or a puccia sandwich – alongside a glass of local wine.

Easy/Moderate Adventure (2/5). The route is designed for cyclists who are comfortable spending several hours in the saddle but who don't necessarily want a high-mountain cycling challenge. There are six cycling days, with distances ranging from approximately 45km to 70km. Much of the route uses quieter roads through the countryside, although there are some hills and longer days. The biggest challenge isn't steep mountain climbing – it's the cumulative distance over several days. You should therefore be comfortable cycling for around 4–6 hours with frequent stops and ideally have been riding regularly in the weeks and months before the trip. An e-bike option can also be considered for riders who would prefer some additional assistance on the longer or hillier days.

The tour begins in Matera and finishes in Lecce, making it a fantastic point-to-point adventure rather than a circular route. On arrival in Matera, we'll get everyone settled, complete bike fitting and run through the plans for the week. Each morning we'll set off together and follow our planned route south through Puglia. We'll have regular opportunities for coffee stops, lunch and sightseeing along the way. Your main luggage will need to be carried with you in two panniers attached to your bike for the entire tour. You are allowed one suitcase that can be stored and transported from the start point to the end point for you to collect at the end of the tour. Full information about arrival arrangements, hotels, luggage and transfers will be provided in your tour information pack after booking.

We choose a range of accommodations for our tours. Accommodations on tour can include hotels, bed & breakfasts and in some instances apartments. This allows us to cater for each specific cycle tour. Incorporating both cities and rural areas, giving you the best possible accommodation experience. Bikes storage options will be explained on tour. 

Travel light! Personal luggage will need to be carried for all but 2 of the 8 days in panniers provided. Weather is usually very good in this region in September so generally pack for good weather but we nevertheless recommend bringing a light riding jacket and thin jumper for the evenings. A full list of items to bring will be provided after you book.

• FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED. You will need to arrange a flight to arrive in Puglia at the latest on October 4th, 2026 .
  The closest airports are:

  • Start point: Bari or Brindisi

  • End point: Bari or Brindisi

• Optional E-bike available

• Other meals are not included - Budget for around 40 euros per day

• Traveller's Insurance (compulsory)

  For more information visit https://www.eurocycleadventures.com/pug-itlay