self-guided bike tours in Apulia

ITINERARY
TOUR DETAILS
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Individual Arrival in BARI. We suggest you to visit the city, cultural crossroads since ancient times. Bari is an ideal starting point, a city where two souls meet: the old town, surrounded by an imposing wall and crossed with narrow streets that lead to the discovery of its rich heritage; and the modern city, built at the beginning of the 19th Century and having endured several changes over time. Don't forget to visit the Basilica of San Nicola, a wonderful example of Apulian Romanesque. Overnight stay in Bari.
BARI - TRANI 70 km / +390m (See profile). Bike and road map delivery, route description. Today you will discover the beauty of the Apulian Romanesque cathedrals cycling toward the towns of Bitonto, Terlizzi, Ruvo di Puglia and Trani, your final destination. Trani's cathedral, regarded by some as the “Queen of cathedrals in Puglia”, exhibits a finely decorated portal with a marvellous bronze door work of Barisano da Trani, comprising of 32 panels each portraying a biblical character. Overnight stay in Trani.
TRANI - CASTEL DEL MONTE 37 km / +550m (See profile)*. Today you'll cycle across the Apulian inland. Your first stop is ANDRIA, where you can enjoy the famous Burrata (mozzarella that's formed into a pouch and then filled with soft, stringy curd and cream). Then you'll continue for about 10 kilometers reaching the Alta Murgia National Park. Among hills, pastures, olive trees and vineyards, on a hill of the Murge Plateau, you'll finally get to the most important example of Swabian architecture: Castel del Monte (UNESCO World heritage site). Overnight stay in MINERVINO MURGE/Area.
CASTEL DEL MONTE - GRAVINA IN PUGLIA 53 km / +540m (See profile)*. Today you are still in the Murgia Plateau: Expanses of grassy terrain is broken up by the whiteness of the rocks, while a dense woodland changes color according to the seasons, and a network of canals through which creeks once ran are today marked by expansive, cultivated fields. Your destination for the day is GRAVINA IN PUGLIA, a land of natural galleries, caves and ravines carved out by an underground river and used as human dwellings in centuries past. Overnight stay in Gravina in Puglia.
GRAVINA IN PUGLIA - MATERA 42 km / +530m (See profile). Leaving Gravina, you will ride up to Altamura. The town can be spotted on a spur overlooking the plateau, with the Cathedral towers standing out against the sky. Don't miss the chance to taste the famous Altamura bread and Focaccia. At the end of the stage your tour will lead you to another famous UNESCO world heritage site: MATERA. Famous for its Sassi and stunning landscapes, Matera, located on the border of Basilicata and Puglia, is not only breathtaking, but fascinating. Overnight stay in Matera.
MATERA - MARTINA FRANCA 88 km / +770m (See profile). Leaving Matera, you will cycle towards San Basilio and the Gravina Nature Park, characterized by gorges of karst origin, formed by water erotion of streams that gush out from the Murge Upland and flow into the sea. In the evocative rocky villages, churches, crypts and sanctuaries often feature beautiful icons in Byzantine style, depicting the Virgin, Christ Pantocrator, saints and martyrs. The considerable depth of the ravines, as well as the particular microclimate enabled the preservation of an estremely varied flora, fauna and microfauna habitat. Final destination: MARTINA FRANCA. Overnight stay in Martina Franca.
MARTINA FRANCA - MANDURIA 65 km / +390m (See profile). Today's adventure will lead you first to Grottaglie, town of ceramics, and then to Manduria, town of Primitivo, local red wine. Overnight stay in Manduria .
MANDURIA - GALLIPOLI 70 km / +400m (See profile). This stage is dedicated to the west coast of Salento, where you'll cycle towards Campo Marino, Porto Cesareo, up to GALLIPOLI. The island heart of Gallipoli is home to numerous impressive Baroque churches and aristocratic palazzi, testament to the town's former wealth as a trading port. A labyrinthine weave of narrow streets all eventually lead to the broader sea-front promenade with its wonderful views. Overnight stay in Gallipoli.
GALLIPOLI - SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA 71 km / +490m (See profile). We also offer a shorter option: 51 km / +225m (See profile). Leaving behind Gallipoli you'll cycle along the Ionian coast headed to Torre San Giovanni. Here the crystal clear sea will tempt you…but it’s time to get back on your bike! A short detour will take you inland to see the small towns of Ugento and Specchia, one of the most beautiful 'BORGHI' of Italy. Then you will continue your ride for another 35 km reaching SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA, where the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea meet; this is the southernmost point in Salento, striking the visitor’s eye for its colors and unreal silence. Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca.
SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA - OTRANTO 60 km / +680m (See profile). Today you'll start riding northward along the beautiful coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Crossing the marinas of Tricase Porto and Castro Marina, you'll finally get to one of the most amazing city of Salento: OTRANTO. If you want you can have a delicious seafood dinner and take a walk throughout the historic centre and maybe buy some souvenirs from the local little shops. Overnight stay in Otranto.
OTRANTO - LECCE 60 km / +300m (See profile). In the morning, if you want, there's time to visit the city. Otranto is best appreciated in its amazing cathedral, where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. Less macabre is the cathedral’s other jaw-dropper, its medieval mosaic floor, which rivals the famous early Christian mosaics of Ravenna in its richness and historical significance. Cycling along the Alimini Lakes, you’ll finally reach the seaside village of Torre dell'Orso: don't miss the opportunity to swim in the suggestive Grotta della Poesia. Before arriving in LECCE you will meet Acaya, a perfect stop for an authentic Italian espresso or for a drink at sunset in front of the castle. Overnight stay in Lecce. (We suggest you an extra stay in Lecce, one of the most interesting cities in the region for its baroque architecture, typical of the 17th Century).
LECCE - SAN VITO DEI NORMANNI 64 km / +165m (See profile). Leaving Salento, you will cycle north to Squinzano. Along the route you have the possibility to see the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate of the 16th century. Then you will continue towards the castle of Mesagne. Finally you will reach your destination: SAN VITO DEI NORMANNI. Overnight stay in San Vito dei Normannni.
SAN VITO DEI NORMANNI - ALBEROBELLO 57 km / +810m (See profile). Today you will ride over the hills dominating the Itria Valley: Trulli (traditional drystone huts) enclosed by vineyards and olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see. The panorama is filled with a timeless magic, in the heart of which lie the fascinating white towns of Ostuni, Cisternino, and Locorotondo. Finally you'll get to ALBEROBELLO universally-known as the capital of the Trulli, distictive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts, both listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996. Overnight stay in Alberobello.
ALBEROBELLO - POLIGNANO A MARE 32 km / +180m (See profile). The final step will take you towards Castellana Grotte, known for its intriguing underground caves. Amazing stalactites and stalagmites give shape to a fascinating and mysterious scenery, provided with an evocative play between light and shade. Then you'll start the downhill run towards the sea, until you'll reach POLIGNANO A MARE, a shining gem on the coast of the Valle d’Itria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. Overnight stay in Polignano a Mare.
End of Services and goodbye PUGLIA.

*Please note that both distance and elevation can vary according to the accommodation in the Minervino Murge area.

GRAND TOUR PUGLIA

Tour name: Grand Tour Puglia
Tour Duration: 15 days/14 nights
Tour type: Self-guided
Participants: Minimum 2
Start: Any day
Level: Moderate
Accommodation: Economy or Deluxe
Board Basis: Bed & Breakfast

BIKES AVAILABLE FOR THIS TOUR:

Touring bike

Gravel bike

Road bike

E-bike

Price per person in double room

CATEGORY	Low season	Mid-season	High season
A - B&B/ECONOMY 3***	€ 1.975	€ 2.425	€ 2.825
B - DE LUXE (4/5 stars Hotels)	€ 2.825	€ 3.625	€ 4.275

Low season: 08th Jan - 31st May/23rd Sept - 22th Dec
Mid-season: 01st Jun-14th Jul/24th Aug - 22nd Sept
High season: 06th - 10th April/15th Jul - 23rd Aug/23rd Dec - 7th Jan

These prices include:

14 nights' accommodation
Daily breakfast
Touring or gravel bike rental
Bike equipment: helmet, lock, pannier, water bottle
Repair kit: spare tube, pump, tire lever
Luggage transfers
The access to our mobile app with preloaded tracks, including the roadbook and the practical and tourist information
Luggage / health insurance*
Telephone assistance