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The World Heritage Sites of Puglia and Basilicata
The World Heritage Sites of Puglia and Basilicata is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided bike tour that starts and ends in Bari, a challenging circuit of six stages (about 300 km) through the Murgia plateau to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You ride past the Romanesque cathedrals of Bitonto, Ruvo and Trani to Castel del Monte, on to Gravina in Puglia and the Sassi of Matera, then to the trulli of Alberobello and down to the sea at Polignano a Mare. From there you return to Bari by regional train or by bike.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Bari
Arrive in Bari, a cultural crossroads since ancient times and the ideal starting point. The city has two souls: Bari Vecchia, the old town ringed by walls and threaded with narrow lanes, and the modern town laid out in the 19th century. Don't miss the Basilica of San Nicola, a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque, and the lively squares of the old town. Overnight in Bari.
- Day 2
Bari – Trani
64 km · +384 mElevation profile
After bike delivery and a route briefing at your hotel, you set off on a day of Romanesque cathedrals through Bitonto, Terlizzi and Ruvo di Puglia. Your destination is Trani, a picturesque port whose seafront cathedral, dedicated to San Nicola Pellegrino, is often called the queen of Apulian cathedrals. Look for its bronze door by Barisano da Trani, with 32 panels each showing a biblical figure. Overnight in Trani.
- Day 3
Trani – Castel del Monte
Shorter option 38 km · +546 mLonger option 50 km · +750 mElevation profile Shorter optionElevation profile Longer option
Today you head into the Apulian interior. First stop is Andria, where you can taste the famous burrata, the mozzarella pouch filled with soft curd and cream. About 10 km further on you enter the Alta Murgia National Park, among hills, pastures, olive groves and vineyards, and climb to Castel del Monte, the octagonal castle of Frederick II and the finest example of Swabian architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in the Minervino Murge area.
- Day 4
Castel del Monte – Gravina in Puglia
Shorter option 51 km · +444 mLonger option 55 km · +540 mElevation profile Shorter optionElevation profile Longer option
You stay on the Murgia plateau all day: wide grassland broken by white limestone, woods that change colour with the seasons and old stream channels now marked by cultivated fields. Your destination is Gravina in Puglia, a town of natural galleries, caves and ravines carved by an underground river and used as homes in past centuries. Explore its cave churches and the views over the ravine. Overnight in Gravina in Puglia.
- Day 5
Gravina in Puglia – Matera
39 km · +454 mElevation profile
Leaving Gravina, you ride up to Altamura, perched on a spur above the plateau with its cathedral towers against the sky; don't miss the famous Altamura bread and focaccia. You then cross into Basilicata to Matera, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for the Sassi, its ancient cave districts. Spend the evening walking through the lanes of this breathtaking city. Overnight in Matera.
- Day 6
Matera – Alberobello
76 km · +553 mElevation profile
The longest stage takes you out of Basilicata and back into Puglia, through Gioia del Colle, home of mozzarella, and Noci. You reach Alberobello, the capital of the trulli, with about 1,500 of these conical dry-stone houses in the Monti and Aia Piccola districts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. If you like, you can spend the night in a trullo. Overnight in Alberobello.
- Day 7
Alberobello – Polignano a Mare – Bari
To Polignano a Mare, then train to Bari 32 km · +166 mAll the way by bike 80 km · +439 mElevation profile To Polignano a Mare, then train to BariElevation profile All the way by bike
Today you ride through the Apulian countryside to Castellana Grotte, famous for its underground caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. Then it is downhill to the sea at Polignano a Mare, perched on a limestone cliff about 20 metres above the clear Adriatic — worth a swim and a coffee in the old town before the last leg. The day ends in Bari, where the tour began, and the only thing you choose is how to get there: the regional train from Polignano (ticket not included; bikes travel free on regional trains), or another 48 km in the saddle along the coast. Overnight in Bari.
- Day 8
Bari
Breakfast and end of services. Goodbye, Bari – and arrivederci, Puglia!
Tour details
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided bike tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Murgia and Matera
- Distance
- 300 km
- Level
- Challenging
- Departures
- Flexible dates: you choose your arrival day
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 7 nights in B&Bs and 3-star hotels (Economy) or 4- and 5-star hotels (Deluxe), with breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast daily. Lunches and dinners are not included, so you are free to try local trattorias along the way.
- Bikes
- Touring bike, E-bike, Road bike, Gravel bike
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| EconomyB&Bs and 3-star hotels | € 1,140 | € 1,275 | € 1,525 |
| Deluxe4- and 5-star hotels | € 1,525 | € 1,875 | € 2,275 |
Seasons
| Dates | Season |
|---|---|
| 7 Jan – 27 Mar | Low season |
| 28 Mar – 6 Apr | High seasonEaster |
| 7 Apr – 31 May | Low season |
| 1 Jun – 13 Jul | Mid season |
| 14 Jul – 24 Aug | High season |
| 25 Aug – 20 Sep | Mid season |
| 21 Sep – 21 Dec | Low season |
| 22 Dec – 6 Jan 2027 | High seasonChristmas and New Year |
| Dates | Season |
|---|---|
| 7 Jan – 21 Mar | Low season |
| 22 Mar – 4 Apr | Mid seasonEaster |
| 5 Apr – 18 Apr | Low season |
| 19 Apr – 2 May | Mid seasonspring public holidays |
| 3 May – 31 May | Low season |
| 1 Jun – 12 Jul | Mid season |
| 13 Jul – 24 Aug | High season |
| 25 Aug – 20 Sep | Mid season |
| 21 Sep – 21 Dec | Low season |
| 22 Dec – 6 Jan 2028 | High seasonChristmas and New Year |
Included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast
- Touring or gravel bike rental
- Bike equipment: rear pannier and lock (helmet and water bottle on request)
- Repair kit: spare inner tube, pump, tyre lever
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Navigation app with preloaded GPS tracks, digital roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Telephone assistance (7 days a week, 8:30–19:00)
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Support vehicle (minivan) on the road
- Tourist taxes
- Anything not listed under “What's included”
Supplements
| Single room | +30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings for 1 person only) | +€360 |
| August supplement, 1–24 Aug – Economy | +€255 per person |
| August supplement, 1–24 Aug – Deluxe | +€505 per person |
| E-bike rental | +€160 per bike |
| Road bike rental | +€75 per bike |
Prices are per person in a double room, based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? You can book with the single traveller supplement.
Bikes available for this tour
Touring bike
E-bike
Road bike
Gravel bikeQuestions about this tour
How long is the UNESCO Sites of Puglia and Basilicata tour and how much does it cost?
8 days and 7 nights, with six cycling stages. Prices start at €1,140 per person in a double room (Economy, low season); with Deluxe 4- and 5-star hotels from €1,525.
Where does the tour start and end, and how do I get there?
It starts and ends in Bari, so Bari airport is the natural gateway. On the last cycling day you return from Polignano a Mare to Bari by regional train or by bike; airport transfers can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres do I ride?
Challenging: about 300 km in six stages, depending on the options. The hardest days are Matera – Alberobello (78 km, +650 m) and Trani – Castel del Monte (38–50 km, +550–750 m).
When is the best time to go, and are there seasonal supplements?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer the best temperatures, and low-season prices apply for much of the spring and from 21 September to 21 December. From 1 to 24 August there is a supplement of €255 (Economy) or €505 (Deluxe) per person.
Which bikes are available? Can I rent an e-bike?
Yes. A touring or gravel bike is included; an e-bike costs €160 extra and a road bike €75 extra per bike.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights with breakfast, bike rental with pannier and lock, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, the navigation app with GPS tracks and roadbook, medical and luggage insurance and telephone assistance. Lunches, dinners, drinks, tourist taxes and the Polignano – Bari train ticket are not included.
