Puglia by bike in 6 days - southern Italy

Cycling trip in Puglia

Do you dream of contemplating the azure blue of the Ionian Sea and discovering a region with breathtaking landscapes? This cycling holiday in Puglia in southern Italy will charm you with its picturesque beauty. Large olive groves, grain fields and vineyards characterize the region of Puglia.
Located on the heel of the Italian boot, between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, Puglia reveals its beautiful whitewashed towns in the hills and its kilometers of Mediterranean coast.
Your cycling holidays in Italy begin in Lecce, nicknamed the “Florence of the south”, to reach the region of Salento and visit the vast territory of this beautiful region.

Highlights of the stay:

• Lecce and its impressive religious buildings
• Otranto, pretty fortified city
• Ionian sea
• Santa Maria di Leuca
• the exceptional landscapes of Puglia

Day 1: Lecce

Arrival and discovery of the city. You can reach the first hotel of your stay. Lecce, located in the Salento region, is a city rich in historical and architectural monuments with more than 40 palaces and churches to discover. Don't miss Lecce Cathedral, Piazza Sant'Oronzo and the three city gates.

Overnight in Lecce.

Day 2: from Lecce to Gallipoli (50 km)

You cycle into the Salento countryside as you leave the city to get closer to the coast of the Ionian Sea. Your destination for the day is the city of Gallipoli.

Overnight in Gallipoli.

Day 3: from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca (50 km)

Your Puglia bike trip continues along the coast to reach the beautiful town of Santa Maria di Leuca or simply Leuca, the southernmost point of Puglia. The Greeks named the city for its luminosity, the term leuca coming from leukos and meaning white.

Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca.

Day 4: from Santa Maria di Leuca to Otranto (50 km)

Cycling to Otranto. It is the easternmost city of Italy, it has an extraordinary historical past. Otranto was the most important maritime town in Puglia during Roman times. The city is also known for its tasty cuisine based on seafood.

Overnight in Otranto.

Day 5: from Otranto to Lecce (55 km)

The Alimini lakes are among the most beautiful natural areas in the Puglia and Salento region. They are located north of Otranto, the starting point of today's cycling route. This protected oasis consists of two large bodies of water which offer magnificent landscapes and the prospect of beautiful swimming. Your route ends in Lecce, your point of departure and arrival. You can take advantage of the attractions of this beautiful city for the last evening of this stay in Puglia by bike.

Overnight in Lecce.

Day 6: Lecce

End of the tour after breakfast.

General information:

• 6 days and 5 nights
• Accommodation comfort level: 3 and 4 *hotels
• Child rates: contact us

2026 Dates:

Departures on Mondays from March 16 to July 20 and from August 31 to November 2

• Low Season: March 16 to April 5 and October 26 to November 2
• Mid Season: April 6 to April 19 and October 12 to October 25
• High Season: April 20 to June 28 and September 14 to October 11
• Peak Season: June 29 to July 20 and August 31 to September 13

Included:

• 5 nights’ with breakfasts
• Luggage transport from accommodation to accommodation 
• Access to a GPS App
• 7 days a week telephone assistance 

Not included:

• Transport to departure point
• Lunches, dinners and drinks 
• Parking
• Entrance fees for visits  
• Personal expenses
• Tourist taxes (to be paid on site)
• Anything not listed under “included” 

Options:

• Standard bike or ebike rental
• Helmet
• Bari airport transfer - Lecce round trip (on request)
• Brindisi airport transfer - Lecce round trip (on request)
• Extra night in Lecce (on request)
• Theft guarantee for rented bike             
• Multirisk cancellation insurance  

Level:
1 2 3 4 5 6

Terrain:

Mainly in the plains, sometimes hilly. Traffic is almost non-existent in Puglia, except during high season. The route includes very beautiful sections on the coast.

Some days the route will be flat, others hillier. Suitable for people in good physical condition and with cycling experience.

Climate:

Hot and dry summers. June and September are the most pleasant months.

Technical details:

• 50 to 55 km per day, about 5 hours of cycling
• Partly marked route

Bibliography:
Cycle maps for Italy on cartovelo.fr

Meals:

• Breakfasts: buffet (coffee, tea, chocolate, milk, butter, bread, jam, orange juice)
• Lunches: not included
• Dinners: not included

The Bike:

• Rental bike: 27-speed bike or ebike equipped with panniers, repair kit and lock. Rental bikes will be delivered to the first hotel. At the end of the tour, please leave the bike at your last hotel and inform reception. We will take care of its return.  
• Personal bikes: we do not recommend bikes with small tires. Mountain and hybrid bikes are excellent. Please check your bike before departure. You will be responsible for your own bike at the end of the tour. 

Assistance:
7 days a week assistance (except punctures, which are not covered).

Luggage:
Luggage is transported by courier and limited to one piece per person (maximum 20 kg).

Roadbook: 

You will receive your roadbook with luggage tags by mail before your departure. 

Transport:

• By train: It takes a day by train from Paris to reach Lecce
• By road: Lecce is approximately 1 900 km from Paris
• By plane: Brindinsi (40 km) and Bari (150 km) airports

Multirisk Cancellation insurance:
To guarantee reimbursement in the event of cancellation of your stay, you may take out our multirisk cancellation insurance. Click here for more information. 

click here.