Cycling Tour in Puglia

Your cycling tour in Puglia starts in Alberobello. The town is famous for its trulli - small round houses with pointed stone roofs. The roofs of the characteristic whitewashed houses are usually decorated with Christian symbols and a keystone, the zippus. Thanks to their construction with thick walls, the trulli offer good protection from the summer heat in Puglia. Formerly used as homes, today they mainly house restaurants and souvenir stores.

Your first cycling stage takes you through the Valle d'Itria, characterized by flat hills and wine terraces, to Locorotondo. In this round town, whose old town is almost circular in shape, one of the best wines in Apulia is made from the Verdeca grape variety - try it! Continue on to your stage destination Ostuni. As all the houses in the old town are whitewashed without exception, Ostuni is also known as the white town. Take a walk through the very well-preserved old town with its many small alleyways and steps. If you would like to spend more time on your bike today, cycle via Martina Franca instead of Locorotondo.

Through olive groves and orchards, the route first leads from Ostuni to Manduria. Formerly an important trading town, today it is known for its red wine Primitivo di Manduria. A little further south-east you reach Avetrana. This small town steeped in history is located on the Via Appia, a road built by the Romans that still connects Rome with Brindisi today. Visit the Chiesa Madre and the remains of a 14th century castle. You will spend the night in Manduria or Avetrana.

Today's stage of your cycling tour in Puglia takes you to the sea. You cycle past the medieval Torre Colimena tower and follow the coastal road to Porto Cesareo. On the way, you have the opportunity to take a break on one of the beautiful sandy beaches. The route continues to Gallipoli. The old town of Gallipoli is located on a rocky island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Worth seeing is the fortress, which was probably built in the 11th century, and the richly decorated Cathedral of Sant'Agata.

Today you will get to know the south of the Salento Peninsula. Along the way, you will come across the remains of Greek, Roman and Norman fortresses and once again have the opportunity to cool off in the water on one or other of the beaches. Santa Maria di Leuca is not only your overnight stop, but also the southernmost point of Puglia, where the Ionian and Adriatic Seas meet. One of the town's landmarks is the white, slender lighthouse, from the foot of which you have a fantastic view of the sea.

You cycle north along the Adriatic coast, which presents itself here as a rocky coast with sandy bays. Enjoy the view of the bright blue sea again and again - simply wonderful! Andrano and Zinzulusa are home to impressive grottos and stalactite caves, while Santa Cesarea Terme has become a spa town thanks to its healing springs. Your destination for the day, Otranto, is the easternmost city in Italy and welcomes you with its historic old town and imposing city walls. A promenade leads you along a beautiful bay with crystal-clear water - fantastic!

First, your cycling tour in Puglia takes you along the Adriatic coast. On the way you will pass the Alimini Lakes, a true natural oasis not far from the sea. Pine forests, fig trees and reeds surround the larger salty lake and the smaller freshwater-fed lake. On we go! Before you cycle inland towards Lecce, there are plenty of opportunities to take a break on the beautiful beaches along the way. Lecce welcomes you with an abundance of baroque buildings that give the city a very special character. Enjoy your last evening in Puglia with a good glass of wine in the Florence of the south – Salute!

Your cycling tour in Puglia ends after breakfast. We are happy to extend your stay in Alberobello or Lecce with an extra night.