Description

South Puglia Coast Tour

Cycling Tour South Puglia. 8 days – 7 nights
All year round
For guided options from 4 persons or more send us an email.

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Cycling Tour South Puglia on an E-bike or Trekking bike

This bike tour is a perfect way to see all the best parts in the south of Puglia in the Salento region. During this self-guided bike tour, you’ll cycle along all the coastlines of South Puglia. Start your first day in the beautiful town of Lecce “Florence of the South”. This cycling tour allows you to immerse in the best of South Puglia. Experience the culture of Puglia, taste the local traditional regional food, breathtaking coastlines, wonderful nature, and much more! This cycle tour is perfect for those who like short distances.

On your first bike day you cycle through Lecce here you see old and new olive trees, ancient ruins, and protected areas part of the Regional Natural Park also called “Woods and Marshes Rauccio”. On your next day you go to Gallipoli, here you reach the sea at the edge of the Reserve of Porto Selvaggio. From Gallipoli, you cycle to Leuca don’t miss the beautiful harbor of Leuca. The next day you cycle up to Otranto, exploring hidden bays and caves. Day 6 is a day around beautiful Otranto, with so many magical places. Finally, your last cycle day will lead you all the way back to Lecce.

Cycle the South Puglia coast Tour and visit these sights in Italy

Regional Natural Park “Woods and Marshes Rauccio”, the Megalithic and Park the Natural WWF Park “Le Cesine”.
visit of Santa Maria in Cerrate, a medieval settlement where monks lived, worked, and prayed
Pass vineyards, olive groves, crops, and small villages.
The “Beautiful City” of Gallipoli has been the most important Mediterranean olive oil trade center in Italy
Otranto, its castle, and its imposing Cathedral
Legends, local stories, and workplaces from the past.

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Day 1

Check in

Welcome to elegant Lecce the capital of the Salento Peninsula, Puglia. Lecce was founded around 2,000 years old and by the 15th century had become one of the most important cities in southern Italy. Over this period Lecce was decorated with important Baroque monuments and under threat from an Ottoman invasion, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, rebuilt the defenses of the city along with a new castle. A well-preserved Roman Amphitheatre and a smaller Greek Theatre, important buildings, churches, and craft shops will turn your peeks around into continuous and nice discoveries.

Day 2

Lecce to Gallipoli - 50km

You will leave the main city and cycle towards the sea along the Ionian coast. You'll pass through vineyards, olive groves, crops, and small villages. Copertino has a pretty small historic center and a well-preserved Angevin castle: a quick stop for a coffee with ice and almond milk in Lecce style! From here you will cross Nardò which deserves a look at its magnificent Baroque square, Piazza Salandra, enjoying a good glass of wine of local production sitting at one of the numerous bars. You will reach the sea at the edge of the Reserve of Porto Selvaggio, a real green lung defended and wanted by the population. This coast is famous for its sunsets: once arrive at Gallipoli enjoy it from the small bay of Purità, down from its walls.

Day 3

Gallipoli to Leuca - 50km

The “Beautiful City” of Gallipoli, so called by the Greeks, has been the most important Mediterranean olive oil trade centre in the past: the underground oil mill at Palazzo Granafei will tell you this piece of history. From Gallipoli you will cycle along the road parallel to the coastline passing Torre San Giovanni, a small harbour between volcanic low cliffs. You can stop at one of the beautiful white sand beaches before arriving at Punta Ristola, the extreme edge of the Salento peninsula, a place of legends and numerous finds dating to the Neolithic age. From here a wonderful view of the harbour of Leuca and, even further, of Punta Melisso. Now it would be perfect for a boat trip to discover the numerous sea caves of Capo di Leuca: there are various ticket offices in the kiosks near the port!

Day 4

Leuca to Vignacastrisi/Marittima- 30km

Cycle up to the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca, white and blue are the colors all around. You can breathe calm and spirituality looking at this infinitive horizon made of the various shades of blue from the sky and sea. Prepare yourself to get surprised many times today along the path. A panoramic stretch of road overlooking the sea will lead through beautiful seaside towns such as Tricase and Castro. In the meantime, hidden bays and caves, breathtaking cliffs and canyons, and enchanting villages full of history will give you many chances to get a break for a WOW! Among gentle ups and downs, you will reach Vignacastrisi.

Day 5

Stories and tradition from inland - 35km

A day around Vignacastrisi, which has a strategic position to reach postcard places. You can explore magical places such as the Megalithic Park near the village of Giurdignano, which preserves an evocative atmosphere of rituals and legends, myths, and pagan cults related to the peoples who over the millennia have inhabited and traversed these lands. Before returning to Vignacastrisi, you can decide to visit the beautiful botanical garden, born from a man's love for travel and... succulents! Or you can choose whether to take a nice walk towards the town of Castro Marina, visit the historic center with the beautiful castle, relax by the sea, or visit the Zinzulusa cave.

Day 6

Vignacastrisi to Otranto - 25km

After a rich breakfast in Vignacastrisi you will reconnect with one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in Salento. This coast fascinates with its views of the sea, nature, and the typical dry stone buildings of this area. Enjoy relaxing in the small rocky bays, go for a swim, stop at the fruit and vegetable vans, and savor the local specialties in the bars and restaurants you find along the way. Stops at the Palascìa lighthouse and bauxite lake are very recommended.

Day 7

Otranto to Lecce - 55km

One last greeting to Otranto, its castle, and its imposing Cathedral, an incredible but especially free museum. You can see the largest and most complex paved Mosaic in southern Italy, realized by a monk, Pantaleon, today considered a true encyclopedia of images of the time and culture of the Middle Ages. You will cycle close to the two Alimini lakes before riding again along the coast. Admire the wonders of the bay of Sant'Andrea and of the Cave of Poetry near the archaeological site of Roca Vecchia, maybe experiencing a jump in the sea. A regenerate ride through the Natural WWF Park “Le Cesine”, along with the discovery of Acaya, a fortified town where time seems motionless, will make gradual your return to modern civilization and the charming Lecce.

Day 8

Departure day

Departure day. Time to say goodbye..., a good flight back home or a pleasant stay in Italy. Transfers on request.

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Booking Information

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All prices are per person in double rooms
For bookings & inquiries info@cycleclassictours.com

Technical details

Mostly flat with wavy lines. This Puglia tour is suitable for anyone with a minimum of training on the bicycle. The daily mileage goes from 30 to 55 daily kilometers, with programmed pauses for visits and refreshments. The bike will be a way to work off the good food and enjoy the many landscapes offered by this land. There will also be strictly cultural moments and the possibility of a refreshing swim in the clear sea of Puglia.

Support

The morning of the second day, after breakfast, you will have a welcome meeting. In case of need, you can call an emergency number ON h24

The Standard tour offers accommodation in simple B&B and selected 3* hotels. The Superior tour offers accommodation in charming B&B and 4* hotels. All rooms are ensuite.

2+1 nights in Lecce
1 night in Gallipoli
1 night in Leuca
2 nights in Otranto

7 breakfasts included. All other meals are not included.

Extra Information

Fill out and submit the online booking request or send an email to info@cycleclassictours.com
We tend and try to send all over within 48 hours.
Please do not make travel plans until you receive our confirmation.
Please be advised that we make every effort to ensure that all the information given on this site is accurate. All statements and information have been researched and supplied by third parties.
The information given is accurate and reliable, to the best of our knowledge. Should errors be found, we will rectify them as quickly as possible. However, we accept no responsibility for errors or inaccuracies.

Included

All prices are per person in double rooms. For bookings & inquiries info@cycleclassictours.com

7 nights with breakfast
Welcome briefing and bike fitting
Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
Phone assistance 08:00-20:00

Season prices Standard

Low-Season - 27/10/2024 → 30/11/2024 €690
Low-Season - 01/03/2025 → 23/03/2025 €700
Mid-Season - 24/03/2025 → 21/06/2025 €770
High-Season - 22/06/2025 → 19/07/2025 €930
Peak-Season - 20/07/2025 → 01/09/2025 (On Request)
Mid-Season - 02/09/2025 → 26/10/2025 €770
Low-Season - 27/10/2025 → 20/11/2025 €700

Not Included

Trekking bike €110
Gravel bike €160
E-Bike €240
Helmet €15
Meals and drinks
Entrance fees and tips
Hotel tourist taxes
Extra nights
Transfer Brindisi Apt-Lecce (min 2 pax) €48
Transfer Bari Apt-Lecce (min 2 pax) €110
Single room supplement (Depends on the season)
Solo traveller €220

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South Puglia Coast Tour

This Puglia Coast bike tour is the perfect way to visit all the best parts in the south of the region Puglia

Easy

All year round

3* & 4* Hotels

€240

€110

€160

Included

Description

South Puglia Coast Tour

Cycling Tour South Puglia on an E-bike or Trekking bike

Cycle the South Puglia coast Tour and visit these sights in Italy

Itinerary