Two bikers riding past stone Truli houses in Puglia, Italy

View Gallery

Puglia's Salento to Matera Bike Tour

Coastlines, Hill Towns & World Heritage Sites

Majestic sea views. Whitewashed towns. Prehistoric cave dwellings. Pedal the backroads of Puglia and Basilicata in this master class on some of Italy’s most pristine landscapes.

6 days, 5 nights

Luxury Hotels

Activity Levels 1-4

Couples, Friends & Solos

From $5,899 - $6,499/person

Itinerary Where You’ll Stay What to Know Bikes Reviews

Compare

Saved

Save

View Dates & prices

Snapshots from the Trip

Trip at a Glance

Highlights

Pedal from turquoise shores to the sun-kissed countryside where olive groves stretch to the horizon
Stop at quintessential agriturismi for a peek into local farming traditions and a lunch of classic Pugliese dishes
Ride along the coast and through enchanting seaside villages, chasing views of the shimmering blue Adriatic
Go deep into this exceptional region’s past on tours of two World Heritage Sites, the troglodyte settlement of Matera and trulli-dotted Alberobello
Watch as a local artisan shows us how to make fresh mozzarella and burrata (and shares tastes along the way)

Sample itinerary. Trip details may vary by departure.

Start Lecce Airport & Travel Details

Discover Puglia’s charms as you bike on quiet country lanes from one beach to the next
After lunch at a masseria (fortified farmhouse), head to our elegant hotel to luxuriate by the pool or rejuvenate at the spa
Pair panoramic vistas of the Adriatic Sea with an evening aperitivo for a perfect end to the day
Pedal an epic route along the eastern coast of Salento
Sample some of the region’s finest wines and cuisine over dinner at a local winery.

Palazzo Ducale Venturi

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

hotel swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs

white leather couches in living room with fireplace

Nights 1-2

Palazzo Ducale Venturi

Minervino di Lecce

Luxury Hotel

Set within a 16th-century aristocratic palace in the heart of Salento, Palazzo Ducale Venturi pairs historic architecture with a calm, contemporary atmosphere. Interiors feature Lecce stone vaults and original chianche stone floors, balanced with modern comforts throughout. A pool and spa provide a restorative place to unwind. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Bike through acres of sunlit olive groves, then take a break to try local specialties in the “White City” of Ostuni
Learn about traditional olive oil making and sample oils grown and pressed locally at a working olive mill
Ascend the Murgia plateau for sweeping vistas of the Alberobello countryside
Immerse yourself in the history of this area and its 1,500 trulli (round stone buildings) on a walking tour
Explore the winding medieval streets of Monopoli.

Masseria Torre Coccaro

(Luxury Hotel, 2 nights)

Activity Options & Terrain

White stone building with orange lights along the walls

Dining hall with ceiling fans and blue and turquoise woven seats

White stone building with red windows and doors, with a stairway on the right

Nights 3-4

Masseria Torre Coccaro

Savelletri di Fasano

Luxury Hotel

Set just a short distance from the sea, this onetime refuge for pilgrims and the Knights of Malta offers unique guest rooms, each with its own private garden. (pool, spa)

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

Ride toward the peaceful countryside of Basilicata
Lunch like a local at an agriturismo (Italian farmhouse)
Watch and learn as an artisan shares the age-old secrets of mozzarella making
See prehistoric caves in the World Heritage Site of Matera
Raise a glass to new friends and la dolce vita over a festive dinner.

Sextantio le Grotte della Civita

(Luxury Hotel, 1 night)

Activity Options & Terrain

Exterior view of Sextantio le Grotte della Civita

Exterior of stone building with a staircase and plants in front

Exterior patio of rustic, stone building on a cliff, with other stone buildings in the background

Table on the edge of a cliff with plates of toast and tomatoes, and two glasses of wine

Dining table in a rustic room, with stone walls and candles along the room

Night 5

Sextantio le Grotte della Civita

Matera

Luxury Hotel

A unique experience awaits at this elegantly distinctive property, which claims to be the world’s only hotel set within prehistoric caves—indeed, the luxury rooms are literally caves with unfinished stone surroundings and little natural light.

Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.

End Bari Airport & Travel Details

Start
End
Overnight stay
Trip direction

View & Download

This trip has an activity level range of 1-4

Route & Terrain Notes

The riding on this trip passes along rugged coastline, through whitewashed villages and olive groves on generally rolling to hilly terrain including some extended climbs. Strategic boosts in the van are offered for anyone who would like to skip the bigger hills. Roads are paved, but some of the more rural, inland areas we ride through have rougher road sections with potholes and uneven pavement.

Day 1

Biking

Level 1

15 miles

400 ft. gain

Level 2

34 miles

1100 ft. gain

Day 2

Biking

Level 2

25 miles

1500 ft. gain

Level 4

50 miles

3200 ft. gain

Day 3

Biking

Level 1

11 miles

600 ft. gain

Level 2

12 miles

1100 ft. gain

Level 3

30 miles

800 ft. gain

Level 4

31 miles

1500 ft. gain

Day 4

Biking

Level 3

27 miles

2200 ft. gain

Level 4

48 miles

3000 ft. gain

Day 5

Biking

Level 1

20 miles

1100 ft. gain

Level 3

30 miles

2400 ft. gain

Level 5

55 miles

3000 ft. gain

Day 6

Other

Matera Walking Tour (1.5 hours)

View Dates & Prices From $5,899/person

What to Know

What's Included

See Everything Included

Straight Talk

We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Biking in Puglia

Roads in Puglia and most of Southern Italy are not always as well maintained as those found in other parts of Italy. Although our routes are quiet, you can expect some rough patches of road along the way. Also, litter can occasionally be part of the landscape, especially when approaching small villages. For most, these challenges are offset by Puglia’s beautiful countryside and warm hospitality.

Service Standards

The slower pace and relaxed approach to life in Puglia is one of the highlights of this spectacular region and is reflected in the hotels and restaurants on this trip. That said, service can lack a sense of urgency when compared with the service found in other parts of Europe.

Accommodations

We stay one night at Sextantio le Grotte della Civita, an elegant but simple hotel set within prehistoric caves in the World Heritage cave dwelling site of Matera. Although the hotel offers all the modern amenities and comforts you can expect from a Luxury Hotel, the rooms are quite literally caves with little natural light and unfinished stone surroundings. For the unique experience it offers, we believe this hotel is well worth the stay.

Trusted by Travelers Since 1979

7,000+ 5-star reviews.
Your Day, Your Way

Route and activity options to match your pace and preferences.
24/7 Local Support

Experienced leaders on every trip backed by a dedicated service team.
Never Outsourced

Expert trip design rooted in five decades of local knowledge and relationships.
Small Groups

More access, flexibility and connection, with an average of 14 guests.