When can this tour start?

Departures are every Sunday from 01/01/2026 to 21/06/2026 (last departure) and from 30/08/2026 to 31/12/2026 (last departure). Departures on other days are possible on request with a supplement per person.

7 overnights (farmhouse, 3\*\*\* hotels or B&B), 7 breakfasts, 2 tastings (wine, cheese and local products), itinerary briefing and bike fitting, route tracks and navigation app with phone holder (1 per booking), luggage transportation, road book with cultural info and tips, 24/7 assistance with English speaker, and a €20 CO2 emissions flat-rate compensation.

How do payments work?

Payment from the Tour Operator is 50% to book and 50% 30 days before the client’s departure.

Matera and Puglia Self-Guided Tour

Matera, Puglia, Valle d'Itria, Salento (Apulia)

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Look at the map

Tour

E-bike, Trekking bike

Duration

8 days / 7 nights

Distance

351Km

Selfguided

3/5 Medium

Moderate, between 35 and 85 kilometers per day with an elevation gain between 300 and 1000 meters.

Linear

The starting point is different from the ending point, with overnight stays in different hotels and daily stages.

Short Description

You will begin among the stone wonder of Matera, then pedal into a changing mosaic of Apulian countryside, seaside towns, and whitewashed villages. You will glide through the valleys of trulli and quiet lanes, reach the Ionian coast with dunes and salt pans, and finish in Lecce, where baroque façades glow in the afternoon light. With GPS tracks, luggage transfers, and local support, you will ride at your own pace from the Basilicata frontier to the heart of Salento.

Tour Program

Day 1: Arrival in Matera
You will meet in Matera for the trip briefing, then you will receive your bikes and GPS navigators. Overnight in Matera.

Day 2: Matera – Putignano / Castellana (60–70 km)
You will ride through countryside to Gioia del Colle (mozzarella fior di latte and burrata), then continue to Putignano, known for its carnival. You will explore the historic center and its gates: Porta Barsento, Porta Nuova, and Porta Grande.

Day 3: Around Putignano (Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, Castellana Grotte) (61 km)
You will cycle to Polignano a Mare (typical octopus sandwich and swimming), then continue via Monopoli to Castellana Grotte, where it is possible to visit underground karst caves.

Day 4: Putignano – Alberobello / Locorotondo / Martina Franca (35–45 km)
You will enter the Valle d'Itria, passing Noci for a stop. You will reach Alberobello, UNESCO-listed for its trulli.

Day 5: Alberobello / Locorotondo / Martina Franca – Manduria (50–70 km)
You will cross from the Valle d'Itria into Salento. You will pass Martina Franca, ride a short section of the Aqueduct Cycleway, then continue via Ceglie Messapica, Francavilla Fontana, Oria and Erchie. Overnight at a farm in the countryside of Avetrana (or in a B&B).

Day 6: Around Manduria (45 km)
You will head to the sea along the dunes of Torre Colimena, with the chance to visit the Salina dei Monaci and do birdwatching. You will reach San Pietro in Bevagna for a sandy beach and Ionian Sea swim, then return to Manduria for a Messapic archaeological site and the Primitivo Museum.

Day 7: Manduria – Lecce (60 km)
You will ride towards Lecce through the area of Salice Salentino and its vineyards, passing small villages along the way. Arrival in Lecce later in the afternoon.

Day 8: Departure from Lecce
End of the tour in Lecce.

✅ What is included in the trip?

Overnight stay and breakfast
Local telephone assistance 7/7
GPS or navigation APP
Luggage transfer
Welcome briefing
2 tastings with wine cheese and local products

❌ What is not included?

Transfers not listed as Included
Journey to/from the starting point of the tour
Meals and drinks not listed as Included
Entrance fees ferries and anything not listed as Included
Travel insurance
Tourist taxes

💸 Cancellation fees

Time Range
Full refund

Matera and Puglia Self-Guided Tour

Matera briefing with bike and GPS supply
Gioia del Colle mozzarella fior di latte and burrata
Putignano historic center and city gates
Polignano a Mare octopus sandwich and swimming
Castellana Grotte karst caves
Valle d'Itria and Alberobello UNESCO trulli
Aqueduct Cycleway short section
Torre Colimena dunes and Salina dei Monaci
San Pietro in Bevagna Ionian Sea beach
Manduria Messapic archaeological site and Primitivo Museum
Salice Salentino vineyards en route to Lecce

Package only on request.

Some of our tours are not available or bookable at the moment. If you are interested in this tour, then ask our team for more information on upcoming availability, or on a similar tour available or bookable immediately!

Request information

Accommodation categories

To guarantee maximum flexibility, we work with carefully selected hotels across Europe. The exact list of properties is confirmed after booking.

Economy

⭐⭐

Economy

2–3★ hotels, charming guesthouses and Bed & Breakfasts. Simple, comfortable and locally run — ideal for travellers who prefer investing in the experience rather than the room.

Standard

⭐⭐⭐

Standard

3–4★ hotels, countryside farmhouses and B&Bs. A balance of quality and value, with welcoming ambience and excellent breakfasts to fuel your daily stages.

Superior

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Superior

4–5★ hotels and 3★ Superior properties. Premium comfort, refined interiors and attentive service — for travellers who want a little extra after a great day in the saddle.

How it works

🔍1

Choose your tour

Browse our curated selection of self-guided cycling holidays across Europe and find the route that suits your pace and style.

📋2

Request a quote

Tell us your travel dates, group size and any preferences. Our team will send you a personalised quote within a few hours.

🎒3

Receive your travel pack

Once confirmed, you receive everything you need: GPS tracks, hotel vouchers, route maps, luggage transfer details and our 7/7 assistance number.

🚲4

Ride & discover

Pedal at your own pace and enjoy the journey. We handle the logistics — you focus on the experience.

🙋 Frequently asked questions

When can this tour start?
Departures are every Sunday from 01/01/2026 to 21/06/2026 (last departure) and from 30/08/2026 to 31/12/2026 (last departure). Departures on other days are possible on request with a supplement per person.
What is included?
7 overnights (farmhouse, 3\*\*\* hotels or B&B), 7 breakfasts, 2 tastings (wine, cheese and local products), itinerary briefing and bike fitting, route tracks and navigation app with phone holder (1 per booking), luggage transportation, road book with cultural info and tips, 24/7 assistance with English speaker, and a €20 CO2 emissions flat-rate compensation.
How do payments work?
Payment from the Tour Operator is 50% to book and 50% 30 days before the client’s departure.