Feefo - Independent reviews
  Contact Us

Request a Brochure | Newsletter

Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy

0044 1606 720199

Email us
  • Holiday code
    C07PG
  • Holiday type
    Self-guided cycling
  • Duration
    7 nights
  • Accommodation
    hotel-to-hotel
    , and
  • Activity level
  • Call usfor dates and prices
  • Departures
    Selected from 1 Jan '70 to 1 Jan '70
  • What your holiday price includes
  • 7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , and hotels
  • All breakfasts
  • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Bike hire included
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • Train transfer from Ostuni to Lecce on day 4
  • Optional Upgrades
  • Electric bikes available
  • Tandems available
  • Hotel upgrades
  • Suitable for
  • Solo travellers
  • Couples
  • Excellent choice for
  • Food lovers, wine lovers, art & history, swimming opportunities, vegetarian meals, coastal routes
      from 2 reviews

Mr Mcnaught says...
We hired electric bikes. We were provided with one with a 300 watt battery and one with a 400 watt battery. We immediately told Puglia Cycles that the ...
Read reviews »

Italy: Puglia

Cycle from the spectacular UNESCO town of Matera along an idyllic coastline to Lecce

This trip is currently unavailable. Please call us on 0044 1606 720199 for further details.

  • Matera's ancient cave dwellings and Alberobello's fairy-tale trulli houses
  • Olive groves, towering limestone cliffs and Roman amphitheatres
  • The white city of Ostuni, the majestic castle of Otranto and Baroque Lecce

In the heart of the Mediterranean lies Puglia, a unique landscape sandwiched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. We explore the very best of this captivating region and begin by cycling through two towns that both possess UNESCO world heritage sites. The region is mainly flat, which lends itself perfectly to the self-guided cycle ahead; filled with spectacular views; beautiful coastline and mouth-watering cuisine.
This holiday is offered with a choice of mainly 3 Star, or mainly 4 Star accommodation. The 3 Star accommodation is listed on the hotels page.



We're here to help

If you have any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com

Day-by-day itinerary



We're here to help

If you've any questions about this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 , or email sales@headwater.com

Day 1: Arrive in Matera

Make your way to Matera, 2019's European Capital of Culture, and one of the oldest inhabited human settlements in the world.
Breakfast included

Day 2: Matera to Alberobello 72km/45mi

On leaving Matera, ride past its beautiful UNESCO recognised honey-coloured stone houses. Called 'Sassi', these dwellings have been housing residents for the past 9,000 years. From one famous world heritage site to another, head towards Alberobello, where you can admire its distinctive trulli houses made from local limestone.
Breakfast included

Day 3: Alberobello to Ostuni 49km/31mi

Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, passing more white-tipped trulli houses on the way. Boasting beautiful coastal views, the route takes you through the famous wine town of Locorotondo, regarded as one of Italy's most stunning villages. After sampling some of the local sparkling white wine, continue to the white city of Ostuni - so called for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses.
Breakfast included

Day 4: Ostuni/Lecce to Gallipoli 53km/33.5mi

Take a train to the fascinating Baroque town of Lecce. From here cycle deep into the Salentinian countryside before approaching the Ionian coast. Here you will reach Gallipolli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its Old Town situated on a rocky island.
Breakfast included

Day 5: Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca 50km/31.5mi

Cycle towards the most southerly point of Salento at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the crystal waters of the Ionian and Adriatic Sea meet. This village is home to one of the most important lighthouses in Italy, as well as numerous villas built at the turn of the century.
Breakfast included

Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca to Otranto 53km/33.5mi

Pedal along the south coast of the Adriatic Sea, stopping off at the famous Grotta Zinzulusa and the thermal baths of Santa Cesarea Terme. Your final destination is Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy with a stunning cathedral and Aragonese castle.
Breakfast included

Day 7: Otranto to Lecce 54km/34mi

Follow the shoreline through olive groves to the Baroque metropolis of Lecce. Known as the 'Florence of the South', Lecce is home to over 30 churches, an amphitheatre and a Roman theatre dating back to Emperor Augustus.
Breakfast included

Day 8: Leave Lecce


Where you stay

During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.

To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hotel Belvedere, Matera

Hair dryer iconNEARBY:

Located in the Sasso Caveoso, and just a few steps from the Sassi di Matera UNESCO site. Il Belvedere Hotel is a unique location for a perfect view of the Sassi and is close to the typical cave churches, on the main access street to the town. Hotel Il Belvedere is an elegant and typical Hotel in Matera, the rooms are elegant and unique, most of them are built within the cave and each one presents original tufa wall.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Trullidea, Alberobello

Hair dryer icon

A unique and authentic experience staying in a trulli, a traditional 15th century Apulian stone building with conical roof.

Each trulli house is made up of a double bedroom, small bathroom with shower and living area with sofa and small kitchenette.

The trullis are located in the centre of historic Alberobello, a UNESCO world heritage site, within walking distance of cafes, restaurants and shops.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hotel Sant'Eligio Relais, Ostuni

Hair dryer icon

The origins of Relais Sant'Eligio date back to the first half of 1500 when the Queen Bona Sforza d'Aragona imposed all coastal cities from Naples and Otranto to have a resting station. The Resting Station of Camposada in Ostuni was built along the ancient 'Via del Procaccia', the route running along the ancient walls of the White Town. Between 1630 and 1810, it became the Home of the Zevallos dukes as proved by several decorative friezes and ornaments.

The name 'Sant'Eligio' derives from the patron saint of the farriers working in the stables of 'Camposada' Resting Station. The ancient emblem highlights the evocative written in Latin language: QUISQUIS HUC VENIT HUC REDIET (if you come once, you will necessarily come back again)

The rooms at Hotel Relais Sant'Eligio are elegant and comfortable.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hotel Joly Park, Gallipoli

Swimming Pool IconHair dryer iconNEARBY:

Located in the centre of Gallipoli and only a short walk from Corso Roma, Hotel Joli Park is modern and comfortable.

The rooms are well equipped and contemporary. The hotels offers guests a private shuttle service to take you to and from the private beach “Lido delle Sirene”.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hotel Terminal, Leuca

Swimming Pool IconHair dryer iconNEARBY:

Hotel Terminal is nestled among the eclectic villas, on the central nineteenth-century seafront dedicated to Cristoforo Colombo, the heart of the town, with a beautiful view on Punta Ristola and Punta Melis.

The hotel has it's own private beach that can be reached by a picturesque underpass. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hotel Albania, Otranto

Hair dryer iconNEARBY:

Located in the centre of Otranto, Hotel Albania owes its name to the majestic Albanian mountains which on a clear day offers guests breathtaking views and are visible from the hotel terrace.

Rooms are comfortable and modern.


Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.

Eos Hotel, Lecce

Hair dryer iconNEARBY:

Situated just outside of the historic town of Lecce, Hotel Eos is a modern hotel with modern facilities.

Rooms are contemporary and fully furnished.

Travel

Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Bari Airport at 14:20.

Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.

Reviews

Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.

Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.


Mr Mcnaught, 28/10/2022

We hired electric bikes. We were provided with one with a 300 watt battery and one with a 400 watt battery. We immediately told Puglia Cycles that the 300 watt battery would not be enough to cope with 45 miles on the first day and so it proved. Luckily we managed to arrange to recharge the battery at a cafe en route. The first day was quite a challenge for us in terms of distance but we coped on the other days without too many problems. The navigation assistance provided by Headwater worked very well on my Garmin once I had got over the frustrations of the Garmin itself (my problem). The accommodation apart from the hotel in Gallipoli was excellent. The hotel in Gallipoli was ok but the breakfast was very disappointing.


Mr Watson, 10/10/2022

This was our first cycling holiday, we bought e bikes last year and hired them here. They were lighter but not quite as comfortable but made easy work of the route. The app works well in rural areas, in urban areas with complex road junctions check! The coastal route was the highlight with fantastic views and beaches. The countryside was a joy. Generally the roads were quieter than Scotland and drivers gave us priority. Hotels were comfortable and generally well located, breakfasts were variable in choice but all were good. The initial briefing was poor added no additional information to what was on the app and no technical briefing about the bikes - how to repair a puncture with the foam pack - this would have saved a call out. The train journey with e bikes at Ostuni station was difficult - we had to hold the train from leaving whist the larger bike would not fit in the lift and had to be manhandled up the stairs. e bikes too heavy to hang in train and lack of space.



Dates and prices

You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.

This 7 night self-guided cycling holiday includes:

Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , and hotels

All breakfasts

Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent

Headwater navigation app for your smartphone

Bike hire

Luggage transfers between hotels

Train transfer from Ostuni to Lecce on day 4


How to book:

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.

Please call for prices

We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website. Please contact us for further details.

Holiday details

Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices

Children
This holiday is unsuitable for children.

Holiday type
Self-guided cycling Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.

Departures

Meals
All breakfasts

Electric bikes
It is possible to hire electric bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £215 per person. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.

Tandems
It is possible to hire tandem bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £292 per bike. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.

Other details
This holiday is also available with mainly 4 Star accommodation.

Tailor-made travel

Tour only

Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Bari Airport at 14:20.

How to book

To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.

If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.

To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.

You may also like