Cycling the Heel of Italy - Matera to Lecce
Operated by Exodus Adventure Travels

Cycling the Heel of Italy - Matera to Lecce

From
Price on request
Duration
12 days
Countries
Italy
Activity
easy

The adventure

Starting in Matera, the city of 'Sassi' and a UNESCO world heritage site, and through the local canyons, the 'gravine', you will enter Puglia, a unique landscape sandwiched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. We explore the very best of this captivating region from Murgia to Salento. Your daily cycle routes allow you to explore a series of architectural and natural wonders, sites of immense

At a glance

Duration
12 days
Route
Countries
Italy
Activity level
easy
Style
Culture & History, Cycling, Multi-Country / Grand Tour
Group size
Ask
Flights
Not included
Solo travellers
Ask an agent

Day by day

View of a historic hilltop town surrounded by lush greenery under cloudy skies.
Your journey through

Italy

Day 1Arrive in MateraMake your way to Matera, one of the oldest inhabited human settlements in the world.
Aerial view of the ancient stone buildings in Matera, showcasing historic Italian architecture.Matera
Make your way to Matera, one of the oldest inhabited human settlements in the world.
Map showing Matera
Day 2Free day in MateraExplore the UNESCO-listed Sassi of Matera; a complex of houses built into the natural caves of the Murgia.
Explore the UNESCO-listed Sassi of Matera; a complex of houses built into the natural caves of the Murgia.
Day 3Matera to CastellanetaYour first cycling day takes you through a landscape of wheat fields and wide panoramas. Visit the town of Laterza, famous for its tasty bakery products and majolica pottery. Continue to Castellaneta, a small city perched on the edge of a ravine.
Aerial view of the ancient stone buildings in Matera, showcasing historic Italian architecture.Matera to Castellaneta
Your first cycling day takes you through a landscape of wheat fields and wide panoramas. Visit the town of Laterza, famous for its tasty bakery products and majolica pottery. Continue to Castellaneta, a small city perched on the edge of a ravine.
Map showing Matera to Castellaneta
Day 4Castellaneta to PutignanoToday you will cycle in the Terra delle Gravine Natural Park, amongst deep canyons, carved by rivers over millions of years. Leaving the ravines you will soon discover the iconic Puglia scenery: dry stone walls, old masserie (fortified stansteads) and trulli, rural houses with a conic roof typical to the area, built without any cement or mortar. Reach Putignano, known for its ancient carnival.
Explore the picturesque alleys of Ostuni, Apulia, with sunlit whitewashed buildings and green shutters.Castellaneta to Putignano
Today you will cycle in the Terra delle Gravine Natural Park, amongst deep canyons, carved by rivers over millions of years. Leaving the ravines you will soon discover the iconic Puglia scenery: dry stone walls, old masserie (fortified stansteads) and trulli, rural houses with a conic roof typical to the area, built without any cement or mortar. Reach Putignano, known for its ancient carnival.
Map showing Castellaneta to Putignano
Day 5Putignano to AlberobelloLeaving the medieval centre of Putignano, cycle in the lush countryside to reach Castellana Caves. It is the main karst site in the South of Italy and a visit is recommended.After the caves, continue along the rolling lanes of the countryside where olive, almond, apricot and cherry trees grow. Continue to the UNESCO heritage site of Alberobello, the world capital of Trulli.
Panoramic aerial shot of Alberobello's iconic trulli houses surrounded by lush greenery.Putignano to Alberobello
Leaving the medieval centre of Putignano, cycle in the lush countryside to reach Castellana Caves. It is the main karst site in the South of Italy and a visit is recommended.After the caves, continue along the rolling lanes of the countryside where olive, almond, apricot and cherry trees grow. Continue to the UNESCO heritage site of Alberobello, the world capital of Trulli.
Map showing Putignano to Alberobello
Day 6Alberobello to OstuniCycle 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.
Explore the traditional trulli houses in Apulia, Italy, showcasing unique architecture and cultural charm.Alberobello to Ostuni
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.
Map showing Alberobello to Ostuni
Day 7Ostuni to AvetranaCycle through the colourful Salentinian countryside, characterized by olive groves and red soil towards the medieval towns of Oria and Manduria with their authentic historic centres.
Sunny street scene in Apulia, Italy, featuring a vintage bicycle and lush plants.Ostuni to Avetrana
Cycle through the colourful Salentinian countryside, characterized by olive groves and red soil towards the medieval towns of Oria and Manduria with their authentic historic centres.
Map showing Ostuni to Avetrana
Day 8Avetrana to GallipoliHead to Torre Colimena on the Ionian Sea, then follow the coast alongside a series of beaches and the old coastal towers of Salento. Reach Gallipoli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its Old Town situated on a rocky island. Take time to wander the narrow lanes of the historic centre to discover its baroque cathedral, elegant palazzi and enticing restaurants.
Colorful fishing boats docked in Monopoli's harbor, surrounded by historic architecture, Apulia, Italy.Avetrana to Gallipoli
Head to Torre Colimena on the Ionian Sea, then follow the coast alongside a series of beaches and the old coastal towers of Salento. Reach Gallipoli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its Old Town situated on a rocky island. Take time to wander the narrow lanes of the historic centre to discover its baroque cathedral, elegant palazzi and enticing restaurants.
Map showing Avetrana to Gallipoli
Day 9Gallipoli to Santa Maria di LeucaCycle 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.
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.
Day 10Santa Maria di Leuca to OtrantoPedal 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.
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.
Day 11Otranto to LecceFollow 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.
A breathtaking aerial view of Otranto harbor and cityscape in Apulia, Italy, highlighting the waterfront and marina.Otranto to Lecce
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.
Map showing Otranto to Lecce
Day 12Leave LecceMake your own way back to the airport for your flight home.
Charming white buildings with ornate balconies in a sunlit Italian street.Leave Lecce
Make your own way back to the airport for your flight home.

Discover Italy

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

Picturesque landscape of Lake Garda with a distant island under a summer sky.
Overcast day in Tuscan hills featuring cypress trees and traditional stone house.
A picturesque town nestled by cliffs on the Amalfi Coast, Italy.
Picturesque view of Tuscany's rolling hills, vineyards, and Italian villas under a clear summer sky.
Beautiful view of Ponte Sant'Angelo spanning the Tiber River in Rome, Italy under a clear sky.
Operated by Exodus Adventure Travels

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