(18 reviews)

Self-guided Cycling / Original tour

Web code IT035

Italy / Apulia Short Break

Lecce and the deepest Salento

Apulia is a region in south-eastern Italy that includes the heel part of Italy’s boot, suspended between the Ionian and Adriatic Sea. The region is characterised by endless olive groves, long fields of grain and vineyards. You will start and end the tour in Lecce, also known as “Florence of the South” because of its magnificent baroque architecture. This bike tour will lead you into a region of scenic beauty, which is, by today’s standards, still unspoiled by the unattractive aspects of tourism and still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.
  • Day by Day

    map

    1. Lecce
    Individual arrival and overnight. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has earned the nickname of Florence of the South.
     
    2. Lecce – Gallipoli (50 km)
    After a few kilometers through the town of Lecce, you go deep into the “salentinian countryside”, before approaching the Ionian coast and your daily destination, Gallipoli. 
     
    3. Gallipoli – Santa Maria di Leuca (50 km)
    Cycling further along the coast you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. Its name was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it “leukos”, meaning white. The town is today a famous seaside resort.
     
    4. Santa Maria di Leuca – Otranto (50 km)
    Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.
     
    5. Otranto – Lecce (55 km)
    Riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush you will enter Lecce. 
     
    6. Lecce
    Departure after breakfast.


    Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.

     

     

  • Route profile
    • Total length: 205 km
    • Terrain: 100% tarmac, 0% unpaved
    • Train connection among the overnight stays: NO
    • Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: NO

     

    Mostly in the lowlands, sometimes hilly. Traffic is almost non existent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches on the coast. 

     

    Some days the itinerary will be flat, others it will present some hills. Suitable for everyone in good physical condition and with some cycling experience.

     

  • How to get there

    Lecce is connected with the following airports:
    Brindisi: 50 km, Bari: 170 km.

     

    Trains
    For information on timetables and prices you can consult the following website: www.trenitalia.com.

     

     

  • Accommodation and meals

    We personally choose all the hotels mindful of your comfort as well as the proximity to cycling paths and any relevant local sites.

    You will be accommodated in 3/4* hotels.

    All rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning.

    When you book the tour please specify the type of room requested:

    • double room is a room with one double bed
    • twin room is a room with two single beds
    • triple room is usually a room with one double bed and a single bed or a sofa bed

     

     

  • Bikes and accessories

    Girolibero bikes are available in different sizes and frames:

    • Touring bike 27-gear Shimano Deore
    • E-bike 9-gear Shimano

     

    Features:

    • aluminium frame
    • mudguard
    • rear rack
    • comfort gel saddle www.selleroyal.com
    • anti-puncture Schwalbe tyres
    • ergonomic bicycle grips
    • Speed Lifter system

     

    Accessories
    All rented adult bikes are equipped with:

    • 1 cycle computer  
    • 1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
    • 1 front bar bag per room
    • 1 repair kit per room: 1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, 2 allen keys and tyre levers 
    • 1 combination bike lock


    At the moment of booking you can also rent helmets, suitable for head circumferences from 58 to 61. All helmets have a certification mark according to the DIN EN 1078 (CE) European norm.

     

    Important notes:
    We recommend that you bring your own reusable water bottle with you.

    In order to cycle smoothly following our App, we suggest that you bring with you a holder for your mobile phone to be fixed on the handlebar, as well as a power bank (even if the App can be used offline, too).

     

     

  • Accompanying material

    Before your arrival, you will receive an email from us with the digital information material. It contains:

     

    1. Link to download the App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)

     

    2. Link to download the tour information material in Pdf:

    • Tour notes
    • Final tour details

     

    3. Digital travel documents:

    • Final hotel list (due to overbooking or organizational needs your hotel list may be changed just before your arrival)
    • Hotel vouchers to show to the hotel reception upon arrival

     

     

     

  • By your side

    Staff support

    In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.

  • 18 Client reviews
    • Catherine Sarah

      Departure 04-08 September 2023

      Online from 13 September 2023

      Great
    • Julie

      Departure 22-27 May 2023

      Online from 06 June 2023

      Wonderful, cannot wait to do it all again
    • Teresa

      Departure 26 September - 01 October 2022

      Online from 07 October 2022

      We loved having our luggage delivered and being able to self pace through the towns. Breaks for coffee, lunch, swimming or sightseeing made the days full.
      Gorgeous towns and mostly scenic roads (lots of trash on roadsides ☹️)
    • Christine

      Departure 12-17 September 2022

      Online from 23 September 2022

      We absolutely loved our cycle along the coast of Puglia. Can't wait until our next holiday....
    • maria augusta

      Departure 27 June - 02 July 2022

      Online from 07 July 2022

      Il percorso è molto bello ma si deve essere preparati al gran caldo. Il mare ripaga di tutta la fatica.
    • elisa

      Departure 30 May - 04 June 2022

      Online from 16 June 2022

      Percorso straordinario per la varietà e ricchezza dei paesaggi naturali e di paesi e cittadine attraversate. Accoglienza cordiale ovunque. Da fare preferibilmente prima o dopo la stagione turistica.
    • Martin

      Departure 02-07 May 2022

      Online from 12 May 2022

      Exploring the Salento region on bike is the best! The route is easy to follow, lots a things to see and enjoy. Italian hospitality is warm en welcoming. All well organised, flawless.

      Note: Shame to the Italians who throw tons of carbage on the roadside. Severe pollution and a very bad habit!
    • Silvia

      Departure 06-11 June 2021

      Online from 17 June 2021

      Vacanza spumeggiante e inebriante !
      paesaggi mozzafiato da godere a pieni polmoni e con gli occhi colmi di meraviglia
    • Bruna

      Departure 21-26 September 2020

      Online from 01 October 2020

      consiglio questa vacanza agli amanti della bici e della natura. oltre ad assaporare la bellezza del paesaggio, si visita una bella parte di questa regione.
    • Giuseppe

      Departure 13-18 September 2020

      Online from 23 September 2020

      Vacanza splendida in luoghi incantevoli.Noi ci siamo trovati benissimo con le e-bike ma con un po' di allenamento le poche salite sono certamente abbordabili. A metà settembre kilometri e kilometri senza incontrare nessuno,solo la compagnia di scorci mozzafiato sul mare.
    • Alberto

      Departure 23-28 August 2020

      Online from 04 September 2020

      Tappe facili con possibilità di più di una sosta bagno.
      L'unica mediamente impegnativa è quella da S.Maria di Leuca a Otranto (ma la più bella paesaggisticamente).
      Anche ad agosto, col solleone non si suda, (ma si beve tantissimo).
    • Alessandra

      Departure 20-25 July 2020

      Online from 30 July 2020

      L'itinerario merita la fatica, da evitare l'estate per chi soffre parecchio il caldo. Munirsi di pantaloni da ciclista o coprisella in gel per le strade dissestate in alcuni punti, dal momento che le bici non sono ammortizzate.
      Per il resto tutto abbastanza bene
    • Maurizio

      Departure 13-18 July 2020

      Online from 28 July 2020

      Giro molto bello dal punto di vista paesaggistico, in particolare la tappa da Santa Maria di Leuca a Otranto.
      Mare cristallino, con spiagge spettacolari che meritano l'appellativo di Maldive del Salento.
      A Santa Maria di Leuca non perdetevi un giro in barca (Colaci nautica) per visitare le grotte con annesso bagno al largo.
      Vacanza effettuata a metà luglio e resa gradevole dalla presenza costante di una fresca brezza di tramontana che ha accompagnato le nostre tappe.
      Non dimenticatevi una deviazione alla cava di Bauxite alle porte di Otranto!!
    • Pierangelo

      Departure 23-28 September 2019

      Online from 09 October 2019

      escursione meritevole da fare
    • Raffaella

      Departure 02-07 September 2019

      Online from 12 September 2019

      Una vacanza che mette d'accordo chi ama la cultura e chi ama il mare e la natura
    • Francesco

      Departure 17-22 June 2019

      Online from 27 June 2019

      Il giro è splendido, l'assistenza è molto buona alla portata di tutti con bici con pedalata assistita. Lo consiglio vivamente, ottimi spunti di relax paesaggistici e culturali enogastronomici in questa nostra Italia.
    • Shauna

      Departure 13-18 May 2019

      Online from 28 May 2019

      We had an amazing time on this bike trip - the route takes you through numerous landscapes - from arid Mediterranean surrounded by cactus to lush poppy fields in bloom and coastal mountains.
      It's truly stunning.
      From mid to late May, the summer season had not yet started in Puglia, so many of the towns and villages we rode through were quite sleepy, but this made the trip that much more peaceful and enjoyable, particularly after going to Amalfi afterward, which is a total circus of tourists and at least twice the price, if not quadruple.
      I would absolutely recommend this trip and this company to anyone who is a moderate cyclist and enjoys stunning coastlines, landscapes and historic towns that are quiet and authentic ... also great, simply prepared seafood.
    • Ann

      Departure 13-18 May 2019

      Online from 23 May 2019

      Great holiday love Girolibero. Would love a cycling trip in Greece.

Tour details

 

from 640 €

6 Days / 5 Nights, 3/4* hotels

Tour type

Self-guided tour

 

Departure dates

MO 1.04 - 22.07 and 9.09 - 28.10.2024
Special departure dates for at least 6 people.

 

Seasons

Season 1 | 1.04 - 14.04 and 28.10.2024
Season 2 | 15.04 - 5.05 and 14.10 - 27.10.2024
Season 3 | 6.05 - 30.06 and 16.09 - 13.10.2024
Season 4 | 1.07 - 22.07 and 9.09 - 15.09.2024

 

Price per person
Season 1 | 1.04 - 14.04 and 28.10.2024

3/4* hotels

 

640 € in double room
880 € in single room
510 € 3rd person in triple room



Included

  • 5 nights hotel accommodation
  • Breakfast
  • App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks
  • Digital tour information
  • Luggage transportation
  • Hotline service


Not included

  • Tourist taxes (approx. 10-15 €)
  • Everything not mentioned in the section “Included”


Supplements per person

90 € season 2 | 15.04 - 5.05 and 14.10 - 27.10.2024
150 € season 3 | 6.05 - 30.06 and 16.09 - 13.10.2024
210 € season 4 | 1.07 - 22.07 and 9.09 - 15.09.2024


Girolibero rental bikes
including insurance against theft and damage

80 € Touring bike
210 € E-bike
15 € Helmet | head circumferences 58-61 cm


Extra nights
in double / single room with breakfast
75 / 120 € in Lecce

Transfers
Bari airport - Lecce or Lecce - Bari airport

300 € 1-3 people
350 € 4-6 people
380 € 7-8 people


Brindisi airport - Lecce or Lecce - Brindisi airport
140 € 1-3 people
160 € 4-6 people
180 € 7-8 people

Receive our Newsletter

Let’s keep in touch through our newsletter.

 

payment