Puglia
Coastal routes and authentic flavors along the Adriatic Sea
Enjoy coastal views and Southern Italy culinary specialties on this relaxed, scenic Puglia tour.
Discover the enchanting beauty of Puglia, Italy, on our Cycling House journey that traverses the North Ostuni and South Lecce areas. We’ll immerse ourselves in the region’s rich history and culture by staying in charming masserias—fortified farms elegantly restored as unique bed and breakfasts. As we cycle through Puglia’s diverse landscapes, we will encounter ancient olive trees, picturesque towns perched on hilltops, and stunning coastal vistas. Our days will be filled with easygoing rides, enabling us to fully enjoy the region’s culinary delights and the warm hospitality of its people. Join The Cycling House in Puglia for an unforgettable cycling adventure where history, nature, and culture intertwine to create a truly authentic Southern Italy experience.
Highlights
- Professionally guided and supported road rides through Southern Italy
- Cycle through olive orchards and along the beautiful coastline
- Explore historic villages such as Ostuni, Locorotondo, and Monopoli
- Enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring fresh, locally sourced foods
- Participate in a Southern Italian cooking class
- Visit the beach and swim in the Adriatic Sea
- View the trip photo album here
Food
Indulge in the flavors of Southern Italy throughout your journey. Start your day with a delightful breakfast at our cozy boutique masserias. For lunch, you’ll enjoy a nutritious and hearty meal prepared by The Cycling House team to keep you energized. After a day of cycling, treat yourself to authentic Puglian cuisine, either at charming local restaurants or with a delicious dinner at our home base.
Accommodations
The trip is split between Ostuni (Leonardo Trulli Resort) and Otranto (Masseria Montelauro), which both offer authentic experiences of local culture through their comfortable rooms, cuisine, and hospitality. We’ll stay in masserias! A masseria is a traditional farmhouse, often fortified, that dates back to the 16th century. These historical structures, typically surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, have been transformed into charming accommodations. Staying at a masseria offers a unique glimpse into Puglian heritage, blending rustic architecture with modern comforts.
ITINERARIES
Puglia Road - 6 Nights
Benvenuti in Puglia
The pickup on the first day will be at 10am at the Bari Centrale Train Station (Stazione di Bari central).Â
The most ideal airport to arrive at is Bari Airport (BRI). If you fly into Rome or another city, you can take a train to Bari.
After the pickup in Bari, we’ll shuttle our guests to our first home base near Ostuni. Once there, we’ll help everyone settle into their rooms. Our mechanics will get to work assembling bikes, and guests who rent bikes can get fitted after lunch.
Our arrival spin will take us around the Ostuni area, where we’ll take our first pedal strokes in the beautiful countryside. After the ride, guests can unwind before our welcome briefing and dinner.
Shuttle Pickup: 10:30 am, Bari Centrale Train Station. Guests can expect a ~1.5-hour shuttle. We’ve contracted with a shuttle company, and we will email you details once you’ve reserved your spot.
Today’s Ride: Arrival Spin
~2 hours with about 500′ climbing
Inland Loop & The Pearl of Puglia
Today’s ride takes us through some of the most picturesque villages where we’ll find many iconic Trulli structures in the area.
We’ll pedal through the charming Puglian villages of Ostuni, Cisternino, and Locorotondo, each offering unique and stunning views. We’ll even get off the bikes to walk around and grab a coffee or gelato.
After the ride, we’ll enjoy lunch and have time to hang out by the pool. In the evening, we’ll head into the historic town of Ostuni for a guided walking tour followed by dinner in this enchanting village.
Today’s Ride: Inland Loop
Main Route: 42 miles, 2400′ climbing
Adriatic Coast and Monopoli
On our final day in the Ostuni area, we’re heading to the coast! We’ll ride from the masseria through the beautiful countryside to the gorgeous coastal village of Monopoli. In Monopoli, we’ll enjoy a short tour around town and enjoy a coffee or gelato. We’ll then loop back to our home base, riding along the coast before heading back inland.
Route option: We have a couple of different options for this day and will make the final decision the day before based on how everyone is feeling and where we need adjustments.
Today’s Ride Options:Â
- Route 1: Shorter/Flatter (39 miles, 1600’ climbing)
- Route 2: Longer/Rolling (62 miles, 2200’ climbing)
- Route 3: Long Route with Climbing (60 miles, 3400’ climbing)
Route note: This day will have the option for the most climbing of the trip. Option to shuttle back from Monopoli to shorten this day up a bit.Â
Heading South!
Today offers the option for a lighter day of riding after three days of cycling. We’ll shuttle about an hour down the road and start our ride right on the water. We’ll pedal along the coast, enjoying the striking views of the Adriatic Sea and stopping along the way to check out some notable historic spots. Our ride will lead us directly to Masseria Montelauro, where your gear will be waiting for you in your room.
Today’s Ride: Recovery Route
27 miles, 800′ climbing
There’s an option for more mileage for those who are interested.
Inland Tour
Today we’ll pedal through the olive orchards and small villages East of Otranto.
This ride in the Otranto region of Puglia offers a mesmerizing blend of natural beauty and historical charm. The route takes you through olive groves and vineyards, providing an idyllic backdrop of rolling hills and lush greenery.
Today’s Optional Rides:
Main ride option: 38 miles, 1100′ climbing
Longer ride option: 52 miles, 1500′ climbing
Final Coast Ride!
On this spectacular final ride, we’ll finish with a bang along the coast! A coastal ride in this region is an unforgettable experience, blending the stunning beauty of the Adriatic Sea with the rich cultural heritage of Puglia. Starting your journey, you’ll pedal along the rugged coastline, where the turquoise waters meet dramatic cliffs and secluded beaches. The ride offers spectacular views at every turn, with the sea’s refreshing breeze keeping you cool as you ride.
Upon returning, we’ll prepare the bikes and gear for departure day. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a final dinner, followed by some festivities and celebratory cold beverages.
Today’s Ride:Â
Final route options: 35-60+ miles, ~1800’-3000′ climbing
Adios! Departure Day
9am Shuttle: We will provide a shuttle service directly to the Lecce Train Station on departure day.
Departure Note: The most ideal airport for departure is Brindisi Airport (BDS). However, if you plan to fly out of Bari, Rome, or another city, you can easily catch a train from Lecce to these airports.Â
Today’s Plan: Departure Day
9am – Shuttle to the Lecce Train Station.Â
Guests can expect a 1.5-hour shuttle.
DATES & PRICES
- 2025
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Apr 28 - May 4 Road - 7 Day$4,560 / Person Many Spots Available
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Oct 27 - Nov 2 Road - 7 Day$4,560 / Person Many Spots Available
DETAILS
What’s Included
- 7 days/6 nights accommodations (double occupancy)
- Transfer from Bari Train Station on arrival day
- Transfer to the Lecce Train Station on departure day
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for 7 days
- Mechanical support (including bike build and breakdown)
- Professional trip guides
- Daily sag support
- Ride nutrition products
- High-quality ride photos
- View the trip photo album here
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- Bike rentals
- Gratuity for guides
- Alcoholic drinks with meals
- Mid-ride café stops
- Personal shoppingÂ
- Bike rentalÂ
- Single occupancy (+$)
Optional Activities
- Olive oil tasting
- Wine tasting
- Southern Italy cooking class
- Walking tour in Ostuni
- Beach hangout or swim in the Adriatic Sea
- Exploring the villages of Puglia
- Massages available (+€85/hour, inquire with staff)
- Laundry services available at accommodations
- WiFi available at all accommodations
- In addition to the Adriatic Sea, both accommodations have swimming pools, so bring a swimsuit :)
Questions?
BIKE OPTIONS
Rent A Bike
Traveling through the airport with a bike—and paying for it to fly—is not everyone’s idea of a fun way to start a vacation. Fortunately, we offer high-quality, full carbon bikes on all of our trips across the United States and Europe. Want to just show up and ride? Just bring your shoes, pedals, helmet, and saddle (if you want), and rent one of ours.
Bring Your Own
Your bike is yours—we get it. Bringing your own bike has obvious advantages in terms of individual comfort. Before your trip, we suggest getting a tune-up at your local bike shop so it’s ready to roll for your week of riding. Once you arrive, we’ll be sure to have our mechanics build it and help with any necessary tweaks. Check out some helpful resources here:
Skip The Bike
If you or your travel partner want to enjoy the trip and explore a new destination without a bike, drop us a line and we’ll discuss options. Some trips are better suited for non-rider participants than others.
