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A 5 night cycling break exploring the southern tip of Puglia. Starting and finishing in the beautiful old town of Lecce with its butter coloured sandstone buildings, this charming route leads you along quiet country lanes and coastal roads to historic towns and sleepy villages.
This idyllic short cycling break in Puglia packs a lot of scenery and experiences into a short trip. After enjoying a night in the beautiful old town of Lecce you will head south along quiet country roads to Gallipoli on the Ionian coast. Due to its strategic position, this old fortified town has a troubled and violent past but thankfully these days things are a lot calmer and its winding alleyways are a joy to explore.
Cycling in Puglia
You then head down the Ionian coastline to Santa Maria di Leuca located at the southern-most tip of the peninsula. This remote town marks the point at which the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet and has a real end-of-the-earth feel to it. The route then leads you up the rugged east coast to the charming old town of Otranto with its lovely beaches and beautiful Cathedral.
The final ride leads you past more fabulous beaches and through a wildlife reserve before delivering you back to the the historic town of Lecce.
The route is very manageable for most abilities as it is mainly on quiet secondary roads and there are very few hills.
Make your way to your hotel in Lecce and the rest of the day is yours to explore this delightful old town with its baroque limestone buildings, charming piazzas and historic palazzi. Lose yourself in the maze of narrow winding streets, perhaps stopping off at one of the many pavement cafes or restaurants for sustenance before continuing your exploration. Sights to see include the 2nd century Roman amphitheater, the beautiful Piazza del Duomo with its 70m bell tower and the completely over-the-top baroque facade of the Basilica di Santa Croce.
Your first day’s ride leads you south along quiet, country lanes lined with ancient dry-stone walls. This peaceful and enjoyable ride ends at the fortified port town of Gallipoli on the Ionian coast. The town occupies a strategic position and this has resulted in its long and bloody history. A visit to the impressive fortress will provide you with more details on its violent past. The narrow, winding streets of the old town have a Moorish feel to them and are the perfect place for an evening stroll.
Today you continue south along the Ionian coastline, the coast here is quite rugged but there are a few beaches along the way so it’s a good idea to have your swim things packed in your pannier today. After this lovely coastal ride you arrive in the small town of Santa Maria di Leuca. The town marks the point where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet and has that lovely end-of-the-earth, remoteness about it. This is probably why it has attracted quite an eccentric population many of whom live in the numerous, quirky but luxurious villas that abound here. You’ll spend the night in this pleasant little town
Bid the Ionian Sea farewell and say hello to the Adriatic as you head northwards along its rocky coastline. Today is all about superb sea-views, pretty coastal villages and quaint ports. The swim spots are not as frequent as on yesterday’s ride but they do exist so be sure to pack the swim stuff again. You could also stop off at the Zinzulusa Cave, a stunning Grotto with clear turquoise waters and/or the spa town of Santa Cesarea, known for its sulphurous mineral springs and mud therapy treatments. Otranto itself is an enchanting old town and the waterfront promenade is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal after the day’s activities.
Your last day of cycling takes you further along the coast past the Alimini Lakes to Torre dell’Orso – a great place for a swim. Here you can also visit the Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry) a natural swimming pool built into the rocks. A little further on the beach at Le Cesine is idyllic and well worth another quick stop. The route then leads you through the peaceful wetland bird reserve and then inland and back to the Baroque city of Lecce. Historically, Lecce was always the powerhouse of Puglia and this is evident in its opulent and ornate architecture. Perhaps celebrate your achievement with a nice meal in one of the town’s many restaurants.
After breakfast it is time to check-out and head for home or your next adventure.
On this tour you can choose between a regular bike or an E-bike.
Regular bikes: They are modern alloy framed touring models with 27 speeds and gel saddles which offer a very comfortable riding position. Minimum height for unisex/step-through bike is 150cm. Minimum height for male specific bike is 160cm. Bikes come equipped with a pannier and per room a front bag, lock and repair kit.
Electric bikes: The 9 speed electric bikes have unisex low-entry frames feature gel saddles and ergonomic grips. The Bosch powerpack offers a range of 90km (over flat terrain at an average speed). Minimum height for unisex/step-through bike is 150cm. Minimum age for e-bike is 18. Electric bikes come equipped with a pannier, battery charger plus, per room, a front bag, lock and repair kit.
We suggest you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene reasons. Alternatively, helmets for adults only, are available for rent at the time of booking.
Below you will find examples of the accommodations typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.
Superior: Good quality hotels and guesthouses.
Lecce: Hotel Delle Palme
Gallipoli: Hotel 33 Baroni
Santa Maria di Leuca: Hotel Terminal
Otranto: Hotel Albania
Local taxes
Some hotels have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night
Fly into and out of Brindisi Airport. Transfers can be arranged from/to the airport at either end of your holiday – see supplements panel on dates and prices tab.
From the airport you can catch a bus straight to Lecce or take the shuttle bus to the nearby Brindisi train station and catch a train to Lecce.
At the end of the holiday take a bus to the town of Zollino and from the there a train to Lecce followed by a bus to Brindisi airport.
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