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Lecce-Otranto-Leuca-Ugento-Santa Maria al Bagno-Gallipoli-Lecce
Experience Salento by bike, in the heart of Apulia, Italy’s southeastern gem. This tour offers the perfect blend of leisure cycling, cultural exploration, and culinary delights, allowing you to immerse yourself in the authentic flavors and traditions of this unique region. Salento lies in the so-called “heel of Italy’s boot”, surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Rich in history, this region bears the marks of countless civilizations: the Messapi, Greeks, Romans, and Normans. Cycling through Salento is like riding through an open-air museum: prehistoric dolmens, hidden Byzantine shrines, Baroque cathedrals, and secluded coastal corners await your discovery.
This tour is also a journey through the GASTRONOMY and wine of Salento. Savor the best of local cuisine, from seafood delicacies to traditional land-based dishes. Highlights include panzerotti stuffed with fresh ingredients, focaccia Barese, pettole, orecchiette with turnip greens, and the hearty Cecamariti soup. Don’t miss the local cheeses, such as caciocavallo and canestrato pugliese, and complement your meals with Primitivo di Manduria, one of the region’s most renowned red wines.
The tour starts in Lecce, the largest city in Apulia and a true Baroque masterpiece. Often called the “Florence of the South”, Lecce dazzles with its ornate churches, grand piazzas, Roman amphitheatre, and the castle of Charles V. Take your time to explore the Cathedral of Lecce, stroll through charming streets, and visit museums that showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage. Whether you are a history lover, foodie, or cycling enthusiast, this Salento bike tour offers a complete experience of culture, nature, and culinary excellence, making it an unforgettable journey through one of Italy’s most enchanting regions.
The daily program of the 9-day tour
Individual arrival at Lecce, In the end of afternoon/evening you will have a briefing with our local representative. In the evening, you can explore the nice town centre of Lecce, an exuberant city with a perfect balance of past, traditions and modern life.
Overnight with breakfast in Lecce
Today’s easy, flat cycling route offers a perfect mix of cultural landmarks and natural beauty. After breakfast, pedal to Acaya, a small fortified town famous for its Renaissance castle, showcasing the architectural influence of the Aragonese period. Next, explore the Le Cesine Nature Reserve, a WWF-protected area that hosts numerous migratory bird species, perfect for nature enthusiasts. Continue along the coastline, stopping at San Foca, a charming seaside village, before reaching the ancient Bronze Age city of Roca Vecchia. The route passes the stunning Alimini Lakes, where kilometers of beaches, forests, and freshwater lakes create a harmonious natural landscape. The final stretch leads to Otranto, one of Apulia’s most iconic towns. Visit the San Pietro Church with its Byzantine frescoes, and the Otranto Cathedral, renowned for its medieval mosaic pavement, a fascinating figurative encyclopedia of the Middle Ages. End the day with an unforgettable seafood dinner, featuring the freshest local fish, and experience the flavors of authentic Salento cuisine.
Overnight stay with breakfast and dinner in OtrantoDistance: 58 km / 36 mi
This short ring tour, gives you the opportunity to discover the surroundings of Otranto and in the same time you can dedicate yourself some more to this lovely town. The route follows the river “Idro” (“water”), which gave originally the name to Otranto. You come to Casamassela, a peaceful oasis where old looms are still being used in the agricultural handmade center “le Costantine foundation” (guided tour). The route continues to Giurdignano, a Bronze age megalithic park containing huge “dolmen” and “menhir” and then goes further to “La Cutura”, a botanic garden, where you can see an incredible plants collection. It is unique in Europe for its extensive cacti collection. Later in the morning you have a tasting of local products in a bakery. Returned to Otranto, you can visit the historical center. Interesting to visit is the twelfth-century mosaic in the Romanesque cathedral. This mosaic is made by a monk called Pantaleone and shows religous scenes like Noah’s ark, but there are also depictions of historical, mythical and even pagan figures, such as Alexander the Great and King Arthur.
Overnight stay with breakfast in Otranto
Distance: 29 km / 18 mi
Today’s ride takes you along one of the wildest coastlines of Salento, offering breathtaking views and dramatic landscapes. Cycle to the Palacìa Lighthouse, located at Italy’s easternmost tip, and discover the small red lake formed in a disused bauxite quarry. Continue along the coastal road, perched on high cliffs, offering stunning panoramas over the Otranto Strait. On a clear day, you may even glimpse the mountains of Albania and Greece across the sea. A must-see stop is the Zinzulusa Cave, one of Italy’s most famous anchialine caves, where you can descend nearly 200 feet into the earth to explore its fascinating formations. The surrounding landscape features terraced fields and dry stone walls, ingenious techniques created by local peasants to cultivate otherwise barren land. After crossing the Ciolo Bridge, a small canyon renowned for its rare flora, the route reaches the pilgrimage sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca, situated on the Capo di Leuca promontory alongside its historic lighthouse, where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionian Sea.
The day ends with a delicious fish dinner in town, perfect to enjoy the fresh flavors of Salento.
Overnight stay in Leuca
Distance: 54 km / 33 miles
Today you discover Leuca Cape, the southern part of Apulia. You pass an astonishing defence tower situated in the centre of a small village and continue for a visit of an ancient mill, which is dugged into the rock. Another particularity is the enigmatic funerary monument made by big stones (its name “centopietre”, means “hundred stones”). As a highlight you visit Leuca piccola (‘little Leuca’), an important pilgrimage station which still maintains a vast underground area. You pass Giuliano with its castle and church dating back to the 10th-century. Cycling amongst olive groves with dry stonewalls you reach another olive oil mill where you have an olive oil tasting. A short ride takes you finally to Ugento, where it is worth to visit the archaeological museum.
Overnight stay in with breakfast & dinner in Ugento
Distance: 47 km /29 miles
Today you cycle along the Ionian coast, reaching St. Andrew’s Island and the Punta Pizzo Natural Park, a protected area known for its pristine landscapes and wildlife. In Gallipoli, famously called the Pearl of the Ionian, enjoy an aperitif on a terrace overlooking the sea. The town is divided into a modern district and a historic old town, located on an island. Originally a small fishing village, Gallipoli captivates visitors with its bright Mediterranean light, narrow alleys, and lively fish market. Continuing along the route, visit the Byzantine Church of San Mauro, a hidden treasure perched on a rocky spur, featuring 13th-century frescoes. The day ends in Santa Maria al Bagno, a quiet village on the edge of the Porto Selvaggio Natural Reserve, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the coastal scenery after a day of cycling.
Overnight stay in with breakfast and dinner in Santa Maria al Bagno
Distance: 45 km /28 miles
A day dedicated to the surroundings of Santa Caterina. The first place to visit is Galatone, a picturesque Baroque town and then you go the castle of Fulcignano built in the 12th– and 13th century by the Normans. The next stop is Galatina with the church of Santa Caterina, which is totally painted with frescoes a Giottesque style. This town centre is very nice and here you have a tasting of local products. In alternative of the cycle route you can book also for a cooking class with mamma Anna.
Overnight stay with breakfast in Santa Caterina
Distance 30 km / 18,5 miles or 45 km / 28 miles
The last day of your trip, you pass many 19th century fortified farmhouses and villas. There are also nice towns to visit: Nardò has a baroque style historical centre and Copertino an impressive Norman castle. Some km before Lecce a last stop at the Martina brothers, which skilful keepers of the producing of traditional pottery. Late afternoon arrival in Lecce and bikes drop off. In the evening a farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants of town !
Overnight stay in Lecce with breakfast & dinner
Distance: 42 km / 26 miles
After breakfast end of your gourmet tour.
Gourmet cycle tour in Apulia
Lecce-Otranto-Leuca-Ugento-Santa Maria al Bagno-Gallipoli-Lecce
LEVEL 1,5
Salento is a region that is almost completely flat, making the ride a pleasant journey for any level of rider. The daily route is about 3-4 hours of leisurely cycling, mainly crossing secondary roads, with sea breaks and places to visit. On day 3 there are some more differences in level. This easy tour is meant to fully enjoy the surrounding landscape and culture with all its different aspects. GPS maps will guide you through the most suggestive and less busy roads.
Daily distances between 29 km /18 mi and 58 km / 36 mi
Total km: min. 305 km / 189 mi or max. 320 km /199 mi
DEPARTURES:
Every Friday and Saturday from 01/01 until 18/07 (last departure) and from 28/08 till 31/12/2026 (last departure). It is possible to start on other days of the week with a supplement of €100,00 p.p.
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people.
START / FINISH:
Lecce / Lecce
An eno-gastronomic cycle tour
This tour for foodies offers the possibility to get to know the beautiful green Umbria in a different way, thanks to this perfect combination of cycling and tasting excellent local wines and delicacies.