Puglia Biking
Biking Italy's Sun-Drenched Adriatic Coast
The map says Italy, but there's a distinctly Greek feel to the Puglia region, nestled between the spur and the heel of the country's boot-shaped perimeter. Experience the Mediterranean Old World by biking with Backroads through quiet villages of whitewashed cottages, gently rolling hills and stretches of sunny Adriatic coastline, all wrapped in a relaxed pace of life. Amid acres of centuries-old olive groves and almond orchards you'll discover Roman ruins, picturesque masserie (farmhouses) and intriguing trulli structures unique to the area. Evenings, dine on rustic and savory Pugliese cuisine - a bounty of seafood and fresh vegetables - and overnight in luxurious historic lodgings.
Trip Planning Links
- Unbeatable views of ancient olive orchards, whitewashed villages and age-old farmhouses
- Ride on quiet one-lane orchard roads, cooled by sea breezes
- A sommelier-led tasting of full-bodied Primitivo and other notable Pugliese vini
- The World Heritage site of Alberobello with 1,500 trulli
- Dine on organic homemade Pugliese dishes with a wine pairing at each course
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Monopoli
Meet in Bari 
Feast your eyes on a sea of shimmery olive orchards, evidence that Puglia is Italy's largest producer of olive oil Visit the sun-bleached port town of Polignano a Mare, with narrow winding streets, limestone cliffs and whitewashed buildings Sample some of the region's finest wines with our local expert.
Day 3 Martina Franca
Follow rolling country roads lined with ancient stone walls up to the Murgia, an impressive limestone plateau, and through the fertile Val d'Itria See how mozzarella is made before savoring it and many other regional delicacies Arrive in Martina Franca, rich in Baroque and medieval architecture.
Days 4-6 savelletri di fasano
Explore the hilltop town of Alberobello, a World Heritage site and home to thousands of curious trulli - round white-stone buildings with conical roofs Pedal peaceful lanes to Ostuni - la città bianca (the white city) Spanning three hilltops and crowned by a Gothic cathedral, Ostuni's cobblestone streets and sun-splashed whitewashed houses invite exploration Spin to Egnazia, ruins of a Roman port city dating to the 5th century B.C.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Tuscany Biking Dalmatian Coast Biking Turkey BikingOther Italy Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
This was my 11th Backroads trip and it fulfilled all my expectations of what a great Backroads trip should be: relaxed, fun, moderate activity level, beautiful natural surroundings, lovely hotels, fantastic food, interesting local culture, and most of all, enthusiastic and knowledgable Backroads leaders.- Rochester, MN More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Puglia tour experts. For biking tours in Europe Italy, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe Italy biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy multisport tours click here.
Puglia Biking
TRULY TEMPTING: Premiere Inns
Il Melograno
Monópoli (2 nights) A historic Relais & Châteaux lodging with antique-filled guest rooms and renowned Pugliese cuisine.
Relais Villa San Martino
Martina Franca (1 night) This stylish country resort features elegant guest rooms and a sparkling swimming pool.
Masseria San Domenico
Savelletri di Fasano (2 nights) Overlooking the Adriatic Sea, this luxurious haven was once a 15th-century Knights of Malta stronghold and is now a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Puglia Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 12, 16 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 21, 29, 37 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 17, 35, 40 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 21, 34, 55 miles
- 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 23, 28, 41 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 9 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain