Puglia Bike tours

Road to Matera

Welcome to Puglia, a captivating region with deep historical ties to Greece and a treasure trove of unexpected wonders. Cycle through the dazzling “white cities” of Ostuni, Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Cisternino, explore the breathtaking coastal town of Polignano a Mare, and marvel at the ancient rock dwellings of Matera.
Over the course of a week, you’ll ride along scenic dirt roads, conquer the rolling hills of the Murgia, pedal through the tranquil Dune Park by the Adriatic Sea, and follow the historic path of the Apulian Aqueduct.

Get ready for a week filled with stunning landscapes, rich history, and unforgettable adventures. Puglia awaits!

At a glance

  • 6 Days | 5 Nights | 5 Rides

  • Roads type: 60% Gravel – 40% Tarmac

  • Bike required: e-Gravel

Daily itineraries

2 different itineraries to chose from every day.
You are free to mix them to create your personal vacation.

Regular itinerary: Suitable for RECREATIONAL LEVEL cyclist
Total distance: 146 miles (235 km)
Total climb:  8,565 feet (2,610 m)

Extended itinerary: Suitable for ENTHUSIAST LEVEL cyclist
Total distance: 200 miles (324 km)
Total climb:  12,830 feet (3,900 m)

Daily itineraries

Arrival in Italy. We pick you up at Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi Airport (BDS).  It’s approximately a an hour van transfer to the “Masseria” hotel. Upon hotel check-in and a light lunch you have two options: free time to relax at the hotel or bike setup to go for a ride and to explore the Adriatic coast road up to Ostuni white town and back.

At sunset CIBUS Restaurant welcomes you to an aperitivo.

Cibus for us means home in Puglia, we always go there on the first day to enjoy its land cuisine and possibly we come back to taste its fish cuisine. Lillino’s hospitality is proverbial, there’s always a dish we’ve never tasted.

Regular itinerary for RECREATIONAL level cyclist: Total distance 18 miles (29 km) and Total climb 665 feet (202 m).
Extended itinerary for ENTHUSIAST level cyclist: Total distance 25 miles (41 km) and Total climb 1,770 feet (540 m).

We meet the Murge for the first time. The Murge are the backbone of Puglia. We start from Ceglie Messapica, one of the white cities, through pastoral roads we arrive at Grottaglie, a village in the province of Taranto. We will travel the ancient routes of the transhumance of flocks of sheep. Centuries-old olive groves, dry stone walls, old watchtowers dating back two thousand years. Fun secondary roads cross the Murgia following the path of the Apulian Aqueduct built in the early 1900s.

When darkness is coming: OSTERIA BOTTEGHE ANTICHE Splendid aperitif in the center of Putignano and then dinner at the Botteghe Antiche, substantial cuisine with the flavors of the Murge Cellar that can satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts.

Regular itinerary for RECREATIONAL level cyclist: Total distance 39 miles (63 km) and Total climb:  1,970 feet (600 m).
Extended itinerary for ENTHUSIAST level cyclist: Total distance 53 miles (86 km) and Total climb 2,730 feet (830 m).

The Apulian Aqueduct is the public infrastructure for the supply of drinking water to the Puglia Region built since 1906, to solve the long-standing problem of water scarcity in the region. We will follow the road of the aqueduct in the Media Murgia, crossing three provinces: Cisternino (province of Brindisi), Locorotondo (province of Bari) and Martina Franca (province of Taranto). We will pass through the beautiful historic centers of these three cities.

When darkness is coming: PERBACCO RESTAURANT

Aperitif in Bari Vecchia and dinner at the Perbacco Restaurant, a small pearl of the historic restaurants of the city of Bari.

Regular itinerary for RECREATIONAL level cyclist: Total distance 25 miles (40 km) and Total climb 2,000 feet (610 m).
Extended itinerary for ENTHUSIAST level cyclist: Total distance 40 miles (65 km) and Total climb 2,920 feet (890 m).

The Valley of the Trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, an immersion in the lush greenery that is becoming one of the favorite holiday destinations for nature lovers in Europe. The tour is a succession of climbs and descents on narrow streets flanked by dry stone walls where you meet the “trulli”, archaic buildings typical of the area. A day of battle, where you will challenge your travel companions in an uninterrupted succession of rolling hills, will be a challenge in the last climb. Departure from Locorotondo, then the incredible Alberobello, followed by Noci and Putignano.

When darkness is coming: OSTERIA IL CORTILETTO

Apparently, a trattoria like many others, but which reveals surprises: the endless list of Apulian appetizers of land and sea, the splendid handmade pastas and the fabulous burrata from the Oronzo Crovace dairy.

Regular itinerary for RECREATIONAL level cyclist: Total distance 35 miles (57 km) and Total climb 1,900 feet (580 m).
Extended itinerary for ENTHUSIAST level cyclist: Total distance 43 miles (70 km) and Total climb 2,720 feet (830 m).

Matera, the City of Sassi, a UNESCO site since 1993, is today’s destination, up and down the karst ravines (deep canyons carved by water) to discover a unique place. As a last ride, the crossing of the Murgia Materana Park following the route of the old Materana railway passing through the villages of Montescaglioso and Ginosa.

When darkness is coming: LA CUCCAGNA RESTAURANT

Farewell dinner in Crispiano, excellent land cuisine, meat preparations at Fornello Pronto: Bombette, Gnummareddi, Torcinieddi, wild vegetables and a nice cellar for the last toast.

Regular itinerary for RECREATIONAL level cyclist: Total distance 29 miles (46 km) and Total climb 2,030 feet (620 m).
Extended itinerary for ENTHUSIAST level cyclist: Total distance 39 miles (62 km) and Total climb 2,690 feet (820 m).

After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and start the journey back home.

If you are returning home, we will accompany you to Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi Airport (BDS).
If you plan to continue your stay in Italy, we will be happy to assist you.

We hope to see you soon on one of our next tours on the roads of Italy !

Tours Calendar

Daily Experiences

Don’t you want to get bored?
The bike tours we have prepared will keep you busy from morning to early afternoon, once you return to the hotel you can choose whether to wait for dinner time in complete relaxation, or follow your guides in some interesting experiences that they have prepared for you.
They are committed, every day they offer you a different experience, you will love it for sure !!!

Rione Civita – The highest point of the city where you find yourself in front of the Cathedral. A place with which the inhabitants of Matera have a very strong bond, this church is a bit like the soul of Matera itself.
Rock ChurchesMatera has around 150 rock churches, in various points of its territory, it is a priceless heritage. We will visit the church of San Giovani in Monterrone and of the Madonna of Idris which is frescoed and among the most evocative.
Sasso Caveoso – Very ancient neighborhood with houses dug into the tuff rock, there are cave houses (SASSI) complete with stables for animals and cisterns for collecting water. The Caveoso area overlooks the Gravina Canyon with wonderful views of the Murgia Park. In the neighborhood there are rock churches, house museums…

Alberobello, the city of the “Trulli“, singular peasant buildings made with dry stone walls, culminating in a cone-shaped dome.   They are the magical houses that characterize the urban planning of the Itria valley. The origin of the Trulli is linked to a rural past, the oldest date back to the 15th century, they were the temporary constructions of the farmers, made of stones that could be easily demolished and transported.
The guided tour will take you to visit the interiors and hidden curiosities of the famous city of trulli.
Highlights of the visit:

  • The Aia Piccola district
  • The Trullo museum (exclusively!)
  • The Church of S. Antonio

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In the 17th century, the plague devastated Puglia and only a few villages survived, including Ostuni. The inhabitants had the idea of ​​covering each house with (white) limestone mixed with water. The results were incredible, there were actually fewer diseases because the white lime has antibacterial properties. Now when you walk through the streets of Ostuni, all the houses are whitewashed with doors and decorated with brightly colored flowers.
What to see: The majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta of Ostuni, built in the 15th century by Ferdinand of Aragon. The beautiful baroque arch, the Arco Scoppa, which connects the Bishop’s Palace to the Seminary. The Bishop’s Palace with the Diocesan Museum, a Franciscan monastery from the early 1200s completely restored in neoclassical style in the 19th century which contains prestigious works of art.

Visit to a typical Apulian dairy with tasting of mozzarella, burrata and caciocavallo cheese.
We don’t want you to learn how to make mozzarella and burrata, but just to try how it is prepared.
Mozzarella and burrata are the main cheeses of the Apulian gastronomic culture.
In every village there is a dairy that processes milk according to the traditional recipe and prepares these fresh, fragrant and tasty cheeses.
Dina and her people will show you how it is prepared and then they will let you taste it.

Dining in the great Italian “Trattoria”

Contrary to popular belief, Italy does not have a single gastronomic tradition like pizza, pasta and cannoli, but many traditions closely linked to their territory, which make up a very interesting mosaic. Our goal is to introduce you to it, and to immerse you in this culinary experiance.

PUGLIA has the best Italian regional cuisine (tied), rich in fantastic wild raw materials, Apulian cuisine is purely a “land” cuisine, only in the last 50 years has fish cuisine also grown. What we like so much about Apulian cuisine: the preparations linked to sheep farming, “the pignata sheep” among all, the fresh stretched curd cheeses, mozzarella and the wonderful burrata, the dishes made with wild herbs, the “Lampascioni” frittata is a dream. I could go on, the list of dishes we are in love with is endless.

The key to Cibus’ success is the study of traditional Apulian preparations and the continuous search for improvement. Among the alleys of the historic center of Ceglie, in an ancient 15th century convent, is the Cibus restaurant. In the stone rooms, with lime-painted arches, Lillino Silibello welcomes us with the food and wine traditions of his land
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Murgia black chickpea soup and Norwegian cod.
Pasta or risotto: Raw orecchiette pasta with stracciatella cheese, basil pesto, almonds and tomato confit.
Main course: Gentile sheep of Puglia cooked in terracotta wood-fired oven.

A menu that smells of antiquity, punctuated by dishes of tasty simplicity, which delve into the gastronomic memory of the Murge. Merit of Stefano D’Onghia, very good, while in the dining room Valentina De Cataldo takes care of the guests with passion and competence and manages a truly interesting cellar, full of natural wines.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Stewed artichoke stuffed with local mortadella mousse.
Pasta or risotto: Timbale pasta in broth with chicory and podolica cow meatballs.
Main course: Stewed cod, purple potatoes, “bran” pepper and wild herb salad.

A modern tavern with traditional Bari dishes, we are in the heart of the old city of Bari, where you drink very well and eat very well. A safe reference for 18 years in the center of Bari. This is the air you breathe when you enter, after playing, almost as if you want to preserve the integrity of the customer from the chaos of the city. The Petruzzelli Theater a few meters away and the echoes of the octopus beaters around the corner, a few steps away there is also the port, a changed, welcoming Bari full of contradictions.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Cialledda (dry bread) personalized and revised with potato puree, sautéed artichoke, grilled cherry tomatoes, fried sponsal and crumbled “frisa”, extra virgin olive oil.
Pasta or risotto: Crazy wheels pasta (Benedetto Cavaliere) with Sarconi beans, enriched with mullet bottarga and turnips.
Main course: Salted cod prepared with green cabbage and reggina tomatoes.

In the two gracious rooms, or in the large internal courtyard, traditional Apulian dishes prepared with care are served Local products and respect for seasonality, good cuisine and a small but well-stocked cellar of wines from Puglia and beyond. Polite reception.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Pettola with fried olives, blue cheese cream, “crusco” pepper powder.
Pasta or risotto: Orecchiette (handmade apulian pasta) with veal chops and meatballs with sauce.
Main course: Veal fillet wrapped in a caciocavallo cheese crust, apricot cream with mustard and sautéed spinach.

Cuccagna” or fabulous country, rich in all good things, where life flows happy and happy, without any thought. Half a century old, in the beginning it was a butcher’s shop with a kitchen. With time and work here is the current restaurant, excellent regional cuisine and a spectacular cellar with Italian and French wines-
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Crostata, soft potatoes, sponsal and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Pasta or risotto: Tubettini pasta, ”Calò & Monte” zollino beans, pecorino mousse and tarallo crumbs.
Main course: Baked lamb with peas, potatoes and egg dressingashed potatoes.

An all-female staff will welcome you in this traditional Apulian tavern. Traditional cuisine, many wild vegetables harvested on the Murgia hills. Everything you expect to find in Valle d’Itria: Fried lampascioni, Orecchiette strascinate, Rice-Potatoes-Mussels, Pasta omelette, Baked courgette flowers and the king dish of the pastoral Murgia: Pignata of sheep with potatoes, lampascioni and wild herbs.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Green broad bean puree, EVO oil and red cornetto pepper.
Pasta or risotto: Rice-Potatoes-Mussels.
Main course: Pignata of sheep with potatoes, lampascioni and wild herbs

Living in the Charme

We have selected some beautiful hotels, historical houses and vineyard houses, where you will enjoy to stay in the total relaxation after your bike experience.
Most of them have SPA treatment available in a charming exclusive environment.
Our tours involve staying in a single hotel for the entire holiday, to have more time to immerse yourself in the culture of the area.

This fortress has always been a settlement of Byzantine monks in the 12th century, a garrison of the Knights of Malta in the 1400s, and a Masseria since the 18th century, it has resisted the mistral breeze. Today Masseria Borgo San Marco is a relais/agritourism near the sea in Puglia, perfect for relaxing and indulging in rest, amidst the scent of citrus fruits and other Mediterranean essences.

Charming boutique hotel located a few steps from Porta Nuova, Piazza Bra and the Arena, Hotel Indigo Verona adds the guarantee of quality, style and comfort to the perfection of a central yet secluded location. The Arya Bar & Mixology and its intriguing proposals, the refined design and the accuracy of our services and hospitality standards: these are the ingredients that will make the experience of the Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel des Arts unique.

* All breakfasts, lunches, dinners
* One certified regional guide for every 8 guests, one bike mechanic and one SAG van driver
* Snacks, sport drinks, beverages, energy bars during the tour
* 2 different itineraries every day with different experience levels
* Guest pick-up / drop-off to and from the airport or other meeting point
* Daily bike maintenance and cleaning
* Daily laundry service for bike gear
* Custom Hirides.com cycling kit: bib shorts, jersey and socks
* Private guided tours at museums, historical sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
* All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
* Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
* Professional bicycle rental (e-bike or muscle) or transport of your beloved bicycle to Italy
* Baggage transfers, handling and assistance
* Civil Liability Insurance and Italian health insurance for non European citizens

  • Guide gratuities
  • Ttransportation to and from your HiRides trip start & end locations
  • On-your-own meals & activities
  • Additional cycling kit
  • Travel Protection Plan (highly recomended).

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