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From Sassi of Matera to Salento – 8 Days
From Sassi of Matera to Salento is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided bike tour from Matera in Basilicata to Lecce in Puglia: a challenging one-way route of five cycling stages (316 km) plus a train transfer. You ride from the cave city of Matera to the trulli of Alberobello, through the Itria Valley with Locorotondo, Martina Franca and Cisternino to Ostuni, then explore Salento between Lecce, Gallipoli and Otranto. Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, whitewashed hill towns and the beaches of two seas in one trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Matera
Arrive in Matera, on the border between Basilicata and Puglia, famous for the Sassi, its ancient cave districts listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. Explore the rock-cut churches, visit a traditional cave house and dine, or sleep, in a restored cave. Arriving late? Consider adding an extra night to enjoy the city. Overnight in Matera.
- Day 2
Matera – Alberobello
76 km · +553 mElevation profile
After bike delivery and fitting, you ride across the southern Murgia plateau on quiet rural roads between olive groves, passing Gioia del Colle and Noci. It is the longest stage of the tour. Your goal is Alberobello, the capital of the trulli: about 1,500 of these conical dry-stone houses fill the Monti and Aia Piccola districts, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Overnight in Alberobello.
- Day 3
Alberobello – Ostuni
50 km · +570 mElevation profile
Today you cross the rolling hills of the Itria Valley, a patchwork of red soil, olive groves, vineyards and white trulli. Stop in Locorotondo for an aperitivo with the local white wine, in Martina Franca for its elegant baroque centre and in Cisternino for lunch at a traditional butcher's grill, where they cook the meat you choose, including the local bombette. The day ends in Ostuni, the White City, spread over three hills around its cathedral. Overnight in Ostuni.
- Day 4
Ostuni – Lecce
A rest day from the saddle: you take a direct regional train from Ostuni to Lecce, about 55 minutes (ticket not included; bikes travel free on regional trains). Spend the day in Lecce, the baroque jewel of southern Italy, strolling through its alleys and squares. Don't miss Piazza Duomo, Piazza Sant'Oronzo with its Roman amphitheatre and the ornate Basilica di Santa Croce. Overnight in Lecce.
- Day 5
Lecce – Gallipoli
61 km · +247 mElevation profile
Today you ride through the Salento countryside of olive groves and dry-stone walls. First stop is Galatina, with its Mother Church and the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, famous for its 15th-century frescoes; for lunch, try a rustico leccese. You then continue to Gallipoli, whose old town sits on an island and comes alive in the evening. Overnight in Gallipoli.
- Day 6
Gallipoli – Otranto
70 km · +374 mElevation profile
Today you cross Salento from the Ionian to the Adriatic coast. In the heart of the Grecìa Salentina you pass Corigliano d'Otranto, where some elderly people still speak the ancient Griko dialect, and Melpignano, which draws more than a hundred thousand visitors to the Notte della Taranta music festival in August. Your destination is Otranto, perfect for a seafood dinner and an evening walk through the old town. Overnight in Otranto.
- Day 7
Otranto – Lecce
64 km · +283 mElevation profile
In the morning, visit Otranto Cathedral, where the bones of the 813 martyrs are displayed behind the altar and a medieval mosaic floor, comparable to the famous mosaics of Ravenna, covers the nave. Then ride along the Alimini lakes to Torre dell'Orso and swim in the Grotta della Poesia, a natural pool carved into the rock. Before Lecce, stop in Acaya for an espresso or a sunset drink in front of its castle. Overnight in Lecce.
- Day 8
Lecce
After breakfast, services end. Before you leave, stock up on pasticciotti, Lecce's custard-filled shortcrust pastries. Arrivederci, Puglia!
Tour details
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided bike tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Puglia and Basilicata
- Distance
- 316 km
- Level
- Challenging
- Departures
- Flexible dates: you choose your arrival day
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 7 nights in B&Bs and 3-star hotels (Economy) or 4- and 5-star hotels (Deluxe), with breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast daily. Lunches and dinners are not included, so you are free to try local trattorias along the way.
- Bikes
- Touring bike, E-bike, Road bike, Gravel bike
Prices and services
Prices per person in a double room
| Category | Low season | Mid season | High season |
|---|---|---|---|
| EconomyB&Bs and 3-star hotels | € 1,350 | € 1,450 | € 1,550 |
| Deluxe4- and 5-star hotels | € 1,650 | € 1,875 | € 2,275 |
Seasons
| Season | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Low season | 7 Jan – 31 Mar · 7 Apr – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec | 7 Jan – 21 Mar · 5 Apr – 18 Apr · 3 May – 31 May · 21 Sep – 21 Dec |
| Mid season | 1 Jun – 13 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep | 22 Mar – 4 Apr · 19 Apr – 2 May · 1 Jun – 12 Jul · 25 Aug – 20 Sep |
| High season | 28 Mar – 6 Apr · 14 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan | 13 Jul – 24 Aug · 22 Dec – 6 Jan |
Included in the price
- 7 nights' accommodation with daily breakfast
- Touring or gravel bike rental
- Bike equipment: rear pannier and lock (helmet and water bottle on request)
- Repair kit: spare inner tube, pump, tyre lever
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Navigation app with preloaded GPS tracks, digital roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Telephone assistance (7 days a week, 8:30–19:00)
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Drinks
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Support vehicle (minivan) on the road
- Tourist taxes
- Anything not listed under “What's included”
Supplements
| Single room | +30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings for 1 person only) | +€360 |
| August supplement, 1–24 Aug – Economy | +€255 per person |
| August supplement, 1–24 Aug – Deluxe | +€505 per person |
| E-bike rental | +€160 per bike |
| Road bike rental | +€75 per bike |
Prices are per person in a double room, based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? You can book with the single traveller supplement.
Bikes available for this tour
Touring bike
E-bike
Road bike
Gravel bikeQuestions about this tour
How long is the Matera to Salento tour and how much does it cost?
8 days and 7 nights, with five cycling stages and one train transfer. Prices start at €1,350 per person in a double room (Economy, low season); with Deluxe 4- and 5-star hotels from €1,650.
Where does the tour start and end, and how do I get there?
It is one-way: it starts in Matera and ends in Lecce. Bari is the most convenient airport for Matera and Brindisi the closest to Lecce, so many guests fly into Bari and home from Brindisi; airport transfers can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres do I ride?
Challenging: 316 km in five stages of 52–78 km. The hardest days are Matera – Alberobello (78 km, +650 m) and Alberobello – Ostuni (52 km, +600 m); Ostuni – Lecce is covered by train.
When is the best time to go, and are there seasonal supplements?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer the best temperatures, and low-season prices apply for much of the spring and from 21 September to 21 December. From 1 to 24 August there is a supplement of €255 (Economy) or €505 (Deluxe) per person.
Which bikes are available? Can I rent an e-bike?
Yes. A touring or gravel bike is included; an e-bike costs €160 extra and a road bike €75 extra per bike.
What is included in the price?
Seven nights with breakfast, bike rental with pannier and lock, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, the navigation app with GPS tracks and roadbook, medical and luggage insurance and telephone assistance. Lunches, dinners, drinks, tourist taxes and the Ostuni – Lecce train ticket are not included.
