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Tour of Gargano
The Tour of Gargano is an 8-day, 7-night self-guided cycling loop from San Giovanni Rotondo around the Gargano promontory, the spur of Italy's boot – the most challenging tour we run. You ride through the Gargano National Park and along Lake Varano to Rodi Garganico, with a free day for the Tremiti Islands, then follow the coast to Peschici, Vieste and Mattinata. The last stage climbs to Monte Sant'Angelo and its UNESCO-listed Sanctuary of San Michele.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
San Giovanni Rotondo
Arrive at your own pace in San Giovanni Rotondo, a pilgrimage town where the remains of Padre Pio, canonised in 2002, are kept. Visit the modern Sanctuary of San Pio designed by Renzo Piano and, in the old town, the circular baptistery that gave the town the name “Rotondo”. Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
- Day 2
San Giovanni Rotondo – Rodi Garganico
74 km · +865 mElevation profile ↗
After the bike handover and briefing you ride through the Gargano National Park and along Lake Varano, the largest coastal lake in Italy. The day ends in Rodi Garganico, set on a small promontory above the sea, where old towers and ruins recall its Greek and Roman past. Overnight in Rodi Garganico.
- Day 3
Rodi Garganico – Isole Tremiti
A free day: take the seasonal ferry to the Tremiti Islands, a marine nature reserve since 1989 (ticket not included). Or stay in Rodi Garganico for its long sandy beaches, the castle, the churches of St Peter, St Nicholas and the Crucifix, and a stroll through the picturesque Vuccolo quarter. Overnight in Rodi Garganico.
- Day 4
Rodi Garganico – Peschici
Coastal route 16 km · +276 mSporty route via Foresta Umbra and Vico del Gargano 53 km · +1,164 mElevation profile Coastal route ↗Elevation profile Sporty route via Foresta Umbra and Vico del Gargano ↗
Choose your route. Sea lovers follow the coast straight to Peschici (16 km, +276 m), while keen cyclists climb into the Foresta Umbra, a protected forest in the Gargano National Park, with views over the Tremiti Islands and a visit to Vico del Gargano (53 km, +1,164 m). Overnight in Peschici.
- Day 5
Peschici – Vieste
28 km · +418 mElevation profile ↗
A short stage along the Gargano coast: golden beaches, cliffs covered in Aleppo pines, coastal towers and trabucchi, the ancient wooden fishing machines protected by the national park. At the gates of Vieste rises Pizzomunno, a 25-metre white monolith and the symbol of the town; save time for a boat trip to the sea caves. Overnight in Vieste.
- Day 6
Vieste – Mattinata
48 km · +982 mElevation profile ↗
A hilly, spectacular ride around the eastern edge of the promontory, one of the toughest days of the tour. The coast here seems bathed in a pearly pink light that contrasts with the sea, which turns from deep to soft blue towards evening. Overnight in Mattinata.
- Day 7
Mattinata – San Giovanni Rotondo
46 km · +1,032 mElevation profile ↗
From Mattinata the road climbs to Monte Sant'Angelo, the oldest town on the Gargano peninsula. Do not miss the Sanctuary of San Michele Arcangelo, one of the world's most celebrated shrines to the Archangel Michael and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, before riding on to San Giovanni Rotondo. Overnight in San Giovanni Rotondo.
- Day 8
San Giovanni Rotondo
Breakfast and end of services. Time to head home with the Gargano's coast and forests in your legs and memories. Arrivederci Puglia!
Tour details
- Duration
- 8 days / 7 nights
- Tour type
- Self-guided bike tour, with navigation app
- Area
- Gargano
- Distance
- 212 km
- Level
- Challenging
- Departures
- Flexible dates: you choose your arrival day
- Participants
- Minimum 2
- Accommodation
- 7 nights in B&Bs or 3* hotels (Economy category) or in 4*/5* hotels (Deluxe category).
- Meals
- Breakfast every day. Lunches and dinners are not included.
- 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&B / 3* hotel | € 1,350 | € 1,475 | € 1,675 |
| Deluxe4*/5* hotel | € 1,670 | € 2,075 | € 2,475 |
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
- 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 transfers from one accommodation to the next
- Access to our navigation app with preloaded GPS tracks, roadbook and practical and tourist information
- Telephone assistance
- *Reduce waste: we encourage you to bring your own helmet and refillable water bottle. If you need them, just let us know in advance.
- Travel insurance (medical and luggage) – see the insurance information
Not included
- Lunches and dinners
- Airport transfers (available on request)
- Minivan support
- Tourist taxes
- Ferry to the Tremiti Islands
- Anything not listed under “What's included”
Supplements
| Single room | +30% on the base price |
| Single traveller (bookings for 1 participant only, to cover per-person logistics costs) | on request |
| 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 and based on a minimum of 2 participants. Travelling solo? You are welcome: the single traveller supplement is quoted on request.
Bikes available for this tour
Touring bike
E-bike
Road bike
Gravel bikeRoute map
Questions about this tour
How long is the tour and how much does it cost?
8 days and 7 nights, from €1,350 per person in the Economy category (B&Bs and 3* hotels, low season, double room). The Deluxe category with 4*/5* hotels starts at €1,670.
Where does the tour start and end, and how do I get there?
It is a loop that starts and ends in San Giovanni Rotondo, in the Gargano. Bari is the most practical international airport; airport transfers are not included but can be arranged on request.
How difficult is it and how many kilometres will I ride?
Challenging – the hardest tour we run: 212 km over 5 riding days (249 km with the Foresta Umbra option), with up to 1,032 m of climbing in a single stage. It suits fit riders who enjoy long climbs, or anyone on an e-bike.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal; the ferry to the Tremiti Islands is seasonal. The tour can be booked all year, and from 1 to 24 August a supplement of €255 (Economy) or €505 (Deluxe) per person applies.
Which bikes are available? Can I ride an e-bike?
Yes. A touring or gravel bike is included, and you can switch to an e-bike for €160 – highly recommended on the Gargano – or to a road bike for €75.
What is included in the price?
7 nights with breakfast, bike with pannier, lock and repair kit, luggage transfers between accommodations, our navigation app with GPS tracks and roadbook, luggage and medical insurance and telephone assistance. The ferry to the Tremiti Islands is not included.
