Puglia Bike tours
Puglia Cycling Tours
Road to Matera
Explore the breathtaking charm of Puglia with Hirides, offering captivating bike tours that blend coastal beauty, ancient traditions, and exhilarating adventure. Cycle through sun-drenched olive groves, along rugged cliffs, and past whitewashed villages as you discover the unspoiled allure of Italy’s southern gem.
Whether you’re a seasoned rider or prefer a leisurely journey, our Puglia tours cater to all levels and preferences. With expertly crafted routes, premium E-Bikes, and knowledgeable local guides, every pedal stroke immerses you in the region’s unique character and stunning landscapes.
This isn’t just a cycling trip—it’s a deep dive into Puglia’s rich history, vibrant cuisine, and warm hospitality. Ready to uncover the magic of this Mediterranean paradise? Book your Puglia bike tour adventure today!
Why Choose a Cycling Holiday in Puglia
A cycling holiday in Puglia is a fantastic way to experience one of Italy’s most captivating regions. With stunning coastal landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and mouthwatering local cuisine, Puglia promises an unforgettable adventure on two wheels.
Pedal through ancient olive groves, along rugged coastlines, and through charming towns with whitewashed buildings. Explore historic gems like Alberobello and Ostuni, discover hidden villages, and immerse yourself in Puglia’s authentic, laid-back atmosphere. Off the bike, indulge in traditional dishes, fresh seafood, and Puglia’s signature wines, such as Primitivo and Negroamaro.
Whether you prefer gentle rides along scenic coastal routes or the challenge of hilltop climbs in the Itria Valley, Puglia offers something for every cyclist. With its mild Mediterranean climate, you can enjoy cycling almost year-round, making spring, summer, and autumn especially delightful for breathtaking views and ideal conditions.
Bike Tours in Puglia Overview
Daily itineraries
Tours Calendar
Tour 2024
Sunday 13th – Thursday 18th October
Single accomodation 7,850.00 USD
Double accomodation 6,550.00 USD
Sunday 13th – Thursday 18th October
Single accomodation 7,850.00 USD
Double accomodation 6,550.00 USd
Tours 2025
Sunday 11th – Thursday 16th May
Single accomodation 7,850.00 USD
Double accomodation 6,550.00 USD
Sunday 19rd – Thursday 24th October
Single accomodation 7,850.00 USD
Double accomodation 6,550.00 USD
Sunday 26rd – Thursday 31st October
Single accomodation 7,850.00 USD
Double accomodation 6,550.00 USD
If you do not find the tour you are interested in, no problem. We can organize a PRIVATE TOUR just for you.
The tour will be tailored to your needs, and together we can define, for each detail of the tour, the best solution for you. Below are the most common customizations requested by our guests:
- TOUR DESTINATION: In addition to the destinations in our catalog, we can create new itineraries in Italy and Southern France or customize an itinerary according to your preferences.
- PERIOD: We can organize your tour for any period you want, starting and ending on the dates you choose.
- PARTICIPANTS: Our tours require a minimum of 6 participants and can accommodate up to 14. If your group size is smaller or larger, we can arrange a customized tour to fit your needs.
- TOUR DIFFICULTY: We offer two tours of varying difficulty levels each day. If they are not challenging enough, we can design a more demanding route in terms of length and elevation changes.
- HOLIDAYS FOR NON-CYCLING GUESTS: Non-cycling guests are welcome. We can plan activities and excursions for them with a dedicated guide while the cycling group is on tour.
By filling out the form, you will allow us to begin the customization process for your tour.
Excursions
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 to some interesting experiences that they have prepared for you.
Every day they are committed to offer you a unique experience, you will surely love!
Rione Civita – The highest point of the city where you find yourself in front of the Cathedral. A place where the inhabitants of Matera have a very strong bond. This church is a bit like the soul of Matera itself.
Rock Churches – Matera 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 the Madonna of Idris which is frescoed and amongst the most evocative.
Sasso Caveoso – Historically ancient neighborhood with houses dug into the tuff volcanic rock. There are cave houses (SASSI) complete with stables for animals and cisterns for collecting water. The Caveoso area overlooks Gravina Canyon with wonderful views of Murgia Materana Park. In the neighborhood there are rock churches, house museums and many other special landmarks for your viewing pleasure.
Alberobello, the city of the “Trulli“, unique rural strutcures made with dry stone walls, culminating in a cone shape. They are the magical houses that eventually characterized village urban planning in the Itria valley. The origin of the Trulli is linked to a rural past and the oldest dates back to the 15th century. They were temporary constructions of the farmers, made of stones that could be easily moved.
The guided tour will take you to visit the interiors and hidden curiosities of the famous ‘City of the Trulli’.
Highlights of the visit:
- The Aia Piccola
- The Trullo museum
- The Church of S. Antonio
- 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 limestone had antibacterial properties. Now when you walk through the streets of Ostuni, all the houses are whitewashed with doors 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 the 19th century in the neoclassical style with prestigious works of art.
Visit a typical Apulian caseificio with a tasting of mozzarella, burrata and caciocavallo cheeses.
Mozzarella and burrata are the main cheeses of the Apulian gastronomic culture.
In every village there is a caseificio that processes milk according to the traditional recipe and prepares these fresh, fragrant and tasty cheeses. We don’t want you to learn how to make mozzarella and burrata, but you will have the chance to make it.
Dina, owner of Caseificio Crovace and her people will show you how it is prepared and then they will let you taste it.
Culinary Highlights of Your Puglia Bike Tour
Contrary to popular belief, Italy’s culinary heritage isn’t defined by a single tradition of pizza, pasta, or cannoli. Instead, it’s a rich tapestry of regional cuisines, each deeply rooted in local landscapes and traditions. Our goal is to guide you through this vibrant mosaic, immersing you in an unforgettable culinary experience.
Every evening, we invite you to dine at “Great Italian Trattorias”, where the essence of Italy’s gastronomic heritage is lovingly preserved and celebrated. These are places where tradition meets passion, and every dish tells a story.
In Puglia, one of Italy’s most revered culinary regions, the focus is on fresh, locally sourced ingredients that shine in every bite. Known for its rustic, land-based cuisine, Puglia’s culinary identity is shaped by its agricultural roots, with seafood only becoming prominent in the last 50 years.
What we love most about Puglian cuisine is its simplicity and depth of flavor:
- Shepherd’s specialties like the rich, slow-cooked “pignata sheep.”
- Fresh, creamy curd cheeses, mozzarella, and the incomparable burrata.
- Dishes infused with foraged wild herbs.
- The unforgettable Lampascioni frittata, a true delicacy.
And that’s just the beginning. The list of dishes that capture our hearts—and palates—seems endless. Get ready to fall in love with Puglia, one plate at a time.
The key to Cibus’ success is the study of traditional Apulian preparations and the continuous search for improvement. Cibus is located within the alleys of the historic center of Ceglie, in an ancient 15th century convent. In the stone rooms, with lime-painted arches, Lillino Silibello welcomes us with the food and wine traditions of his land.
Specialty 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 a terracotta wood-fired oven.
Chef Stefano D’Onghia’s menu evokes antiquity, highlighted by dishes of tasty simplicity which delve into the gastronomic memory of the Murge. Valentina De Cataldo takes care of the guests with passion and competence and manages a truly interesting cellar, full of organic wines.
Specialty 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, violet potatoes, “bran” pepper and wild herb salad.
A modern tavern with traditional Barese dishes for over 18 years. We are in the heart of the old city of Bari, where you drink and eat very well and can escape from the chaos of the city. The Petruzzelli Theater is located a few meters away and the echoes of the octopus beaters are just around the corner. The ancient port of Bari is few steps away and you can enjoy the nice stroll along the water.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Cialledda (dry bread) with potato puree, sautéed artichoke, grilled cherry tomatoes, fried scallion 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 seasonal products, good cuisine and a small but well-stocked wine cellar from Puglia and beyond await you.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Pettole with fried olives, blue cheese cream, “crusco” red pepper powder.
Pasta or risotto: Handmade Apulian orecchiette 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 worries. Half a century old, in the beginning it was a butcher’s shop with a kitchen. La Cuccagna throughout time has established itself as an excellent restaurant, offering regional cuisine and a spectacular cellar with Italian and French wines.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Crostata with potatoes, scallions and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Pasta or risotto: Tubettini pasta, ”Calò & Monte” zollino beans, pecorino mousse and crumbled taralli.
Main course: Baked lamb with peas, potatoe and egg dressing, mashed potatoes.
The staff welcome you to this traditional Apulian tavern. Traditional cuisine with many wild vegetables harvested on the Murge hills. Exsperice everything you expect to find in Valle d’Itria: fried baby onions, pulled orecchiette, rice with potatoes and mussels, pasta omelette, baked zucchini flowers. The traditional dish of the shepherds of the Murge: sheep with potatoes, baby onions and wild herbs prepared in terracotta.
Specialty dishes:
Starter: Green broad bean puree, EVO and red pepper.
Pasta or risotto: Rice with potatoes and mussels.
Main course: sheep with potatoes, baby onions and wild herbs prepared in terracotta.
Puglia Bike Tour Accommodation
We’ve handpicked a collection of exquisite hotels, historic homes, and vineyard estates where you can unwind and relax after your cycling adventures. Each property offers a unique charm, ensuring your stay is as memorable as the journey itself. Many of our accommodations feature luxurious spa treatments in exclusive, tranquil settings, allowing you to rejuvenate in style. Our tours are designed for a more immersive experience, allowing you to truly soak in the local culture, savoring the authentic atmosphere of the region without the need for constant packing and travel.
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. Today masseria Borgo San Marco is a luxurious hotel near the sea in Puglia, perfect for relaxing and indulging, amidst the scent of citrus fruits and other Mediterranean essences.
On the edge of bustling beach life, the 17th century farmhouse has been revived as a charming hotel, surrounded by 24 acres of olive trees, citrus and almond groves, kitchen gardens and flower beds. Once a stately country estate, one can still feel the spirit of that time – cheerful, exuberant and proud. This is the tranquility and simple luxury of Masseria Calderisi.