Puglia Biking
Italy's Sun-Drenched Adriatic Coast
It's just a complete contradiction. It reminds you of whitewashed coastal villages of Greece but it's distinctly Italian. There's an island-like easiness but it's part of the mainland. You'll ride along the deep blue waters of the Adriatic that are still one moment and dramatic the next. The people are welcoming and down to earth but the foods are explosive and even piccante (spicy) at times. Authentic farmhouses have been transformed into exquisite inns. Every turn on your adventure will feel familiar and foreign at the same time. Welcome to Puglia.
- Unbeatable views of ancient olive orchards, whitewashed villages and age-old farmhouses
- Ride on quiet one-lane orchard roads, cooled by sea breezes, under big blue skies
- 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 Unbeatable views of ancient olive orchards, whitewashed villages and age-old farmhouses 
Bike past fields of strawberries and fennel, and a sea of shimmery olive trees Explore the sun-bleached fishing town of Polignano a Mare, with narrow winding streets and limestone cliffs Join us for a sommelier-led tasting of full-bodied Primitivo and other notable Pugliese vini.
Day 3 Ride on quiet one-lane roads, cooled by sea breezes, under big blue skies, and along the Murgia, an impressive limestone plateau Ever wondered how mozzarella is made? Learn how it's done at a visit to an agriturismo with a mozzarella master, then enjoy samples Get cooking with local Pugliese chefs during an unforgettable culinary lesson.
Day 4 Alberobello: a World Heritage site with 1,500 cone-roofed trulli Pedal rolling country roads through the fertile Val d'Itria to Martina Franca, rich in Baroque and medieval architecture.
Days 5-6 Dine on organic homemade Pugliese dishes with a wine pairing at each course Peaceful lanes lead to Ostuni, la città bianca (the white city), which spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Gothic cathedral Spin to Egnazia, ruins of a 5th century B.C. Roman port city.
- 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 32 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Puglia Biking
Premiere Inns
Il Melograno
Monópoli (2 nights) A tastefully restored 17th-century masseria (fortified farmhouse) surrounded by orchards of olive trees. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Relais Villa San Martino
Martina Franca (1 night) A stylish and intimate country resort with expansive gardens and attentive service. (pool, spa)
Masseria San Domenico
Savelletri di Fasano (2 nights) An Andrew Harper Grand Award recipient with "a winning combination of international comfort and refined rusticity," overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Puglia Biking
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1
2 Route Options Available
- 12, 16 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 21, 29, 37 miles
- 1000 - 1650 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 35, 46 miles
- 1700 - 2800 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 21, 37, 57 miles
- 800 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 20, 25, 38 miles
- 820 - 1900 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 9 miles
- 50 feet elevation gain