Highlights of Puglia

Whether you're looking for sandy beaches, exquisite hilltop towns, pretty open countryside or perhaps just a delicious plate full of cockles, clams and calamari plucked straight from the Adriatic Sea, Puglia has got it all.

Puglia has so many highlights it's difficult to pick just a few, but to get a flavour of the region's best bits, take a look at our selection below, all of which feature on our Puglia Bike Tour.

And while we love sharing our favourite destinations with you, we must warn you that Puglia sells fast. To ensure you get your preferred dates for 2023, enquire online or call us on +44 (0) 1273 224066 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5:30pm UK time).

Puglia is a wonderfully mixed bag of different cultural influences and styles, and none more quirky than the whitewashed town of Alberobello. On your first night you'll stay in your very own 'trullo', a remarkable hobbit-style hut with a pyramidal, domed or conical roof.

The UNESCO-listed 'trulli' huts date back to the 16th century and are still inhabited to this day. You can fill the rest of your time here exploring the pretty streets, visiting small shops selling local produce and enjoying an informal meal in the town's trattorias.

On the second day of your tour, you'll weave your way through the quiet Italian countryside past olive groves and vineyards before arriving at the astounding hilltop town of Ostuni. The region of Puglia boasts some exceptionally beautiful towns, and Ostuni is by far one of the most picturesque.

Here you'll have an afternoon to wander through quiet and shaded ancient streets and take in breathtaking views towards the sea and over rural Italy. In the evening, you can feast on clams, mussels, octopus, and anchovies, delicacies of the region brought in from the nearby Adriatic.

On a rocky outcrop extending into the Ionian Sea sits the old Greek town of Gallipoli. Separated from the mainland by a bridge, the old town features some impressive architectural gems such as the 13th century Gallipoli Castle, the 14th century Spanish walls and the Baroque Cathedral of Sant'Agata.

Your evening here will feel like a well-earned rest after a long day's cycling from Manduria, so make the most of your stay and relax with a drink in a waterfront restaurant and take in pleasant views over the Ionian Sea.

Just because you're on an active holiday doesn't mean you can't spend time reclining on the beach, and there will be plenty of opportunity to do just that and to swim in the idyllic waters around the southern tip of Italy as the second half of the tour takes you along Puglia's beautiful coastline.

The beaches between Gallipoli and Santa Maria di Leuca, which you'll pedal by on day five, are particularly stunning, with their calm, shallow, tranquil waters. See for yourself why Salento is called the ‘Caribbean of Italy’!

On the fifth day of your tour you'll pedal your way to the southernmost tip of Italy's 'heel', where the waters of the Adriatic meet the Ionian Sea, and visit the bright and pretty town of Santa Maria di Leuca. Well known for its church and hilltop lighthouse, the town looks stunning against the dreamy Mediterranean waters.

A paradise for seafood lovers, the waterfront restaurants of Santa Maria di Lucea serve up gorgeous fresh seafood plucked straight from the sea. Dine on local specialities such as sea urchins, common dentex and black grouper, some of the most delicious fish in the Med. You can also wander to the nearby sandy beaches of Felloniche, Posto Vecchio, Torre Vado and Pescoluse and take a refreshing dip in the tranquil waters.

Your ride from Santa Maria Di Lucea takes you along the stunning coastline of the Adriatic Sea before you reach another cultural gem of the tour, the port city of Otranto. The old part of the town is surrounded by a mighty wall and contains the Aragonese Castle and its beautiful cathedral.

There are many beautiful historical attractions here and, of course, more delicious food on restaurant menus. This late on in the tour we'd also highly recommend taking the time to visit the thermal spas near Otranto for a chance to rejuvenate and soothe sore muscles.

Baroque churches, ancient amphitheatres and ornate interiors make Lecce a place of exceptional beauty. Nicknamed 'The Florence of the South', its ornate monuments and their beautiful interiors will take your breath away.

Lecce is also an ideal place to enjoy some well-earned relaxation at the end of your week of cycling. Set in an important agricultural region, Lecce produces some fantastic olive oil and wine, so take the time to bask in one of the town squares and enjoy some bruschetta, washed down with a glass of local vino.

Add something extra special to your Puglia experience and lose yourself in the labyrinth of narrow alleyways and steep stairways in the astonishing town of Matera  - although it's technically in Basilicata not Puglia. This used to be included as the first night of the tour, but since being featured in the recent Bond film, the town has shot up in popularity.

But fear not, you can still add Matera on as a pre-tour extension and spend one or two nights there before taking a transfer straight to your trullo in Alberobello.