Ride from the Adriatic to the White Town of Ostuni
Northern Puglia by Bike: Castel del Monte & UNESCO Sites
Ride to castles, through cave churches and stay in trulli, all linked by quiet country roads.
From
£1235
- Castel del Monte. Climb to Frederick II's mysterious hilltop castle, a perfect stone octagon and the first of three UNESCO sites on your route.
- Trani by the Sea. Begin in an elegant Adriatic port, where a Romanesque cathedral stands right at the water's edge.
- Cave Towns and Rock Churches. Explore underground Gravina and the ancient Sassi, where homes and frescoed churches are carved straight into the rock.
- Sleep in a Trullo. Spend a night in a historic trulli complex, among whitewashed stone houses topped with cone shaped roofs.
- Ostuni, the White Town. Ride through the Itria Valley to the finish, a gleaming hilltop town above olive groves that roll down to the sea.
This is a trip that goes from place to place
You will stay in curated, cycling friendly hotels.
Choose a road bike, hybrid, electric bike or gravel bike, so you can ride northern Puglia your way.
We will provide luggage transfers to take your belongings from hotel to hotel as you ride from Trani to Ostuni.
As part of your cycling adventure, we will provide you with a set of digital routes accessible through a dedicated app.
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We are the cycling holiday experts.
Whether you're a keen road cyclist, enjoy riding an e-bike or hybrid bike, or want to get your family more active, we have the perfect cycling holiday for you.
8 Days, 5 Riding Days
Your Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Trani
Arrive in Trani and settle into your hotel in this elegant port town on the Adriatic. Wander the old streets to the Romanesque cathedral standing right at the water's edge, pass the Swabian Castle, then choose a harbourside restaurant for the freshest fish of your trip.
Day 2 - Trani to Castel del Monte
45km total distance
Leave the coast behind and ride into the Alta Murgia countryside, through olive groves and vineyards on quiet back roads. A short climb brings you to Castel del Monte, Frederick II's extraordinary octagonal castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unlike any other castle in Europe.
Today's ride is 45km (28 miles)Day 3 - Castel del Monte to Gravina in Puglia
47km total distance
Cross the open meadows of the Alta Murgia National Park and drop into the valley on near empty roads where time seems to stand still. Gravina in Puglia has been lived in since the 8th century BC, so take time to explore its underground city, its old town and the great stone bridge spanning the ravine.
Today's ride is 47km (29 miles)Day 4 - Gravina in Puglia to Matera
46km total distance
Ride first to Altamura, famous for its medieval cathedral and its bread, and taste focaccia fresh from a wood fired oven. Then cross into Basilicata and roll into Matera, checking into a hotel in the Sassi, the ancient cave town carved into the rock. Ask us about a private guide for the rock churches.
Today's ride is 46km (29 miles)Day 5 - Matera Rest Day or Loop Ride
40km total distance
Spend the day exploring on foot, or take one of two loops into the surrounding countryside. The easier Murgia loop crosses the gorge to the finest view of the Sassi, passing rock churches and a Neolithic village. The longer loop circles the peaceful San Giuliano Lake to the Crypt of Original Sin, with frescoes painted five centuries before Giotto, then finishes with a long climb back to town.
Today's ride is 36km to 40km (22 to 25 miles)Day 6 - Matera to Alberobello
69km total distance
Ride back into Puglia through Gioia del Colle and Noci, on rolling roads lined with dry stone walls and olive groves. This is your longest day, and the reward is a night in a trulli complex dating back to the 1600s, right in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today's ride is 69km (43 miles)Day 7 - Alberobello to Ostuni
45km total distance
Your final ride crosses the Itria Valley, dotted with trulli, then winds through the woods of the Selva di Fasano as the Adriatic coast opens up below you. Finish in Ostuni, the White Town, its gleaming walls rising above a sea of olive groves, and celebrate with dinner in the old town as the sun goes down.
Today's ride is 45km (28 miles)Day 8 - Departure from Ostuni
Enjoy a final breakfast in Ostuni before your tour comes to an end. If you would like longer in Puglia, ask us about adding extra nights here or down on the coast.
Reviews
What our Cyclists Say
I booked through Love Velo because the reviews were so good. I wasn't disappointed. Right from my first contact with LV they were easy to talk to and although I dithered (my first cycling trip abroad) they didn't press me. When I eventually confirmed my booking they took care of everything.
Read full reviewStephen Foster
Everything about Love Velo has been faultless. From the initial notification of them teaming up with Le Col and to the pricing being unbelievable and then the customer service, top class. James, if all the staff are as attentive to every detail as you are then everyone will be as lucky as I have been. 100% at some point, hopefully in the near future I will be booking again with you guys. Thank you again
Read full reviewIan Robertson
Very friendly and helpful team, knowledgeable and helpful advice to offer with podcasts and professional advice go that extra mile. The team are always on hand and positive - no matter how trivial your question. I’ve organised and completed plenty of trips doing it all myself, but never again.
Read full reviewPhilD
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