Salento Coastal E-Bike Journey
The map says Italy, it is south point of heel of the boot shape: Salento
Though you may feel you’ve strayed into Greece, and that’s a part of Puglia’s appeal. Endless olive groves, a rugged coastline and the blue-green Adriatic.
New Tour for 2026 — designed exclusively for e-bikes.
A brand-new adventure crafted to explore the very edge of Italy with ease, curiosity, and wonder.
This is Salento at its purest: white stone lanes winding through olive groves, villages suspended between land and sea, and two dazzling coastlines — Adriatic and Ionian — shaping every horizon.
With the comfort of an e-bike, you ride lightly and stop often.
Coastal breezes, transparent waters, ancient stones, Baroque cities, quiet fishing harbors — the journey unfolds at the perfect Mediterranean pace.
This is the heel of Italy, lived from the saddle: bright, warm, genuine, and unforgettable.
The people are welcoming and down-to-earth, the cuisine rustic and satisfying: enjoy regional specialties that include fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, and Salice Salentino the powerful red wine from Lecce.
Wow Moments
- The medieval village of Castro and Grotta Zinzulusa.
- The Aragonese Castle, the cathedral with its impressive Renaissance rose window and the village surrounded by walls, in Otranto.
- Cycling along Italy’s most stunning coastal road to Otranto: Baia di Enea.
- Bike from coast to coast, from the Ionian to the Adriatic.
Bike ride past ancient stone villages, prehistoric menhirs and crypts into the picturesque seaside town of Otranto, then dinner by the sea in this former Byzantine stronghold.
Explore a scenic cliff-side grotto and cycle along the coast to the southern tip of western Europe with views all the way to the Balkans on a clear day.
Cycle past the Alimini Lakes and through the Graecia Salentina, an area famous for its charming, historic villages and the distinctive local dialect.
The tour starts and ends in the gorgeous city of Lecce.
You’ve found your perfect cycling trip
DAY 1
Arrival in Lecce by train or by private transfer.
One day to visit Lecce and explore the surrounding delighting your sense with the local food & wine, astonishing your view with the Baroque architecture, Castles and Palaces that make this region unique. Take a walk in the beautiful historical center of Lecce, losing yourself among its baroque palaces, do not forget to visit the cathedral and its square, the Church of Santa Croce and Amphitheater.
DAY 2
Bike ride from Lecce to Gallipoli
Pedal out of Lecce through quiet countryside, drifting between olive groves, vineyards, and stone walls.
Pause in the lovely Baroque town of Nardò for a caffè leccese and pasticciotto.
A gentle breeze guides you toward the Ionian coast: Santa Maria al Bagno’s crystalline bay invites a swim or gelato break.
Follow the scenic seaside bike path into Gallipoli, glowing at sunset like an island of gold.
Arrive at the fishing town of Gallipoli enjoying the local food & wine with the people that craft it. A must to do is the evening stroll in the typical streets of the old town
Distance 51 km / 31 miles
Terrain: Flat
DAY 3
Bike ride from Gallipoli to Leuca
Follow the Ionian shoreline past long beaches and fishermen’s hamlets until the coast turns wild and rocky.
Stop in Torre Mozza for lunch or a final sandy swim before the scenery shifts to limestone cliffs and secret coves.
Soon the road brings you to Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet at the tip of Italy — De Finibus Terrae.
A serene waterfront, elegant villas, and sea grottoes complete the sense of being at the end of the land.
Distance 55 km /34 miles
Terrain: Flat
DAY 4
Bike ride from Leuca to Otranto
Turn toward the Adriatic on one of Italy’s most spectacular coastal roads.
Your e-bike smooths the climb as turquoise coves open below you.
Stop in Santa Cesarea Terme, with its Moorish villas, then continue to tiny Porto Badisco for a swim or a simple seaside snack.
Ride past Punta Palascia, Italy’s easternmost lighthouse, before arriving in Otranto, a mosaic of Greek, Norman, and Aragonese history overlooking luminous blue water.
Once in Otranto we suggest the visit of the town: the beautiful Cathedral with its rose window and interior mosaic, and the Aragonese castle and its defensive walls. Strongly suggested a sea fish dinner.
Distance 51 km /31 miles
Terrain: Rolling hills
DAY 5
Bike ride from Otranto to Lecce
Follow a bright stretch of coast past the crescent beach of Torre dell’Orso and the “Two Sisters” sea stacks.
Continue to Roca Vecchia, where archaeological ruins and sea caves tell ancient Mediterranean stories.
Turning inland, reach Acaya, a beautifully preserved fortified village with an impressive castle.
Your final gentle ride brings you back to Lecce for an Apulian aperitivo and a well-earned celebration.
Distance 48 km / 28 miles
Terrain: Flat
DAY 6
Enjoy your farewell breakfast at charming hotel in center of Lecce
INFO TOUR
best period April, May, June, September, October, November
DIFFICULTY : moderate
TOTAL DISTANCE : 230 km / 143 miles in 4 stages
TOUR REVIEWS
Price & Inclusions
Cost: € 1850 per person in double occupancy
Single room supplement € 690
What’s included
- Five nights in four star superior and luxury hotels
- Five breakfasts
- All Baggage transfers
- RideWithGPS App: tracks, route notes, off-line navigation
- Trip notes: Sightseeing & meals suggestions
- Delivery bike at Lecce hotel & bike fitting
- Pick-up of bikes and gear in Lecce
- Keepsake Cicloposse water bottle
- Sales tax
Not Included
Bike Rental for entire tour
E-Bike euro 260
City Tax each village charges a tax per each day between euro 1 to 3,00.
Located within a leisurely stroll of iconic landmarks like Piazza Duomo and the Church of Santa Croce, Arco Vecchio offers a perfect starting point for exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage.
Beyond the cobblestone streets, the allure of the Lecce awaits exploration, once you get there by bike!
Taste the experience of Palazzo Maresgallo: a unique sensory experience.
The philosophy of hospitality is expressed in the care and refinement of the smallest details: excellent comfort of the beds, luxurious percale and lightness of the duvets, choice of pillows, domotics, noble and natural materials to relax in elegant, original and eclectic environments.
Palazzo Mosco is a period residence of the nineteenth century, located in Gallipoli, in the heart of the old town centre, still nowadays a fishing village. Among the lanes and the small courtyards that smell of history and tradition, behind the beautiful St. Agatha’s Cathedral, Palazzo Mosco Inn is the ideal place to enjoy the comfort in the centre of the town, close to historic sites, cultural places and amazing landscape.
Relais Corte Palmieri is a wonderful historical house dating back to 1700 situated in the dense maze of alleys, streets and squares of the famous fishing village of Gallipoli. Characterized by sunny terraces and walls covered by colorful bougainvillea, this beautiful unique building, evocates a Moroccan Riad.
Hotel l’ Approdo designed in Typical Mediterranean style, situated in a panoramic position, overlooking the Marina of Santa Maria di Leuca. Its comfortable rooms, its spacious lounges, the beautiful swimming pool surrounded by greenery, the sea-view terrace and a typical and prestigious restaurant make it an “approdo” magical and authentic. Samarinda Private beach.
Dimora San Giuseppe Hotel & SPA is the result of the historical renovation of a typical 16th-century Apulian farmhouse, transforming it into a prestigious residence with a unique charm.
Be enchanted by tranquillity of Dimora San Giuseppe between alleyways full of life, crystal-clear waters, and colourful landscapes.
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Tour Reviews
We loved our trip in Puglia and enjoyed the scenery, towns, hotels…and definitely the food! The riding is definitely easier than in Tuscany (almost no hills)…but we did miss the smooth, freshly paved roads of Tuscany!
Martin needed his bike changed, for comfort, and they responded quickly, solving everything right away. A great addition to the trip was that they gave us a lot of information about the people and food of Puglia. In fact, Laura provided many interesting food related stories and contacts of who to visit/where to eat along the way. We enjoyed that so much that we hired her for a gastronomic day at the end of the trip and visited a market, olive oil farm, cheese making and then made our own pasta..an awesome day!
Giuliana it was fabulous. We really enjoyed the region, the people and the food. We thought your organisation was great and we’d throughly recommend both you and Puglia to anyone!
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