Puglia and Basilicata UNESCO Cycling Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive

Welcome to Puglia’s capital city, Bari! Set on the beautiful Adriatic Sea, this important port city is an excellent introduction to Puglian history and culture.

If your arrival time permits, set out on an adventure in “Bari Vecchia,” the city’s charming old town.
Picturesque piazzas and ancient palaces, rich in historical folklore, make the old town a perfect place to begin this adventure. From the ladies making orecchiette pasta in the streets to the spectacular chaos of the bustling fish market, Bari will welcome you into the very fabric of its culture and traditions, leaving you pleasantly charmed.

Make sure to visit the Basilica of San Nicola, one of the most remarkable sites in the city and a popular medieval pilgrimage destination.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Bari
Distance: None
Meals: None

Day 2 Cycle Olive Groves and Vineyards to Bitonto and Ruvo di Puglia

Leaving the bustle of the city behind, your route today is steeped in the natural beauty of the Puglia region. Pedalling along roads lined with centuries-old olive trees and stunning vineyards, you’ll cycle to the lively town of Bitetto, home to a spectacular Romanesque Cathedral.

Continuing the route, you’ll cycle to Ruvo di Puglia, an agricultural town brimming with history. Dominated first by the Romans, the city was later overtaken by the Normans, who enriched it with many significant monuments, including the elegant Ruvo Cathedral.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ruvo di Puglia
Distance: 25 km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Cycle the Alta Murgia National Park to Castel del Monte

Today’s route will immerse you in the natural beauty of the Alta Murgia National Park. Cycle this mesmerizing landscape, taking in its rich biodiversity as you pedal its hidden trails.

Reaching Castel del Monte, prepare to experience your first UNESCO site of the tour. Castel del Monte is a spectacular example of medieval architecture, known worldwide for its intriguing octagonal shape. The 13th-century citadel and castle is a sight to behold. Built by Emperor Frederick II, the hilltop fortress overlooks the Murgia region and is revered for its mathematical precision.

Check into your accommodations, conveniently located near the fortress, and return for an in-depth exploration of the UNESCO site, discovering the ancient legends and mysteries that it beholds.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Castel del Monte
Distance: 30 km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Visit San Magno and Cycle to Gravina

Today’s route proceeds through extensive pastures that transform into outcropping rocks in an almost desert-like landscape.

Reaching the prehistoric church of San Magno, take some time to discover the fascinating tombs here, dating back to the bronze age.

Continue the road to Gravina, where you’ll experience more of Puglia’s authentic cultural, heritage and natural beauty.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gravina
Distance: 50 km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Delight in the Pan di Matera

Before departing Gravina, embark on a pleasant stroll between Piaggio and Fondovico, the two stunning districts of the city’s historic heart.

Back on the route, you’ll make your way from Gravina to Matera by way of Altamura. Famous for its bread, Altamura is the perfect place to stop for refreshments. The “pane di Altamura” (country-style sourdough) is not only a symbol of this city but is also an example of ancient culture and tradition, still very much alive and thriving here today.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Matera
Distance: 40 km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 UNESCO sites of Matera and Alberobello

Today you’ll discover the second UNESCO site of the tour, Matera, designated in 1991. Spend your morning exploring the “city of rocks,” uncovering the magic of the historical center and the surrounding extraordinary landscapes.

The Sassi district of Matera and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches is known as one of the most well-preserved examples of a rock-cut settlement in the whole of the Mediterranean region. The caves, dating back to the Paleolithic period, were once inhabited by local peasants and artisans. Explore the district complex of ancient dwellings, monasteries, and churches and come to know this fascinating UNESCO site from the inside out.

After a morning of exploring Matera, you’ll be transferred to Gioia del Colle. Known for its high-quality dairy products, a cheesy lunch in Gioia del Colle is a must! Enjoy a wine tasting before heading towards Alberobello.

The route continues finally leads you to the land of Trulli huts, Alberobello—your final UNESCO site of the tour. Spend your evening exploring the rows of one-of-a-kind drystone huts and conical roofs. Discover the history behind these mysterious structures and learn about the architecture that makes this one of southern Italy’s most famous towns.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Alberobello
Distance: 70 km
Meals: Breakfast, wine tasting

Day 7 Discover the Castellana Grotte

The last stage is dedicated to the largest karst caves in Italy and the sea of Polignano, the beautiful village birthplace of the great Domenico Modugno, and excellent fish soups!
With Alberobello behind you will cycle gently downhill up to the Castellana caves, hollows that run underground for just over 3 kilometers in an atmosphere suspended between evocative power and magic, surrounded with stalagmites and stalactites grown with ancestral rhythms. They are the result of the erosive action of surface water that for millennia have continued to dig into the rock opening a passage to the sea.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Polignano
Distance: 40 km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Depart Polignano

This morning following breakfast, your cycling adventure comes to an end. Check out of your accommodations and make your way to the airport to depart.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast