Cycling
Salento, the heel of Italy
Lecce - Vignacastrisi - Lecce
- IT135 / Italy
- Cycling Cycling tours Cycling holiday with accommodation in selected facilities, luggage transport, assistance. Details
- Self-guided Self-guided Travel at your own pace following maps, roadbooks and information material. When travelling, you can always count on our assistance.
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Comfort and accommodation
Four levels of comfort to describe the different types of accommodation.
Find out more about comfort on this trip under comfort and departures.
- Apr, Jun, Oct
- on Saturday
- 7 days
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- round tour Lecce - Vignacastrisi - Lecce
- Discount for 3rd person in room
- Original tour Original tours These are the trips we organise from A to Z to provide you with the best service at the best price. Details
Are you interested in other variants of this trip?
Puglia
self-guided tours
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Salento 6 days
Cycling / self-guided / 6 days
Puglia
guided tours
Salento guided tour
Cycling / guided / 7 days
To know
Travelling as a larger group?
Highlights
A self-guided bike tour to discover the best of Salento. If you love cycling along coastal roads, exploring Baroque towns and enjoying great local food, then this itinerary is perfect for you. Start and end the tour in Lecce, where you will fall in love with its Baroque stone architecture. Enjoy relaxing stops on the beaches of Salento, among the most beautiful in Italy, and stops in seaside towns along the way. Sun, sea and Salento’s excellent cuisine: what more could you want?
- The rich gastronomy and excellent wines of Salento
- Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet
- The authentic village of Vignacastrisi, far from the crowds
What awaits you
Seven days in Salento along a mostly flat route with short hilly sections on mostly paved, low-traffic roads (outside of peak season). Attention should be paid to traffic when entering and leaving cities.
The stages include wonderful stretches of coastline.
moreSeven days in Salento along a mostly flat route with short hilly sections on mostly paved, low-traffic roads (outside of peak season). Attention should be paid to traffic when entering and leaving cities.
The stages include wonderful stretches of coastline.
Find out who we are
If you’re here, you’re probably curious about Girolibero and why booking a trip with us could be a great choice, even if we haven’t met yet. You might be asking yourself: who are we? Why choose Girolibero? And what if you need a little help along the way? Don’t worry, we’re here to provide all the answers.
Since 1998, we’ve been organizing bike tours in Italy and Europe. Every step of your itinerary is planned out precisely; we rely on trusted professionals we’ve worked with for many years to make your trip a reality. We have people selecting your accommodation, while others make the schedule, handle unforeseen circumstances, make our website run smoothly, and maintain all the bikes.
Our headquarters is in Vicenza. We are dedicated to making your vacation a carefree experience, and we are here to address your questions and provide assistance. But there’s more.
Read more1. Arrival in Lecce, the capital of Baroque
Lecce, the capital of Salento, welcomes us dressed in its stunning Baroque attire, the very thing that makes it so unique. The city is full of magnificent historic buildings, but Baroque architecture dominates here. Churches, houses, and palaces are built in the typical light-colored Lecce stone, which gives the city a regal majesty, tempered by the rustic and homely air of the many small restaurants that enliven its streets. All that’s left to do is wander through its streets and start sampling the excellent local cuisine.
2. Cycling among sanctuaries and Baroque towns: Copertino, Nardò and arrival in Gallipoli
Can you smell the sea already? Today you cycle towards the deep blue, passing through Copertino, home to the Sanctuary of San Giuseppe, the Chiesa Matrice della Madonna della Neve and its bell tower. The center of nearby Nardò is another showcase of Baroque art, especially the elegant Piazza Salandra. A few kilometers on, the sea awaits — the true protagonist of this holiday. From Porto Selvaggio, within the regional nature park, the coastline guides us all the way to Gallipoli, a genuine pearl of the Ionian Sea.
3. Along the coast to Santa Maria di Leuca and its two seas
A full day dedicated to the sea, with all the colors and scents that these Mediterranean coasts have to offer: pines, myrtle and juniper alternating with the deep blue of the Ionian and long golden beaches. Today’s stage is easy, mostly flat as you make our way through Salento. Right where the land ends and the two seas meet, Santa Maria di Leuca (from the Greek leukos, white) awaits — well worth the final climb to reach it.
4. From Leuca to Vignacastrisi, in a landscape painted blue
The coastline shifts from the long beaches of the western coast to the jagged inlets of the eastern one. The Fiordo del Ciolo and the small cove of Acquaviva are simply spectacular, and you won’t miss a stop at the natural pools of Marina Serra. Today’s destination is the typical village of Vignacastrisi.
5. From Vignacastrisi to Torre Saracena and surroundings: sulfur springs and Otranto's cathedral
Today you head back down to the coast and cycle north. If you notice a faint smell of sulfur, it means we’ve reached Santa Cesarea Terme, whose thermal springs — over a thousand years old — flow at 30°C through four caves known as Gattulia, Solfurea, Fetida and Solfatara. Then continue towards Porto Badisco and on to Otranto, where you can stop for lunch, explore the historic center and visit the cathedral. Tonight you sleep in Torre Saracena or its surroundings.
6. From Torre Saracena to Lecce: one last dive before saying goodbye to the sea
Prepare to say goodbye to the sea, with a few more kilometers along the coast — you might squeeze in one last swim — before returning to Lecce, where you have time to enjoy the city further.
7. End of tour in Lecce
Before leaving Lecce, take the time to visit the Basilica of Santa Croce, the true jewel of the city’s Baroque heart — its facade a riot of carved figures, columns and rosettes that took over a century to complete. A final stroll through the old town, one last coffee in a sunlit piazza, and it’s time to say goodbye to Salento.
Comfort Gold
You will be accommodated in 3/4* hotels.
All rooms have en suite facilities and air conditioning.
Departures Gold
Departures on Saturday
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2027
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Tour information
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Accommodation
- 6 nights accommodation
Meals
- 6 breakfasts
Hotels usually serve a continental breakfast. However, in some smaller hotels you may find the typical Italian breakfast, consisting of a hot drink, such as cappuccino or coffee, with fresh pastries, such as cake, croissants or toast and jam.
Luggage transfer
Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel starting from the first day of the standard tour until the last day of the tour.
For the luggage transportation we accept only 1 piece of luggage per person with max. 20 kg.
The service is not included in case of extra nights before or after the standard tour.
Before your departure, you will receive detailed guidance on allowable baggage, luggage labels, service hours.
Tour information
Before departure you will receive by email:
- the link to download the tour information material in Pdf (Tour notes and Final tour details)
- the hotel list
- the hotel vouchers to show to the hotel reception upon arrival
- the link to download the App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)
When you arrive at the first hotel you will find the luggage labels.
Assistance
In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.
Cancellation policy
In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or in its immediate surrounding area and having a substantial impact on the execution of the package or on the transport of travellers towards the destination, the traveller has the right to withdraw from the agreement before using the package, without paying withdrawal costs.
In all the other cases of withdrawal from the travel agreement, the traveller is always required to pay a withdrawal penalty. Read more
Withdrawal penalties
- 20% up to 30 days prior to departure date
- 25% from 29 to 21 days prior to departure date
- 50% from 20 to 14 days prior to departure date
- 80% from 13 to 6 days prior to departure date
- 100% from 5 days prior to departure date and no-show
Round trip
Travel to and from start and finish points not included
To pay on the spot
- Meals not mentioned in the section “price includes”
- Tourist taxes (approx 12-18€)
They must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay - Tips
Rental bikes and accessories
You can rent Girolibero bikes and accessories.
You can also cycle with your own bike, just make sure that all parts are functioning properly.
The helmet is not mandatory, but we recommend wearing it and bringing your own.
Gravel bikes available on request.
Additional excluded services
- Accommodation in single room
- Extra nights
It is possible to book extra nights in Lecce before or after the tour. Rental bikes are not included in case of extra nights. - Transfer
You can book a transfer from Brindisi or Bari airport to Lecce and viceversa - Everything not mentioned in the section “included”
Bikes
You can rent the bike type that suits you best. You will find it at the starting point of the tour and you have to return it at the end of the last cycling stage: easy, isn’t it? Touring bikes, electric bikes, tandems, accessories: our mechanics know them down to the last bolt, assemble them and continually overhaul them at our headquarters or at the nearest base of operations. The rental of Girolibero bikes includes insurance against theft and irreparable damage. See Girolibero bikes in detail.
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Specifically assembled by our mechanics, our touring bikes feature components and accessories that make it reliable and easy to ride, a perfect companion for your bike tour. Furthermore, thanks to the step-through frame, getting on and off your bike is easier.
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- repair kit (1 per room)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- disc brakes
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- disc brakes
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Our e-bike is the right choice if you do not feel trained enough to spend more days on a saddle. You can easily adjust the assistance of the electric motor: from a mild pedaling support, to a more intense boost, which is especially useful on starts and uphill climbs. The battery charge covers an entire cycling stage, or even more if you don’t use it at full power all the time, and you can recharge it at the end of the day at the hotel .
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- frame lock
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- battery charger
- battery key
- repair kit
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Men's touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Men's touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Specifically assembled by our mechanics, our touring bikes feature components and accessories that make it reliable and easy to ride, a perfect companion for your bike tour.
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- repair kit (1 per room)
- lock
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Handlebar bag
- dimensions: 27cm x 18cm
- depth: 6cm
- 4 velcro straps
Handlebar bag
- dimensions: 27cm x 18cm
- depth: 6cm
- 4 velcro straps
Ortlieb bag
- material: PD620/PS490 waterproof
- dimensions: 30×25×14 cm. (HxWxD)
- weight: 1300 g
- capacity: 12,5 l
Ortlieb bag
- material: PD620/PS490 waterproof
- dimensions: 30×25×14 cm. (HxWxD)
- weight: 1300 g
- capacity: 12,5 l
Waterproof side bag whose compact size makes it the ideal partner for short trips or shopping. Through the QL1 mounting system, it can be quickly and easily attached to the bike.
Repair Kit
Kit includes:
- 1 pump
- 1 inner tube
- 1 allen key
- tyre levers
- patch
- glue
Repair Kit
Kit includes:
- 1 pump
- 1 inner tube
- 1 allen key
- tyre levers
- patch
- glue
A repair kit (one for every two bikes) containing what is needed to change the inner tube in case of a puncture is provided for each reservation.
Mobile phone holder, which one to choose?
- Girolibero handlebar bag
- Generic phone holders
- SP Connect™ mount, the best on the market
Mobile phone holder, which one to choose?
- Girolibero handlebar bag
- Generic phone holders
- SP Connect™ mount, the best on the market
To attach your smartphone to the handlebar you have 3 options:
- use the Girolibero handlebar bag supplied free of charge (1 per room)
- buy a mobile phone holder in sports shops or major e-commerce outlets: for € 18-25 we recommend the models that clamp your mobile phone and its case like a vise.
- order the best product on the market, SP Connect™ with a special discount. The SP Connect™ mount is attached to the handlebar and works only with a special phone case. This case, which can also be used in everyday life, is slightly thicker than normal cases and is fixed to the handlebar mount with a simple click. The main advantage is that it is easy to attach and remove your phone, so you can immediately use it to take pictures or make calls, as well as grab it quickly when you want to stop cycling and have a break. Also, there are many other available accessories, including those for your car and writing desk. We recommend the Velcro Universal Mount SPC+ which costs € 29.90, which you can buy with a special 20% discount. The compatible phone case must be purchased separately and the price varies depending on your phone model. Visit the official SP Connect™ website and use the discount code TRAVEL20, which applies to all products.
Bike helmet
- size: L (58-61)
- weight: 260 g
- cartification: TUV-GS and EN1078
Bike helmet
- size: L (58-61)
- weight: 260 g
- cartification: TUV-GS and EN1078
Bike helmet with internal padding recommended for safe cycling. Provides optimal ventilation with 10 openings, a mosquito net and a removable visor if needed.
route maps
The tour is self-guided, so you will follow the route independently. We will provide you with the free Ride with GPS app. This app allows you to follow the route on your phone, even offline. You can also read directions to points of interest and access other useful information in English and German. Before you depart, you will receive detailed instructions on how to use the app.
Practical information
Route profile
- Level: medium-easy
- Total length: 210 km
- Terrain: 100% paved
- Train connections between tour cities: none
- Possibility of shortening stages by train: none
How to get there
Lecce is the starting point of the tour to be reached independently.
By plane
Lecce is connected with the following airports: Brindisi: 50 km, Bari: 180 km.
From Brindisi Casale airport (BDS):
- bus to Lecce, stop Piazza Carmelo Bene (approx 40 min)
- alternatively, shuttle bus STP from airport to Brindisi train station (approx. 15/20 min). From here train to Lecce (approx. 30 min)
From Bari Wojtyla airport (BRI):
- train (approx. 20 min) or shuttle bus Tempesta (approx. 30 min) to Bari Centrale train station. From here direct train to Lecce (approx. 2 hours)
For an overview of prices, airlines and flight schedules we suggest rome2rio.com or Google Maps, which also show options via train or bus, even for the last mile. For reliability and security, we recommend purchasing your flight on the official website of your chosen airline.
Private transfer
You can book a private transfer from both airports at the moment of the booking (approx. 1h15).
By train, the low-impact choice
Lecce is the closest station.
You can use Trainline to compare timetables, prices, and international rail connections, integrating the main European operators.
By car
If you arrive by car, you can park it in Lecce for the whole duration of the tour. Some hotels have a private parking place, while in other cases you have to use alternative car parks. No reservation is possible and you have to pay on site.
Documents
If you are a citizen of the EU or of a Schengen country – i.e. most EU countries and four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – you are free to travel to other Schengen countries without having to go through border controls.
Even if you don’t need a passport for border checks within the Schengen area, it is still always highly recommended to take a passport or ID card with you.
If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:
- valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
- which was issued within the previous 10 years
- and possibly a visa
You should apply for a visa from the consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting. If your visa is from a Schengen area country, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well.
Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.
For further information visit Your Europe official website.
Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.
Always thoroughly check the document you travel with: expiration date and integrity.
Registration of documents is compulsory at check-in in hotels.
Language
The official language is Italian.
Italy is in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time zone (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time.
Internet, telephone, electricity
Internet and telephone
The international phone prefix for Italy is +39.
With a European SIM card, roaming is free throughout Europe. Please check your rates with your mobile/internet provider before departure.
If you’re travelling from outside Europe, we recommend purchasing an eSIM before departure so you’re connected as soon as you land.
Girolibero is a partner of Airalo: follow this link to purchase an eSIM with the data plan that best suits your needs, at a 10% discount. Please note that, depending on your destination, only data-only eSIMs may be available (no call or SMS plans) — in that case, you can purchase a physical SIM card locally for calls and texts.
You can also use this discounted eSIM link for future trips.
Emergency telephone numbers
112 – Common Emergency Number. This is the European emergency number which can be called in any emergency from any telephone (landline and mobile phone). Calls are free.
113 – Police Help Number
115 – Fire Department
118 – Medical Emergencies
Electricity
The Italian electrical net is 220V – 50Hz.
Sockets are Schuko bipolar and comply with European regulations. In most hotels you will find adaptors for different types of plugs.
Currency
The currency in Italy is the euro (€).
Equipment and clothing
Cycling essentials
- handlebar mobile phone holder (we recommend the SP Connect™ system: if you buy it online you get a 20% discount using the code TRAVEL20)
- a power bank
- your own reusable water bottle (the most sustainable choice)
- comfortable shoes with stiff soles
- padded cycling shorts
Personal equipment
- basic first aid kit which includes sticky bandages, gauze, and low-grade disinfectant
- sunglasses for eye protection
- protective sun lotion
- insect repellent
Clothes
- light weight waterproof/windproof tops
- leggings and long-sleeved tops for cooler mornings or evenings
- small close-fitting rucksack to carry small items during the day while cycling
- swimsuit
- clothes to cover your shoulders when you visit churches
Sustainable traveler
To travel with respect for the environment, the places, and the people who welcome us:
- always ask permission before photographing people
- dress appropriately when visiting places of worship
- leave no trace and do not litter along the way
- refill your water bottle at drinking water fountains (you can use Mapy to find them)
- do not collect "souvenirs" from protected natural areas or archaeological sites
- stay on marked trails, respect wildlife and take care of the nature around you
- avoid wasting water and energy, precious resources for everyone
- respect the rules and spaces of the accommodations that host you
- reduce your ecological footprint while travelling and consider offsetting the emissions from your journey, here's how
Read carefully
Tour programme variations
- Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.
Special diets
- If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant, allergic to some specific ingredients/substances or if you suffer from any other kind of allergies please indicate it at the moment of booking. We will pass the information on to the hotels, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requests will be met. Sometimes it is difficult to find particular food, for example gluten-free food, so we suggest that you bring your own snacks just in case.
Travel insurance
- It is advisable to take out an insurance policy against expenses arising from cancellation of the tour package, accidents, luggage (loss and damage), as well as a contract covering expenses in case of repatriation. Insurance policies are not included in the tour package offered by the operator.
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