Salento by bike

Lecce

Welcome in the elegant Lecce, the capital of the Salento Peninsula, Puglia.
Lecce was founded around 2,000 years old and by the 15th century had become one of the most important cities in southern Italy. Over this period Lecce was decorated with important Baroque monuments and under threat from an Ottoman invasion, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, rebuilt the defenses of the city along with a new castle. A well-preserved Roman Amphitheatre and a smaller Greek Theatre, important buildings, churches, craft shops will turn your peeks around into continuous and nice discoveries.
From tomorrow you will discover the amazing Salento by bike.

Ionian coast: from Gallipoli to Leuca

50km

The “Beautiful City” of Gallipoli, so called by the Greeks, has been the most important Mediterranean olive oil trade centre in the past: the underground oil mill at Palazzo Granafei will tell you this piece of history.
From Gallipoli you will cycle along the road parallel to the coastline passing Torre San Giovanni, a small harbour between volcanic low cliffs. You can stop at one of the beautiful white sand beaches before arriving at Punta Ristola, the extreme edge of Salento peninsula, place of legends and numerous finds dating to the Neolithic age. From here a wonderful view of the harbour of Leuca and, even further, of Punta Melisso.
Now it would be perfect a boat trip to discover the numerous sea caves of Capo di Leuca: there are various ticket offices in the kiosks near the port!
Overnight in the Finis Terrae of Puglia.

Stories and tradition from inland

35km

A day around Vignacastrisi, which has a strategic position to reach postcard places. You can explore magical places such as the Megalithic Park near the village of Giurdignano, that preserves an evocative atmosphere of rituals and legends, myths and pagan cults related to the peoples who over the millennia have inhabited and traversed these lands.
Before returning to Vignacastrisi, you can decide to visit the a beautiful botanical garden, born from a man's love for travel and... succulents! Or you can choose whether to take a nice walk towards the town of Castro Marina, to visit the historic center with the beautiful castle, relax by the sea or visit the Zinzulusa cave.
Overnight in Vignacastrisi.

Bye-bye sea! From Otranto to Lecce

55km

One last greeting to Otranto, its castle, and its imposing Cathedral, an incredible but especially free museum. You can see the largest and most complex paved Mosaic in southern Italy, realised by a monk, Pantaleon, today considered a true encyclopedia of images of the time and culture of the Middle Ages. You will cycle close to the two Alimini lakes before riding again along the coast. Admire the wonders of the bay of Sant'Andrea and of the Cave of Poetry near the archaeological site of Roca Vecchia, maybe experiencing a jump in the sea.
A regenerate ride through the Natural WWF Park “Le Cesine”, along with the discovery of Acaya, a fortified town where time seems motionless, will make gradual your return to the modern civilization and the charming Lecce.
Back to Lecce for the last overnight.