Gallipoli Inland and Surroundings Full-Day Bike Tour

Gallipoli was the starting point of the Salento’s big commerce of oil. Frome there, the oil was ferried all around Europe, than was used to light up cities and houses. So the city and their surroundings were rich, and traces of this prosperity are still there.

We will cycle towards Sannicola, in the hinterlands: here we will visit an ancient underground oil mill of XVII century. Crossing the landscape, between vineyards and dry-stone walls, we will see the historical centre of Galatone. Than back to the see, to enjoy the wild nature of Porto Selvaggio: here we will walk in the pinewood before to have a swim and a nice picnic.

We will go back to Gallipoli riding along the coast.

Firstly we'll go to Alezio and visit its Messapian museum.Then we'll head towards Sannicola and visit an ancient underground oil mill from the 17th century. Along secondary roads, among olive trees and dry stone local constructions (trulli and pajare), we'll reach Galatone with its imposing Norman castle, the Church of the Crucifix - masterpiece of Leccese baroque style - and the noble palace. 

After the visit, in about half an hour we'll be at the back of Porto Selvaggio Natural Park to visit a farmhouse and enjoy a tasting of local cheese. Then we'll move on to Santa Caterina, leave our bikes and walk to the nature reserve where we'll spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon. 

Possibility to rent a canoe and reach Porto Selvaggio beach. Back on our bikes we'll cycle along the coast road towards St Mauro church dating back to the Byzantine time and stopping at the Salento Bike Cafè. 

Return to Gallipoli in the late afternoon.