Lecce to Galatina E-Bike: Olive Mill & Wine Tasting + Taxi back
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Explore the Lecce countryside on a premium E-bike along an easy flat 28 km (17-mile) route. Ride through quiet rural roads to ancient villages and discover Salento’s traditions. In Sternatia, meet Gaetano—a storyteller and poet who speaks Griko, the ancient Greek dialect of the Grecìa Salentina. With him, explore a 15th-century underground olive oil mill, hear a poem in Griko, and learn stories about lamp-oil traders, village life, and this unique cultural enclave.
Continue through two villages of the Grecìa Salentina, home of the Griko people, a Greek-speaking community with 3,000 years of history.
In Galatina, visit the Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, famous for its 14th-century Giotto-style frescoes.
Stop at Pasticceria Ascalone, birthplace of the Pasticciotto (1740)
At 1 PM, a private taxi (included) takes you back to Lecce.
NOTE: Optional Primitivo wine tasting and traditional Puglian lunch (extra cost; private groups only; request one week in advance).
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Sternatia
After a one-hour bike ride (18 km) through the Lecce countryside—surrounded by ancient olive trees and majestic masserias—you’ll reach Sternatia, one of the nine towns of the Grecìa Salentina, where the Greek dialect Griko is still spoken today. Here you’ll enjoy a 40-minute guided visit to an ancient underground olive oil mill (Frantoio Ipogeo). Our local guide, Gaetano, will share stories of his Greek heritage and even recite a traditional poem in the Griko language, offering an authentic window into this unique cultural community.
Centro storico di Galatina
After a 40-minute bike ride (10 km), welcome to Galatina! Your first stop is the Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, a true masterpiece of medieval art and architecture. Inside, you’ll admire extraordinary Giotto-style frescoes and a unique blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Norman, and Byzantine elements—making this one of Puglia’s most remarkable churches. Next, we visit Pasticceria Ascalone, the historic pastry shop where the very first pasticciotto was created back in 1740. Here you can taste the original recipe and experience a true local tradition. Afterward, enjoy 30 minutes of free time to explore Galatina at your own pace.
What‘s Included
Free water bottle
Ortlieb Rear Pannier Bag (25 liters)
Premium Quality E-Bike (HiBike)
Helmet (Specialized or Scott)
Taxi return to Hotel (20 mins ride)
Bike Phone holder
Professional Local Guide
Entrance fee at Olive oil Mill
Lunch or wine taste (only if requested in advance)
Options
Lecce to Galatina E-Bike tour
Reviews
55 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The best E-Bike Tour in Puglia area!
SJ B,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved the tour. It was so much fun riding on the professional E-bike and learning about the culture, architecture and traditions of Salento. Marco's kindness towards everyone who shared in our tour speaks volumes about his love of the area. Marco's tour is the best of the best!
Marco and his tours are the best!
kasparsd2022,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great guy Marco is and a super tour we had. We went on a electric bikes from Lecce to Galatina with various stops on our way. As an option we were offered to take a lunch in the end of the tour and we had a tasting of various local dishes, what a treat it was! I think it was a good price as well, wine was included. I liked the manner in what Marco leads his tours, friendly, direct, welcoming and understanding. I also want to add that the bikes felt really good quality.
This tour offers something you won’t find in any guide or on the internet
thebluetraveler,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A truly exceptional experience. My husband and I booked our first e-bike tour and it completely exceeded our expectations. Thanks to Marco we discover real corners and people of Puglia, living the region as locals do and connecting with their culture from within. It's a tour that offers something you won't find in guidebooks or on the internet, and for me that's priceless. We were lucky enough to meet Gaetano, who guided us on the visit to the old oil mill. His stories from the past and his romantic poetry recited in griko transported us back in time; it was certainly the great highlight of the tour. We were also very impressed by the incredible frescoes of the Galatina church and the curious visit to a vintage shoe store in the center, details that made the experience even more special and different. Marco conveyed confidence and professionalism throughout, standing out for his deep knowledge of the area and for all the curiosities he shared during the tour. The bikes, practically new and of the highest quality, were very comfortable, which made us enjoy the ride even more. In addition, as a final detail, he gave us a bottle of extra virgin olive oil produced by a small local farmer, a beautiful gesture that perfectly sums up the authentic spirit of the tour. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to discover the true essence of Puglia in an active, close and memorable way.
Impressive
luisbernardop2020,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stunning tour to get to know the village by the people themselves in the area. With anecdotes of each place travelled on an excellent bike. You don't need to try to make the tour. Good experience to know the local food. Great guide Marco
A great ride with a wonderful guide!
Passenger39568830334,Dec 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Take this trip! Amazing ride with a good look at the Salento region of Puglia. Marco our guide was a15 on a scale of 10! Friendly, warm, welcoming , and extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area.
Unforgettable Experience
589shayg,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It’s extremely hard to describe in words just how incredible this experience is. To feel the freedom of biking in the Italian countryside is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s informative, good exercise, and such a blast! Marco and his team really make the experience special, introducing you to people and places you could never find on your own. Even for biking novices this experience is perfect. I’m not a big biker but I felt safe, and I think I might start biking on my own!! Book it now I promise you will never forget your time on the bike!!
Not To Be Missed!
Ingrid m,Nov 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This bike tour surpassed my expectations. Getting out into the fresh countryside, where much of the local food is grown, was a joy. We stopped in a small town for coffee and freshly-made pastries, proceeded to the very interesting ancient olive mill, and viewed the many beautiful frescoes, by the school of Giotto, in a charming basilica. Afterward, the lunch at a local trattoria was better than dinners in Lecce. The ebike was powerful, and Marco is an excellent tour guide: personable, relaxed and highly knowledgeable. I highly recommend it.
Biking Puglia Style
156matthewn,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We spontaneously booked this e-bike tour in Lecce and didn't know quite what to expect. It was our favorite day of our 7 in Puglia thanks to Nicholas and Marco, The bikes were great and very easy to ride. The countryside much more beautiful than advertised and great to see from a bike. Nicholas gave us so much history of Puglua and the region as we rode along and laughed a ton. It was fun to stop at an ancient sheperd's shelter, reminded me of something David may have slept in. It gelt like we were stepping back in time. We rode through the countryside for almost 4 hours, which the e-bike made easy (lots of turbo mode). The olive mill stop was not what we expected as no olive oil to taste, but totally answered the question of why this region had so much wealth in ancient times (you will have to take the tour to find out). It was fascinating and head some original Greek poetry from the olive mill tender that he composed for his wife. The church in Galentina is quite famous (amazing frescos) and a great way to finish the day with a cappuccino or apertivo in the town square. Marco joined at the end and we had a quick taxi ride back to our hotel. Marco and Nicholas do several other rides, including custom rides for larger groups. Make this a must for your time in southern Puglia for all levels of riders.
Sunshine and biking-the perfect combination!
Laura G,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Even though it was late in the season, the owner accommodated our request and we had a private tour! It was one of the best experiences we have had in our many travels. Nicholas was kind, attentive, engaged and just an amazing human being. The e-biking was a blast and easy to pick up even for beginners. If you are in Lecce and looking for a great way to spend a day…do this tour!
Cruising through back country
karlmJ1101OZ,Nov 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great ride with brand new bikes and helmets. Nice backroads with no traffic but enchanting vistas. Highlight s were an underground oil mill and a church full of frescoes. A big thank you to Marco and Niklas.
From €169.00
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Operated by Puglia Bike Experience