From Manfredonia to Bari by bike: 140 km between coast and city
Salt flats, ports, and seaside villages accompany a journey through Puglia filled with stops, landscapes, and places to experience beyond cycling.
The Adriatic Cycle Route from Manfredonia to Bari stretches 140 kilometers along the Apulian coast and inland. It passes through some of Puglia's most varied landscapes: from the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia to coastal towns like Zapponeta, Barletta, Trani, Bisceglie, Molfetta, and Giovinazzo, all the way to Bari.
Average cycling time: about 6 hours and 20 minutes. Elevation gain: modest, around 400 meters. Best time: May to June. Overall difficulty: low, as it's mostly flat.
From Manfredonia to Bari through salt pans, cities, and sea
Starting in Manfredonia, where the previous stage from Lesina ends, you cycle south to reach Margherita di Savoia, where the salt pans are among the most enchanting spots on the route. Continuing on, you enter the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. Barletta and Trani aren't just pass-through points. They can be significant stops to explore the historic centers, ports, and cultural heritage of these two cities. The route then continues to Bisceglie, Molfetta, and Giovinazzo. Here, the connection to the sea grows stronger, passing through towns close to each other.
Personally, I found the Giovinazzo area particularly charming. I stayed in a B&B overlooking the port. The waterfront is pedestrian-friendly and lively. I parked my bike near a local spot and enjoyed the Panino della Nonna, a sandwich filled with traditional Apulian dishes, celebrated in a famous summer festival.
This is the real point of the journey for me: it's not about piling up kilometers, but using the bike to reach a place and fully experience it. The trip ends in Bari, arriving at the port to see ferries heading to Greece.
The Ciclovia has some issues: it's not a continuous bike path separated from traffic the whole way. The route mixes bike paths, secondary roads, and service roads. Because of this variety, I'd choose a trekking bike, a gravel bike, or an e-bike, especially for a trip with luggage. Before starting, it's good to know in advance where you'll return to regular roads. A critical point is the section between Margherita di Savoia and Barletta, near the Ofanto: for about a kilometer, there's currently no alternative to the main road. Vehicles pass quickly here, so I preferred to stay close to the right edge of the lane, guided by the road markings.
Another section that requires caution is between Bisceglie and Molfetta, especially when approaching the latter.
From Molfetta onwards, the route becomes easier: thanks to urban bike paths, coastal secondary roads, and service roads, you can reach Giovinazzo and then Bari without difficulty.
The potential of the Ciclovia remains high, especially because of the proximity of coastal cities. When you arrive in these areas in the late afternoon, the fatigue from cycling quickly fades: you leave the bike near the port and stroll among the crowded waterfront spots.
