Lecce
Italy · Puglia · 49 m
Description
Lecce is one of Southern Italy’s most important Baroque cities and the cultural heart of Salento in southern Puglia. The city is known for its magnificent Barocco Leccese, with elaborately decorated churches and palaces carved from warm, golden Lecce stone, as well as landmarks such as the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, and its Roman remains. Lecce combines an elegant historic center with traditional craftsmanship, lively squares, and the distinctive cuisine of Salento. Often called the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is also an ideal base for exploring the historic towns, beaches, and varied coastlines of the Salento Peninsula between the Adriatic and Ionian seas.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 2 to 4 days (optimal 3 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – June
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Baroque Old Town & Lecce Stone Architecture
- Basilica di Santa Croce
- Piazza del Duomo & Lecce Cathedral
- Piazza Sant'Oronzo & Roman Amphitheatre
- Otranto & Baia dei Turchi(Day trip)
- Roman Theatre of Lecce
- Gallipoli & Ionian Beaches(Day trip)
- Castle of Charles V
- Church of Santa Chiara
- Church of San Matteo
- Porta Napoli & Historic City Gates
- Torre dell'Orso & Le Due Sorelle(Day trip)
- Museo Faggiano
- Papier-Mâché (Cartapesta) Workshops
- Porto Cesareo & Torre Lapillo(Day trip)
- MUST – Historical Museum of the City of Lecce
- Villa Comunale di Lecce
- Galatina & Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria(Day trip)
- Pasticciotto, Rustico Leccese & Salento Cuisine
- Caffè Leccese
- Salento Wines (Negroamaro & Primitivo)
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Lecce, San Cesario di Lecce, San Donato di Lecce