Top Lecce Classes & Workshops

You will be welcomed in the cozy garden of an ancient boathouse, typical Salento structure with 4 star vaults, recently renovated, used in the past as a stable and warehouse and used today to make you live a fantastic culinary experience respecting local traditions. After the visit of the structure, you can taste an aperitif of typical local products accompanied by the excellent wines of Salento. Next thing you know, everyone's at work... We will prepare with you the pasta that we will season with two different sauces based on "fresh tomato & basil" and "Ciceri & Tria" chickpeas flavored with a mix of vegetables and fried pasta. During the evening you can listen to the traditional music "La Pizzica" and use, if you want, the fine violin guitars and tambourines made available to accompany some stornello. An excellent homemade ice cream and a fresh limoncello of the house, will close the evening

Explore Lecce through its flavours—and uncover spots you'd likely miss alone—on this guided food and drink tour. Skip the guesswork as your local guide leads you down hidden streets and past highlights such as the Cathedral and the city’s oldest square. Along the way, stop at top foodie spots to sample traditional pizza, taralli, and local drinks. It's the perfect way to see—and taste—more of the city.

Apulia is known for its top-notch cuisine, even among Italians. But culinary secrets are closely guarded, and it can be hard to find authentic pasta once your vacation ends. Master time-tested recipes you can recreate back home during this private pasta-making workshop. Roll out the dough, and create typical “orecchiette” shapes paired with tomato sauce. Then, sit down to enjoy your freshly prepared creations—along with plenty of local wine.

Spend an evening in a real Italian home with Enza and her family in the countryside in Corigliano d'Otranto near Lecce. We begin with a traditional Italian aperitif, sharing homemade appetizers and prosecco while everyone gets to know each other. Then each guest prepares their own fresh pasta by hand using local ingredients and family recipes. Once the pasta is ready, we cook everything and sit around the table together to enjoy dinner with local wine, music and conversation. The evening ends with homemade dessert, our family limoncello, and a small memory of the experience.

With the help of your native host, you will learn to make pasta from scratch and cook it according to our local recipes. Our host will teach you about the regional traditions, culture and history.

Let out your inner artist in Lecce, and book a paper-mache class in the city. This private craft workshop offers a way to get creative and bring home a self-made souvenir using an ancient art form. You’ll hear the history behind paper-mache, learn some different techniques, and enjoy a sociable setting with your own personal group.

Location: Balù Bistrot Shop (where you can find a selection of local wines and olive oils) Instructor: an experienced cooking class teacher (Puglia native and food wine olive oil connoisseur) Tuition: an immersive and learning experience for everyone Buffet Tastings: a selection of food and wine

What you will do will be an authentic sensory and cultural experience. Making fresh pasta by hand is a tradition deeply rooted in Salento culture and this course offers you a practical immersion in local life and customs, going beyond traditional tourist experiences. Learning will be practical and fun and the course will allow you to gain a skill that you can take home and replicate with friends and family. The course is aimed at small groups and therefore encourages direct interaction with hosts. While making the pasta with their own hands, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear stories and receive personalized attention; for this, a human bond will be created that enriches the experience. The course is perfect for those traveling as a couple, family or small groups, allowing an intimate and fun sharing of the culinary experience.

Learn how to make two different types of pasta as well as a traditional Italian dessert—tiramisu—with this small-group class. As well as having lots of fun, it’s a great way to learn special techniques from a local cook that you wouldn’t find in a recipe book. After an Italian aperitivo, enjoy a hands-on class, followed by the chance to eat all of your culinary masterpieces.

Hands-on cooking class Location: a cozy Bistrot in the old town of Lecce simple culinary techniques cooking with the locals in a casual atmosphere learning culinary experience

Discover the art of Apulian cooking in a hands-on class led by a local chef in the heart of Lecce, one of southern Italy’s most charming foodie destinations. Learn how to make fresh handmade ravioli, fettuccine, and classic tiramisu from scratch using high-quality local ingredients. Enjoy a fun and engaging experience with expert guidance, 3 glasses of wine plus 1 Prosecco or soft drinks included. With small group sizes, you’ll enjoy a more personal and memorable experience, so be sure to reserve your spot. Along the way, hear the stories and traditions behind the dishes you’re preparing, take home authentic Italian cooking techniques to share with friends and family. After the class, sit down and enjoy the delicious dishes you’ve created together paired with local wine, ending your experience on a sweet Italian note with homemade tiramisu. You’ll also receive the recipes so you can recreate everything at home and relive your unforgettable Lecce culinary experience.

Combine a market tour and a cooking class on the same day to have the ultimate culinary experience in Lecce. Going on a market tour helps expand your knowledge of local ingredients before you visit a local’s home to begin your experience. Start with a traditional aperitivo, followed by demonstrations on how to make pasta and tiramisu. Then, end the experience with a chance to taste your culinary creations with wine.

Embark on a sensory journey through olive oil heritage at the historic Oil Mill located in the heart of Puglia. Step into an 18th-century masseria (farmhouse) surrounded by vast olive groves and learn from expert guides how extra virgin olive oil has been produced here for generations. Explore both ancient and modern oil-making techniques, from the underground mill in a scenic medieval cave to the contemporary press room, and discover how olive varieties are selected and transformed into premium oil. You’ll hear fascinating stories about the land, the olive trees, and the traditions that shape this iconic Mediterranean product. The experience culminates in a guided tasting of multiple extra virgin olive oils served in professional tasting glasses. Compare flavours and aromas like a true sommelier — learn to recognise the organoleptic qualities that distinguish high-quality olive oil.

Skip the usual restaurant scene for this small-group pasta cooking class in a carefully selected private home in Otranto. Meet your host in their home, warm up with an Italian aperitivo, and learn how to make two kinds of fresh pasta and one of Italy’s most iconic desserts, tiramisu. Choose between lunch or dinner time classes and enjoy your meal with wine, water, and coffee.

hands-on instructions from a Bistrot culinary team guided workshop for focaccia and tiramisu' simple techniques, easy to purchase ingredients Italian culinary instructors Unconventional location in the old town, super centrally located lovely Italy style food & Wine This experience is perfect for couples, families and private small groups

Immerse yourself in a hands-on cooking class in Lecce. Learn to make orecchiette and maccheroni al ferretto, enjoy fresh sauces, local wines, and traditional Salento specialties in a cozy family setting. The small-group lesson of no more than seven people means you'll get plenty of attention from your teacher, plus, you'll leave with recipes to take home with you.

Discover an underground olive oil mill museum in Gallipoli’s historic center. Carved into local stone, these ancient spaces, part of Palace Granafei, span about 200 square meters beneath two historic buildings. Descend into rooms excavated in soft limestone from the 17th-19th centuries, showcasing original and reconstructed equipment like stone mills, presses, and storage pits used for olive oil production. An audio guide explains how olives were milled, pressed, and traded, highlighting Gallipoli’s role as a key olive oil port from the 16th century, exporting oil across Europe for cooking, lighting, and industrial uses. The short, engaging tour lasts 15-30 minutes and offers insight into traditional methods and history. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of 7–8 varieties of local extra virgin olive oil, paired with snacks like taralli and fried broad beans, and optional herbal liqueurs for 18+. This experience appeals to history, culture, and food lovers seeking a unique Mediterranean story.

What makes this activity special This sailing experience is the ideal way to discover Salento from its best point of view: the sea. This is not just a hike, but a moment of authentic relaxation, away from the crowds and crowded tours. When the wind allows, you can sail in total tranquility, enjoying the silence and colors of the Ionian Sea. The local skipper selects the best itinerary every day based on the weather conditions, taking you to the most beautiful and less frequented bays, with stops to swim in clear and crystal clear waters. The limited number of guests guarantees comfort, attention and an intimate atmosphere, perfect for couples, families and small groups. It is a curated, sustainable and personalized experience, ideal for those who want to experience the Salento sea in an exclusive, relaxing and memorable way.

Embark on a journey into the heart of Salento's local tradition with our interactive papier-mâché workshop in Lecce. Led by a master artisan, this hands-on experience offers a deep dive into the ancient craft. In the workshop, families with children can actively participate in the creation of papier-mâché artifacts, making it an ideal and engaging experience for all. The master artisan will share the secrets of the trade. Immerse yourself in the intricate process of crafting papier-mâché, gaining a firsthand understanding of the artistry involved. As you create your own artifact under the guidance of the master. Workshop Highlights: Interactive experience ideal for families with children Learn from a master artisan deeply rooted in Salento's local tradition Hands-on creation of papier-mâché artifacts Insights into the materials and techniques specific to the region Take home your crafted artifact as a personalized souvenir

Delve into the rich heritage of Persian carpets in Lecce, where tradition meets craftsmanship. This exclusive experience welcomes you into a historic family showroom, complete with traditional Persian tea that embodies the warmth of generational hospitality. Explore captivating stories behind each carpet, learn the intricacies of their patterns and colors, and participate in a hands-on lesson that unveils the secrets of identifying genuine handmade masterpieces. With rare carpets displayed up close, this activity caters to art lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike, ensuring you leave with newfound knowledge and cherished memories.

Welcome to the tropics — right in the heart of Lecce. Querencia Exotic Bar is the only tiki bar in the city, a one-of-a-kind restaurant, cocktail bar, and cigar bar wrapped in lush exotic vegetation, colored lights, and a full pirate atmosphere. Two sprawling tropical gardens set the scene for an unforgettable dinner, where Caribbean-style mixology meets fresh, quality ingredients. With a selection of over 800 rum labels, this is a place that makes you forget the present and lose yourself in another world — without ever leaving Lecce.

Don't lose the opportunity to become a "pizzaiolo" (pizza-maker) and a great tiramisu maker! Enter a local home, connect with an expert home cook and discover how Italian mamma and nonnas used to prepare awesome pizza at home. With this private hands-on cooking class, you will learn how to make pizza and tiramisù from scratch from a real Italian family. To complete your feast, enjoy what you have prepared for lunch or dinner with a selection of local wine included. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test and amaze your friends and family with a pizza party once you come back home! This experience is suitable for families with children of all ages. Le Cesarine is Italy’s oldest network of home cooks all over the country in more than 120 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

Hidden behind the doors of Querencia Exotic Bar lies Lecce's only speakeasy — Lo Spaccone. Like every true speakeasy, it doesn't advertise its entrance. To get in, you'll need to ask at the Querencia front desk and be let through. Once inside, you'll find yourself transported to the Prohibition era: gaming tables, warm low lighting, a vinyl record spinning in the background, and a bottle collection featuring rare and discontinued labels that money can no longer buy. This is not just a bar — it's a secret world where gangsters cut deals and whiskey never ran dry.