Top Lecce Seasonal & Special Occasions

Santa Maria di Leuca spans both the Ionian and the Adriatic seas. Discover the caves on both sides of the cape during this convenient cruise, complete with swim stops and snorkeling gear for you to enjoy the gin-clear waters and see the formations up close. Admire the lighthouse and more than 15 different caves, each with their own formations, stories, and legends that your skipper introduces.

Delve into the world of Puglian wine without leaving Lecce’s old town with this wine tasting experience in the heart of the Baroque city. Take a break from sightseeing and relax at a local wine bar for a guided tasting featuring four different regional wines paired with local specialties. Learn about Puglia’s winemaking history and culture as you sip and enjoy views over the pretty lane lined with traditional “palazzi”.

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.

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.

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.

A gentle and flat path of about 38km, which will guide you through the historical and natural beauty of the Lecce countryside. Starting from Lecce, the baroque city par excellence, you will cycle to the Church of Santa Maria d'Auria, a hidden gem immersed in the Salento countryside, surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and a serene atmosphere. From there, the journey continues to the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate, an ancient masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture, surrounded by a vast olive grove and today an FAI site, which you can also visit inside to appreciate its timeless beauty. You will continue towards the natural park of Rauccio, a protected area characterized by a rare forest of Leccese oaks where you can enjoy a moment of relaxation tasting your picnic with typical local products. Finally, the route will take you back to Lecce, concluding an excursion that harmoniously blends history, nature and culinary culture, offering a unique and accessible experience for everyone.

With Leuca Marine Escursioni you can take unforgettable tours aboard a safe and comfortable boat. You can admire our wonderful caves of our coast and the breathtaking seabed and crystal clear water. If you want to discover everything and much more come with us we are waiting for you. You will find on board snorkeling equipment to be able to dive into a beautiful adventure. Our commander will take you and illustrate the wonderful caves of the beautiful Adriatic and Ionian coast with great professionalism and seriousness. Fishing trips can also be made

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.

Salento is home to a number of great wines but knowing which wineries to visit takes insider knowledge. With this winery tour and tasting just outside the city of Lecce, discover the traditions of winemaking in this corner of Puglia at a historic family-run boutique cellar. Take a walk through the vineyards to learn about the native grapes and try a variety of red, white, and rosè wines.

Learn how to make Orecchiette Pasta from scratch with the locals in a wine bistrot located in the heart of Lecce old town. Live an authentic experience of orecchiette pasta making and tasting of the most famous Puglia wines.

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).

Use a local guide There are a maximum of 10 people on the boat Minibar on board with drink included Explore wonderful places Let yourself be guided by our skippers who will be happy to accompany you to discover the many caves and coves that characterize our coast. Included swim stop 25 minutes

Take a break from the beaches and discover Salento’s food and wine, instead. With a private guide, you’ll visit two award-winning Salento wine estates where varietals using the primitivo and malvasia grapes, among others, are produced. As you sip, you’ll learn about viticulture in the region, and enjoy a light lunch either at the winery or nearby. Choose to add on a third winery or a swim stop at Porto Cesareo on your way back to Lecce.

The countryside around Lecce is thick with wineries and olive farms, but reaching these outlying estates is a challenge without a car. With this tasting, sample the best wines and olive oils from the Puglian hills right in the middle of the city. Relax at a local wine bar and sip a number of vintages while snacking on bruschetta and other olive oil-infused snacks.

Starting the tour with visiting an ancient Masseria where they produce dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables. We will tour the Masseria, check out the cheese making process and storage. The Cheese Master will demonstrate making fresh Mozzarella & Burrata. We will Enjoy this fresh cheeses after the tour paired with delicious wine. Then we Explore the stunning landscapes of Valle D'Itria countryside in Puglia with in my charming Fiat 500 convertible (Full A/C for hot days), designed for solo travellers and small groups, or larger car for over 2 people. We will pass by your choice of either Locorotondo (the rounded city) or Cisternino (one of the most beautiful towns in Italy), then followed by exploring the UNESCO listed town of Alberobello (home of Trulli structures). Because I love meeting new people and I live in Puglia, I will enjoy taking beautiful photos perfect to use for either your social media accounts or just for wonderful Apulian memory or perhaps both!

Discover Salento through its food in a relaxed and welcoming family-run setting. This experience offers a generous selection of local flavors inspired by the culinary traditions of Southern Italy, with dishes prepared according to season and availability. Depending on the day, you may taste local cheeses, cured meats, vegetables and other traditional Salento specialties, accompanied by local wine or a non-alcoholic alternative. team will be happy to introduce the dishes and answer questions about local ingredients and food traditions. Because we work with fresh and seasonal products, the selection may naturally change throughout the year. Relax, enjoy good food and discover genuine Salento hospitality in a warm and informal atmosphere. What makes it special is the combination of generous portions, seasonal ingredients and personal attention from a local team, offering an authentic way to experience Salento’s food culture.

Step into Lecce's only 1920s-style speakeasy, hidden in a baroque building facing a stunning 16th-century Greek church. SaloonKeeper 1933 recreates the glamour and mystery of the Prohibition era, with original vintage furnishings, Chester sofas, low lighting, and the sound of Jazz and Blues filling the air. Whether you choose to sit on one of Lecce's most beautiful piazzas or sink into a vintage armchair indoors, this is an aperitivo experience unlike anything else in the city — crafted cocktails, curated flavors, and an unforgettable atmosphere that transports you straight to the Roaring Twenties.

Escape the tourist hustle and bustle for an intimate journey into the soul of Puglian viticulture. Join us at a beautifully decorated boutique wine bar nestled in a quiet Baroque alley just steps from the Basilica di Santa Croce. Under the guidance of a professional wine expert, you will discover the rich history and vibrant flavors of Puglia. This isn't just a drink; it's a sensory masterclass where you’ll taste four premium local wines, each perfectly paired with traditional Salentino delicacies. Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or a curious traveler, this cozy atmosphere offers the perfect setting to relax and sip like a local.

Explore centuries-old vineyards, visit a historic winery, and discover a one-of-a-kind artistic retreat—culminating in a guided tasting of fine wines paired with local delicacies. All that - just about 20 km outside Lecce. Begin your journey in Guagnano with a visit to a historic winery known for preserving the heritage of Negroamaro and Primitivo wines. Enjoy a scenic stroll through vineyards cultivated using the traditional “alberello” (small tree) system. Step into a hidden artistic sanctuary created by a local painter. Blending art, architecture, and nature in a whimsical Gaudí style, this peaceful retreat offers a glimpse into Puglia’s vibrant cultural and creative spirit. Relax with a guided tasting of four premium wines led by an expert sommelier. Savor each pour alongside a traditional marenna—a rustic Puglian breakfast featuring local cheeses and cured meats that beautifully complement the wines.

A unique opportunity to explore the food and wine tradition of Puglia through a guided tasting of wines and local specialties. Savor four glasses of typical wine, including two reds, a white and a rosé, while delicious taralli and friselle flavors with fresh tomato enrich the experience. An industry Expert will share fascinating stories about Apulian wine and culture, making every sip and bite a journey into the heart of Salento.

Visit a local fish market with an expert. 'The pioneers of teaching food and wine in Puglia- The New York Times. Owner is a sommelier of wine, sommelier of extra virgin olive oil, classes are held in one of Italy's most beautiful kitchens, fitted with antique copper pots and pans and one of Italy's largest private amaro collections.

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.

Savor the essence of southern Italy with a Gourmet Pizza Experience in Lecce, where each dish encapsulates the warmth of Italian hospitality. Located just outside the historic center, this cozy venue invites you to indulge in a selection of traditional local appetizers, followed by four slices of gourmet pizza, all crafted with fresh, local ingredients. As you enjoy each bite, sip on local wines like Primitivo or Negroamaro, and engage with your knowledgeable host who shares insights into Salento’s rich culture and traditions. Conclude your meal with a seasonal homemade dessert that embodies the spirit of Italian family recipes, creating a delightful evening filled with flavors and stories.