Top Lecce Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Experience a pleasant multilingual tour by bike or in the comfort of our modern and environmentally friendly rickshaws with an experienced guide. The tour begins by visiting the main attractions, crossing the characteristic streets of the historic center, we will discover the immense Piazza del Duomo, one of the most beautiful in Italy. The tour continues to discover the monumental entrance of the city, Porta Napoli, to continue with the fascinating Basilica of Santa Croce, which reveals the artistic development of Lecce Baroque. The tour ends by cycling in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, where among historic buildings and churches we will discover the Roman remains of the Roman amphitheater. Between history and culture, the discovery of typical flavors is inevitable, a tasting of local excellence among those available according to the season.

Enjoy this 2h30-street food tasting tour into one of the most enchanting and magic cities of the Southern Italy. Walk into the old town and taste the best local street food. Be impressed by the taste of the "rustico", soft puff pastry disc filled with mozzarella, tomato and bechamel, the flavour of local cheese, the crunchy tarallini, the "pasticciotto" freshly baked: a short pastry stuffed with custard and even more! See the jewels of Baroque architecture like Basilica of Santa Croce and Piazza Sant'Oronzo with the "Sedile", the old city Hall. Let yourself be attracted by the soft atmosphere in Piazza Duomo. This tour is the perfect formula to join a visit to the city to tasting of local specialties!

Explore the artistic and historical treasures of Galatina, an authentic jewel of Salento, with a walking tour through the historic center, where every street tells centuries of history and tradition. Begin at the Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with its striking Gothic-Renaissance façade blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Byzantine elements. Inside, admire the extraordinary 15th-century frescoes, along with the frescoed cloister, the museum, and the relic room. Continuing through the streets of the town, discover Palazzo Orsini, an elegant noble residence, and the Clock Tower, a city landmark overlooking the urban skyline. Then reach the Church of St.Peter and Paul with its simple façade enriched by Baroque details and interiors featuring carved altars, frescoes, and decorations. End the experience by strolling through the alleys of the historic center of Galatina and enjoying a tasting of pasticciotto, a traditional dessert said to have been invented right here in Galatina

If you’re staying in Lecce, don’t miss out on the coastal town of Otranto and the Bauxite Lake because of a lack of transport. This private day-long tour offers not only a convenient way to explore, but also a driver-guide to give you the lowdown on the region, and an itinerary that includes a swim stop and ample free time.

Don’t settle for a packed cruise with a rigid itinerary—during this private, half-day boat ride along the Salento cruise, enjoy a relaxed, customizable schedule. Pass by stunning sea caves only reachable by the water, and listen to stories of their history and geology from your captain. Swimming and snorkeling stops are included, plus a sumptuous onboard spread of Apulian snacks and drinks.

Explore a side of the Ionian coastline that most visitors never see with this catamaran day cruise from Porto Cesario. Sail up the Gulf of Taranto to admire hidden coves and sandy beaches, snorkel in underwater Roman ruins and colorful reefs, and take a dip off wild islands inhabited only by local fauna. End with an aperitif featuring local wines and gourmet specialties on board.

Gallipoli and its surrounding coastal landscapes boast beautiful Ionian Sea views, and a rich history of conquering and settlement dating back to the Middle Ages. On this full-day bike tour, spin through the Porto Selvaggio Natural Park with your guide to lead the way. Reach far-flung historic sites including Alezio, Galatone, and Sannicola with ease, and enjoy free time for a swim at your leisure.

Enjoy an up-close experience of Puglia’s picturesque countryside on this languidly paced, full-day bike tour. Meet your guide, set off from Lecce, and continue onwards to Acaya, where you’ll see its historical castle and stop for light refreshments. Then, head to the Adriatic coastline and go for a refreshing swim before visiting Le Cesine Nature Reserve: the region’s last-remaining wetland habitat. Finally, bike back to Lecce along scenic country lanes.

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.

After busy days of sightseeing in Southern Italy, take it easy with a small-group sailing trip from Salento. Choose from a day-long daytime sail or an evening sunset sail. Either way, you enjoy beautiful views, personalized service, and snacks and drinks on board to keep you refreshed. Take advantage of the stand-up paddle boards and snorkeling gear during the full-day sail.

The tour will take you in three hours to discover the medieval part of the city by visiting the ancient Jewish quarter and the basement of the ancient synagogue. You will continue with a walk to discover the historic center of Lecce, with its churches and baroque palaces.

Visit Puglia’s seaside towns of Otranto and Castro on a day trip from Lecce. Making it easy to explore the two coastal stunners, the trip packs in lunch at Castro’s La Pizzica trattoria, transport direct from your hotel, and ample free time in each town. You’ll learn about the region from a guide as you travel, and hear about local landmarks such as the Cathedral of Otranto and the Castle of Castro Marim.

See two of Salento’s coastal gems without having to follow a tour group on this self-guided tour of Castro and Otranto. Get picked up in Lecce and driven to Castro, where you spend the morning swimming, exploring on foot, or boating on your own before lunch at a local restaurant (own expense). Then, your driver takes you along coastal roads to Otranto, which you explore independently during the afternoon.

Surrounded by the Adriatic Sea, and boasting beautiful baroque architecture, the Italian city of Lecce is a history-lover’s dream destination—but exploring without a guide means missing the city’s hidden secrets. On this tour, stroll through Lecce as your knowledgeable guide brings the city’s past to life—from the Roman era to the present day. Take in top attractions including the 17th-century Santa Croce Basilica, and sample traditional local ‘pasticciotto’ (filled Italian pastry).

Independent travelers will enjoy this small-group, 3-stop tour in Puglia, which provides transportation from Lecce but allows you to explore on your own. There's no need to rent a car; just sit back and enjoy the scenery on the way to Ostuni, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare. Explore each town on your own, with some tips from your guide if you wish.

Discover the stories of southern Lecce without spending a fortune on guidebooks with this morning tour of the city center. Starting from the iconic Piazza del Duomo, hear the history of this city as told through its buildings. Visit sites from across the ages, from the classical Roman amphitheater to the baroque Basilica di Santa Croce. Don’t get pushed to the back of the group, either: on this small group walking tour, get personalized attention from your guide and answers to all your questions.

We set sail from the Santa Maria di Leuca port to reach and admire our caves characterized by their "crystalline" water. Adriatic side itinerary: After a brief stop in Grotta Cazzafri, at the foot of Punta Meliso, we continue towards Grotta Terradico, Verduselle, Grotta del Soffio and Grotta della Vora. To be able to admire the beauty of these coves up close, we will make a small stop for a swim under the cliff and to enter the caves. Ionian side itinerary: The first cave you meet on the western side, close to Punta Ristola is the Grotta Porcinara, immediately followed by the Grotta del Diavolo, the Grotta del Fiume, the Grotta delle Tre Porte, the Caverna dei Giganti, Grotta della Stalla and the majestic Dragon cave. Here too a stop is planned to immerse yourself in the crystal clear water.

The sea caves of Santa Maria di Leuca are only available by boat—but not everyone wants to spend their vacation jostling for views on a crowded cruise. Ideal for anyone seeking a more relaxed, bespoke experience, this small-group, half-day cruise takes in two iconic grottoes, Leuca lighthouse, panoramic views from Punta Ristola, and sails past a 16th-century Spanish watchtower—all with a maximum of just 12 people on board.

Discover Lecce in a new way with an immersive experience that combines technology, culture and inner well-being. Thanks to the i-Tourist app, you can explore the city in total autonomy following 16 audio guides that will accompany you through the masterpieces of Lecce Baroque, from the decorations of the Basilica of Santa Croce to the scenic Piazza Duomo, up to the ancient Roman traces of the Amphitheatre. This tour is not just a visit, but a sensory and holistic journey: as you walk through the alleys of the old town, you will be invited to slow down, observe and experience the places with greater awareness. The experience stimulates curiosity, emotions and connection with the authentic soul of the city. Flexible and accessible to all ages, you can start whenever you want and proceed at your own pace, turning a simple walk into an engaging journey through history, art, traditions and personal harmony in the heart of Salento.

The archeological sites at the coast of Porto Cesareo tell us about a local history that was intimately bound to the rest of the Mediterranean. Indeed, the archeological remains that we will see will lead us to consider the relationships with other parts of the basin and to talk about ancient navigation, the “marble route” coming from the Aegean and deities coming from ancient Egypt. In addition, it will appear clear the relevance of physical geography shaping local history. Thus, we will talk about the main features of the Mediterranean Basin, the evolution of coastal topography and geomorphological processes. After describing and talking about the history of modern and contemporary buildings that we will see, we will try to reconstruct the evolution of the coastal landscape and the destruction of the coastal ecosystems. This tour is recommended for archeology, history, geography and culture enthusiasts, naturalists, swimmers, active tourists and adventure seekers.

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).

Sit back and relax and admire views of the coast that you can’t get any other way on a small-group sailing trip from Gallipoli. Follow the coastline, then head out to the Island of Sant Andrea, where you visit the lighthouse and get the chance to swim and snorkel. Snacks and aperitifs, including local wine and prosecco, are provided. Choose from morning, afternoon, or evening sailings to suit your schedule.

Visit La Valle d’Itria on a day trip from Lecce to discover the highlights of one of Puglia’s most enchanting regions. After a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed village of Alberobello to see its cone-roofed trulli houses, you’ll visit the family-run La Cantina restaurant for a 4-course lunch. With your appetite sated, you’ll finally head to the seaside at Polignano a Mare where sweeping coastal vistas await.

I worked for 15 years as a biochemical researcher of wine. Now I have transformed my dream and my passion into an activity dedicated to the world of wine, offering my clients an exclusive experience in the authentic culture of Salento wine. Thanks to my experience of online wine sales matured with my website I know perfectly all the cellars and wines of Salento. And now I want to use all my knowledge to give you the best and most complete wine experience you can find in Salento. Make yourself comfortable because the tour is about to start.