Home to lavish 17th-century baroque churches and palaces, Lecce has been dubbed the “Florence of the South”. Its historic center stands out for magnificent barocco leccese gems like the Duomo, Santa Croce, and Santa Chiara, as well as traditional artisan stone carving and papier-mâché workshops—both headline tours on foot, by bike, or via rickshaw. The city sits in the heart of Puglia’s Salento peninsula, known for its top-tier cuisine and street food tours, wine tastings, and cooking classes top the list of the most popular things to do.
Though Lecce is a popular summer hot spot, with its easy access to the beaches on both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, the city’s mild climate and wealth of cultural sights make it an attractive destination for all seasons. The main draw in the summer—in addition to the nearby seaside—is the feast day of Saint Orontius of Lecce (Sant’Oronzo) in August. In the winter, the city sparkles with holiday lights, while balmy temperatures keep the city’s street life going through January.
Most travelers to Lecce arrive by car, although the baroque historic center of Lecce is small enough to explore on foot or by bike. Much of the old town is closed to traffic, but there are free and paid parking areas just outside the center; from there, it’s a quick and scenic stroll to the main sights. If you don’t have a car, Lecce is along the main rail line that connects to Bari; the train station, Stazione di Lecce, is an easy 10-minute walk from the center.
Lecce is one of Puglia’s top towns for experiencing the café scene, so grab a table in one of the buzzy squares and order a caffè leccese, an iced espresso laced with sweet almond milk. If you’re in the mood for a sweet snack to go with it, opt for a pasticciotto, a short-crust pastry filled with rich custard. For a savory pick-me-up, choose a rustico leccese: puff pastry with tomato sauce, mozzarella, béchamel, and ground black pepper.
