The southeastern Italian area of Puglia has no scarcity of wonderful locations to go to; Bari, Monopoli, Alberobello, and Ostuni, to call however a couple of. On this put up, I’ve written about the perfect issues to do in Lecce – certainly one of my favourite Puglian cities.
Lecce is an attractive, historic metropolis that’s sometimes called the “Florence of the South” as a result of its abundance of Baroque structure. Along with admiring the beautiful buildings in its historic middle, there’s a wealth of different enjoyable issues to do in Lecce.
This charming city additionally receives fewer international vacationers than lots of the different well-known places in Puglia. It’s a terrific place to find when you’re after a style of genuine southern Italian tradition and is someplace that I’d fortunately return to time and time once more.
Finest Issues To Do in Lecce
Inside this text, I’ve included a collection of sights and actions that can enchantment to a variety of individuals; whether or not you’re touring solo, as a pair, with children, on a funds, or as a part of a wider journey to Italy, there’s one thing of curiosity right here for you.
So, with out additional ado, enable me to introduce you to my choose of the highest issues to do in Lecce.
1. Take a Strolling Tour of the Centro Storico (Historic Heart)
Certainly one of my favourite methods to introduce myself to any new vacation spot is to participate in a strolling tour, and Lecce isn’t any exception. Having a neighborhood skilled present you across the metropolis and train you about its wealthy historical past is a good way to familiarize your self with this unbelievable place.
There are a couple of totally different strolling excursions to select from, however I like to recommend reserving this one. It’s run by a pleasant and educated native information who will present you round lots of the high locations to go to in Lecce, together with the Piazza del Duomo, the Teatro Romano, the Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and the Basilica di Santa Croce.
I’ve included extra info on every of those locations, in addition to many different Lecce sights, beneath.
2. Admire the Teatro Romano (Roman Amphitheater)
Lecce’s Roman Amphitheatre is an unimaginable instance of historical structure and engineering. It’s positioned within the very middle of the historic middle of Lecce and is likely one of the metropolis’s main highlights.
Constructed between the first and 2nd century AD, the amphitheater was initially used for grotesque gladiator fights and different public reveals. Nonetheless, after the autumn of the Roman Empire, the massive construction fell into disrepair and finally grew to become buried. It was solely rediscovered in 1901, through the development of foundations for a financial institution.
Immediately, the ruined amphitheater is used for live shows and theatrical performances that are held once in a while. In the event you’re visiting while certainly one of these is on, I strongly suggest getting tickets. Attending a stay efficiency in an virtually 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheater must be one of the vital distinctive and memorable issues to do in Lecce, Puglia.
3. Soak Up the Environment in Piazza Sant’Oronzo (One of many Finest Free Issues To Do in Lecce, Italy)
The Piazza Sant’Oronzo is likely one of the most well-known squares in Lecce. It’s house to various necessary monuments, together with the Baroque-style City Corridor, a mosaic of a feminine wolf (an emblem of historical Rome), and a formidable column topped with a statue of Saint Oronzo, the patron saint of Lecce.
After a busy few hours of sightseeing within the metropolis, this sq. is a perfect spot to take a seat, relaxation, and partake in a little bit people-watching. It’s a preferred assembly level with locals of all ages and has an exquisite, buzzing environment at most occasions of the day and nicely into the night.
Lingering right here with an after-dinner digestif is certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Lecce at evening. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be in Leece through the pageant of Saint Oronzo (Festa di Sant’Oronzo) on the finish of August, this plaza is a focus of the celebrations, with fireworks, parades, and costumed reenactions of tales from native folklore.
4. Feast on Native Road Meals
I completely love the meals in Puglia, and Lecce is especially famend for its wonderful avenue meals. You’ll discover distributors promoting quite a lot of native delicacies equivalent to focaccia, sfogliatelle (pastry crammed with candy ricotta cream), and panzerotti (fried pastries filled with mozzarella and tomato).
The easiest way to pattern and study these scrumptious meals is to hitch a avenue food-tasting tour, the place you’ll get the chance to style a spread of savory and candy Puglian specialties.
Along with taking a meals tour, there’s additionally a meals market in Piazza Libertini most days of the week to attend, (though it’s finest to go to on a Saturday as that’s often when the biggest variety of distributors attend). Right here, you’ll discover a vary of stalls promoting all kinds of mouthwatering dishes and native components to attempt.
5. Be part of a Conventional Cooking Class
In the event you’d prefer to discover ways to make some traditional Puglian dishes at house, I like to recommend becoming a member of a conventional cooking class. There are a number of totally different courses to select from, that are held inside an attractive personal Seventeenth-century palazzo.
You’ll rustle up a spread of native specialties after which feast in your creations together with a collection of superb wines. All meals and drinks are included, and it’s one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Lecce for {couples}.
For individuals who’d favor to discover ways to make contemporary orecchiette pasta (which interprets as “little ears”, as a result of its distinctive form), take a look at this masterclass which additionally contains wine tasting.
6. Go to Native Wineries and Attempt Wine Tasting
The realm round Lecce produces some scrumptious wines that complement the native delicacies completely. Lecce wines are usually wealthy and darkish, with notes of cherry and oak.
Salice Salentino is likely one of the hottest varieties, made with Negroamaro grapes that are native to the Salento area and virtually solely grown there. There are a number of wineries positioned on the outskirts of Lecce, that are unbelievable locations to go to to study (and style!) the native sorts of wine.
Just a few of the vineyards even provide lunch, so you possibly can linger for some time longer and revel in a leisurely and indulgent afternoon in an attractive, pure setting – it’s positively certainly one of my favourite issues to do close to Lecce. Take a look at this glorious tour, which features a go to to 2 native wineries, lunch, and transport to and from Lecce.
7. Step Inside Lecce Cathedral
Situated within the Piazza del Duomo, Cattedrale Maria Santissima Assunta e S.Oronzo (Lecce Cathedral for brief) is a shocking baroque masterpiece that was first inbuilt 1144, after which considerably rebuilt in 1659.
Certainly one of its most distinctive options is the bell tower which was designed by native architect Giuseppe Zimbalo. The tower options 5 separate “ranges” which taper as they rise. It additionally leans barely as a result of subsidence that’s occurred over the centuries.
The Cathedral inside includes a mix of Roman, Gothic, and Baroque kinds and is crammed with statues, frescoes, and complicated marble pillars.
8. Uncover Lecce’s Pre-Roman Secrets and techniques
The Faggiano Museum is likely one of the most uncommon vacationer sights in Lecce, Italy, and has a captivating story. In 2001, a neighborhood resident was finishing up some house repairs when he stumbled throughout various historical artifacts.
After an extended interval of cautious excavation, it was found that an enormous wealth of necessary archaeological stays lay buried proper beneath his house. These stays date again 2,500 years, to the time earlier than the Roman Empire, and embody tombs, cisterns, frescoes, and underground escape tunnels.
Immediately you possibly can tour this underground community and (actually) uncover the various layers of Lecce’s historical past.
9. Benefit from the Salento Peninsula
The Salento peninsula types the southeastern tip of Puglia (i.e. the “heel” of Italy), with Leece being the biggest metropolis inside. The remainder of the peninsula is house to many picturesque little cities and villages that are filled with old-world appeal and are excellent for exploring on foot or by bike.
Don’t miss the gorgeous seashores both – they’re among the finest within the area and provide loads of alternatives for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoyable. Baia dei Turchi is certainly one of my favorites.
In the event you’re pressed for time, this is a wonderful one-day tour of Salento. It departs from Lecce and is a good way to expertise among the different highlights of this stunning area.
10. Discover Castello Carlo V
The Fort of Charles V was constructed within the Center Ages. It’s been used for a lot of functions over the centuries, together with as a defensive fortress, a palatial house, and (as we speak), because the headquarters of Lecce’s Council of Cultural Affairs.
Exploring the various hidden staircases, gardens, underground chambers, and ornate stately rooms is likely one of the finest issues to do in Lecce for households. You can even stroll alongside sure sections of the fortress’s partitions the place you possibly can take some unbelievable pictures of town and its environment from above.
11. Be taught Learn how to Make Recent Pasta (and Tiramisù)
What might be extra Italian than studying the way to make your individual scrumptious selfmade pasta? Whether or not you’re an entire newbie or an skilled pasta-making professional, this small-group masterclass will train you the artwork of genuine Italian pasta-making inside an actual Puglian house.
Your hosts may also present you the way to make the proper tiramisù – belief me, it’s to die for! Lastly, you’ll sit all the way down to benefit from the magnificent fruits of your labor. You’ll want to arrive hungry!
12. Chill out within the Giardini Pubblici Giuseppe Garibaldi
Subsequent to the Castello Carlo V, the Garibaldi Public Gardens are tranquil and filled with lush greenery, decorative timber, sculptures, and fountains. It’s a really perfect place to spend a peaceable afternoon or take a stroll to flee the hustle and bustle of town middle.
I like to recommend bringing a picnic and a bottle of wine to take pleasure in right here – (Italy has splendidly liberal public consuming legal guidelines!).
13. See the Basilica di Santa Croce
One other gorgeous church, the Basilica of the Holy Cross was inbuilt 1695 and is likely one of the finest locations to go to in Lecce to see perfectly-preserved Baroque structure. Its central rosette window specifically is basically gorgeous.
The constructing’s facade is roofed with marble and stucco, and the ornate inside is embellished with masterpieces by the artist Antonio Zimbalo and options no fewer than 17 altars.
14. Go Sea Kayaking
Lecce is positioned near the glowing, calm waters of the Adriatic Sea and a rugged shoreline that’s superb for exploring by kayak. There are many islands and exquisite coves to find too, making this a good way to absorb among the gorgeous coastal surroundings.
You’ll be able to select to go kayaking by your self or be a part of a guided tour that can take you to among the most picturesque spots within the space.
This guided sea kayaking journey departs from the city of Nardò, 25 kilometers southwest of Lecce. You probably have your individual automotive, it’s a simple 30-minute drive. Alternatively, you possibly can catch the direct regional prepare which hyperlinks the 2 cities.
15. Take a Day Journey to Ostuni, Alberobello, or Polignano a Mare
Ostuni, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare are all stunning cities and nice locations to go to close to Lecce. Ostuni is an historical hilltop city crammed with whitewashed homes, cobblestone streets, and loads of charming little cafes.
Alberobello is legendary for its trulli homes – cone-shaped stone dwellings constructed centuries in the past by native farmers. Polignano a Mare is a historic and picturesque fishing village with dramatic cliffs and is house to one of the vital photogenic seashores in all of Italy – Lama Monachile.
You’ll be able to simply go to every of those locations as a day journey from Lecce. In the event you’d prefer to see all 3 in someday, take a look at this tour which departs from Lecce.
Fast Journey Itineraries For Lecce
Whether or not you could have a day or every week to spend, listed below are a couple of instructed itineraries that will help you get essentially the most out of your time in Lecce.
1 Day in Lecce Itinerary
You’ll be able to see many of the metropolis’s essential sights in someday. I like to recommend beginning with a strolling tour of the historic middle of Lecce. Afterward, head to the Castello Carlo V to discover the fascinating inside and benefit from the wonderful views of town.
Take a calming stroll by means of the Giardini Pubblici Giuseppe Garibaldi within the afternoon, then head to the Piazza Sant’Oronzo for a gelato and a spot of people-watching earlier than ending your day with dinner in one of many metropolis’s glorious eating places, equivalent to Negroamaro (see beneath).
2-3 Days in Lecce Itinerary
I like to recommend spending your first day in the identical means as above. For day two, go to the Faggiano Museum and attend a conventional Puglian cooking class or pasta-making workshop after.
In your third day, go sea kayaking within the morning, go to among the native wineries for wine tasting within the afternoon, and head again into town to take pleasure in some tasty avenue meals and watch the sundown.
1 Week in Lecce Itinerary
With every week in Lecce, you possibly can comfortably do all the actions I’ve talked about on this put up. Spend days 1-3 roughly as described above, though take your time on every exercise – you’re in no rush! For instance, when you’re actually into kayaking, you might at all times spend an entire day doing this.
Then, spend the ultimate days ticking off the remainder of the objects on this checklist. You’ll want to spend a full day exploring the remainder of the Salento peninsula, both by hiring a automotive or by becoming a member of this glorious guided tour.
Don’t miss the chance to go to Ostuni, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare too. They’re all very totally different and positively price seeing.
The place to Keep in Lecce
Lecce isn’t a giant metropolis, and most locations are inside straightforward strolling distance of one another, so it doesn’t actually matter the place you select to remain inside the metropolis limits. That mentioned, listed below are a few choices so that you can take into account:
Centro Storico – Finest for First-time Guests
That is Lecce’s previous city and the perfect place to remain if you wish to be near all of the motion. There’s a spread of various lodging choices right here, together with resorts, guesthouses, and Airbnbs.
Take a look at this glorious resort in Lecce’s Centro Storico.
San Cataldo – Finest for Lovely Sea Views
If you wish to keep someplace subsequent to the ocean, I like to recommend looking at San Cataldo. It’s not technically inside the metropolis of Lecce however is barely 11 kilometers up the street, and there’s a bus that may take you all the way in which into the historic middle.
It is a nice little condo in San Cataldo.
Finest Eating places in Lecce
There are some actually nice eating places in Lecce. Listed here are a couple of that I’d suggest attempting:
Negroamaro Restaurant
Negroamaro focuses on creative takes on traditional regional specialties, utilizing contemporary, high quality components sourced as regionally as potential. The menu is seasonal and modifications repeatedly. It’s a little bit on the dear facet, however I feel it’s price the additional expense and could be a terrific place to come back for a special day.
Zefiro
Zefiro is likely one of the finest seafood eating places within the metropolis. Their price-to-quality is superb, (mid-range value, top-quality contemporary seafood), and their monkfish pasta and shrimp ravioli are each scrumptious.
Daiki Japanese Restaurant
Italian meals is wonderful, however when you’re visiting for an extended interval, after a when you might begin to crave one thing totally different. If this occurs when you’re in Lecce, you must head to Daiki. They serve among the finest sushi I’ve present in Italy in addition to a spread of different traditional Japanese dishes.
Getting To Lecce
The closest worldwide airport to Lecce is Brindisi. From there, you possibly can simply get a bus or prepare to Lecce. The prepare is quicker and takes a mere half-hour. Alternatively, you possibly can fly to Bari and catch the prepare to Lecce, which takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
In the event you’re coming from Rome or one other main Italian metropolis, you possibly can both benefit from Italy’s glorious high-speed railway community or rent a automotive and drive your self (although do watch out for Italian drivers – in my expertise, their fame for aggressive driving is comprehensible).
When you arrive in Lecce, getting across the metropolis is straightforward as many of the sights and sights are positioned inside strolling distance of one another. If you wish to discover additional afield or make day journeys out of town, you possibly can at all times rent a automotive, take the bus, a regional prepare, or be a part of a guided tour that features transport.
Issues To Do in Lecce: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Lecce:
Lecce is understood for its gorgeous Baroque structure and its laid-back, southern Italian appeal.
The very best time to go to Lecce is within the late spring or early autumn (Might or September). The climate will likely be heat and sunny, however not too sizzling, and also you’ll keep away from nearly all of the peak-summer-season vacationers.
Completely! There are many issues to do in Lecce and it’s a very engaging and attention-grabbing little metropolis.
Though you might go to many of the high locations to see in Lecce in someday, I like to recommend spending at the very least 2-3 nights right here to make your journey extra relaxed and pleasing. Extra time may also provide the probability to take pleasure in among the many issues to do round Lecce.
Sure, Lecce is a secure place to go to. After all, it’s at all times a good suggestion to concentrate on your environment and take the same old precautions equivalent to not leaving valuables unattended, maintaining a watch out for pickpockets, and sticking to areas which might be lit at evening.
The preferred factor to do in Lecce is to discover town’s iconic Baroque structure, together with the Cathedral, the Church of Santa Croce, and the Piazza del Duomo.
The very best seaside close to Lecce is Baia dei Turchi which is an attractive stretch of golden sand and crystal-clear water, about 40 kilometers southeast of town. In the event you’re in search of a seaside a little bit nearer, Torre dell’Orso is a mere 25km from Lecce and has a superb vary of amenities together with bars and eating places.
You must positively attempt among the native specialties once you’re in Lecce, equivalent to focaccia, orecchiette pasta, sfogliatelle, and panzerotti.
In Closing
Now you already know what to see and do in Lecce, Italy. Regardless of its comparatively small measurement, there are a lot of nice issues to find right here. Whether or not you’re occupied with historic monuments, structure, the native meals and wine scene, or exploring the tranquil countryside across the metropolis, there’s certain to be one thing right here that you simply’ll love.
In reality, I’d go as far as to say that Lecce is certainly one of my favourite cities in all of southern Italy; when you get the possibility to go to, I extremely suggest it!
