Located in southern Puglia, in the heart of the Salento region, Lecce is one of the most elegant towns in southern Italy. It’s often referred to as “Baroque Florence“, thanks to its sculpted churches, blond stone palaces, lively squares and historic center that’s perfect for exploring on foot.
We visited Lecce during our road trip in Puglia, and the town was one of our pleasant surprises of the trip. It’s easy to visit in just a few hours, but it’s also worth spending a night or two to enjoy the atmosphere at the end of the day, when the alleys fill up and the facades take on a golden hue.
In this guide, we share with you our itinerary for visiting Lecce, the must-see monuments, our tips for parking, sleeping in the area, reaching the city from Bari or Monopoli, as well as the most beautiful beaches to discover around Lecce.
And all our Lecce addresses on our map (restaurants, hotels…). We wish you an excellent reading!
Lecce in brief
Where is Lecce?
In southern Puglia, in the heart of Salento, between the Adriatic and Ionian coasts.
How long will it take?
One day is enough to visit the historic center, but we recommend you spend at least one night here to enjoy the evening atmosphere.
What’s there to see?
Piazza del Duomo, Basilica di Santa Croce, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Roman amphitheatre, Baroque streets and historic gateways.
Is Lecce a good base in Puglia?
Yes, especially to explore Salento, Otranto, Gallipoli, Torre Sant’Andrea and several magnificent beaches.
Do I need a car?
The car is not useful in the historic center, but it comes in very handy for visiting the beaches and villages around Lecce.
Our advice
Visit Lecce on foot in the late afternoon, spend the night, then explore the surrounding beaches the following day.
What to do in Lecce Our walking itinerary in the historic center
We suggest a walking itinerary to visit Lecce, to be completed in around 3 hours, with 10 points of interest we think are unmissable!
Since 2019, admission to the main churches has been charged.
The single LeccEcclesiae ticket (full price €21) allows you to visit: the Duomo (cathedral) and campanile, the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Chiesa di Santa Chiara, the Chiesa di San Matteo, theAntico Seminario and the Museum of Sacred Art.
Reduced rates are available for 12-17 year-olds.
Variable opening times summer/winter; entry possible up to 15 min before closing time.
Lecce’s historic center is easy to visit on foot. We recommend you start at Porta San Biagio, then walk slowly up to Piazza del Duomo, Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza Sant’Oronzo. This itinerary allows you to discover Lecce’s most beautiful monuments without the need for a car.
Allow around 3 hours for this itinerary, more if you wish to enter the churches, take photo breaks or stop for a coffee in the center.
1. ❤️ Porta San Biagio and its palaces
Located in the south of Lecce, the San Biagio Gate is one of the three gates surrounding the city. This majestic gateway, with its beautiful columns carved in Lecce stone (pietra leccese), a typical blond limestone, puts you right in the city’s architectural mood.
Don’t miss the majestic palaces that surround it, then enter Lecce’s old town.
2. ❤️ Chiesa San Matteo
As is often the case in Italy, there’s no shortage of beautiful churches. Its Baroque façade will keep you busy for a while, and the interior, in the same style, is just as interesting. We visited it for free on a Sunday morning before mass (depending on the service).
3. ❤️❤️❤️ Piazza Duomo
This majestic square, almost entirely enclosed (only one entrance), is surrounded by magnificent monuments that give it a unique charm.
Several buildings surround the square:
- The cathedral ( Duomo) with its 70 m-high bell tower.
- Palazzo Vescovile.
- The Palazzo del Seminario, home to the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.
In short, a must-see during your visit. During an out-of-season visit, the square was being renovated with tarpaulins: a good reason to come back!
4. Chiesa di Sant’Irene
Beautiful Baroque church on the route between Piazza Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Croce. It’s not always on the classic itineraries, so few people stop here, and admission is free when open.
If it’s open, we recommend you go in. We were able to visit it on a Sunday morning, this time after mass.
5. ❤️❤️❤️ Basilica di Santa Croce
Another Lecce must-see: its Baroque facade, covered with sculpted details, is fascinating. We couldn’t get in, as it was mass time: check with the church office.
6. Piazza Sant’Oronzo and its Anfiteatro
This is the town’s main square, surrounded by buildings from different periods, including the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre.
In our view, it’s more a place to pass through than a place to linger for long.
7. ❤️❤️ Chiesa Santa Chiara
Another beautiful Baroque church (we warned you!). Admission is included in the €21 LeccEcclesiae ticket. When we were able to visit other churches for free (during services), we skipped the interior of Santa Chiara.
8. ❤️❤️❤️ Pizza by the slice, Il Pizzicotto
Pizzeria à la coupe with fresh local produce, and everything is excellent. Pleasant little terrace on the street.
A little tip from Pourquoi Pas Nous: have a spritz at the bar next door to enjoy the toilets.
9. ❤️ Bakery
The last two points are not in the hyper-center. The historic center is a mix of religious buildings, souvenir shops and bars/restaurants.
Want to see the Lecce of the locals? Head for Piazza Mazzini: grocery stores, hairdressers… and ” La Boulangerie ” for pizza and chocolate croissants.
10. ❤️❤️ Cemetery
As is often the case in Italy, the cemetery is a city within a city. Quite close to the center, it can be reached on foot. Beautifully crafted tombs and cypress avenues make for a peaceful stroll.
How long will it take to visit Lecce?
To visit Lecce without running around, we recommend you allow at least one day. The historic center is not very large and is best explored on foot. In 3 to 4 hours, you can already see the main monuments, pass through the most beautiful squares and enjoy the narrow streets of the center.
If your program in Puglia allows it, a night in Lecce is an excellent idea. The city becomes particularly pleasant at the end of the day, when the heat drops and the Baroque facades take on a golden glow. This is also the best time to enjoy the restaurants, bars and local atmosphere.
With two days on site, you can devote one day to Lecce’s historic center, then another to the surrounding beaches and villages, such as Otranto, Torre Sant’Andrea, Grotta della Poesia or Gallipoli.
| 3 to 4 hours | Ideal for a walking tour of the historic center. |
| 1 day | The perfect way to visit Lecce, eat there and enjoy the atmosphere. |
| 2 days | Perfect for adding the beaches around Lecce and a few Salento villages. |
Things to do in Lecce
➡️ To find out more about this magnificent city, we recommend this unique guided tour of Lecce and its underground, which combines Baroque treasures with underground secrets.
With your guide, you’ll stroll through the golden streets of the historic center, discovering the sculpted masterpieces of the “Florence of the South”, before descending underground to explore cisterns, crypts and forgotten remains.
An immersive experience of art, history and hidden mysteries, ideal for seeing Lecce differently and immersing yourself in its cultural richness. (duration 2 h – guide in French, English and Italian)
Where to sleep in Lecce
To visit Lecce easily, the best choice is to sleep in the historic center or just outside the ZTL. That way, you can do everything on foot, enjoy the evening atmosphere and avoid having to get back in the car after dinner.
If you’re arriving by car on a road trip in Puglia, be sure to check the parking location before booking. Lecce’s historic center is subject to a ZTL, as are many Italian cities. So it’s best to choose accommodation with parking or within walking distance of the center.
Without hesitation, we recommend the 7Rooms – Lecce, a magnificent hotel so well renovated (as we like it), with a big favorite for the huge bathroom. We arrived and left on our own, and got lots of good advice on how to visit Lecce.
It’s right in the historic center of Lecce, from 95€ with parking (outside the ZLT) + air conditioning. We stayed there for 3 nights.
View hotel 7Rooms availability
Are you looking for a place to stay during your stay in Puglia ? To help you, we give you all our advice in this article on Where to stay in Puglia in Italy, and share our best hotel addresses and unusual accommodations.
Our good addresses restaurant and bar in Lecce
Our good addresses restaurant and bar in Lecce
Lecce is a great place to go out in the evening. The historic center boasts many small addresses, bars and restaurants in the alleys around Piazza Sant’Oronzo and Piazza del Duomo. We advise you to make reservations if you’re traveling in high season, especially in summer.
Il Pizzicotto, for pizza by the slice
Already mentioned in our itinerary, Il Pizzicotto is a very good place to eat quickly and simply in the center of Lecce. The pizzas by the slice are prepared with good produce, and the address works very well for a break without wasting too much time on sightseeing.
Caffè Letterario, for a drink
A pleasant place to have a drink in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s the kind of place we like after a day’s sightseeing, when you just want to enjoy Lecce without a hectic schedule.
The unforgettable beaches around Lecce
Just a few kilometers south of Lecce, you’ll find numerous white sandy beaches and magnificent rock formations. Below, our favorite beaches.
| Beaches | From Lecce | Ideal for | Our opinion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grotta della Poesia | Approx. 35 minutes | Landscape, swimming, photos | One of the most beautiful natural sites around Lecce. |
| Beach of Alimini | Approx. 40 minutes | Family, sand, swimming | Our favorite beach around Lecce for a truly relaxing break. |
| Torre Sant’Andrea | Approximately 35 to 40 minutes | Cliffs, sunset, photos | Magnificent, but less practical for putting your towel down. |
| Beach of the Isole Asce | Near Lecce | Easy bathing, quick access | Less spectacular, but convenient if you’re looking for a nearby beach. |
| Frassanito Beach | Approx. 40 minutes | Wild side, clear water | A good option for avoiding the most popular beaches. |
Grotta della Poesia
Local favorite: an absolutely magnificent site, a veritable natural swimming pool that communicates with the sea. Most visitors go swimming (even though it’s officially forbidden); at the very least, a must-see stop to observe this natural wonder.
Parking 3 € / day ~100 m away, entrance 3 €; good deal: free after 7 pm and in winter (check with the season).
Beach of Alimini
Our favorite beach: large and partly wild, surrounded by pine trees. Fine sand, shallow turquoise water over several meters: perfect for a lazy afternoon with the family.
Parking €3.50 / day; parasol + deckchair ~€20 / day.
Torre Sant’Andrea rock formations
A series of ultra-photogenic rock formations. The water is, as so often in Puglia, crystal-clear. We love this coast full of treasures.
No beach: towel on the rocks and dive into the blue.
Small parking lot; prefer early morning or late afternoon for sunset.
Beach of the Isole Asce
One of the closest to Lecce. Less spectacular than its predecessors, it is therefore a little less popular in summer. Clear, warm sea, fine sand.
Small parking lot.
Frassanito Beach
Access via a small pine forest; we like the wild, uncrowded feel. Little space to land and rocks for ~20 m, then crystal-clear water. Restaurants on stilts allow you to eat with your feet in the water.
Parking €3.
Find all the beaches mentioned on the map below:
How to reach Lecce?
From Bari
Lecce is located south of Bari, about 1 h 30 by car.
➡️ Car:
Renting a car is the best way to explore Puglia, its small villages and secret beaches, at your own pace.
👉 To effectively compare offers and identify the best value for money, after testing several solutions, we use the comparator Discover Cars, which compares offers from local and international agencies.. It’s reliable, clear and easy to use for car rental.
💡 Another key point: the comprehensive insurance offered via Discover Cars is generally much cheaper than that sold directly at the rental company’s counter, while offering more comprehensive coverage. This saves time and, above all, avoids unpleasant surprises when picking up or returning the vehicle.
🚗 As a guide, we found a car for €30 per day, to be collected from Bari airport.
From Monopoli
We spent the previous night in Monopoli: 1 h 30 drive to Lecce, initially along the sea. From Polignano a Mare, allow another ~15 min.
Free parking
We have indicated a large, free, year-round parking lot, ~1.5 km from the old town, on our map.
Please note that, as in all Apulian towns, there is a ZTL in the historic center.
This limited traffic zone is reserved for local residents. Overall, we recommend parking outside the historic centers to avoid the ZTL and maneuvering in alleyways.
What to do after visiting Lecce
What to do after visiting Lecce
After visiting Lecce, you can extend your discovery of southern Puglia with a number of towns and villages in Salento. The idea is not necessarily to run from one site to the next, but rather to choose one or two complementary stages depending on the time you have available and the rest of your itinerary.
Discover Otranto and its historic center
Otranto is one of the most beautiful towns to visit after Lecce. Its historic center, surrounded by ramparts, is easy to explore on foot. We recommend taking the time to visit the cathedral, famous for its impressive floor mosaic, and then wandering through the narrow streets to the Aragonese castle. The atmosphere is different from Lecce, which is more maritime, but the town is still very pleasant for a cultural visit and a stroll at the end of the day.
Explore Gallipoli
Gallipoli is another interesting stopover after Lecce. Its historic center is built on an islet connected to the modern town by a bridge. The main attraction is the atmosphere, with narrow streets, little squares, churches and sea views. The town can easily be visited in a few hours, but it’s well worth a leisurely stroll, especially in the late afternoon when the light is softer.
A stopover in Galatina
Galatina is a very good idea if you’re looking for a quieter, less crowded visit. The town is best known for the Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, one of the most beautiful religious buildings in Salento. Its remarkable frescoes alone justify a detour. It’s an easy stopover to add between Lecce and other villages in southern Puglia.
Visit Nardò
Nardò is a lesser-known Baroque town than Lecce, but a very pleasant one to discover. Its historic center is elegant, with beautiful facades, palaces, churches and a pretty central square. It’s a good alternative if you want to prolong Lecce’s Baroque ambience in a more local, less touristy setting.
Passing through Specchia
Specchia is one of Salento’s most charming villages. The center is small, but has a lot of character, with its stone lanes, staircases, vaulted passageways and ancient houses. It’s an interesting stop-off if you like authentic villages and a quieter atmosphere than Puglia’s big tourist towns.
To Santa Maria di Leuca
Santa Maria di Leuca marks the southernmost tip of Salento. People come here mainly for the symbolism of the place, between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, as well as for the sanctuary, the lighthouse and the seafront promenade. It’s not the most essential stopover if you’re short of time, but it may make sense if you want to go all the way to the end of the peninsula after visiting Lecce.
Drive up to Alberobello, Monopoli or Polignano a Mare
If Lecce is the last stage of your stay in southern Puglia, you can then head steadily northwards. Alberobello allows you to discover the famous trulli, Monopoli is an excellent base for sleeping by the sea and Polignano a Mare offers one of Puglia’s best-known urban landscapes. These stops complement Lecce very well, as they show a different side of the region.
In our opinion, Lecce works very well as a tipping point in an itinerary through Puglia. Before Lecce, we often discover Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli or Alberobello. After Lecce, you enter the Salento, with its more baroque towns, quieter villages and even more southern atmosphere.
Now it’s back up to Bari to catch our flight! Bye-bye Puglia, we’ll be back for sure.
We wish you a great trip! Don’t hesitate to leave us a quick note or 5 stars below if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram. We’d love to hear from you.
