We discovered the town of Lecce during our visit to Puglia in Italy. Its elaborate architecture has earned it the nickname of ” Baroque Florence “, and that’s promising! We love visiting Lecce and wandering through its narrow streets. You will immediately fall in love with this beautiful city full of history.
If you’re here, it’s because you’re wondering how to visit the magnificent city of Lecce and not miss a thing. In the article below, you’ll find all our tips and recommendations for visiting the historic center, not forgetting the beautiful beaches nearby.
And all our Lecce addresses on our map (restaurants, hotels…). We wish you an excellent reading!
What to do in Lecce Our itinerary so you don’t miss a thing [map].
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. Opening times vary in summer and winter; admission possible until 15 min before closing time.
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.
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
We have no hesitation in recommending the Vittoria Luxury House: a magnificent hotel, very well renovated, with a special mention for the huge bathroom. The welcome was top-notch and we got lots of great tips for visiting Lecce.
➡️ See Vittoria Luxury House prices and 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
Il Pizzicotto, excellent pizzas by the slice
Already mentioned in the itinerary: pizzeria by the slice, fresh local produce, everything is excellent.
Caffè Letterario
A great place in Lecce for a drink in a relaxed, cosy atmosphere!
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.
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.
From Monopoli
We spent the previous night in Monopoli: a 1.5-hour drive to Lecce, initially along the sea. From Polignano a Mare, allow an additional ~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
Otranto
Otranto lies to the south of Lecce. Its historic center is protected by ramparts. Along the Adriatic coast, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the small port and the beach with its crystal-clear waters.
Gallipoli
Another fortified town: situated on an islet, a bridge links the historic center to the modern town. It’s a pleasure to get lost in the narrow streets.
Before leaving the region, don’t forget to explore the famous Sassi of Matera and the trulli of Alberobello.
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.
