Often called the “Florence of the South”, Lecce is packed with ornate Baroque churches, golden‑stone palaces and winding alleys that always seem to lead to another little piazza. There are heaps of things to do in Lecce, from slow wanders around the historic centre to evenings of pasticciotto and caffè leccese in lively squares.
Things to do in Lecce in a few hours
With just half a day in Lecce, the historic centre is your playground. The old town is compact and very walkable, and you start to get the feel of it as soon as you pass through Porta Napoli or Porta Rudiae.
Cathedral of Lecce and Piazza del Duomo
The cathedral, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, is a textbook example of Lecce Baroque, with a richly carved façade and a surprisingly elegant, calm interior.
Basilica di Santa Croce and Piazza Sant’Oronzo
The façade is wildly detailed, with columns, strange little animals, fruit, flowers and the famous central rose window.
A short walk brings you to Piazza Sant’Oronzo, where you can peer down into the Roman Amphitheatre, partly excavated below street level. It dates back to the 2nd century AD and once held around 25,000 spectators.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and the historic streets
This is a classic spot for a passeggiata. It’s lined with cafés, bars and small independent shops.
Lecce and surroundings: what to see in 3 days
With a long weekend, Lecce works nicely as a base for exploring Salento, with its long coastlines and whitewashed towns.
Day trip to Otranto and the Adriatic coast
About 45 minutes by car from Lecce, Otranto is one of the most scenic coastal towns in Salento. The Otranto Cathedral is the big highlight, mainly for its vast 12th‑century mosaic floor, and the Aragonese castle is worth a wander too.
Not far from Otranto lies the Grotta della Poesia, a natural rock pool with clear turquoise water. This is one of the best‑known swimming spots in Salento, especially in high season.
Gallipoli and the Ionian coast
On the Ionian side of Salento, about 35–40 minutes from Lecce, you reach Gallipoli. Its historic centre sits on an island connected to the mainland by a 17th‑century bridge. The old streets feel almost like a film set, all whitewashed houses, churches and viewpoints over the sea.
Porto Selvaggio Regional Natural Park
This protected area has pine forests, walking paths and rocky coves. The sea is usually very clear, and it’s great for swimming and snorkelling in a more natural setting.
Eating in Lecce: dishes to savour
Lecce and Salento take food seriously. The cooking is based on simple ingredients – vegetables, pulses, olive oil and bread – but the flavours are anything but boring.
Classic dishes and local products to look out for:
- Pitta di patate – a comforting baked pie made with mashed potatoes, filled with onions, tomatoes, capers and sometimes cheese or olives.
- Fave e cicoria – a thick, creamy broad bean purée served with wild chicory or other greens.
- Rustico leccese – a round puff‑pastry snack filled with mozzarella, tomato and béchamel.
- Frisa / frisella – twice‑baked bread rings soaked briefly in water and topped with chopped tomatoes, olive oil and oregano.
To drink, local reds such as Negroamaro and Primitivo are everywhere, and vineyards around Salento keep producing very decent bottles at friendly prices.
For something sweet:
- Pasticciotto leccese – a small oval pastry of shortcrust filled with custard, often eaten for breakfast with coffee.
- Caffè leccese (Lecce iced coffee) – espresso over ice, usually with almond milk or almond syrup.
Unusual things to see in Lecce
Beyond the big Baroque churches and main squares, Lecce has a few more offbeat corners that work well if you’re travelling with kids or you just like slightly quirky things.
- The largest tree in Lecce – inside the courtyard of the Sant’Anna Conservatory stands a giant ficus tree, estimated at around 18 metres tall and roughly 400 years old.
- Learn to dance the Taranta – the local folk dance, pizzica or taranta, comes with its own music, rhythms and stories. Cultural associations and dance schools sometimes offer short introductions.
- Underground Lecce – guided tours of Lecce’s hypogea and underground spaces show you cisterns, old cellars and passages below the city.
Living in Lecce
Located in one of Italy's top wine regions, Lecce has the feel of a small city but still offers a decent amount of culture, food and social life. The climate is relatively mild, the pace is slower than in the big northern cities, and it's easy to reach both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Puglia, as a region, is also increasing in popularity, slowly turning into a luxury estate powerhouse.
All of that makes it appealing for longer stays, remote workers and anyone thinking about a move to Lecce for a change of lifestyle, more sun and a slightly gentler rhythm to daily life.