Choosing Lecce
Discover our guide
A unique historic center
The historic center of Lecce is easy to walk through. The city is dotted with some 40 churches, spires, portals, monasteries, as well as towers and stately palaces, not forgetting the Roman Amphitheater and the Roman Theater.
Piazza Duomo
In the heart of ancient Lecce, Piazza Duomo is a beautiful example of a closed square, overlooked by the enchanting Cathedral of the Duomo, the Bell Tower, and the Bishop's Palace and Seminary buildings.
Piazza Sant'Oronzo
At the center of Lecce is the small Church of St. Mark, built in the 16th century by the Venetian community that had trade relations with Lecce. The square is also home to the Column of St. Oronzo, a full 29 meters high, with a statue of the saint blessing the city at the top The center of Lecce is full of local craft stores, where papier-mâché and ceramics are worked on in particular.
In the heart of ancient Lecce, Piazza Duomo is a beautiful example of a closed square, overlooked by the enchanting Cathedral of the Duomo, the Bell Tower, and the Bishop's Palace and Seminary buildings.
Piazza Sant'Oronzo
At the center of Lecce is the small Church of St. Mark, built in the 16th century by the Venetian community that had trade relations with Lecce. The square is also home to the Column of St. Oronzo, a full 29 meters high, with a statue of the saint blessing the city at the top The center of Lecce is full of local craft stores, where papier-mâché and ceramics are worked on in particular.
The Roman Amphitheater
What immediately catches the eye in the center of Lecce is the Roman amphitheater. This work dates from the 1st-2nd century A.D. The amphitheater could hold approximately 25,000 spectators, and the tunnels where gladiators passed through are still evident.
The Churches of Lecce
The city boasts a center where so many churches are scattered. The emblem of Lecce Baroque is the Basilica di Santa Croce, built between the 16th and 17th centuries at the behest of the Order of the Celestines. Also not to be missed is the Church of San Nicolò dei Greci, built in 1765 in neoclassical style for Greek merchants. One of the most important churches is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the square of the same name.
What immediately catches the eye in the center of Lecce is the Roman amphitheater. This work dates from the 1st-2nd century A.D. The amphitheater could hold approximately 25,000 spectators, and the tunnels where gladiators passed through are still evident.
The Churches of Lecce
The city boasts a center where so many churches are scattered. The emblem of Lecce Baroque is the Basilica di Santa Croce, built between the 16th and 17th centuries at the behest of the Order of the Celestines. Also not to be missed is the Church of San Nicolò dei Greci, built in 1765 in neoclassical style for Greek merchants. One of the most important churches is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the square of the same name.
Also worth a visit are the Church of St. Irene dei Teatini, the Basilica of St. John the Baptist al Rosario, the Church of Jesus, the Church of Saints Nicholas and Cataldo, the Church of St. Matthew, and the Church of the Carmine.
Interesting museums
Lecce also has no shortage of interesting museums. The Sigismondo Castromediano Provincial Museum is the oldest in all of Puglia and features archaeological finds from all over Salento. The city of Lecce is also home to the Museo Ferroviario della Puglia, a fascinating journey through time.
Typical dishes
In Lecce the gastronomic tradition is really rich, so it is worth tasting the famous dishes of both land and sea. The city's gastronomic tour ranges from "Pasta Fresca" with chickpeas or turnips, to Sagne al sugo. In Lecce you certainly can't forget the Pasticciotto, and the Rustico, accompanied by the unique Lecce coffee loved by Lecceans and tourists alike.
Nighttime entertainment
In Lecce, fun is guaranteed. The city's movida is enlivened not only by the clubs in the center, but also by the squares and streets, where groups of young people gather in the evening.
SALENTINIAN GREECE
There is really a lot to discover around Lecce. For example, the nine towns of the so-called Salentine Greece. The municipalities are Calimera, Carpignano Salentino, Castrignano de' Greci, Corigliano d'Otranto, Cutrofiano, Martano, Martignano, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia, and Zollino, and they manage a whole range of services including tourism promotion in a consortium manner.
These winds enrich and change the landscape of Salento's marinas. By choosing Lecce as the main destination, tourists can best organize a tour of the Salento marinas...depending on the winds and atmospheres desired
These winds enrich and change the landscape of Salento's marinas. By choosing Lecce as the main destination, tourists can best organize a tour of the Salento marinas...depending on the winds and atmospheres desired
Adriatic coastline
Predominantly rocky and influenced by strong Tramontana and Grecale winds. The places and marinas not to be missed on this coastline are truly numerous...whether for bathing or for a tour, they can be reached from 15 to a maximum of 30 minutes by car from Lecce. Here, along a coastline dotted with ancient archaeological evidence, opens what has rightfully been included in the ranking of the most beautiful natural pools in the world.
Torre Sant'Adrea
Whether you have a few minutes or more time on your hands, the Faraglioni of Sant'Andrea are a must-see if you are in Salento. "The Alimini Lakes," The Alimini Lakes are two natural reservoirs located within a protected natural oasis of about 1,000 hectares located a few kilometers from Otranto.
Predominantly rocky and influenced by strong Tramontana and Grecale winds. The places and marinas not to be missed on this coastline are truly numerous...whether for bathing or for a tour, they can be reached from 15 to a maximum of 30 minutes by car from Lecce. Here, along a coastline dotted with ancient archaeological evidence, opens what has rightfully been included in the ranking of the most beautiful natural pools in the world.
Torre Sant'Adrea
Whether you have a few minutes or more time on your hands, the Faraglioni of Sant'Andrea are a must-see if you are in Salento. "The Alimini Lakes," The Alimini Lakes are two natural reservoirs located within a protected natural oasis of about 1,000 hectares located a few kilometers from Otranto.
The Bauxite Quarries
This is one of the most beautiful places in Salento, as evocative as it is mysterious, around which stories and legends revolve, giving the place even more charm.
Otranto
Otranto, the "gateway to the East," is so called because it occupies the easternmost point in Italy. Among the most picturesque destinations, Otranto is a real must-see jewel of the Adriatic coast. Consecrated on August 1, 1088, by the Papal Legate Roffredo, under the papacy of Urban II, it is the largest cathedral in Salento.
Santa Cesarea Terme
Overlooking the Canale d'Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme is a charming town in Salento that stands on a cliff overlooking the sea. Nestled between the blue sea and the green of thick vegetation is its town center, which is characterized by Moorish palaces, elegant villas and whitewashed houses.
This is one of the most beautiful places in Salento, as evocative as it is mysterious, around which stories and legends revolve, giving the place even more charm.
Otranto
Otranto, the "gateway to the East," is so called because it occupies the easternmost point in Italy. Among the most picturesque destinations, Otranto is a real must-see jewel of the Adriatic coast. Consecrated on August 1, 1088, by the Papal Legate Roffredo, under the papacy of Urban II, it is the largest cathedral in Salento.
Santa Cesarea Terme
Overlooking the Canale d'Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme is a charming town in Salento that stands on a cliff overlooking the sea. Nestled between the blue sea and the green of thick vegetation is its town center, which is characterized by Moorish palaces, elegant villas and whitewashed houses.
Santa Maria di Leuca
Elegant like a lady from another era, Santa Maria di Leuca still bewitches visitors with its unique charm, an emotion that is renewed with every return even for those who know Leuca well....
Ionian Coast
This coastline is ideal for those who want to indulge on its beaches of fine white sand...be kissed by the setting sun as it dips into the sea...truly one-of-a-kind views....
Elegant like a lady from another era, Santa Maria di Leuca still bewitches visitors with its unique charm, an emotion that is renewed with every return even for those who know Leuca well....
Ionian Coast
This coastline is ideal for those who want to indulge on its beaches of fine white sand...be kissed by the setting sun as it dips into the sea...truly one-of-a-kind views....
Maldives of Salento
White sand and turquoise sea will make you feel like you're on a beach in the tropics. Marina di Pescoluse offers the most beautiful beaches in Puglia along 4 km of coastline that will drive adults and children crazy. Here you will find many equipped beaches but also many free beaches. Marina di Pescoluse is located 10 km north of Santa Maria di Leuca.
The beach continues to Torre Pali, with several access and parking points along the dunes. We recommend walking along the beach to choose the stretch you like best.
White sand and turquoise sea will make you feel like you're on a beach in the tropics. Marina di Pescoluse offers the most beautiful beaches in Puglia along 4 km of coastline that will drive adults and children crazy. Here you will find many equipped beaches but also many free beaches. Marina di Pescoluse is located 10 km north of Santa Maria di Leuca.
The beach continues to Torre Pali, with several access and parking points along the dunes. We recommend walking along the beach to choose the stretch you like best.
Gallipoli and its Beaches
Attractive, indeed, Gallipoli has always been, since its very ancient origins. The beach closest to the center of Gallipoli so much so that it is embraced by the ancient castle walls is that of Purità, suitable for both day and night life. Around Gallipoli then for a stretch of the Ionian coast, sand gives way to rocks. North of Gallipoli is the inlet of Porto Selvaggio, immersed in Mediterranean scrub and a dense coastal pine forest that slopes down to the sea.
You will find yourself in the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano regional nature park, among the most unspoiled stretches of the entire Salento region.
Attractive, indeed, Gallipoli has always been, since its very ancient origins. The beach closest to the center of Gallipoli so much so that it is embraced by the ancient castle walls is that of Purità, suitable for both day and night life. Around Gallipoli then for a stretch of the Ionian coast, sand gives way to rocks. North of Gallipoli is the inlet of Porto Selvaggio, immersed in Mediterranean scrub and a dense coastal pine forest that slopes down to the sea.
You will find yourself in the Porto Selvaggio and Palude del Capitano regional nature park, among the most unspoiled stretches of the entire Salento region.
Santa Maria al Bagno
Santa Maria al Bagno is characterized by stupendous historical residences from the beginning of the 20th century that you absolutely must visit on your vacation in Puglia. From the tourist point of view Santa Maria al Bagno is as interesting as ever thanks to the undisputed landscape value that characterizes it.
Santa Caterina
Santa Caterina is a beautiful and reserved hamlet of the town of Nardò, in the province of Lecce. Easy to reach by any means of transportation, it undoubtedly constitutes a nerve center for all those who love Salento and its beaches. Only ten kilometers from the more renowned Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo, it offers its visitors the chance to enjoy both the hilly air of its upper part and the cool sea breeze of its seafront. The bathing room in Santa Caterina di Nardò.
It was customary in the 1800s and early 1900s for ladies of a certain rank to benefit from bathing by the sea, with all the discretion and confidentiality that the case required. The ladies would access it from the land and bathe undisturbed, shielded from curious eyes and the summer sun that would burnish their white skin, making it resemble that of peasant women working the land.
Porto Cesareo
Among the most beautiful beaches in Porto Cesareo is the renowned Dune Beach, which stretches from the archaeological excavations of Scala di Furno to the promontory that precedes Torre Chianca. It is a long sandy beach protected by dunes where you will find the bathing establishments Le Dune and Tabù; the last part, however, is free. Another beautiful beach but smaller than Le Dune is Lido Conchiglia. The beaches south of Porto Cesareo, on the other hand, are less spectacular but can be easily reached on foot.
Punta Pros ciutto
Punta Prosciutto is another of Puglia's most beautiful beaches and, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Santa Maria al Bagno is characterized by stupendous historical residences from the beginning of the 20th century that you absolutely must visit on your vacation in Puglia. From the tourist point of view Santa Maria al Bagno is as interesting as ever thanks to the undisputed landscape value that characterizes it.
Santa Caterina
Santa Caterina is a beautiful and reserved hamlet of the town of Nardò, in the province of Lecce. Easy to reach by any means of transportation, it undoubtedly constitutes a nerve center for all those who love Salento and its beaches. Only ten kilometers from the more renowned Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo, it offers its visitors the chance to enjoy both the hilly air of its upper part and the cool sea breeze of its seafront. The bathing room in Santa Caterina di Nardò.
It was customary in the 1800s and early 1900s for ladies of a certain rank to benefit from bathing by the sea, with all the discretion and confidentiality that the case required. The ladies would access it from the land and bathe undisturbed, shielded from curious eyes and the summer sun that would burnish their white skin, making it resemble that of peasant women working the land.
Porto Cesareo
Among the most beautiful beaches in Porto Cesareo is the renowned Dune Beach, which stretches from the archaeological excavations of Scala di Furno to the promontory that precedes Torre Chianca. It is a long sandy beach protected by dunes where you will find the bathing establishments Le Dune and Tabù; the last part, however, is free. Another beautiful beach but smaller than Le Dune is Lido Conchiglia. The beaches south of Porto Cesareo, on the other hand, are less spectacular but can be easily reached on foot.
Punta Pros ciutto
Punta Prosciutto is another of Puglia's most beautiful beaches and, according to the British newspaper The Telegraph, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.