15 Best Things To Do in Lecce, Italy

The southeastern Italian region of Puglia has no shortage of amazing places to visit; Bari, Monopoli, Alberobello, and Ostuni, to name but a few. In this post, I’ve written about the best things to do in Lecce – one of my favorite Puglian towns.

Lecce is a beautiful, historic city that’s often referred to as the “Florence of the South” due to its abundance of Baroque architecture. In addition to admiring the gorgeous buildings in its historical center, there’s a wealth of other fun things to do in Lecce.

This charming town also receives fewer foreign tourists than many of the other famous locations in Puglia. It’s a great place to discover if you’re after a taste of authentic southern Italian culture and is somewhere that I’d happily return to time and time again.

Best Things To Do in Lecce

Within this article, I’ve included a selection of sights and activities that will appeal to a wide range of people; whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with kids, on a budget, or as part of a wider trip to Italy, there’s something of interest here for you.

So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to my pick of the top things to do in Lecce.

1. Take a Walking Tour of the Centro Storico (Historical Center)

One of my favorite ways to introduce myself to any new destination is to take part in a walking tour, and Lecce is no exception. Having a local expert show you around the city and teach you about its rich history is a great way to familiarize yourself with this fantastic place.

There are a few different walking tours to choose from, but I recommend booking this one. It’s run by a friendly and knowledgeable local guide who will show you around many of the top places to visit in Lecce, including the Piazza del Duomo, the Teatro Romano, the Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and the Basilica di Santa Croce.

I’ve included more information on each of these places, as well as many other Lecce attractions, below.

2. Admire the Teatro Romano (Roman Amphitheater)

Lecce’s Roman Amphitheatre is an incredible example of ancient architecture and engineering. It’s located in the very center of the historical center of Lecce and is one of the city’s major highlights.

Built between the 1st and 2nd century AD, the amphitheater was originally used for gruesome gladiator fights and other public shows. However, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the huge structure fell into disrepair and eventually…