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Lecce, Italy is more than just a city in the heel of the boot — this artsy, unique city is often called the “Florence of the South.” If you loved the Tuscan capital but maybe wish it had a few less tourists, Lecce is guaranteed to cast its spell on you!
Lecce is a small city with a huge architectural legacy in the Salento region of Puglia. I first visited Lecce as a base for exploring this deeper, southern part of Puglia, and it made a perfect base. Lecce is an inland city, but you can easily get to the famed beaches of the Ionian and Adriatic coastlines in less than an hour’s drive.
Puglia is usually associated with conical trulli buildings and soft sandy beaches, but Lecce is all about the Baroque. Make that “Lecce Baroque!” Lecce flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries during a flurry of construction.
A local, warm-hued stone called pietra leccese was the go-to and it added a softer twist to the standard architecture of the time. There you see how the Puglian city earned its nickname!
My favorite thing to do in Lecce was just to soak up the atmosphere, strolling the passeggiata as the sun went down, poking my head into interesting shops and trying lots of different wines and foods. Everything in Lecce is sun-soaked and welcoming.
Aside from all the unique things to do in Lecce, this city is significantly more affordable than classic Italian hotspots like Rome or the Amalfi Coast. I also found Lecce to be cheaper than popular nearby towns like Monopoli and Matera.
Surprisingly well-connected by the fast Frecciarossa trains (seriously, trains from Lecce go all the way to Torino in the far north! Torino!!), Lecce is also a worthwhile day trip from other spots in Puglia.
That said — staying overnight lets you make the most of this southern Italy gem. If you have the time, I highly recommend you stay overnight, or for a few nights, like I did.
This post was published in December 2023 and co-written by Adventurous Kate and Hannah Cooper.
Best Things to Do in Lecce, Italy
Explore the Historic Center of Lecce
Whether you’re there for the day or a couple of nights, the Centro Storico of Lecce will claim most of your attention. You can stroll around at leisure, or join a walking tour to learn the historical and cultural context.
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