Are you looking for the best things to do in Lecce, Italy? Look no further because we’ve got you covered!
As the gem of the Salento and the central location for exploring the peninsula, Lecce, along with Bari and Brindisi, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southern Italy’s Puglia region.
Situated right in the heel of the Italian “Boot,” between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, the city’s location is very favorable. Lecce is within easy reach of some equally fabulous destinations such as Otranto, Gallipoli, Ostuni, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare.
Lecce boasts tasty food, exquisite wine, lovely Mediterranean landscapes, and lively yet laid-back atmosphere as well.
A stunning city with a strong sense of aesthetics, visitors will love the elegance of Lecce. Here everything seems to blend together so perfectly.
Although dubbed “the Florence of the South” for its outstanding Baroque monuments and buildings, Lecce is very different from the Tuscan capital. Some people prefer Lecce over Florence. Let’s see if you will, too!
11 Best Things To Do in Lecce, Italy
If you’re looking to experience traditional Apulian life, come to Lecce. The honey-colored city guarantees a perfect vacation all year round, offering lots of sights and attractions for you to enjoy and fun activities to do whatever the season.
Here are the best things to do in Lecce, Italy.
1. Discover the sights of Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo is your starting point for your Lecce visit. You can buy tickets for the main Baroque churches, seminary, and sacred art museum at the tourist center here.
One of the focal points of Lecce’s historic center, the Piazza del Duomo is surrounded by magnificent buildings. One of them is the honey-colored Lecce Cathedral, dating back to the 12th century, standing out with its double façade and imposing five-storey campanile (bell tower). The duomo (cathedral) is a prime example of the Baroque architecture which Lecce is famous for.
The piazza can be pretty busy during the day, but visiting at night is one of the most relaxing activities in Lecce, thanks to the lit palace and the duomo.
2. Explore the Piazza Sant’Oronzo
Just a five-minute walk from the Piazza del Duomo, the Piazza Sant’Oronzo is described by some as the beating heart of Lecce. It features monuments and buildings that date back to various periods in time – from the Middle Ages until the 19th century – such as the following:
• Palazzo del Seggio or “Il Sedile” – The Sedile, Lecce’s town hall until 1851, used to hold hearings and gatherings, with huge glass windows symbolizing transparency and assurance. Today, art exhibits are held here.
• Chiesa di San Marco (Church of St. Mark) – The Church of St. Mark is a small church dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist. Built in the 16th century, its most prominent feature is the statue of the winged lion with the Book – the symbol of the saint – on the church’s main façade.
• Sant’Oronzo Column – This column is dedicated to the patron saint of Lecce, Sant’Oronzo (St. Orontius of Lecce). The monument was built in gratitude to the saint who was attributed with the city’s preservation from the 1656 plague.
• The Roman Ampitheater – This ancient ampitheater, dating back to the 2nd century A.D., was unearthed in the early 1900s right in the middle of the city. The ampitheater of Lecce could contain from 14,000 to 20,000 spectators during its time.
3. Marvel at the Basilica della Santa Croce
Basilica della Santa Croce, or Basilica of the Holy Cross, is one of the best Baroque-style churches you can find in Lecce.
Built from 1549 to 1695, Basilica della Santa Croce is a Baroque masterpiece with both outstanding exterior and interior. Carvings and murals will take your breath away. The outside is truly interesting with theoretical explanation from Dante’s “Divine Comedy.” The interior is just as fascinating with the spectacular ceiling and the altars.
Spend a quiet moment lighting a candle and marveling at this splendid basilica – one of the must-see attractions in Lecce.
4. Tour the Museo Faggiano
The story behind the only independent museum in the city of Lecce is an interesting one.
Luciano Faggiano only wanted to fix the toilet in his building, but he not only managed to fix his plumbing but uncovered over 5,000 artifacts as well. These artifacts span more than 2,000 years of history and are now showcased in Museo Faggiano.
You can tour the building and its underground through spiral staircases and glass floors where you can see layers and layers of history. You can also climb the open-air medieval watchtower.
Spending an hour or so in the Museo Faggiano is one of the most interesting things to do in Lecce. You will surely love the experience!
5. Explore the Jewish history of medieval Lecce
Palazzo Taurino Jewish Museum is an underground museum located in a medieval building in Lecce – a late 16th- to 17th-century palazzo, which used to be a Jewish synagogue. The museum is a center of culture that holds a permanent exhibition on the presence of Jews in this Puglian city throughout ages.
You can find a treasure trove of knowledge at the Palazzo Taurino Jewish Museum, thanks to the friendly staff who are committed to sharing what they know about Jewish history and life in Lecce.
Exploring this Jewish museum is one of the must-do activities in Lecce. Highly recommended!
- Also read: 11 Best Free Museums in Italy
6. Visit Castello di Carlo V (Castle of Lecce)
The biggest castle complex in all of Puglia region, this 12th-century Norman castle was named after Emperor Charles V, who strengthened and expanded it in 1539.
Castello di Carlo V is an interesting building, definitely one of the best places to visit in Lecce – and it’s just within walking distance of the city center.
7. Admire the Teatro Romano di Lecce
Discovered in 1929, the Roman Theater of Lecce’s dating is uncertain, but it is assigned to the Augustan period. However, the marble statues adorning the theater are believed to date back to the age of the Antonines.
The Teatro Romano is an important monument located in the historic center of Lecce. It could contain up to over 5,000 spectators of comedies and tragedies the theater hosted during its time.
This is one of the lesser-known attractions in Lecce but an absolute must-see!
8. Relax at the Villa Comunale di Lecce
Villa Comunale di Lecce is a gorgeous park within easy reach of the city center. It was designed in the late 19th century and formerly called Jardín Público Giuseppe Garibaldi, after the Italian revolutionary.
Walking in this park is delightfully relaxing, with so much green and an abundance of flowers to see, especially during spring time. Upon entering, you will be greeted by statues of the illustrious founders of the city. The park is also a nice spot for bird-watching and just sitting around, with a lovely fountain to boot.
However, while the Villa Comunale Park is a lovely place to spend some time in, be mindful of the rules strictly imposed here. These include not stepping on the grass and the dirt spots, and picking flowers, among others.
9. Check out the city gates
Photo by Fabrizio Garrisi via Wikimedia Commons
The city gates are among the best places to visit in Lecce. The three still standing gates that lead to the historic center of Lecce are the Porta Rudiae, the Porta San Biagio, and the Porta Napoli.
Porta Rudiae is the oldest city gate and in the most convenient proximity to the famous Baroque sights in Lecce. Here you can see the busts of the four founders of the city of Lecce. The old gate is right in front of the ancient ruins of Rudiae, with plenty of bars and trattorias around.
Located across the Piazza d’Italia, Porta San Biagio – or Gate of St. Blaise – is dedicated to the said saint. St. Blaise/San Biagio, a bishop from Armenia, lived in Lecce and died a martyr in 316 A.D. in Turkey. You can see his statue above the archway.
Porta Napoli, as the name suggests, leads to Napoli (Naples). It was erected in 1548 in honor of Emperor Charles V. The gate is especially stunning at night.
10. Indulge in heavenly Leccese pastries
Pasticciotto, a sweet pie with custard cream, should top every list of the best pastries in Italy!
Locals argue over the best pasticciotto in Lecce, but every piece you try is better than the other. We recommend two pasticcerie in the city: Caffè L’Incontro on Viale della Libertà and Pasticceria Natale on Via Salvatore Trinchese, near the Piazza Sant’Oronzo. They offer some of the best Italian pastries in Lecce.
Also try Lecce’s gelato and panino; they’re heavenly!
11. Buy papier-mâché souvenirs
Papier maché techniques were developed in the Salento peninsula, particularly in the city of Lecce where it is called cartapesta.
Papier maché shops abound in the city where cartapesta is considered a form of high art. These figurines are often life-sized and made to look like marble statues. However, you can also buy smaller ones that can be easily carried on your way home.