The jewel of the Salento, Lecce is a must-see for anyone visiting Puglia. Like Florence in Tuscany, this city embodies the very essence of its territory, with its exuberant Baroque architecture and poetic monuments. A veritable open-air museum, Lecce captivates with the lightness of its buildings, sublimated by the golden light of pietra leccese, the blond stone that changes hue with the passing of the day, from the pink of dawn to the honey of dusk. The city truly exudes a unique atmosphere, where every street corner invites discovery. So, what to do and see in Lecce, Puglia? Join us in discovering the 14 must-sees!
1. Santa Croce Basilica: Lecce's symbol of Baroque art
The Basilica Santa Croce is without doubt the most striking and emblematic example of Baroque art in Lecce. Its grandiose façade immediately captures the visitor's attention: the lower order, still marked by the spirit of the Renaissance, is supported by six classical columns, while the upper order is a true Baroque masterpiece, richly decorated. Note the ornate balustrade, a reference to the Battle of Lepanto. The interior, more sober and discreet than the façade, follows a Latin cross plan with three naves, embellished with polychrome marble and sculpted festoons. Don't miss the 17th-century wooden coffered ceiling and the altar decorated with bas-reliefs depicting the life of St. Francis of Paola.
The low-cost guided tour: Immerse yourself in the authentic, charming atmosphere of southern Italy by booking this guided walking tour of the city. Stroll through the historic city, admire the Roman amphitheater, the Basilica of Santa Croce and much more.
Nicknamed the Florence of the South, Lecce enchants visitors at every turn. Like the Tuscan capital, Lecce is a veritable museum city, and a must-see on any Italian holiday.
2. St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, one of southern Italy's most important cathedrals
A masterpiece of Leccese Baroque, the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption is one of the most important cathedrals in southern Italy. Its main distinctive feature is its two facades: the sober main facade, facing the bishop's palace, and the more elaborate secondary facade, which opens onto the piazza and is topped by a triumphal arch featuring the statue of Sant'Oronzo. The latter, with its spectacular decorations, provides an impressive visual backdrop to the square. Inside, the cathedral has a Latin cross floor plan with three naves. In the second chapel on the left, don't miss the group sculpted by Gabriele Riccardi depicting the crib, with the Holy Family on the altar and, above the baldachin, the Magi and the shepherds. The crypt is also worth a visit : it rests on 92 columns with capitals adorned with zoomorphic decorations, and houses an ossuary.
Discover Lecce's historical wonders by booking this guided walking tour, which will take you to see the city's iconic landmarks, including the Santa Croce church.
Worth knowing: Cathedral Square, especially at night, is an unforgettable sight in Lecce.
3. Visit the Lecce Cemetery
The Lecce cemetery is well worth a visit, with its cypress-lined avenues and imposing funerary monuments in a variety of architectural styles. The entrance to the cemetery is striking for its majestic gateway and lush green surroundings, giving the impression of entering an urban park. Old family vaults, resembling baroque chapels, stand side by side with more modern tombs of geometric design, giving the whole an almost residential atmosphere. The cemetery is also home to the graves of the famous tenor Tito Schipa and the poet Vittorio Bodini.
With over 40 palaces and churches to visit, Lecce is an unmissable stopover during a stay in Puglia. You can also choose to discover it over a 3-day weekend, for example, making it one of the ideal destinations for an extended weekend!
4. What to do in Lecce, Puglia? Visit the Roman amphitheatre
It's a must-see, located right in the heart of the city. Lecce's Roman amphitheater was built in the early 2nd century, during the reign of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Capable of seating around 25,000 spectators, it was accidentally uncovered in 1938 during construction of the Bank of Italy building. Only part of the amphitheatre has been uncovered, with a further section buried beneath the surrounding buildings. It is possible to walk around the site and observe a portion of the arena and the lower tiers , with their access doors. Indeed, although partially covered over, the majority of the building remains clearly visible and remarkably well preserved. Information panels explaining its discovery and excavation have been installed around the monument.
Petit Futé tip: Are you on a family vacation in Lecce? We recommend that you book this guided city tour by rickshaw, which is ideal for visiting the city with children.
If you're with adults, you can also opt for the this guided bike tour which will take you on a journey through the different eras of Lecce, passing by the Piazza del Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Croce...
Good to know: Just opposite the amphitheatre, you'll findthe little bakery-pastry shop "Il Fornaio", a real treasure where you can savour a delicious variety of petits fours made with pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts and much more... A treat not to be missed!
5. and the Roman Theater!
In 1929, the remains of a relatively well-preserved Roman theater were discovered by chance in the heart of Lecce's historic center. With a capacity of 5,000 spectators, it dates back to the first half of the 2nd century AD, making it a contemporary of the amphitheatre. Although the theater is visible from the outside, it is not open to the public. Nearby,the small Museo del Teatro Romano (Via degli Ammirati, 5) displays four large theatrical masks from Tivoli's Villa Adriana, as well asa model of Roman Lupiae in imperial times.
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6. The Sigismondo Castromediano Museum, the oldest in Puglia
This museum, the oldest in Puglia, is also one of the most fascinating in Lecce - and what's more, admission is free ! The archaeological collections are divided into five sections: the Land, the Sea, the Living, the Dead and the Sacred, and trace the long and rich history of Salento. They cover periods ranging from the first traces of human occupation in caves in the Palaeolithic, to the Messapian civilization and its fortified cities, not forgetting the Greek presence on the coast. Among the highlights is a rich collection of ancient vases from Greek and Apulian production. On the first floor are polyptychs by Lorenzo Veneziano (1380) and the Vivarini brothers (15th century). The second floor houses a pinacotheca with paintings by Neapolitan and southern artists from the 17th to 20th centuries, as well as sculptures, notably in papier-mâché.
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7. See the papier-mâché ceiling of the Church of St. Clare
Founded in the early 15th century, the Church of St. Clare was completely renovated in 1687 under the direction of Giuseppe Cino. Its octagonal interior features lavishly decorated chapels and altars. One of the church's special features is its 18th-century ceiling, made of papier-mâché, a typical Lecce tradition. It consists of a wooden structure to which around 300 papier-mâché modules have been attached, covering an area of 300 m². Nearby, the small street (Via Arte della Cartapesta) along the left side of the church leads to the Roman Theatre.
Discover the historical wonders of Lecce by booking this guided walking tour of the city. The highlight of the tour is exploring the underground passages, where you'll see evidence of daily life buried beneath the layers of time.
8. Chiesa dei Santi Niccolò e Cataldo, one of Lecce's strangest churches
Founded in 1180 by the Norman Tancredi of Lecce, this church is located inside Lecce's cemetery. It features a fascinating blend of architectural styles: the Baroque façade, decorated with statues of saints, superimposes 12th-century Romanesque forms, while the dome, resting on a high drum, adopts an Arabic style. The portal alone embodies this architectural diversity, with a Byzantine vegetal frieze and a Romanesque foliage scroll in the splaying.
9. Charles V's castle: one of Puglia's finest examples of military architecture
Completed in six years by architect Gian Giacomo dell'Acaya, this imposing fortress was built by order of Charles V in 1539. It is one of Puglia's finest examples of military architecture. You can visit the underground galleries, the rooms on the second floor where archaeological artifacts are on display, and the Torre Mozza, a medieval tower. The castle also houses the Museo della Cartapesta (papier-mâché museum), a reference to this traditional craft deeply rooted in local culture. The museum features a collection of works created by the finest cartapestai, from the Baroque period to the present day. This know-how is still alive and well, and in the streets of the historic center, several specialized stores offer creations: statues of saints, cribs, historical figures, masks, furniture, toys, dolls and jewelry.
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10. The Faggiano Museum, a must-see in Lecce
This museum is the result of a totally fortuitous discovery! While working on their house, the Faggiano family uncovered ancient ruins, underground streets and everyday objects from the civilizations that once occupied the area, such as the Messapians and Romans. Enthralled by their find, the Faggianos set about patiently excavating these buried treasures at their own expense, before presenting them in a small independent museum. More than 2,000 years of history are thus brought together and revealed, offering a visit that's both captivating and unique!
11. What to do in Lecce, Puglia Visit the city's history museum
This museum is housed in the former monastery of Santa Chiara. On the first floor, the first hall is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, admission to which is free. Upstairs, there are two sections: the first traces the history of Lecce through clear explanatory panels, accompanied by an archaeological collection. The second section is devoted to contemporary art, with works by Cosimo Carlucci, a sculptor originally from Salento.
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12. Take a guided tour of Lecce with the Tourist Office
Lecce's tourist office is housed in the Palazzo del Sedile, a historic building in Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Here you'll find a variety of brochures and maps to help you explore the city. During the high season, guided tours of Lecce are offered daily, in several languages, at a cost of around €10 per person, depending on the number of participants. These tours are an excellent way to discover the city's treasures. The office also offers transfer services for day trips to destinations such as Matera, Alberobello and other remarkable places in an ideal region for sunbathing this winter!
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13. Visit the Lecce Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art
Built between 1694 and 1709, the Palazzo del Seminario faces the cathedral. Commissioned by Bishop Pignatelli to the architect Giuseppe Cino, it is one of the most remarkable examples of Leccese Baroque, witha façade punctuated by pilasters and windows with sculpted frames. The central porch, topped by a three-arched loggia, leads to the cloister, which houses an elegant Baroque well by Giuseppe Cino. The palace also houses the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art.
14. What to do in Lecce Enjoy the culinary delights of Puglia
During your stay in Lecce, indulge in local specialties such as "orecchiette", a typical ear-shaped pasta, often served with a broccoli and garlic sauce. You can learn how to cook them by booking this pasta-making course in the center of Lecce. Enjoy your pasta after the class with a glass of wine.
And don't miss the Leccese "focaccia", a delicious bread cake topped with tomatoes, olive oil and oregano, ideal for a little gourmet break. For seafood lovers, the city's restaurants offer dishes based on fresh fish from the Adriatic, such as "cozze" (mussels) and "scampi" (scampi). And of course, to top it all off, enjoy a glass of "primitivo", a typical Puglian red wine that's the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
For those with a sweet tooth, we recommend this culinary tour of Lecce where you'll taste typical Lecce products while visiting the city's must-see places.
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Where to stay in Lecce, Puglia?
Lecce offers a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to friendly B&Bs and typical apartments. If you want to be at the heart of the city's history, choose a hotel or guesthouse in the historic center, within walking distance of iconic monuments such as the Basilica of Santa Croce or the Piazza del Duomo. These accommodations allow you to discover the city on foot, with its picturesque alleyways and lively squares.
To help you choose your accommodation in Lecce, here are our favorite Lecce establishments:
- Our favorite: B&B Centro Storico Lecce
Bookable right here, the B&B Centro Storico Lecce is one of the city's most highly-rated B&Bs. It has to be said that the superb view from its 200m2 roof terrace, complete with sun loungers and whirlpool bath, makes it one of the most spectacular in its category. The rooms are spacious, exceptionally comfortable and the service impeccable. Add the warm welcome of the young owners (Filippo and Alberto), who speak French, and this address will make you want to extend your stay in Lecce!
- Best value for money: Eos Hotel
Bookable right here, this hotel, designed by young architects, welcomes guests in an atmosphere typical of Salento. We loved the varied and copious breakfast and the exceptional friendliness of the French-speaking staff . What a delight, there's nothing missing! Eos Hotel is an establishment far from the hustle and bustle of the city yet close to the center, with the added bonus of excellent value for money.
- The perfect hotel for romantic breaks: Dimora San Giuseppe
Bookable right here, the Dimora San Giuseppe is housed ina 19th-century palacethat once belonged to the Libertini family. This luxury residence has been renovated while respecting its original features. It has five wonderful bedrooms. Just a stone's throw from all the city's attractions, it's the perfect base from which to explore Lecce. Ideal for a romantic getaway!
Where to eat in Lecce, Puglia?
Lecce is full of restaurants where you can discover the authentic flavours of Puglia.
- If you're looking for a typical culinary experience, don't miss Osteria degli Spiritia must for savoring traditional dishes in a convivial atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy fresh pasta such as "orecchiette" with local vegetable sauce or meat, all accompanied by local wines.
- Another option is Il Vico del Gusto , a traditional restaurant located in the center, on the edge of the old town. It offers excellent pasta dishes and ultra-fresh fish from Porto Cesareo's daily catch. The restaurant aims to convey the authenticity of Pugliese cuisine, while leaving room for a few creative touches. The establishment also sells some typical products: oil, wine...
- Pizza lovers should head to Pizzeria Rosetta, a successful address for over 50 years. What's on offer? A real Neapolitan pizza cooked over a wood fire, elastic and delectable, topped with carefully selected ingredients and drizzled with Salento olive oil. Toppings range from the traditional to the more sophisticated, such as the Rosetta pizza with mushrooms, radicchio, bresaola and grana padano, or the Patata pizza with potatoes, sausage, rosemary and gorgonzola. All without breaking the bank!
- For authentic Salento cuisine and zero-mile products, head to La Vecchia Osteria da Totuosteria, open since 1999. Expect casareccia cuisine, "just like home", without fuss but always generous. The menu has something for everyone, from hearty antipasti to share, fresh fish and typical meat dishes such as turcinieddrhi.
- Finally, if you're looking for a quick break, the Manhattan Café in the city center, right next door to the Hotel Président, is the place to go for a hearty slice of lasagne on the go. Ideal for taking a break in the new city, before heading out for a bit of shopping.
Did you enjoy this article? See also our article What to do and see in Bari? 13 must-sees, another of Puglia's jewels.
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