City guide : my favorite things to do in Lecce for a day
Lecce, my favourite town, the Florence of the South. The town, with its baroque atmosphere, is like an open-air museum - you just have to look up! I love going to this town in southern Puglia, especially in the morning or early afternoon when it's not too crowded, and wandering through the streets, passing by the Baroque churches that are typical of the region. I love looking at the details of the city's architecture! The town is carved out of white stone from Lecce. The papier-mâché statues are also a speciality of the region, and you absolutely must see them. It's a real jewel of the south, rich in culture and full of superb hotels and wonderful restaurants. If you're planning a trip in Puglia and looking for thing to do in Lecce, I'm sharing with you my top tips and must-sees for a day trip to Lecce.
All the products featured in this selection have been independently selected by Claire Marnette and her team. When you buy via the links in the article, we may receive an affiliate commission. Find out more here.
Visiting Lecce: where to stay
I've never stayed in the centre of Lecce myself, but I've got a few addresses on record that are really good. I've also selected a few for my wedding guests...
- Palazzetto Giravolta: this is a 2-storey house that mixes the decoration of several eras! It creates an atmosphere that I love! It's in the centre of town. The terrace offers a 360° view of the historic centre of Lecce!
- Patria Palace: this hotel brings a touch of luxury to the centre of Lecce. It is located right next to the Basilica of Santa Croce. Some rooms have a view of it! Patria Palace is a 5-star hotel with typical Italian architecture, combining elegance and friendliness. It's ideally located, so you can do everything on foot with no problem. It's ideal for visiting the city!
- Torre del Parco: this is a medieval fortress dating back to the 15th century. It's also right in the heart of Lecce, just a short walk from the historic centre! There are 3 types of room, and the most luxurious have direct access to the wellness centre. It is also a venue for events, conferences, weddings and dinners.
- Palazzo Bozzi Corso: I love the history of Palazzo Bozzi Corso! It was built in the 18th century, and then restored to a place of luxury and charm. It is now dedicated to the memory of Enzo Fiermonte. He was an Italian boxer, actor, director and screenwriter. What's more, the architecture is just incredible! The decor is refined and elegant. There are incredible sculptures everywhere.
- B&B Corte Dei Romiti: this is a small bed & breakfast ideal for those who don't want to get lost in the crowd! There are just 2 flats and they're bursting with Italian charm! It's just 30 metres from Duomo Plaza Cathedral. To get to the flats, you pass through a superb courtyard set back from the street. Away from the noise of the street, the place is very quiet and yet close to everything! An intimate place to stay in Lecce.
- Palazzo Forleo: recently restored to the highest standards of comfort, luxury and design! Located in the historic centre of Lecce, it's ideally situated for visiting Lecce's most important sights on foot. I love the vintage spirit of the decor!
Things to do in Lecce
- Take a city tour with a guide: there's nothing better than being accompanied by someone who can show you all the nooks and crannies of the city before you set off to discover it yourself! You can take a tour of Lecce with an English-speaking guide here.
- The Duomo and its crypts: a must! Unfortunately, since 2021, visits have been subject to a fee... Here's a quick rundown of the different tickets! You can buy a ticket for the Duomo and the crypts, Santa Croce, Santa Chiara, Santa Matteo and the Museo di Arte Sacra for €9, which includes all the visits. You can also buy each activity separately for €6 each.
- The Roman amphitheatre: located near Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Admission is free and it's well worth the effort! It was built between the first and second centuries. It is no longer fully visible, as other monuments were built on top of it at the end of the Roman Empire. It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 10th century.
- The Museo Faggiano: also a great place to visit! It exhibits archaeological remains dating back 2 millennia in a house that until a few years ago was privately owned. In 2001, a man had to demolish the floor of his house to change some pipes, and it was during the work that they discovered them, and archaeological research began. In 2008, the museum opened its doors!
- The gates: Porta San Biagio is one of the three gates that surrounded the ancient urban core of the city. You can always take a short diversions to one of the gates on a walk. There is also the Porta Rudiae, which is surely the most interesting to see and the oldest. The Porta Napoli is a triumphal arch that marks the entrance to the city's historic centre.
Visiting Lecce: where to eat
As well as all the things to do and see in Lecce, I'm also sharing with you all the good places to eat in the city. Here are the places I've been and loved!
- Le Zie trattoria - lunch, €€. This is a traditional trattoria, very family-run and local. The mama's food is exquisite! It's a bit of a hidden place, you have to ring the bell to get in and it's like eating in a local's house.
- Bar Doppiozero - cheers & aperitivo, €€. The perfect place for a quick aperitif! It's a cosy little bar right next to the Duomo. The decor is magnificent and the aperitivo platters are delicious.
- I Latini - dinner, €€. This isn't a very typical restaurant, but it's fairly modern and the food is too. It's delicious and the service is really top-notch!
- Le Tabisca II Vico dei Tagliati - dinner, €€€. Offers Italian cuisine, grills and a wine bar. The meats are excellent and so is the wine! They also have gluten-free dishes. It's in a small, intimate square.
- Dall Antiquario - dinner, €€. If you want authentic cuisine, this is the restaurant for you! They have vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes. Their cuisine is mainly Italian and Mediterranean.
- Bros' - dinner, €€€. These are Italian and Mediterranean dishes that are superbly presented and quite creative! They have a Michelin star. They have described the restaurant as offering a cuisine of great finesse.
- La Scarpetta Hostaria - dinner, €€. This is the perfect place to enjoy delicious Italian seafood and fish of all kinds! The setting is great and they have a wonderful little garden.
Things to do in Lecce: where to go shopping
You know me, what would a blog post about a trip be without an aside about good shopping addresses? I'm sharing with you 4 must-see places to take home little Italian nuggets on your visit to Lecce.
You can start by stopping off at Arte di creare, which specialises in ceramics, linen tablecloths and lots of other great objects for your home. Bishh is a clothes shop that I love! There's also Ijo design, which makes clothes from local, handmade fabrics. If you're a fan of the region, you can take home a Pomo from Re di quadri. The Pomo is an Apulian lucky charm in the shape of a flower bud surrounded by leaves that represent spring and the rebirth of nature. It is handmade from ceramic.
Note that the shops are closed between midday and 5pm! Yes, the siesta is still in order in this region of Italy! But, personally, even if everything's closed, I still enjoy strolling through the narrow streets because it's so quiet and you can really appreciate the architecture! Well, it's best to avoid it if it's too hot, but if you've got a cooler day, you've got to go for it! In the evening, the city takes on a whole new look, much more dynamic and lively, and you can really soak up the vibe.
Getting around Lecce
Lecce has excellent road links. There's a motorway just 1 hour away, so you'll have no problem getting around the area by car. You can park your car at the Porta Napoli car park on Via Adua (although you'll have to pay for it), and you'll be right on the doorstep of the old town. By the way, if you want to hire a car, I'd recommend using the DiscoverCars.com website. They offer lots of different rental agencies and all you have to do is choose your car according to your criteria. It couldn't be easier!
If you prefer to travel by public transport, trains and buses will take you to Lecce for the day. In fact, 6 trains and 6 coaches travel to Lecce every day, so it's a great way to visit the city!
I'd advise you to take a hire car if you're planning to visit towns other than Lecce. There are plenty of other beautiful places to discover! To park, you need to pay attention to the colour code that Italians use! Parking spaces marked with a yellow line are reserved for people with disabilities. The white spaces are free and the blue spaces are paid. A word of advice: if you have a car and are stopping off in Lecce, park in Via San Francesco Dasisi and walk the rest of the way!
As you can see, Lecce is my favourite city in Puglia! If you're planning a trip to this region in the near future, I highly recommend that you stop off to visit Lecce. With all the things to do and see, it's well worth the diversions! Don't hesitate to let me know if you've already visited Lecce during your stay in Puglia!
Enregistrez cet article pour plus tard !
