Best Things to do in Lecce

Do you love admiring masterful architecture, indulging in top-class cuisine, and touring fascinating museums when on vacation? If so, Lecce is the place to be. Also known as the “Florence of the South,” Lecce’s vivacity is due to the city’s rich culture and history – evident in its Roman archaeological remains.

Where is Lecce in Italy, you wonder? The city is in Puglia (or Apulia), the heel of Italy’s famous boot, one of the most stunning regions of Italy. From wine-tasting to thrilling shopping sprees to the remarkable Lecce attractions, there’s enough on offer to suit every kind of traveler.

One of the most striking aspects of the city is its beautiful historical buildings. Visiting Lecce is your chance to immerse yourself in the elegance and splendor of Italy, in its most glorious Baroque city. What follows is your guide to the best things to do in Lecce, Italy.

Explore the Historic Center

Like many of Italy’s ancient towns, Lecce has an incredible historic city center. Below are the locations that are clear stand-outs in this part of the city.

Roman Amphitheater and Piazza Sant’Oronzo

The Roman Amphitheater, an ancient arena in the main piazza, is steeped in the city’s far-reaching Roman Empire history, influence, and power. The site also has a commemorative arch and other iconic ruins.

The historic center is also home to the Piazza Sant’Oronzo, a busy square where you can savor the sights and sounds of classic Italy. The square is easily spotted thanks to the 29-meter-high column with a statue of Saint Orontius sitting at the top.

Roman Theater

Next is the Roman Theater, a hidden gem that’s not to be confused with the Roman Amphitheater. This Augustan-period marvel, once the venue for epic tragedies and comedies, features an orchestra, classical terraces, and pretty ornate gardens.

Narrow streets lead to this attraction, making navigating this area of Lecce its own mystery-infused adventure. If you opt for a Baroque city historic center tour, stops include the Piazza Sant'Oronzo and the Roman Theater.

Basilica Di Santa Croce

Regarding the wonders of “Lecce Baroque,” one impressive historic building is a prominent symbolic expression of the country’s roots. That’s the Basilica di Santa Croce, an unmissable site for things to do in Lecce.

The sophistication and finesse of the Baroque style are on full display at the Basilica di Santa Croce. Consider a Baroque architecture and underground tour to see the superior details that prove why Santa Croce Church took over a century to complete.

City Gates

Uncover the story of Lecce, Italy, and visit an area that once protected the city’s people against invasion by Turkish armies. The Gates (also dubbed the famous Lecce portas) were erected as ordered by Emperor Charles V.

The City Gates originally stood as four structures, constituting Lecce’s fortification plan and defensive city walls. Today’s three remaining City Gates are Porta Napoli (the main city gate), Porta San Biagio, and Porta Rudiae.

Villa Comunale Park

Villa Comunale Park is a gorgeous city park over 200 years old, spanning about 7.4 acres in the central part of Lecce. Villa Comunale showcases the immaculate natural appeal of this side of Puglia’s Salento region.

The park is adorned by fountains, framed outdoor platforms, and picture-perfect ornamental gardens. This is a great place to enjoy a quiet walk, a relaxing picnic, or a romantic afternoon date if you’re traveling with your significant other.

Local Food and Markets

It’s not just the historical sites and landmarks that are a joy to behold in this city. It’s also the locals’s relationship with food, which serves as a sort of love language. From traditional cuisine to the local wine, there are delicious drinks and dishes you simply have to sample in this charming southern Italy nook.

There are quite a few favorites on the list of Lecce’s local specialties, but these four frontrunners are not to be missed:

• Rustico Leccese – Most bakeries and cafés offer this tasty snack of pastry goodness. The most popular filling is a mixture of tomato and mozzarella. Caffè Alvino in Piazza Sant’Oronzo and Pasticceria La Fornarina are just two outlets where you can find mouth-watering Rustico.

• Pasticciotto Leccese – Lecce cuisine is all about delicious pastries, and another tasty offering is Pasticciotto Leccese. This one is usually filled with egg custard (or vanilla custard, for that burst of sweetness) or ricotta cheese. Pop into Pasticceria Natale or Luca Capilungo’s pastry shop for this treat.
• Orecchiette Al Sugo – The ear-shaped orecchiette pasta takes center stage in this tomato-based sauce, often featuring generous lashings of cheese, garlic, onion, and seasoning. Osteria 203 delivers fantastic orecchiette meals.

• Caffè Leccese – Coffee lovers, listen closely. In Lecce, there’s a heavenly iced coffee beverage known as Caffè Leccese, made with almond syrup and espresso. Take it a step further and ask the barista to add cream, and enjoy it shaken (referred to as the shakerato style) or blown (referred to as the soffiato style).

Other Notable Mentions

If you want a true deep dive into Lecce cuisine, you won’t go wrong trying some of these other cherished plates of the city:

• Ciceri e tria: a chickpea pasta dish
• Taieddha: a potato casserole that locals like to prepare with mussels or artichoke
• Municeddhe: a snail dish that rivals the French escargot
• Quataru: a much-loved Salento region seafood soup
• Torchietti: a spiral or twisted pasta shaped to resemble a torch, which captures various sauces particularly well
• Gnummareddi: the curious and brave foodies will delight in skewered rolls of lung, liver, and kidney wrapped in a lamb casing

A Food and History Tour in Lecce

For a beautifully curated experience, join a Lecce history and street food tour. Enjoy sightseeing while snacking on appetizing, freshly baked pastries. Stops at major Lecce attractions include Basilica di Santa Croce, the Roman Theater, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and two of the three remaining Lecce portas.