Italy · City Guide
Lecce
Lecce is the baroque jewel of Puglia and one of the most beautiful and least visited cities in southern Italy, a compact city of extraordinary golden limestone architecture so richly decorated it has earned the nickname the Florence of the South. From the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Roman Amphitheatre to the outstanding pasticciotto pastry culture and the beautiful Salento Peninsula beaches, Lecce offers an Italian experience that feels entirely genuine and undiscovered.
Elect's take
"Lecce is one of the most beautiful surprises in all of Italy. The baroque architecture is extraordinary in its extravagance and quality and the combination of outstanding food, warm southern hospitality and the beaches of the Salento make it a destination I would return to immediately."
The Basilica di Santa Croce is one of the most extraordinary baroque buildings in Italy, its facade an extraordinary confection of carved stone flowers, animals and figures that took 150 years to complete. The entire historic centre of Lecce is built from the local golden lecce stone, a soft limestone that allows extraordinary decorative carving. The Roman Amphitheatre in the Piazza Sant'Oronzo is one of the most impressive in southern Italy. The pasticciotto, a shortcrust pastry filled with custard cream and a Lecce speciality, is outstanding. The beaches of the Salento Peninsula on both the Ionian and Adriatic sides provide beautiful swimming within an hour of the city.
Best time to visit
How to get there
What to expect
Basilica di Santa Croce
One of the most extraordinary baroque buildings in Italy with an astonishing carved facade.
Roman Amphitheatre
One of the most impressive Roman amphitheatres in southern Italy in the city centre.
Pasticciotto
Lecce's famous custard-filled pastry, one of the finest regional pastry traditions in Italy.
Lecce Stone
The beautiful golden limestone unique to this area that gives the city its extraordinary character.
Salento Beaches
Beautiful Ionian and Adriatic beaches on both sides of the Salento Peninsula.
Pugliese Cuisine
Outstanding southern Italian food including orecchiette, burrata and extraordinary olive oil.
