Location: Lecce
Top Things to do in Lecce
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What to do and see in Lecce, Puglia: The Best Free Things to do
Lecce (Italian: [ˈlettʃe] ( listen) or locally [ˈlɛttʃe]; Sicilian: Lecci, Griko: Luppìu, Latin: Lupiae, Ancient Greek: Λουπίαι) is a historic city of 95,766 inhabitants (2015) in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Apulia. It is the main city of the Salentine Peninsula, a sub-peninsula at the heel of the Italian Peninsula and is over 2,000 years old.
Restaurants in Lecce
1. Basilica di Santa Croce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,258 reviews
Reviewed By GRS-SJS - Sebastopol, United States
Lecce is a true center piece of Baroque architecture. The Basilica a excellent example of this style. You really need to stand and study the building with your eyes as you would a piece of art.
2. Chiesa di Santa Chiara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
Reviewed By coconutugly - Marbella, Spain
This is a Lecce baroque masterpiece, beautiful facade with a majestic high altar and six side chapels. Look up , because the ceiling is papier-mache, a false ceiling of the 18th century. For me , just WOW
3. Chiesa di San Matteo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By israroz - Ra'anana, Israel
The Chiesa di San Matteo building, according to travelers’ guidebooks, is the "Most Daring" Baroque Design building found in Lecce. The exterior of the church is incredibly special and most impressive. The contents of the church is incredibly and extraordinary rich. During our visits in many Italian churches we have visited up to now, this church is "IN THE OPENING FIVE" in all areas. "A must-visit that should NOT 2 B MISSED."
4. Duomo di Lecce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,562 reviews
Reviewed By israroz - Ra'anana, Israel
One of the most impressive churches we visited during our long trip to Italy. A most impressive church both in the exterior structure and especially in the incredible richness of all the works of art that fill the interior space of this amazing church. Very impressive and highly recommended.
5. Chiesa di Sant'Irene
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By Tillyman
The church of St Irene is actually simpler and thus more beautiful inside than many of the others in Lecce which are so overwhelming that eventually you have had enough of Baroque.
6. Anfiteatro Romano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,009 reviews
Reviewed By Seeking_True_Quality
The visible, smaller part of this amphitheatre was discovered and excavated in the early XX. century by the archaeologist Cosimo De Giorgi, while the larger part is obviously still buried under the buildings around the Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Although the upper structure is not preserved, we were impressed by the size of it. It has been estimated that its capacity was 25000 seats. The ancient Lupiae, the predecessor of Lecce must have been a very important settlement!
7. Centro Storico, Lecce
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,555 reviews
Reviewed By gaypugliapodcast - Puglia, Italy
... and caffè leccese. The baroque architecture in Lecce’s historic centre is wonderful. The most impressive way to enter the old town is via one of the historic gates. Porta Napoli or Porta Rudiae on the west, Porta San Biagio on the east. Entering the old town from the Porta Rudiae takes you directly to the Piazza del Duomo, for the Cattedrale di Lecce with its double facade and five-storey campanile, then onward to the Sant’Oronzo Column, a Roman column topped with a bronze statue of the city’s patron saint and the sunken Roman amphitheater. Don’t however leave it at that! Take your time to amble through the narrow streets of the old town, crossing from the historic gates that allow you to enter or leave. The great thing is that you can do it all in an afternoon, with time for some aperitivi and dinner, although more time is recommended. Be sure to stop off for Lecce’s most famous pastry, the pasticciotto, a crumbly pie-type pastry traditionally filled with an egg custard, though sometimes with jam, Nutella (of course) or crema di pistacchio or a mix of these. Take it with a caffè leccese - another Puglia classic. A shot of espresso served over ice and with almond “milk” (it’s actually an almond syrup). The old town is packed full of good restaurants and busy bars. It is where we go to shop, with some of our favourite boutiques (there is no concept of "high street" here).
8. Basilica di S. Giovanni Battista al Rosario
9. Porta Rudiae
10. Porta Napoli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
Reviewed By Stephen51 - Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom
A beautiful entrance to the city, it was erected as a monument to Charles V who protected and increased the defences of Lecce. We took a 'Little Train Tour' with an audio guide which takes in all the sights of the city and gives you time to photograph and learn a little of the history.
