Lecce

Lecce

Southern Italy

Apulia

Lecce (province)

Lecce Lecce (Salentino: Lècce ) is a city in the Apulia region of . Lecce has been dubbed "the Florence of the south". Whereas many people skip it in favour of the nearby beach towns of the Salento peninsula, this city, distinguished by its elaborate style of baroque buildings, has at least a couple of days of attractions worth seeing.

By plane The closest airport is in Brindisi ( BDS IATA ), which is 35 km (22 mi) north of the city centre. There you will find different bus services providing fast links to the town. It is also the best way to reach the town from central and northern Europe. There are discount flights available from London, Rome, Milan, etc. By train National operator Trenitalia runs long distance trains from most major cities in Italy. Even as the trains travel on high-speed tracks, journey times can be long. Especially from cities in the northern parts of the country. Overnight trains are available from Milan and Rome , which might be a better option. An extensive network of regional trains connecting Lecce with smaller towns across the peninsula is available too. Rural routes are often scenic, but can be slower compared to driving or taking the bus.

Lecce railway station ( Stazione di Lecce ) ( 1 km from the city centre ). Taxis anywhere can be expensive (expect to pay up to €15 to the centre, especially if you have luggage items), so you may want to check with your hotel the public transportation options available. There are no elevators or ramps, only stairs. ( updated Mar 2023 ) By car From Bari: at the Bari Nord exit of motorway, keep on the and reached Fasano continue on the until Brindisi, then go on the to reach Lecce. From Taranto: take the until Brindisi, then merge onto the towards Lecce. The town is ringed by a freeway called Tangenziale di Lecce that you can join to bypass the city center. By bus These are the main private bus operator to get in the town: Marino (main continental Italy cities, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland) Marozzi (Avellino, Benevento, Florence, Pisa, Rome, Siena) Miccolis (Caserta, Matera, Naples, Pompeii, Salerno) From June to September the province of Lecce manages the bus service Salentoinbus , that gives you the occasion to reach the town from the main seaside resorts of the territory. By boat

Port of Brindisi , ☏ +39 0831 522203 , [email protected] . It is the closest port and provides ferry services from Corfu , Durrës , Igoumenitsa , Kefalonia , Patras , Vlorë and Zakynthos . ( updated Jun 2018 )

By bus Public transport is managed by SGM company, with 20 bus lines and 4 trolleybus lines. Single tickets can be purchased at most of tobacconists and newspaper sellers around the city. The cost of a single ticket is €1.00 (€1.50 if bought on board), a 90-min ticket is €1.30; a day ticket costs €2.50 while a seven-day ticket costs €9.70. By taxi LecceTaxi covers the town and other destinations in the Salento area. By car Here is a list of useful parking lots:

Piazza Carmelo Bene ( Ex Foro Boario ). It is near the Bus City Terminal with interchange to lines 29, 30, 31. €0.60/hr . ( updated Jun 2018 )

Oberdan Parking , Via G.Oberdan, 43 , ☏ +39 0832 454601 , [email protected] . 24 hr . It also provides a service of car and bike rental. ( updated Jun 2018 )

Metropark , Via di Ussano , toll-free: +39 800650006 . 24 hr . 189 parking spaces 100 m from the railway station. €1.50/hr, €15 day . ( updated Aug 2024 ) By bicycle Through the Ciclovia Adriatica that connects Trieste with Santa Maria di Leuca, the coastline follows a riviera rich in beaches. The part from the Po Delta in Trieste is included in EuroVelo 8. On foot Walking is without doubt the best way to discover the main attractions of Lecce, since the whole old town is a limited traffic zone (ZTL). This feature gives the opportunity to move between monuments, churches and archaeological sites free from the stress of traffic.

Churches Lecce has more than 30 historic churches, these are the most representative ones:

Church of the Holy Cross ( Basilica di Santa Croce ), Via Umberto I, 3 , ☏ +39 0832 241957 . 09:00-12:00 and 17:00-20:00 . It represents the main example of Lecce baroque style. It was built between 1549 and 1695, thanks to three well-known architects: Gabriele Riccardi, who devoted himself to the general plan and the lower part of the façade; Francesco Antonio Zimbalo who made the twin column porch and the portal aside; Cesare Penna who conceived the high level of the façade. The big Romanesque central rose window, the rich frame, the four columns, and the niches as well as the telamons, the imaginary creatures, the animals, the mythological and historical characters of the façade are all what makes this church unique and renowned over the world. €7 . ( updated Jun 2018 )

Cathedral ( Duomo di Lecce ), Piazza del Duomo , ☏ +39 0832 308557 , [email protected] . A wonderful example of baroque style, most of the cathedral was designed by Giuseppe Zimbalo and it was completed in 1689. ( updated Jun 2018 )

Church of Saint Irene ( Sant'Irene dei Teatini ), Via Vittorio Emanuele II . A majestic baroque church with an elegant and quite sober exterior that hides a richly decorated interior. ( updated Jun 2018 )

Church of Saint John the Baptist ( Basilica di San Giovanni Battista ), Via Giuseppe Libertini, 5 , ☏ +39 0832 308540 . A magnificent façade characterised by two grooved columns, completed in 1728. It is just few steps away from Porta Rudiae. Free . ( updated Jun 2018 )

Church of Santa Chiara , Piazzetta Vittorio Emanuele II , ☏ +39 0832 241915 . Built in 1429 and renovated in 1691, its main features are the octagonal interior plan and the lavish altars. €11 . ( updated Jun 2018 )

Church of Saint Mary of Grace in Lecce ( La chiesa di Santa Maria della Grazia a Lecce ), Via Ernesto Alvino, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy , ☏ +39 0832240159 . Daily 08:00-19:00 .

Walk through the historic center to admire the Baroque architecture, particularly around Piazza Sant'Oronzo and Piazza del Duomo. Visit the Roman amphitheatre and the Roman theatre, both still used for events. Attend a performance at the Paisiello Theatre or the Politeama Greco. In summer, the province runs the Salentoinbus service connecting Lecce to nearby seaside resorts. Lecce is also home to Serie A football club US Lecce, with matches at the Stadio Via del Mare.

Lecce is the heart of Salento cuisine. Try orecchiette con le cime di rapa (pasta with turnip tops), puccia (stuffed flatbread), pasticciotto (a custard-filled pastry), and rustico leccese (puff pastry with béchamel, tomato, and mozzarella). Seafood is excellent along the coast. Trattorias and osterias cluster in the historic centre around the main piazzas.

Lecce is surrounded by the Salento wine region, producing robust reds (Negroamaro, Primitivo) and crisp whites (Salice Salentino, Locorotondo). The city's cafes and wine bars are concentrated around Piazza Sant'Oronzo and Via Umberto I. Try an aperitivo at one of the bars overlooking the Roman amphitheatre. Coffee is served strong and dark in the local tradition.

Lecce offers accommodation ranging from historic palazzo hotels in the old town to modern B&Bs and chain hotels near the station. Many former monasteries and noble residences have been converted into boutique hotels with Baroque courtyards. For beach access, consider staying in the nearby coastal towns of San Cataldo or Porto Cesareo.

Lecce is known for its papier-mâché (cartapesta) craftsmanship, with workshops selling figurines, nativity scenes, and decorative items. The city is also a centre for ceramics, olive oil, and wine. The main shopping streets are Via Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Giuseppe Libertini, plus the daily market at Piazza Santa Lucia.

The Salento peninsula offers beautiful coastal towns: Otranto (40 km) with its historic centre and cathedral, Gallipoli (40 km) with its old town on an island, and Santa Maria di Leuca (72 km) at the tip of the heel. The Baroque town of Galatina (20 km) and the caves of Castro are also close. Brindisi airport (35 km) serves domestic and European destinations.