Our most recommended things to do in Lecce

Lecce: Baroque Architecture and Underground Walking Tour

1. Lecce: Baroque Architecture and Underground Walking Tour

The tour starts with a visit to the majestic Santa Croce Church, the jewel in the crown of Lecce’s Baroque architecture. From here, explore the nearby Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the former market square where you can find the Old Town Hall, the Roman Column, and the remains of a huge Roman amphitheater. Continue the tour with a walk through the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which boasts a stunning Baroque palazzi and the recently restored Sant’Irene Church. Arrive at the breathtaking Piazza Duomo next, one of the most critically praised buildings in Italy. See the Archbishop’s Residence, the Seminary, the Bell Tower, and the cathedral. Finally, visit the underground Jewish Museum and discover the town’s fascinating Jewish history.

Lecce: City Highlights Guided Tour by Rickshaw

2. Lecce: City Highlights Guided Tour by Rickshaw

Explore the splendid historical center of Lecce, seated comfortably at the back of a rickshaw. Pick up the time which is best for you, and dive into the sublime atmosphere so typical from southern Italy. During this visit, you will discover along with our guide the main gems of Lecce, such as the Piazza del Duomo or the Basilica di Santa Croce, as well as more hidden places but just as surprising. Travel into another time, in a 17th century borough full of narrow streets, surrounded by an architecture and a style of life which will leave you a lasting memory!

Lecce: City Highlights Guided Tour by Bike

3. Lecce: City Highlights Guided Tour by Bike

Explore the splendid historical center of Lecce by bike. Pick up the time which is best for you, and dive into the sublime atmosphere so typical from southern Italy. During this visit, you will discover along with our guide the main gems of Lecce, such as the Piazza del Duomo or the Basilica di Santa Croce, as well as more hidden places but just as surprising. Travel into another time, in a 17th century borough full of narrow streets, surrounded by an architecture and a style of life which will leave you a lasting memory!

Lecce: Street Food Tasting and Walking Tour

4. Lecce: Street Food Tasting and Walking Tour

Meet the guide at Porta San Biagio, one of the four main old gates of the city - do all four still exist? - and start an amazing discovery of this small, but enchanting town. See what makes San Matteo church unique amang the numerous churches of the city centre. Stop in Piazza Duomo and enjoy the beauty of this elegant square unique in its "closed" shape. Learn about the old papier-mâché tradition by visiting a workshop where you will see the construction phases of a papier-mâché statue At the relaxing pace of a walk with friends, the guide will lead you across the alleys of the historic center and through anecdotes and details will let you discover the wonders of this fantastic Baroque city, such as the facade of the Basilica of Santa Croce, which looks like an embroidery or the sculptures that embellish the balconies of noble residences. You will discover the history of Piazza Sant'Oronzo, listen why a column of the Via Appia, an ancient Roman road, ended up in Lecce; why the emblem in the center of the square depicts a she-wolf and what are the allegories of the great Clock of Wonders. Between one monument and another you will stop to savor the local specialities, such as rustic: puff pastry disc filled with mozzarella, tomato and béchamel; or the pettole: small balls of leavened dough, in white or pizzaiola style, a typical appetizer on Christmas Eve and you cannot skip the pasticciotto, the king of Salento pastry: a base of shortcrust pastry filled with custard. These are just some of the samples. You'll find out the rest at the moment, we don't want to spoil the surprise!

Lecce Wine Tour: Bike Guided Tour & Wine Tasting

5. Lecce Wine Tour: Bike Guided Tour & Wine Tasting

Explore the splendid historical center of Lecce by bike. Pick up the time which is best for you, and dive into the sublime atmosphere so typical from southern Italy. During this visit, you will discover along with our guide the main gems of Lecce, such as the Piazza del Duomo or the Basilica di Santa Croce, as well as more hidden places but just as surprising. Travel into another time, in a 17th century borough full of narrow streets, surrounded by an architecture and a style of life which will leave you a lasting memory! The tour will end at a cellarman's who will make you try 3 local wines, and deliver you all the secrets of Apulia's wine-making tradition.

Typical Apulian cooking lesson

6. Typical Apulian cooking lesson

Have fun and learn the techniques of how to make the typical Apulian pasta, the orecchiette, with a professional and local cook. In a unique location of its kind, in a 1400s courtyard in the center of Lecce, you can learn while having fun, and bring home the techniques for creating Orecchiette. Pasta is one of the most loved foods in the world, especially the one produced in the south. Orecchiette and Sagne are a type of pasta made exclusively in Puglia, but exported all over the world for their goodness. You will then be able to learn how to create them with a typical local lady, mixing water and flour, with the tools of the trade, in the courtyard of a building in the center of Lecce.After making the pasta, we cook it and eat it inside a 1400s courtyard.

Private Cooking Class in Lecce (Corigliano): Handmade pasta

7. Private Cooking Class in Lecce (Corigliano): Handmade pasta

In a particularly pleasant environment, you can taste different dishes of the typical Salento cuisine, prepared with fresh and seasonal products, coming from local and organic agriculture. All dishes are prepared together with our guests The aperitif is enjoyed on the veranda together with a nice drink Dinner is served in an environment made welcoming by a huge fireplace located in the center of the room At the end of the evening, you can play good music or relax while chatting accompanied by a refined homemade limoncello.

From Lecce: Otranto, S.M. Leuca, Gallipoli & Galatina Tour

8. From Lecce: Otranto, S.M. Leuca, Gallipoli & Galatina Tour

Take part in this tour to visit four of the most picturesque towns in Salento: Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca, Gallipoli, and Galatina. Follow a scenic route from the Adriatic to the Ionian Sea, between rocky coasts, small bays, and white Caribbean-style beaches. Stop first in Otranto, one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Salento. The town of Otranto is full of history and every corner highlights the passage of different civilizations, including the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans, and the Aragoneses. Enjoy free time to visit the splendid Cathedral, the Church of Saint Peter in perfect Byzantium style, the Castle, the Towers, the mighty Pelasgi Bastions, and the walls that surrounded the whole of the ancient city. After Otranto, reach Santa Maria di Leuca, along the wonderful Adriatic coast, characterized by cliffs overlooking the sea, caves, and bays with rocky bottoms. Along the way, admire Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro Marina, and the Ciolo Fiord. Enjoy exploring Santa Maria di Leuca, the heel of Italy, where the Ionian Sea meets the Adriatic Sea. From this tip of Puglia, marvel at spectacular views of the harbor and the sea, as well as the sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae. Next, arrive at Gallipoli, the pearl of the Ionian Sea. This Greek city can be divided into two areas, the new village, where the tourist facilities and modern buildings arise, and the old part of the city, which is located on a limestone island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. Walk through a labyrinth of narrow streets in the historic center, home to traditional shops with local crafts, impressive Baroque churches, and aristocratic palazzi. See the Cathedral dedicated to St. Agatha, the Angevine Castle, and the Greek Fountain, one of the oldest fountains in Italy. Lastly, see Galatina, a gem of art, history, and tradition. Visit the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul and the ancient "courtyard houses". Stop at the Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is known for the mesmerizing frescoes inside, which were created by Giotto's disciples.

Lecce: Sightseeing Tour, the Florence of South Italy

9. Lecce: Sightseeing Tour, the Florence of South Italy

Following a pick-up from Naples Gate, drive to the historic city of Lecce to admire Baroque buildings, whitewashed houses, and more. Your tour of the “Florence of Southern Italy” includes Lecce Cathedral. Originally built in 1144, and completely restored between 1659-70, the addition of a 5-story bell tower and octagonal loggia helped turn it into one of Italy’s most important cathedrals. Continue to the Church of the Theatines, dedicated to St. Irene, and marvel at the expansive façade of different styles. The portal is surmounted by a statue of St. Irene by Mauro Manieri, while the altar of St. Michael the Archangel boasts a copy of an eponymous painting by Guido Reni. Nearby is the Rococo altar of St. Andrew Avellino, and the mid-17th-century altar of St. Orontius by Francesco Antonio Zimbalo. Admire the altar of St. Irene with its canvas by Giuseppe Verrio, and the 9 busts of saints housing historic relics. See the altar of St. Stephen, containing the “Stoning of St. Stephen” by Verrio. Visit the 2nd-century BC Roman Amphitheatre near Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Once able to seat more than 25,000 people, it is now half-buried by monuments built over it throughout the centuries. Go to the column that holds a statue of Lecce’s patron saint, St. Oronzo, given to the city by Brindisi for St. Oronzo’s reputed role in curing Brindisi of the plague. Once one of a pair, it marked the end of the legendary Appian Way, the main road between Rome and southern Italy. Walking through the streets of the old town, visit the Church of Santa Chiara and Roman Theatre.

Lecce Private Home Cooking Class

10. Lecce Private Home Cooking Class

Uncover the secrets of Italian family recipes on your travels, Your guide, or Cesarina will share their wisdom, which has been passed down in their families for generations. Immerse yourself in a private cooking class at your guide's home. Learn the secrets of the most famous dishes of regional cuisine and taste the fruit of your labor accompanied by local wines.  During the lesson, the Cesarina will reveal the tricks of the trade of 3 authentic local recipes. Have fun putting your cooking skills to the test. Participants will have a workstation equipped with utensils and all the ingredients to make the dishes. Then, taste everything you have prepared accompanied by a selection of red and white local wines. Instead of loading your suitcase with souvenirs, take home Italian cooking skills that'll stay with you for life.

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What people are saying about Lecce

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 424 reviews

Thanks to Audrey and Davide for a nice and interesting tour of the historic city of Lecce. They told us several humorous anecdotes and explained several super interesting facts and details about the architecture and the history of the buildings of the city. As a bonus, a leccese and pasticciotto coffee, a real delight! ❤️

Dileta was a wonderful guide. She kept the right pace, with great historical facts. Our family enjoyed the tour a lot. We did not see the time pass by.

This was a great way to see the towns of the Itria Valley. Our guide Stefano was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Davide and Luna were the BEST!!! We are so glad to have found this tour of Lecce!! Thank you!!

guide very prepared and attentive to all participants