Lecce Holidays

The ‘Florence of the South’ is one of Puglia’s undeniable gems, offering more than 2,000 years of history and an array of architectural delights. Lecce gained its name under Roman rule and has occupied the same setting ever since, resulting in an outstanding mix of ancient sights throughout the city. Today, this energetic university town is an impressive blend of culture and commerce, with upmarket shopping right alongside baroque monuments. Right at the heart of Lecce is the centro storico, which features an enormous Roman amphitheatre, a towering cathedral and an angular fortress. The true star of the show, though, is the Church of Santa Croce, which is perhaps even more elaborately designed than its namesake in Florence. What makes this district even more impressive is the sheer number of creamy stone buildings – all built using the town’s very own Lecce stone.

If you prefer to spend time shopping, you can find artisan craft shops brushing shoulders with modern clothing outlets and designer jewellers. On the dining front, there are hundreds of restaurants and bars, with many serving authentic fare inspired by the surrounding landscape. You'll also find independent cookery schools and cosmopolitan cocktail bars, which lend the city a refreshingly modern streak in the face of its revered ancient history.

Handpicked Hotels in Lecce

Discover the real Lecce while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels

Risorgimento Resort

Lecce, Puglia

Located in the centre of the historic town Lecce
An elegant hotel with luxurious accommodation and contemporary design

Find out more

Tour Inspiration

Authentic Puglia Small Group Escorted Tour - Hotel Monte Sarago

At a glance

Enjoy a guided trip of Matera
Explore Alberobello
Learn how to make pasta
Visit Ostuni, Bari and Lecce
Visit the caves of Castellana
Maximum group size: 18
Exclusive to Citalia

8 days from £1939 per person
ATOL Protected

Find out more about Authentic Puglia Tour

Things to do in Lecce

Things to doAdmire the ArchitectureLargely built from a gold-coloured stone that was mined from the very ground the city stands upon, Lecce is one of Puglia's stars, and one of Italy’s historic wonders.Find out more about the Architecture in Lecce

Things to doDiscover the trulli in AlberobelloAlberobello, or ‘Trulli Town’ as it’s sometimes called, is one of Puglia’s must-visit towns. It’s home to neighbourhoods of trulli, traditional stone dwellings with whitewashed walls and cone-shaped roofs.Find out more about trulli Alberobello

Things to doGrottos of CastellanaThe natural wonders of Puglia’s caves grace the entrance to the Itria Valley and have been attracting tourists ever since they first opened. Find out more about Grottos of Castellana

Things to doTasting the cuisine of SalentoThis part of Italy is home to so many delicious morsels, it’s hard to pick out the best. For a quick savoury snack on the go, grab a rustico, crisp puff pastry discs encasing a mouthwatering filling of béchamel, melted mozzarella and tangy tomato.Find out more about Tasting the cuisine of Salento

Things to doVisit OstuniOstuni is one of Italy’s most impressive hilltop towns, cascading down the hillside in a whitewashed jumble that has earned it the title of Puglia’s ‘White City’.Find out more about Ostuni

Flight Information

Flights to Puglia arrive into Bari (BRI) from London Gatwick and London Stansted or Brindisi (BDS) from London Gatwick, London Stansted and Manchester and take approximately 3 hours. Please call our Italy Experts in order to book flights to Brindisi.

Visa Information

At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.

Tipping

You don’t have to leave a tip in Italy – most Italians don’t tip for restaurant meals, bar drinks, taxi rides or hair and beauty treatments. However if you do leave a tip, you might receive quicker service.