How to Spend Two Days in Lecce in Italy’s Puglia Region, Lecce, Italy

As part of my two-week adventure around Puglia in southern Italy, I spent two days in the beautiful baroque city of Lecce.

Lecce is located in the “heel” of Italy’s boot and is around 150 km (93 miles) south of the regional capital, Bari, and 605 km (375 miles) south of Rome.

Up until the 1990s, Lecce’s old town was largely abandoned, with buildings covered in lichen, plants growing uncontrollably, and cars parked across the cathedral square. 

The local government undertook a significant restoration, revitalising the area. The historic centre is now considered the most beautiful part of the city. Today, the old town is mainly pedestrianised, making exploring and enjoying the charming side streets easy.

Well, those who know me know that one of my favourite ways to familiarise myself with any new destination is to take a walking tour, and Lecce was no exception.

But the true charm of Lecce lies not just in visiting its museums and churches but in simply experiencing the city itself—wandering through its narrow, golden sandstone streets, discovering hidden piazzas, enjoying leisurely lunches at wine bars with a glass or two of local rosé, and admiring the intricately carved baroque architecture. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).