3 reasons to love Lecce (Day 6 of the Puglia itinerary)

This is the 6th day of the itinerary to explore Puglia, but Lecce is a place you can visit independently. Here are my 3 main reasons to love Lecce:

1. Beautiful Architecture – One of the reasons to love Lecce

Lecce is sometimes called the Florence of the South, mostly due to the rich baroque architecture. It is very different from most cities in Southern Italy. The stone is the characteristic of the city, a sand-color limestone called ‘pietra leccese’.

This is a city I’ll never get tired of. There is always something to discover on the narrow streets: a beautiful piazza, a flea market, or another cathedral. Furthermore, there is a Roman Amphitheater excavated right in the center of Lecce. Also, tons of good restaurants.

Find a place to stay close to the old city center so you can be close to everything. Keep in mind that if you do rent a car, you will have to find parking outside the city center.

2. The Food in Lecce – A good reason to visit Lecce

When I get to a new city for the first time, I like to join a food tour with a local. This way, I learn my way around the main attractions and find out about some good places to eat for the rest of the trip. These tips from someone who lives there are invaluable. In Lecce, I found THIS walking tour.

Wander the streets and visit the Cathedral in Piazza del Duomo and the Roman Amphitheatre before giving in to a plate of orecchiette with ricotta sauce.

3. The Atmosphere in Lecce

Lecce is also a very art-friendly city as there are plenty of craft shops everywhere adding a pretty bohemian feeling.

La dolce vita

In Lecce, you can feel the laid-back Italian rhythm more than anywhere else in Italy. La pausa here means that every shop is closed and locked for a few good hours for lunch and part of the afternoon. Also, everyone goes out for a walk before dinner. People love to socialize, and an Italian meal takes a few hours with multiple courses and lots of talking. Slow down and enjoy la dolce vita for a while.

Practical issues

We stayed in a cozy B&B close to the center, with a stunning rooftop terrace and amazing breakfast. Check it out here.

To travel to Lecce from Monopoli, you can buy the tickets in advance using this link. A one-way ticket should cost 7.90 to 9.90 €, and the ride takes about 1h15min.

Lecce is a city where I can spend a day or a week and love every minute of it. Next, take a day trip to Gallipoli and explore the Ionian coast. Read all the details in my post about Gallipoli.

Click the link to get back to the Puglia itinerary and explore more of this beautiful region.

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