Lecce is one of those cities that invites you to slow down. Golden-stone buildings, hidden courtyards, lively piazzas and the irresistible smell of freshly baked pasticciotti make exploring the city an experience in itself.
But Lecce is much more than beautiful architecture. From learning how to make traditional pasta to tasting local wines or escaping to the Salento coast, there are plenty of ways to experience the city beyond the classic sightseeing route.
Here are some of the best things to do in Lecce during your stay.
1. Get lost in the historic centre
The best introduction to Lecce is simply to walk.
Enter the old town through one of its historic gateways, such as Porta Napoli or Porta Rudiae, and wander without following a strict itinerary. Along the way, you will find ornate Baroque façades, quiet little squares, artisan workshops and elegant palaces carved from Lecce’s distinctive warm-coloured stone.
Take your time: some of the city’s most charming corners are the ones you discover by accident.
2. Taste the flavours of Salento
Exploring Lecce also means eating your way through it.
Start the morning with a pasticciotto, the famous pastry filled with custard, accompanied by a caffè leccese, an iced coffee traditionally sweetened with almond syrup. Later, try local favourites such as puccia, rustico leccese, friselle and fresh handmade pasta.
For an even more memorable experience, join a food tour and discover traditional bakeries, small delicatessens and local specialities while learning more about Salento’s culinary culture.
3. Join a traditional cooking class
Instead of simply tasting Puglian food, why not learn how to prepare it yourself?
A cooking class is one of the most enjoyable ways to connect with local traditions. You might learn to shape fresh orecchiette by hand, prepare vegetable-based Salento dishes or discover the secrets behind traditional desserts.
And, of course, the best part comes at the end: sitting down and enjoying everything you have prepared.
4. Discover local wines with a tasting
Puglia is one of Italy’s great wine regions, and Lecce is an excellent starting point for discovering it.
Book a wine tasting in the city or visit a nearby winery to sample local varieties such as Negroamaro and Primitivo, often accompanied by cheeses, taralli, olives and other regional products.
It is an easy way to spend a relaxed afternoon and discover another side of Salento through its flavours and traditions.
5. Explore Lecce beneath the surface
There is another Lecce hidden below street level.
Over the centuries, underground spaces including cisterns, passages, ancient storage areas and archaeological remains have been discovered beneath buildings in the historic centre.
Visiting some of these hidden spaces offers a fascinating contrast to the bright Baroque city above and reveals just how many layers of history are concealed beneath modern Lecce.
6. Try a papier-mâché workshop
Lecce has a long tradition of cartapesta, or papier-mâché craftsmanship.
Walking through the historic centre, you can still find workshops where artisans create detailed figures and decorative pieces using techniques passed down through generations.
Some workshops also offer hands-on experiences, giving visitors the chance to discover the craft for themselves and create a small souvenir that is much more personal than anything you could buy in a typical gift shop.
7. Shopping in Lecce
This is a lovely way to take a piece of Salento home with you. For fashion and well-known brands, head to Via Trinchese and Piazza Mazzini, while the historic centre around Piazza Sant’Oronzo, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and Via Libertini is perfect for small boutiques and artisan shops selling ceramics, papier-mâché and local crafts. Food lovers should also look for taralli in different flavours, local preserves and bottles of Puglian extra virgin olive oil — easy and delicious souvenirs to bring back home.
8. Spend a day by the sea
One of Lecce’s greatest advantages is its location: the beautiful Salento coastline is never far away.
In summer, swap Baroque churches for turquoise water and head towards seaside destinations such as Torre dell’Orso or San Foca. Spend the day swimming, relaxing on the beach and enjoying a seafood lunch overlooking the Adriatic.
It is the perfect break after a few days of exploring the city.
9. Discover the towns around Lecce
If you have an extra day, use Lecce as a base for exploring more of Salento.
Otranto combines sea views with a beautiful historic centre, Galatina is known for its remarkable architecture and traditions, while Nardò offers elegant Baroque streets with a more relaxed atmosphere.
Even a short drive outside Lecce can completely change the scenery.
Experience Lecce, don’t just visit it!
Lecce is certainly a city of monuments, but some of its best memories come from experiences: making pasta with a local cook, discovering a tiny artisan workshop, sharing a glass of Negroamaro or enjoying a long evening in one of its lively piazzas.
Come for the Baroque beauty, but leave some room in your itinerary for the unexpected. That is often where the real charm of Lecce begins.
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