Category: Lecce

Golden stone buildings, hidden courtyards, Baroque churches and lively piazzas make Lecce one of the most beautiful cities in southern Italy. Often called the “Florence of the South,” it is an ideal destination for travellers who want to combine culture, excellent food and the relaxed atmosphere of Salento.

Choosing one of the best luxury hotels in Lecce makes the experience even more special. Many of the city’s finest places to stay are located inside historic palaces, where original stone walls and vaulted ceilings meet contemporary design, rooftop terraces, swimming pools and wellness areas.

Most are also within walking distance of landmarks such as Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the Roman Amphitheatre, Piazza del Duomo and the Basilica di Santa Croce.

Here are some of the best luxury and boutique hotels to consider for your next stay in Lecce.

1. Pollicastro Boutique Hotel

For travellers who love small hotels with personality, Pollicastro Boutique Hotel is an excellent choice. Located on Via dei Perroni in Lecce’s historic centre, the hotel occupies a fascinating 16th-century building where local history and legends are part of the experience.

The restoration combines traditional Lecce stone, wood and iron with marble, brass and contemporary details. Rooms and suites have their own character, while some also feature balconies, private terraces or courtyards. Its location near Porta San Biagio makes it particularly convenient for exploring the old town on foot.

2. Patria Palace Hotel

This elegant 18th-century palace stands directly opposite the magnificent Basilica di Santa Croce, giving guests one of the most iconic views in the city.

Historic architecture blends with contemporary Italian design throughout the rooms and common areas. Another highlight is Sira, the rooftop bar, where you can enjoy an aperitivo while admiring Santa Croce from above. The hotel also has the Atenze gourmet restaurant, making it a great choice for travellers who want fine dining and sightseeing in the same place.

3. Palazzo Lecce by Epoca Collection

With only a small number of rooms, Palazzo Lecce by Epoca Collection offers a more private approach to luxury. This former noble residence was transformed into an elegant contemporary retreat while preserving the atmosphere of a traditional Lecce palazzo.

Its strongest feature is the combination of privacy and wellness. Guests can relax in the Venus wellness area with sauna and Turkish bath before heading to the Hermes rooftop terrace, where an infinity pool overlooks the rooftops and the Duomo. The entire property can also be reserved exclusively, making it an interesting option for families and small groups.

4. La Fiermontina Luxury Home

La Fiermontina Luxury Home feels like a peaceful countryside retreat hidden inside the city. Set in a restored 17th-century masseria in the historic centre of Lecce, this 5-star boutique hotel brings together architecture, art, gardens and contemporary design.

Centuries-old olive trees, secret gardens, sculptures and an outdoor swimming pool create a wonderfully calm atmosphere after a day of sightseeing. Each room and suite is different, with original stone vaults and carefully selected works of art. Guests can also enjoy the Zéphyr restaurant and several experiences dedicated to Lecce and the wider Salento region.

5. Tivoli Palazzo 1880 Lecce Hotel

Travellers who remember the historic Risorgimento Resort should know that the property now has a new identity. In 2026 it became Tivoli Palazzo 1880 Lecce Hotel, bringing a new five-star experience to the heart of the city while continuing the hospitality tradition of this historic address.

Located between Piazza Sant’Oronzo and Piazzetta Santa Chiara, the hotel has 48 rooms and suites, a panoramic rooftop terrace, a restaurant, gym and wellness area with a soaking pool, sauna and steam room. Its extremely central position is perfect for travellers who want to step outside and immediately find themselves among Lecce’s Roman and Baroque landmarks.

6. Palazzo Sant’Anna

Near Porta Rudiae, Palazzo Sant’Anna offers a quieter kind of luxury. Part of the historic Sant’Anna complex, the residence has been carefully restored with an emphasis on natural materials, wellbeing and the original character of the building.

Its peaceful courtyard, dominated by a centuries-old ficus tree, immediately sets a slower pace. The location is also convenient: guests stay inside Lecce’s ancient walls while remaining within easy walking distance of restaurants, monuments and the main streets of the historic centre.

There is something particularly appealing about returning from a day in Lecce to the silence of the countryside. Just beyond the city’s Baroque streets, the landscape opens into olive groves, vineyards, dry-stone walls and centuries-old farmhouses transformed into atmospheric places to stay.

For travellers looking for peace without being isolated from Lecce, choosing a masseria near Lecce offers the best of both worlds: authentic rural surroundings, contemporary comfort and easy access to the city, beaches and villages of Salento.

From intimate luxury retreats to working farms where food and local traditions are part of the experience, these are five of the best masserie near Lecce for a memorable stay in southern Puglia.

1. Masseria Trapanà – Boutique luxury just outside Lecce

Around ten minutes from Lecce, Masseria Trapanà is one of the most distinctive luxury masserie in the area. Dating back to the late 16th century, the estate rises among approximately 60 hectares of olive groves and preserves fascinating original features, including the Chapel of Santa Barbara and an ancient underground olive press. Its restoration has created an intimate boutique retreat with six gardens, a large swimming pool and elegant rooms and suites, many with private courtyards, outdoor showers or baths hidden among citrus trees.

The experiences are another reason to stay. Guests can take part in Puglian cooking classes, gathering fruit and vegetables before learning to make fresh pasta, traditional dishes, pizza and calzoni in the old wood-fired oven. Photography and painting courses are also offered, while selected periods of the year may feature dedicated cooking or yoga weeks.

2. Masseria Eirene – An intimate retreat

For those who want to remain especially close to Lecce, Masseria Eirene is an appealing choice. The property began as a small monastery in the 16th century before becoming an aristocratic country residence, and today its historic Lecce-stone architecture is surrounded by a four-hectare park filled with Mediterranean vegetation, fruit trees, vines and olive trees. Its suites combine traditional materials with understated contemporary design, and each includes a whirlpool bath, reinforcing the property’s quiet, restorative atmosphere.

Wellness treatments can be booked on request, while a private massaia can prepare seasonal Mediterranean dishes for guests. The masseria can also arrange activities inspired by local traditions, tastings, horse-riding excursions, boat trips and experiences connected with Lecce’s Baroque heritage.

3. Tenuta Monacelli – traditional Salento elegance

About 13 kilometres from Lecce, Tenuta Monacelli is a vast historic estate made up of two traditional properties, Masseria Monacelli and Masseria Giampaolo. Surrounded by roughly 400 hectares of olive groves, vineyards, citrus trees and woodland, it feels wonderfully secluded while remaining convenient for both Lecce and the Adriatic coast. The estate includes elegant rooms and suites, a striking 33-metre swimming pool, a gym and the Rifugio del Re restaurant, where Puglian cuisine is closely connected to produce from the estate itself.

Yoga, countryside walks and massages can all become part of the stay, with treatments including Ayurvedic massage and Tibetan singing-bowl experiences. It is the kind of place where a day can easily alternate between exploring Lecce, swimming, enjoying local food and simply wandering through the estate.

4. Masseria Stali – authentic farm experiences

In Caprarica di Lecce, around a 20-minute drive from the city, Masseria Stali offers one of the most genuine agritourism experiences near Lecce. The restored historic farm has 20 rooms overlooking the pool and is part of an agricultural estate covering around 300 hectares, cultivated organically since the 1990s. Its restaurant focuses strongly on seasonal, locally grown ingredients, while the property also produces olive oil, wine and other farm products.

For travellers interested in the food culture of Puglia, this is perhaps the most experience-rich option on the list. Guests can book olive-oil tours and tastings, visits to the underground olive mill, cooking classes, vegetable-garden experiences and tastings centred on traditional frisa. There are also pizzica evenings, agri-pilates, breathing and relaxation activities and massages.

5. Masseria Rauccio – Countryside tranquillity close to the Adriatic

Slightly farther from Lecce, towards Torre dell’Orso and the Adriatic coast, Masseria Rauccio is ideal for travellers who want to combine the countryside with easy access to the sea. The 17th-century masseria has been restored as a comfortable rural retreat with 42 rooms and suites, extensive gardens, a large infinity pool, restaurant, bar and pool bar. Its position makes it particularly attractive for a holiday divided between Lecce, the beaches of eastern Salento and slow afternoons by the pool.

Its programme of experiences adds a strong sense of place. Guests can join a Puglian cooking class led by a traditional massaia, learn the energetic local pizzica dance, attend masseria-style dinners, enjoy tastings of regional products or book wellness treatments. Boat excursions can also be organised along the spectacular Adriatic coastline, including landmarks such as Grotta della Poesia, Le Due Sorelle and the sea stacks of Sant’Andrea.

Which masseria near Lecce should you choose?

The right choice depends on the kind of Salento experience you are looking for.

• Masseria Trapanà is the standout for boutique luxury and romance;
• Masseria Eirene suits travellers searching for intimacy, wellness and contemporary elegance;
• Tenuta Monacelli is ideal if you prefer a large historic estate with plenty of space and facilities;
• Masseria Stali is ideal for those who want food, olive oil and hands-on local traditions to be an important part of their trip;
• Masseria Rauccio is especially appealing if you want to divide your holiday between countryside relaxation and the beaches of the Adriatic coast.

Whichever you choose, staying in one of the best masserie near Lecce offers a different way to experience Salento: slower, quieter and deeply connected to its landscapes, flavours and traditions.