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.
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