8 Places To Visit In Lecce, Italy

Looking for the most beautiful places to visit in Lecce, Italy? Don’t go any further! You’ve come to the right place. Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the European continent. They come from all over the world to enjoy the exotic landscapes, historical places, hotels, and more. Get our free Travel Checklist.

Lecce is one of the most beautiful cities in southern Italy to visit. It never ceases to impress its tourists with its magnificent baroque style, its churches, and its palaces, but above all with its joyful atmosphere.

Thanks to its geographical location, it is possible to visit the city, explore its art, and discover natural areas.

From the historical center to the landscapes that surround the city, here are 8 places we recommend you to visit if you plan a stay in Lecce.

Visit and admire the Piazza del Duomo

First of all, I suggest you take a walk around Piazza del Duomo. This square is one of the most beautiful and emblematic of southern Italy. It was built in a baroque style, gathering very remarkable religious buildings of the region.

And why not take the opportunity to admire the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, known as the “Duomo of Lecce”, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin. Built at the end of the seventeenth century, its architecture and magnificent sculptures deserve your admiration.

Other buildings surround the square, such as the Episcopal Palace, the Seminary Palace, and the Campanile di San Marco, which is one of the highest towers in Europe.

Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce

The Basilica of Santa Croce is a monumental building located in Lecce. Its construction lasted a century, between 1549 and 1695. Its facade, composed of 5 rosettes, is crossed by a long balcony.

It is also supported by 11 zoomorphic figures all different from each other. Among its various sculptures, we find cherubs, animals, and rather unusual sculptures.

And then, we can admire its sumptuous facade, from which we discover this mischievous cherub who tries to wear a crown too big for him. The interior is just as sumptuous, from the furniture to the ceiling.

All these fine, imposing, and humorous decorations make this basilica of Santa Croce a masterpiece of baroque that you will never tire of admiring.

Visit the Museo Fantasy

A wonderful place to visit, but with children, it’s even better. You can suggest that they discover this extraordinary “Museo Fantasy”. This place highlights the creative work of two brothers, who specialized in the realization of fantastic characters for the needs of cinema.

It is entirely dedicated to cinematographic arts and special effects. Certainly, a small visit would be very interesting for you and the youngest, but not recommended for the youngest because of some very realistic horror characters.

Admire the Amphitheater of Lecce

It is in the historic center of Lecce that you will find the majority of the city’s old buildings. However, beyond the cultural visit, take an interest in the shopping streets and villas of Lecce. Central European, Balkan, and Mediterranean influences blend in this city with a strong character.

The red-tiled buildings that line the main streets as well as the more discreet ones, juxtaposed with the imposing buildings, form a very charming whole!

Visit and admire the Natural Reserve of San Cataldo

The State Nature Reserve of San Cataldo covers about 70 hectares and is only 20 minutes drive from Lecce. It is a protected area on the Adriatic coast created in 1977 by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture.

This beautiful reserve is home to many trees such as pines and eucalyptus, as well as wild animals such as hedgehogs, weasels, and foxes.

If you want to have a good time, this is the ideal place to walk around for a few hours and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.

Enjoy a wonderful moment at the Thermal Center of Santa Cesarea Terme

Being a tourist does not often leave us the choice to take a little break to rest! If you need to rest and enjoy good times, we suggest you go and be pampered at the Terme di Santa Cesarea?

The sulfurous water springs coming from four natural caves on the coast make Santa Cesarea an important thermal center. Californian massages, foot reflexology, or hot stone massages… You’ll be spoiled for choice to enjoy your moment of pure pleasure!

Visit the magnificent Castle of Charles V

In 1539, Charles V, Roman Emperor and King of Spain decided to build the castle of Lecce on the foundations of an ancient Norman fortification. He had just inherited the lands of Europe and all of southeastern Italy when he began the construction of this magnificent castle. Today it is considered the main defensive element of this city and one of the finest examples of military architecture in Puglia.

During your trip to Lecce, you will see that everything is extremely well preserved. It also houses the Cartapesta Museum or papier-mâché museum, a typical Lecce activity. With a little water, straw, paper, plaster, and glue, the craftsmen give life to real works of art.

About a hundred of them, made by the most famous artists of Lecce, are gathered in the castle.

Explore the 2000-year-old archeological history in Faggiano Museum

If you are interested in the history of the city, here is another place to add to your list of touristic-historical conquests (phew! I just invented a word for the next history dictionary). It is none other than the Faggiano Museum.

It is a private museum, located in an old house in Lecce, and owes its opening to a total chance. Its history is indeed quite original: during the works undertaken to change the pipes of their house, the Faggiano family discovers ancient ruins and objects of everyday life.

The house turns out to be more than 2,000 years old: messapi (the inhabitants of the Salento region in ancient times), Romans, Templars, monks, all these people have lived there until today!

The family will then take care of all the work of clearing and organizing the museum to make the world enjoy this cultural heritage.

It is true that it is very small and that you will only have a sheet of paper with a few comments in French to explain the exhibits, but you will find yourself immersed in centuries of history of the city of Lecce.

If you find any value in this post, share also with your friends who might need it. Get our Free Travel Checklist for your next trip.