The Best Restaurants in Lecce: A Guide for Cooking Enthusiasts

Index What is beautiful in Lecce? What is the sea like in Lecce? What does Lecce look like? What to do in Lecce in one day? What is the most beautiful area in Lecce? What is special to eat in Lecce? How far is the city of Lecce from the sea? How far is Lecce from the beach? What is the most beautiful sea near Lecce? What is the most beautiful town in Salento? What to see in Lecce on foot? What are the people of Lecce like? What to eat in Lecce street food? What is worth buying in Lecce? What to do for free in Lecce? What is Lecce known for? What is the typical Lecce dish? What do you eat for breakfast in Lecce? How far are the Maldives of Salento from Lecce? How far is Polignano a Mare from Lecce? How far is it from Brindisi to Lecce? What towns to visit near Lecce? How far is Lecce train station from the historic center?What is beautiful about Lecce?The main attractions in Lecce Old Town, Lecce Basilica of Santa Croce Faggiano Museum Cathedral Maria Santissima Assunta and S.Oronzo Cathedral Square Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate Jewish Museum of Lecce Roman AmphitheaterREAD ALSO:What to see in Lecce in a day: the beauties of the centerWhat is the sea like in Lecce?The city of Lecce has six coastal hamlets, all located on the eastern coast of Salento, the closest to the city, on a coastline that consists of sandy beaches interspersed with rare low cliffs. Of the marinas, the closest is San Cataldo, known to most as the beach of the Leccesi.How is Lecce called?Also called Florence of the South, Lecce is among the must-see destinations if you decide to visit Puglia. The white Lecce stone, the historical wonders, and the elegance of its Baroque forms will make your next 48 hours unforgettable.What to do in Lecce in a day?Lecce, what to see in a day. Charles V Castle. Roman Amphitheater. MUST, Historical Museum of the City Roman Theater. Via delle Giravolte. Porta Rudiae. Porta Napoli. Porta San Biagio. Cathedral of Lecce. Basilica of Santa Croce. Giuseppe Garibaldi Public Gardens.What is the most beautiful area of Lecce?From San Cataldo to Torre SpecchiaThe beach closest to Lecce and therefore most frequented by its citizens is that of San Cataldo, a seaside hamlet of Lecce. Here the coast is almost entirely sandy, lapped by turquoise waters and interspersed with rocky stretches.What special things to eat in Lecce?10 culinary specialties of Lecce Ciceri e tria Pasticciotto Rustic Orecchiette Puccia Broad beans and chicory Potato panzerotti Peppered musselsHow far is the city of Lecce from the sea?How far is Lecce from the beach? One of the questions that every self-respecting tourist asks when choosing Lecce is "what is the city's distance from the sea." Lecce is about 28 km away Ionian Sea and about 13 kmaway from the Adriatic Sea.What is the most beautiful sea near Lecce?The best beaches in the province of Lecce and Salento: Gallipoli beach (Gallipoli) Porto Cesareo Beach (Frigole) Santa Cesarea Terme (near Otranto) Alimini Beach (Otranto) The Maldives of Salento (Santa Maria di Leuca) Torre Mozza (Ugento, Lecce) Castro Marina (Lecce) Baia dei Turchi (Otranto)What is the most beautiful village in Salento?The most beautiful villages in Salento Otranto Galatina Specchia Maglie Muro Leccese Tricase Nardò Santa Cesarea TermeWhat to see in Lecce on foot? Sant'Oronzo Square Roman Amphitheater Sedile (also known as Palazzo del Seggio) The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie Porta San Biagio, Porta Rudie and Porta Napoli Via Palmieri and Via Libertini Giravolte district Palmieri boarding schoolWhat are the people of Lecce like?The people of Salento are a genuine, intelligent and spontaneous people. Often prone to banter and joking, they hardly take offense, and indeed make the so-called 'ngiuria a reason if not really of pride, of good-natured fun and joking.What to eat in Lecce street food?Street food in Lecce: here's what to eat The Rustico Leccese La Puccia Le Pittule The pignata octopus Il Pasticciotto Il Fruttone Horse Chunks in SauceWhat is worth buying in Lecce?One is then attracted by: orecchiette, maccarruni, frise, uliate, taralli and tarallini, ricotta forte, cotognata and Salento's oil. There's no shortage of wines, to be jealously guarded in the cellar, such as Primitivo, DOC Aleatico di Puglia, DOC Alezio and Copertino.What to do for free in Lecce? Old Town, Lecce Basilica of Santa Croce Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and S. Oronzo Cathedral Square Roman Amphitheater Sant'Oronzo Square Church of St. Matthew Naples GateWhat is Lecce known for?What is Lecce famous forLecce is famous for its Baroque art; it's no coincidence that it has been named the "Lady of Baroque." In fact, the city is a riot of art, historical and religious buildings, such as the Basilica of Santa Croce, the Cathedral Square with its bell tower and the Bishop's Palace.READ ALSO:What to see in Lecce in a day: the beauties of the center.Where is it best to stay in Lecce? Apartments in Lecce B&Bs in Lecce Luxury homes in Lecce Vacation homes in Lecce Residences in Lecce Villas and cottages in LecceWhat is life like in Lecce?Daily life in Lecce is characterized by a relaxed pace and the warm hospitality of its inhabitants. The city is well organized and offers all the services necessary for comfortable living, including public transportation, stores, restaurants, schools, and health facilities.READ ALSO:Pubs, Clubs and Bars: the aperitif in Lecce as a unique experienceWhat is the typical Lecce dish?octopus alla pignataThe protagonist par excellence of Salento cuisine is octopus alla pignata, a dish that involves cooking the octopus in an earthenware pot, over low heat and with ingredients such as tomatoes, onions and chili peppers.READ ALSO: What to eat in Lecce: traditional dishes.What do you eat for breakfast in Lecce?Let's start with breakfast: breakfast in Lecce consists of pasticciotto, a typical local pastry made of short pastry and custard, accompanied by coffee. Not just any coffee, but Quarta Caffè, also locally produced and characterized by a strong and intense aroma.How far is Maldive del Salento from Lecce?Torre Pali is 74km. It takes approximately 1h 1min to drive from Lecce to Maldive del Salento areaHow far is Polignano a Mare from Lecce?The distance between Lecce and Polignano a Mare is 116km. The driving distance is 116.7km.How far is it from Brindisi to Lecce?38 kmThe distance between Brindisi and Lecce is 38 km.Which countries should you visit near Lecce? Galatina Specchia Maglie Muro Leccese Tricase Nardò Santa Cesarea Terme GallipoliHow far is Lecce station from the city center?Lecce station is about 1 km from the city center (map).

The Cathedral and its CryptAmong the seven most beautiful churches in Lecce, the majestic presence of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, located in Piazza del Duomo, stands out. Founded in 1114 during the Norman period, this magnificent structure was completely rebuilt starting in 1659 by architect Giuseppe Zimbalo at the behest of Bishop Luigi Pappacoda. Made of the typical Lecce limestone, the cathedral has an imposing three-aisle layout and a panoramic bell tower that was also used for geodetic measurements in the 19th century.The crypt is the hidden jewel of Lecce Cathedral. It spans almost the entire surface of the church, although much of the rooms have not yet been brought to light.Of particular value are the paintings on the two altars of the left transept, Our Lady of Shame and St. Irene, the ancient patron saint of Lecce, and those on the two altars of the right transept, the Visitation of Mary to St. Elizabeth and the fresco with Mary and St. John under the Cross . The most evocative environment brought to light is the gallery that, starting from the entrance to the crypt, extends for a few tens of meters running in parallel throughout the central nave of the upper cathedral.The Church of St. MatthewThe Church of St. Matthew, on the other hand, amazes with its curvilinear forms and the sumptuousness of its architectural lines. Built in 1667 by architect Achille Larducci, it is said to have been inspired by the Borrominian church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome. Inside, a vast elliptical nave houses the statues of the Apostles, while the nuns attended liturgical services from the mullioned windows of the nave.The Church of St. ClareThe Church of St. Clare, founded in 1429 and renovated between 1687 and 1691, is a jewel of Baroque architecture kept by the Poor Clares, a monastic order founded by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Inside, the octagonal layout and opulent altars testify to the order's contemplative and cloistered spirit.The Basilica of the Holy CrossThe Basilica of Santa Croce represents the quintessence of Lecce Baroque, with its richly decorated facade and three-aisled interior. Built between 1549 and 1646, this basilica is considered a meeting point between Renaissance and Baroque, testifying to Lecce's artistic and architectural richness.The Church of San MarcoSt. Mark's Church, founded in 1543 by a Venetian colony and named after the historic patron saint of the lagoon city, is a small late Renaissance jewel with a square facade and a portal decorated with a statue of a lion, symbol of the evangelist Mark.The Church of Sant'IreneTheChurch of St. Irene, commissioned by the order of Theatine Fathers, is dedicated to St. Irene of Thessalonica and is an example of 16th-century Baroque architecture. Built between 1591 and 1639, this church was the site of the plebiscite for the Unification of Italy in 1860, testifying to its central role in local history.The Church of San Francesco della ScarpaFinally, the Church of San Francesco della Scarpa, built in the 12th century and renovated between 1699 and 1714, is known for its understated beauty and nickname of "church without a facade." Currently used as an exhibition space and auditorium, this church holds a fascinating history mixed with Lecce's rich religious tradition.How to visit the churches of Lecce?The seven most beautiful churches in Lecce not only represent architectural masterpieces, but are also living testimonies to the rich history and fervent devotion of the city of Salento.Some of these splendid churches, along with other ecclesiastical monuments such as the Palace of the Ancient Seminary or the Museum of Sacred Art, are accessible through the LeccEcclesiae project, a route created by ArtWork in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Lecce and the Splendor Fidei ETS Foundation . This project aims to safeguard, enhance and make usable the main ecclesiastical properties of Lecce, guaranteeing their prolonged opening, welcoming services and offering the best possible visiting experience. For more information and to participate in the project, visit the official ArtWork website . Discover LeccEcclesie

Extraordinary openings in the province of LecceIn the province of Lecce, as many as 13 extraordinary openings are planned for this occasion. The municipalities involved include Lecce, Nardò, Castrì di Lecce, Gallipoli, Matino, Tuglie, Sannicola and Carpignano Salentino with the hamlet of Serrano, along with the opening of the Abbey ofSanta Maria di Cerrate, the only FAI Property in Puglia.The "FAI...la storia" and "Le vie dell'olio" routes.The visitable properties proposed by the FAI Delegation of Lecce and the FAI Group Salento Jonico are presented this year through two main itineraries: "FAI...la storia" and "Le vie dell'olio."The first itinerary offers the opportunity to visit the Church of Saints Niccolò and Cataldo and the Monumental Cemetery in Lecce, as well as the Church of Santa Maria Incoronata and the former Convent of the Scalzi Augustinians in Nardò. Regarding history, it should be recalled that it was the extraordinary reopening of the latter property in Nardò in 1997 that represented the first FAI Day in Salento, marking a significant moment in the enhancement of local heritage.The second itinerary, "Le vie dell'olio," proposes a series of routes focused on the cultivation of olive trees, from underground oil mills of medieval origin to projects related to the fight against xylella, in order to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the region's environmental heritage, particularly olive trees and oil production.FAI places to visit in and around Lecce.Among the properties involved in this itinerary, we find the village, church and underground oil mill of San Ligorio in Lecce, the underground oil mill of Castrì di Lecce, the Granafei underground oil mill in Gallipoli, the Marquisate of the "Del Tufo" family and the frescoed stables of their palace in Matino, the Masseria Carignani in Tuglie, the Cooperativa Olearia Sannicolese in Sannicola, the Olivami project and new reforestation in Serrano, hamlet of Carpignano Salentino, and the Campo dei Giganti at the Boncore Village in Nardò.For more details on all the openings in the province of Lecce, including times and planned initiatives, you can visit the official FAI websiteThe FAI Spring Days represent an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the history, art and nature of Lecce and Salento, offering an unforgettable experience for both residents and visitors. Don't miss the opportunity to fully experience this wonderful land and book now one of our exclusive vacation homes in Lecce to make your stay even more unforgettable! Discover the beauty of Lecce and Salento with us.<a rel='nofollow' href="en/apulia/province-of-lecce/lecce-city/holiday-homes-lecce/" "target="_BLANK" title="Discover homes in Lecce" style="text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer"> <button style="background-color: #00598a; cursor: pointer; border-spacing: 10px; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center; color: #ffffff; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 18px; padding-right: 18px; border-radius: 4px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; border-color: #0000; height: 40px; margin: 0px auto; display: inline" type="button"> <div style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: 800"> Discover homes in Lecce <div style="clear: both"> </div> </div> </button> </a> </div> </div>