Lecce in two days: what to see and what to eat
Lecce is a beautiful city and, with only two days to spend there, you probably won't be able to see all there is to it. But you will still manage to find the most essential things, eat great food and drink fancy coffee for a reasonable price. The city is known as "the Florence of the South" thanks to its rich artistic heritage, which includes churches and palaces built during the Renaissance period. There are many monuments worth visiting, but if you only have time for a few, make sure you don't miss these!
Day 1: if it ain't baroque, don't fix it!
Lecce is the city of Baroque, it’s famous for its monuments and buildings. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and has a lot to offer despite being relatively small. The city center is very well preserved, after being restored a few years ago, and every corner has something special to offer. You can spend a whole day just walking around and admiring the beauty of this town.
The basilica of Santa Croce, together with the adjacent former convent of the Celestines, constitutes the highest manifestation of the local Baroque. Construction began on this site in 1549 and was completed by 1646. The architectural design is from renowned artist Gabriele Riccardi who created the structure of the church and also made the lower part of the stunning facade, giving it a classical mold. Her wall is embellished with six columns with zoomorphic capitals and is surmounted by a classically inspired frieze.
Not far from Santa Croce, you'll find the church of Santa Chiara. The original construction, commissioned by Bishop Tommaso Ammirato and entrusted to architect Giuseppe Cino, was completed in 1429. The church underwent a complete renovation between 1687 and 1691. The magnificent Baroque facade of this church is slightly convex and does not have a pediment. It echoes the octagonal plan of the interior. Inside the church, in addition to the majestic high altar, there are six side chapels with as many Baroque altars, decorated with wooden statues of the Neapolitan school.
In walking from one church to the other, you will find yourself crossing Piazza S. Oronzo, the most important central square in Lecce. Here you will find one of the most important archaeological sites in the region: the Roman Theater. This incredibly well-preserved theater was accidentally discovered in 1929, as construction work was being carried out in the gardens of two nearby historic buildings (Palazzo D'Arpe and Palazzo Romano). The theater is closely related to the city's Roman amphitheater, and it was actually probably commissioned by Augustus himself, before he became emperor, in the city of Lupiae (the settlement that evolved into Lecce) in which he sought refuge at the time.
Take a sweet break
A stop at Alvino is a must when you pass by Piazza San Oronzo. This is the most famous cafes in the city, as well as being and one of the oldest ones. Here you can taste some of the best Salento pastries. Don't miss the pasticciotti filled with delicious custard, the "cartucce", or the traditional coffee on ice with almond milk. Want to try something even more unusual? Go for the coffee granita with whipped cream.
You can spend the rest of your evening strolling around the center of Lecce amongst small restaurants, craft stores and beautiful baroque buildings.
Day 2: Spanish vibes and ancient doors
Did you know there is a real medieval castle in Lecce? It is the Castle of Charles V, built in the 12th century AD and restructured in the XVI century by the Spanish emperor. You can visit it at any time, but it will be much more interesting to do so when there is a guided tour or an event taking place.
This castle is the largest in all of Apulia. Its inner part, including the two towers, dates back the Norman age, while the outer part was built by Giangiacomo dell'Acaya at the behest of Charles V himself. This section comprises four bastions: the bastion of the Holy Trinity, the bastion of St. James, the bastion of St. Martin and the bastion of the St. Cross. There is also a moat and two ancient gates, the Royal Gate to the west and the False Gate to the east, where signs of ancient drawbridges can be seen. A visit to the castle is both a unique experience, and a dazzling adventure. You can discover it by taking fascinating guided tours or a multimedia journey through its fascinating dungeons and secret passages, the Chapel of Santa Barbara, the Papier Mâché Museum, and the battlements. Several cultural events and exhibitions are held here every year.
Moving on, it would be a waste to visit a city as beautiful and as rich in history as Lecce without looking for its gateways. In ancient times, the center of most cities was enclosed within a certain perimeter, along which, of course, there were access gates. Of the four gateways along the perimeter of Lecce, three are still standing absolutely magnificent. Specifically, the gates of Lecce that are still standing and in excellent condition, thanks to more or less recent renovations, are: Porta Rudiae, Porta San Biagio and Porta Napoli. They are the three gates that used to protect the historical city center, which is still, in many ways, the beating heart of this city. You can reach them all on foot in one afternoon and they are definitely worth the effort.
Dinner by the sea
The closest beach is only a short drive away from Lecce. After a day's exploring, why not treat yourself to dinner by the sea?
The restaurants here are famous for their seafood and the local cuisine. Depending on the wind (ask a local, they always know) you might want to go for the Adriatic or the Ionian coast of Salento, therefore, to places like San Foca versus our beloved Santa Caterina or Gallipoli. Get there early enough to indulge in a refreshing aperitivo, with a selection of friselle (local tapas, mostly topped with tomatoes, capers and oregano), before finding a nice little restaurant and sampling some of the best seafood-based dishes you have ever tried!
If you are planning on staying longer, why not try our 5-day Puglia itinerary?
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