Luxury holidays in Lecce

Sat on Italy’s jutting southern heel, Baroque-bolthole Lecce stuns with signature 17th-century cathedrals and lively piazzas all hewn from the local ivory-hued limestone. But beyond its rising reputation – courtesy of the abundant ornate architecture – this small town enjoys a slow pace of life where family-run restaurants serve up seasonal cucina povera and locals lounge in the Garibaldi gardens. It may be steeped in antiquity, but come evening, the student populations bring plenty of bustle to the bars.

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When to go

The summer months bring balmy weather and ideal wild-swimming temperatures. If you’re hoping to avoid the tourist rush, visit in September and October, when days still reach highs of 25°C.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Fly direct into the nearby city of Brindisi before hopping in a cab for 35 minutes down the coast to Lecce.

  • Trains

    Lecce has a small local train station with daily services heading to neighbouring cities and towns – including Brindisi, Bari and Otranto.

  • Automobiles

    A pair of wheels won’t be necessary here, Lecce is so small you can walk across it in half an hour.