High-speed Frecciarossa trains connect Lecce with Rome (Roma) in 5.5 hours, Florence (Firenze) in around eight hours, and even Turin (Torino) in round eleven hours. I adore these fast trains (and their enterprise class is so luxe!), however they can be expensive and get dearer nearer to your travel date. The closest airport — identified interchangeably as Salento and Brindisi Airport (BDS) — is situated 30 miles north along the coast. It takes 45 minutes to drive to Lecce by rental automotive, while buses take 40 minutes and cost 6 EUR ($5.50 USD). If you’re already in Brindisi, you probably can catch a Trenitalia train, which takes 24 minutes flat.
It mainly attracts a line between the working day and dinnertime, whereas weekends have an even more celebratory atmosphere. This small-group Tour to Discover Lecce comes extremely beneficial; over two hours, your professional guide will lead you to a few of Lecce’s most essential historical sites. Bus number 106 connects Lecce Bus Station in a single hour however driving takes 40 minutes. Once museodeibambini ’re there, both explore at will or book this personal Otranto walking tour. It’s a great way to brush up on the town’s history and hear tales you’d otherwise miss.
It sits on a rocky outcrop and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its cave dwellings generally recognized as sassi. People really lived in these caves as late because the Nineteen Fifties, without electricity or water, and it was referred to as Italy’s Shame. Puglians are inclined to eat them for breakfast however they’re there when you need a pick-me-up, too. Pasticciotto are sold everywhere including the pasticcerie dotted around Villa Comunale, including Natale and Mignon di Pranzo Benito. Sightseeing is hungry work and reaching for the carbs is part and parcel of an Italian trip. One of the best things to do in Lecce is to strive pasticciotto — small, stuffed pies a bit just like Portuguese egg tarts — whenever you spy a bakery.
Similarly, the Centro Commerciale Cavallino in Castromediano offers a family-friendly buying experience with a variety of shops, as well as locations to loosen up and luxuriate in a meal together. These indoor malls present an ideal opportunity for a break from sightseeing, allowing children to let off some steam while parents can browse or unwind. Inside the Palazzo del Seminario, you’ll discover the Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra. Lecce’s Museum of Sacred Art is stuffed to the brim with religious statues, paintings, relics of papier-mâché, and historic artifacts. Although you could stroll around the historic heart your self, a guided tour ensures you’ll absorb all of the historic significance of this fascinating city. Matera is fairly far, so it’s only price visiting as a day trip if you’re staying a while in Lecce.
What To Eat & Drink In Lecce
Just notice that the bus terminal is a 20-minute stroll from the Greek Fountain that marks the doorway to Gallipoli Vecchia. You see mother and father strolling with their kids, teenagers goofing off, and older of us gossiping with their greatest friends of fifty years. There’s one headliner on the town you couldn’t miss should you tried — and that’s the Roman Amphitheater of Lecce. It’s partially underground and occupies a chunk of the Piazza Sant’Oronzo – the very heart of Lecce.
The Seminary is value visiting purely to see the cloistered courtyard, however there’s additionally a small museum outlining native art tendencies of the 17th and 18th centuries. Lecce is a small metropolis with an enormous architectural legacy within the Salento area of Puglia. I first visited Lecce as a base for exploring this deeper, southern part of Puglia, and it made a perfect base. Lecce is an inland metropolis, however you can simply get to the famed beaches of the Ionian and Adriatic coastlines in lower than an hour’s drive.
This way, you’ll have all of the baroque landmarks at arm’s size and your first selection of the place to eat. And because Lecce is an affordable vacation spot by Italian standards, splurging a bit extra here will get you much more for your money than, say, Florence. Another option is to bag a space on a tour of Otranto, Leuca, Gallipoli, and Galatina from Lecce. It’s a full-day outing with views galore as your driver handles the driving between these four distinct cities. If you’re trying to pack a lot into your restricted time in the Salento area, it is a great option.
Visiting the Duomo di Lecce is not only for the adults—children can be captivated by the grandiose Baroque architecture and the hidden gems inside. The cathedral’s ornate design, with its towering columns, detailed carvings, and sumptuous frescoes, offers a visually stimulating experience for teenagers. Families also can explore the cathedral’s crypt, which holds a treasure trove of historical artifacts.
Unforgettable Issues To Do In Lecce, Italy (+ Must-know Travel Tips!)
Castello Carlo V, Lecce’s imposing medieval fortress, is a perfect vacation spot for households, blending history and creativity. Once a army defense stronghold, the citadel now hosts art exhibitions, cultural occasions, and homes the Museo della Cartapesta (Paper Museum). Kids can discover the winding corridors, imagining the knights and kings of old, whereas additionally learning about Lecce’s traditional craft of papier-mâché. The Tomba di Tutankhamon in Lecce is a symbolic monument inspired by the well-known Egyptian pharaoh. While not a traditional museum, this web site offers a unique cultural expertise by mixing elements of historical past, mythology, and art. The monument options Egyptian motifs and modern inventive interpretations, offering visitors with an enticing way to join with ancient civilizations and their enduring legacy.
This interactive museum is designed to stimulate creativity and curiosity in younger minds, making it a perfect destination for households. Children can explore displays focused on science, artwork, and tradition through hands-on activities that embrace crafting, building, and scientific experiments. The museum encourages youngsters to be taught via play, making it both an academic and entertaining experience. It’s an ideal spot for a wet day or a break from sightseeing, offering a space where children can be each active and engaged while studying in regards to the world around them. The Museo del Teatro Romano offers an in-depth look into the traditional Roman theatrical traditions that once thrived in Lecce.