LECCE

Ah, Lecce…

The sun casts that soft, golden light that makes the old buildings look as if they’ve been carved from honey. They call it the “Florence of the South,” but Lecce is so much more—it’s a whisper of Baroque, told with southern passion and the scent of freshly baked focaccia.

🌸 A Romantic Stroll Through Lecce

Start at Porta Napoli, one of the old gates to the city. Beneath its arches, time seems to slow down. Wander through the narrow streets, past houses with flower-covered balconies, and lose yourself in the charm of the historic center (centro storico).The main stage of this baroque symphony is Piazza del Duomo—one of the most beautiful enclosed squares in Italy. The cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, with its lavish façade, feels like a dream sculpted in stone. And when evening falls and the lights bathe the old buildings, you’ll feel like a character in an Italian film.Don’t miss the Basilica of Santa Croce—so ornate it looks like it’s made of sugar.

🌅 Moments to Share

• Watch the sunset from the Roman Amphitheatre, where the stones still echo ancient voices.
• Take an evening stroll along Via Palmieri, one of the most beautiful streets in town—elegant, quiet, glowing in the dusk.
• For a romantic escape, the Adriatic coast is less than 30 minutes away, with seaside gems like Otranto and San Cataldo, perfect for seaside sunsets and the scent of the sea.

🍷 What to Taste (and Fall in Love With)

• Pasticciotto Leccese – a small round pastry filled with warm custard—crispy, creamy, divine. The best can be found at Pasticceria Natale.
• Rustico Leccese – a savory round puff pastry filled with tomato sauce and béchamel—perfect as a handheld treat.
• Orecchiette alle cime di rapa – little "ear-shaped" pasta with turnip greens, olive oil, and garlic—simple yet deeply flavorful.
• Salice Salentino or Primitivo di Manduria – local wines, rich and warm, with notes of ripe fruit and southern sun.

Here are some wonderful places in Lecce where you can taste authentic local cuisine, deeply connected to the region’s traditional cucina povera:

Trattoria Nonna Tetti 🍝

Step inside this cozy haven in the old town, where time seems to slow down. Enjoy homemade orecchiette, golden rustichella, and the sweet embrace of a warm pasticciotto – dishes that feel like a hug from a grandmother’s kitchen.

Osteria Da Angiulino 🍷

Beloved by locals, this rustic gem offers endless antipasti and hearty dishes. For the adventurous, the traditional pezzetti di cavallo (horse meat stew) is a true taste of Lecce’s heritage.

La Cucina di Mamma Elvira 🥂

Here, tradition flirts with modernity. A trattoria with a wine-bar soul, serving classic recipes touched with contemporary creativity – perfect for a romantic dinner with a glass of Salento wine.

Caffè Alvino ☕🥐

A timeless meeting point, where mornings begin with the sweet scent of pasticciotto. Sitting by the Roman amphitheater, you’ll feel history whispering while the pastry melts in your mouth.

L’Angolino di via Matteotti 🥪

Hidden on a charming street, this spot is famous for the iconic puccia leccese. Try it filled with pezzetti di cavallo, or choose a vegetarian delight – either way, it’s a piece of Lecce in your hands.

Mezzo Quinto Cibo di Strada 🌮

Street food with a soul – from horse meat sandwiches to parmigiana, every bite here feels authentic, rustic, and made with love.

Si.Se Schipa 🥧

A bakery where tradition lives on. Taste the flaky rustico, the fragrant pizzi, and the sweet pasticciotto, paired with the local treasure – Caffè Leccese.

✨ In Lecce, every meal is more than food – it’s poetry on a plate, a bridge between past and present, and a reminder that simplicity can be the most beautiful luxury. Whether in a trattoria or on a sunlit street corner, Lecce invites you to taste its heart, one bite at a time. 🍷🍴🌸

💫 Little Secrets

• Visit Lecce in the early morning or at dusk—the city turns golden, the shadows are soft, and the air smells of jasmine.
• Talk to the locals—you’ll hear one of the most musical Italian dialects.
• And don’t rush—Lecce is a city to fall in love with slowly… not to tour, but to feel.

Here’s how to get from the two closest airports to the city of Lecce:

🛬 1. From Brindisi Airport (BDS) to Lecce

Distance: ~40 km

Travel time: about 40–60 minutes

Most direct and convenient option

🚐 Option A: Shuttle / Private Transfer

• Direct shuttlesare available from the airport to Lecce (book online in advance):
  • Duration: ~40 min
  • Price: ~€20–30 (depending on provider and group size)
  • Providers: Pugliairbus, Shuttlebus Puglia, Omio, Welcome Pickups

🚌 Option B: Bus + Train

1. Take the APM bus from Brindisi Airport to Brindisi Centrale train station (~15 min)
2. From Brindisi, take the train to Lecce:
   • Duration: ~30–35 min
   • Frequency: every 30–60 min
   • Price: ~€3–6
   • Tickets: trenitalia.com

🛬 2. From Bari Airport (BRI) to Lecce

Distance: ~160 km

Travel time: about 2.5–3.5 hours

🚆 Option A: Train (most common route)

1. From Bari Airport to Bari Centrale Station:
   • By train (FM2 Line): ~20 min / €5
   • Or by bus No.16: ~35–45 min
2. From Bari Centrale to Lecce:
   • Take a Frecciargento or Regionale Veloce train
   • Duration: 1h 45 min to 2h 30 min
   • Price: €10–30 (depending on train type)
   • Tickets: trenitalia.com

🚗 Option B: Rental Car

• Duration: ~2 hours
• Route: SS16/E55 coastal highway – scenic and smooth
• Perfect if you want to stop at towns like Polignano a Mare, Ostuni, or Brindisi along the way

🚌 Option C: Direct Bus (less frequent)

• Pugliairbus offers direct coaches from Bari Airport to Lecce (limited schedule)
• Duration: ~3 hours
• Price: ~€13–18
• Check times here: pugliairbus.it

🧭 Summary:

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