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Wandering the honey-hued streets of Lecce you'd easily be mistaken for thinking you were in Tuscany, which is probably why the city is lovingly known as the 'Florence of the South'. Lecce is Puglia's most stylish city, known for its baroque buildings and grand duomo, centred around the gleaming Piazza del Duomo, but also its sunken Roman amphitheatre and many sculptures and fountains. The city centre offers ancient Roman ruins, world-class art galleries and trendy designer shops, and there's also a beautiful 19th-century public garden to seek sanctuary from the hot sun.
Things to do in Lecce
Our luxury Lecce villas are the best way to explore this stunning city and its hinterlands, situated around the city in the gorgeous rugged countryside – many coming with a private pool. For a culture fix, head into the city's incredible churches like the Cattedrale di Lecce, museums like the Museo Faggiano and the sunken Roman amphitheatre. For a great dose of retail therapy, there's the trendy Via Trinchese. Lecce itself is seven kilometres inland, but is connected to the sea by a straight road leading you right to charming San Cataldo with its sandy beaches and seafront nature reserve. Don't forget to head into town for some fresh Italian cuisine at one of the many fantastic local restaurants – think mounds of ricotta, antipasti and fresh pasta. Whether you're looking for lazy days at the beach or action-packed adventures in the city, there's something for everyone on a Lecce villa holiday.
A Lecce villa holiday is ideal for families, groups and couples in need of culture and excitement, but also sand and sea, and from our villas in Lecce it's an easy journey to both the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Lecce is also a great base to explore the beauty of the Salento peninsula.
History and Culture in Lecce
Beautiful Lecce is like an open-air museum, and when it comes to history and culture there are few places better in Puglia. There are numerous historical sights you can visit from your Lecce villa, including grand baroque churches, ancient Roman ruins and old fortresses and defensive walls. Head to the grand Piazza del Duomo to see the famous Cattedrale di Lecce bell tower and the Basilica di Santa Croce with its imposing gargoyle-covered façade. Lying amongst the modern city are the ruins of a partially excavated Roman amphitheatre and the dozens of cells that lie below. Lecce also has some great art galleries and museums like the Franciscan Art Gallery and archaeological Provincial Archaeological Museum of San Castromediano.
Family holidays in Lecce
For a fantastic family day out from your Lecce villa, hire a car and head west to the famous Splash Park Aquatico, the most popular waterpark in Puglia and just a 30-minute drive away. Kids (and adults) will love the maze of colourful slides, dozens of swimming and splash pools and rides, and there are plenty of spots for adults to sunbathe and unwind.
Alternatively, head to the golden sands of nearby San Cataldo for a great family day at the beach. Our family villas are located near the city itself, so it’s an easy journey in to see sights like the Railway Museum of Puglia with its collection of Thomas the Tank-engine steam trains, and visit the many Italian restaurants serving up favourites like pizza, pasta and gelato. Our villas in Lecce come with a private pool, so it’s easy to spend a day at home relaxing and soaking up the scorching Mediterranean sun.
Adventurous activities in Lecce
From mountain biking and horse-riding to kitesurfing and diving, a Lecce group villa holiday offers a host of fantastic activities for adrenaline junkies and adventure lovers. The nearby coastline is famous for its kitesurfing, so you’ll easily find companies for lessons and to loan equipment from, and there’s also the chance to book sea kayaking and canoeing adventures, along with scuba diving lessons and courses. Alternatively, hire a mountain bike and enjoy a challenging cycle along the coastline, trek through the rugged surrounding farmland, horseback ride in one of the nearby farms and riding schools or enjoy a boat trip around the Salento Peninsula.
Romance in Lecce
Lecce isn't called the Florence of the South for nothing, and couples will love staying in one of our romantic villas. Get lost in the golden-hued stone streets of its old town, where you'll find romantic trattorias and cosy wine bars, and soak up the gorgeous baroque and Renaissance architecture. For a romantic night away from your couple's villa, visit one of the many charming Pugliese restaurants that surround the lush Jardín Público Giuseppe Garibaldi. The rugged, nature reserve beaches found near Lecce are also wildly romantic, with their warm, emerald seas, white sands and rugged limestone cliffs offering privacy. Couples will also love our Lecce villas with a private pool – your own personal space to sunbathe and drink spritzes from.
All Villas in Lecce
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