Lecce, Puglia

Overview

Discover Lecce: Private Tours, Experiences & Custom Travel

Lecce is the main city, one could say the capital, of the Salento subpenisular of Apulia. Although part of the larger region, the culture of Italy's heel, has historically been quite distinct from the rest of the region.

Lecce is undoubtedly one of Apulia's most beautiful towns, which thanks to its own brand of Baroque architecture is often known as 'the of the South'. Some 'not-to-miss' examples of this period are the Duomo and the masterfully sculpted Basilica di Santa Croce.

Her roots date back much earlier than this however and there is plenty of evidence of her Roman past. Just wander through the town center and you will see most of a Roman amphitheater, which was only properly excavated in the post-war years. Today it is a delightful venue for summer performances. Close by, the city's patron saint, Sant'Oronzo, stands on top of a column that once signalled the end of the Appian Way, the strategically important road that linked the City of with the port of in the south. The column was given to Lecce after Sant'Oronzo is said to have saved Brindisi from a plague in the 17th century.

Despite the architectural wonders, Lecce is a southern city in an area which has little industry. Tourism is important here, but Lecce's somewhat isolated location means that industry has developed slowly and sensitively, keeping in tune with the city's culture. Visitors can expect a warm welcome, but also to find a traditional southern Italian town of good food, locally produced products and lunchtime closing!

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Explore Lecce

Lecce in pictures

Gallery

A few frames from our own trips. The rest are in the gallery below.

Experience Lecce Puglia

Map

Get your bearings before you go

Multi-Day Holidays Tours

Whole journeys, planned end to end

Puglia Discovery (6 nights/ 7 days ): Mostly All Inclusive Private Tour of Puglia including Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto Bari and incredible wine tastings and olive farms

Our Puglia Discovery Experience is a great option for first time visitors or returning visitors to the Puglia region who want to experience the region with local hosts and visit the region in a relaxing, comfortable way with visits to local farms, wi...

Private

7 Days / 6 Nights

Magical Matera and Puglia Private Discovery Experience

Embark on a captivating 6-day private tour exploring the enchanting regions of Matera and Puglia in southern Italy. Delve into the rich history and stunning landscapes of these areas as you visit Matera, known for its ancient cave dwellings, Bari wit...

Private

6 Days / 5 Nights

Private & Small Group Tours in Lecce

Days out with people who know the way

Lecce & Otranto Full Day Tour

This full day tour of Lecce, Otranto and Santa Cesarea is great way to experience some of the most beautiful towns in the Salento region. Lecce is known as the 'Florence' of southern Italy and it is best experienced with a local English speaking gui...

Private

Photo Gallery

Gargano Coast including Vieste

Alberobello

Bari

Brindisi

Cisternino

Foggia

Gargano Coast including Vieste

Lecce

Locorotondo

Martina Franca

Monopoli

Ostuni

Otranto

Polignano a Mare

Santa Cesarea Terme

Santa Maria di Leuca

Taranto

Torre Canne

2 Beds 2 Baths 8

Air Conditioning +13 more

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Popular Transfer Routes in Lecce

The rides our guests ask for most, with a driver who knows the way.

Italy Vacation Specialists provides licensed private transfer services throughout Italy, including Lecce and surrounding areas. With over 20 years of experience, our professional English-speaking drivers offer both Business Class and Luxury Class vehicles for airport transfers, city-to-city rides, and full-day chauffeur services. All vehicles are fully insured, well-maintained, and operated by vetted local drivers who know the roads, traffic patterns, and best routes across the region.

Rome Florence

Private Transfer

Rome Naples

Private Transfer

Rome Venice

Private Transfer

Florence Venice

Private Transfer

Milan Venice

Private Transfer

Naples Amalfi

Private Transfer

Rome Amalfi

Private Transfer

Milan Lake Como

Private Transfer

Florence Siena

Private Transfer

Naples Sorrento

Private Transfer

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In their words

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destinati…”
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“I have traveled to Italy 2x with the IVS for my own pleasure trips and 2x for business with IVS. These guys really pay attention and make your trip go like clockwork. Italy is nuts, just saying! There are so many rules and restrictions now, so we did not want…”
JoAnne Beaudoin, Retired Nurse Read their story

“I am a travel agent with All About Honeymoons and I would highly recommend Italy Vacation Specialists. Jessica was wonderful in helping us plan in a last minute anniversary vacation during high season without any issues. She even checked on our clients while o…”
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“In September of 2018 I brought a group of 12 from Venice to Sicily and organized all of my services with the Italy Vacation Specialists. Being a travel agent and in the business, I know how complicated organizing travel arrangements can be in Italy and the IVS…”
Ann Brownell, KHM Travel Group Read their story

“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and…”
Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent Read their story

“I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and fl…”
Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan Read their story