Things to do in Lecce
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Picton
This backstreet restaurant has an elegant dress-for-dinner feel. It is housed in an old palazzo with a cool barrel-vaulted interior and a refreshing internal garden, and the cuisine is traditional with a twist, including dishes such as saltimbocca (veal dish with sage and prosciutto meaning ‘leap in the mouth’).
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Chiesa di Sant’Irene
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Walking in Puglia
8 days (Lecce)
Discover the heel of Italy on this walk from Puglia to Matera.
Not LP reviewed
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Gusto
Gusto has great views over the Villa Comunale.
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La Bottega del Corso
A well-stocked deli full of typical produce and freshly baked breads.
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Seminario
The 18th-century Seminario was designed by Giuseppe Cino.
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Palazzo Guarini
Palazzo Guarini is one of the best-preserved aristocratic residences in Lecce.
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Market
Pick up your own ingredients at Lecce’s fresh-produce market.
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Olio Claudio
This small oil-packed shop is where to head for some classy olive oil. A litre starts from €4.
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Porta San Biagio
Porta San Biagio is Lecce's third city gate, which opens out onto a park on the other side of Piazza Italia.
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Palazzo Vescovile
Facing the cathedral is the 15th-century Palazzo Vescovile (Espiscopal Palace), with its arched arcade loggia.
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Sedile
The Sedile was the seat of the Town Hall until 1851; the large glass windows were a literal demonstration of governmental transparency.
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Apulia Centre for Italian Language & Culture
An established school offering group or individual tuition in Italian for foreigners, this has good facilities and runs lots of activities.
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Caffè Paisiello
Popular with shoppers, this high-ceilinged cafe has excellent light snacks and a charming old-fashioned feel. There are some outside tables.
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Chiesa di Santa Chiara
A notable baroque church is Chiesa di Santa Chiara. It possesses in every niche a swirl of twisting columns and ornate statuary.
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Il Fornaio
For freshly baked bread, all manner of foccaccia, pizza and pasticciotto (custard-filled pastry) take a ticket and line up in Il Fornaio .
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Chiesa di San Marco
The little Chiesa di San Marco, was built for the Venetians in 1543, and clearly sports the Lion of St Mark in the decorated lunette above the door.
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Chiesa di San Matteo
A notable baroque church which is located 200m to the south of Chiesa di Santa Chiara is the Chiesa di San Matteo.
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Valentina
The most famous deli in Lecce. You can get almost anything here from typical Salentine pastas to artichokes pickled in chilli and buttermilk curd and cheese.
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Joyce
A winebar-cum-Irish pub which serves up Guinness, Kilkenny and Harp. In winter it is a great cosy place to drink, and it's a firm favourite on the student circuit.
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La Cartapesta
Lecce is famous for its papier-mâché figures. You can buy handcrafted figurines (including a commemorative model of Pope John Paul II) in this, Claudio Riso’s workshop.
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Caffè Alvino
At the time of research this Lecce institution was closed - sold to the jewellers next door. But we've been reliably informed that it will reopen as a café some time in the near future.
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Caffè Letterario
A literary café stuffed with books, comics and magazines; it hosts an interesting programme of lectures, book signings and concerts. All you have to do to become a member is donate a book.
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Il Rifugio della Buona Stella
A self-consciously rustic restaurant, decked out in gingham. It's friendly and popular and the simple local cooking is tasty, with dishes such as mushroom lasagne and lemon and pine nut pastries.
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