Discover NH Hotels in Lecce, the city known as the “Florence of the South”. The beautiful capital of Salento is a hidden gem, rich in 17th and 18th-century Baroque architecture.
When it comes to what to see in Lecce, there are plenty of historic buildings, magnificent baroque churches, and Roman ruins, making it a great destination for art and history lovers. Book our hotels in Lecce near the train station and the key sites like the Roman Amphitheater and Basilica di Santa Croce.
Is Lecce worth visiting?
Lecce is one of the most charming cities in southern Italy, and it’s worth including in your Puglia itinerary. As you walk through the city, you’ll discover buildings and churches made from pietra leccese, a soft, golden stone that gives Lecce its distinctive glow.
What makes Lecce special is its relaxed, authentic atmosphere. Unlike larger Italian cities, its streets feel uncrowded and easy to explore, yet they’re full of life. With its well-preserved historical sites, excellent cuisine, and prime location close to both the Adriatic and Ionian coasts, Lecce is not just worth visiting, it’s one of the best places to stay while exploring the beauty of Salento.
Why stay with NH Hotels in Lecce?
Our hotels in Lecce are well-located, close to the train station and great for families including those traveling with pets. Guests can easily explore Lecce’s historic landmarks, such as Lecce Cathedral (Duomo), Palazzo dei Celestini, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, and the Roman Amphitheater, or enjoy nearby green parks and easy access to the Salento coastline.
If you’re looking for Lecce beach hotels, our accommodation offers the best of both worlds. You’ll stay right in the heart of the city, yet just a short drive from some of Salento’s most beautiful beaches and seaside towns, including Porto Cesareo and Gallipoli.
To make your experience even more relaxing, our NH Hotels in Lecce offer spa and wellness facilities. Relax in the sauna, recharge in the steam room, enjoy multi-sensory showers, and soak in the indoor pool, with a rooftop gym to keep you moving.
Spend your evenings on our hotel's rooftop terrace and lounge bar, enjoying crafted cocktails and beautiful views. When you’re in the city for business, we offer intimate meeting rooms designed for focused and comfortable gatherings.
What’s the weather like in Lecce?
Lecce has a Mediterranean climate due to its southern location and proximity to the Adriatic Sea. It gets really hot during the summer, with temperatures often reaching around 30–31°C. Spring is a great time to visit, with pleasant weather and wildflowers in bloom.
Even though Lecce is quite dry, rain is expected during late autumn, especially in November. September is the considered a great month to visit, with fewer crowds and still comfortable temperatures.
What to see in Lecce?
If you’re wondering what to see in Lecce, start with its beautiful historic center, visit its baroque churches like the Church of St John the Baptist or Basilica di Santa Croce, and the Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo.
To witness some of Lecce’s Roman heritage, visit Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Castello Carlo V.
Wander without a plan and stroll through the city’s ancient gates: Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae, and Porta San Biagio. At the last one, we recommend grabbing a cappuccino at the café just across the street. Don’t miss Via Palmieri and Via Libertini, two of the prettiest streets in the old town, lined with palaces, boutiques, and dining spots.
After exploring the city, take a quiet break at Giardini Pubblici, a leafy garden beside the old walls where locals relax in the shade of palm trees.
When deciding where to stay in Lecce, there is nothing like being the heart of the city. Our hotels in Lecce are centrally located, with the main cultural sites within easy reach.
What to eat in Lecce?
Lecce has a vibrant cuisine that uses local and seasonal ingredients in flavorful dishes. For breakfast, we suggest trying pasticciotto, a traditional pastry from the Salento region, or a rustico leccese, a puff pastry filled with tomato and mozzarella. You can find both at local cafes, such as Caffè Alvino.
To eat, try the traditional and handmade pasta, Ciceri e tria, served with chickpeas. Order polpo alla pignata, a slow-cooked octopus in a pot with tomatoes, chili, and onions.
Other local favorites include sagne ’ncannulate, twisted pasta served with tomato sauce and ricotta forte, and frisella, a crunchy bread topped with tomatoes, olive oil, and oregano.
For a refreshing pick-me-up during the afternoon, taste the Salento iced coffee called caffè leccese.
How to get to Lecce?
If you are traveling around Puglia and other parts of Italy, the best way to visit Lecce will be to hire your own car. On the other hand, you can fly into Brindisi Airport, then hire a car or take a bus from the airport to the city center; it will take around 40 minutes.
Alternatively, you can get there by train to Lecce’s main train station (Stazione di Lecce), which has regular connections with many Italian cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence.
What is the best way to get around Lecce?
Lecce is best explored on foot; its old town is a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL), meaning car access is restricted, so you can walk freely between its baroque streets. If you want a quicker pace, you can take a bike or an electric scooter. For longer distances, the city has urban buses that connect the center to the outskirts, making it easy to get around without a car.
NH Hotels in Lecce offer the ideal base for discovering the city’s top attractions, just steps from the old town, near the train station, and conveniently accessible from Brindisi Airport.
