LECCE private tour with pasticciotto cake tasting

The tour of Lecce, often referred to as the “Florence of Southern Italy,” starts at Porta Napoli and continues into the historic center, where you will visit the Duomo in the picturesque Piazza del Duomo. This Baroque cathedral is remarkable for its refined façade and the tall, slender bell tower that rises above the square.

The journey continues to the Church of the Theatines, dedicated to St. Irene, where you can admire its striking façade. Inside, you will find richly decorated Baroque altars dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, St. Andrew Avellino, St. Oronzo, St. Irene, and St. Stephen, enhanced by precious artworks and ornate details.

Next, explore the Roman Amphitheatre in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, one of the most significant Roman landmarks in Lecce. Dating back to the 1st–2nd century AD, it once hosted more than 25,000 spectators for games and performances. Today, visitors can still observe sections of the seating area and underground passages that reveal the scale of ancient Roman Lecce.

Continue to the column crowned by the statue of St. Oronzo, the city’s patron saint, gifted to Lecce by Brindisi. Originally part of a pair, the column marked the final stretch of the historic Appian Way, the ancient road connecting Rome with southern Italy.

The experience concludes with a stroll through the historic center, including an external visit to the ornate Basilica of Santa Croce, celebrated for its elaborate Baroque façade, and the Roman Theatre, where visible remains continue to narrate the city’s Roman heritage. During the tour, you will also enjoy a traditional pasticciotto, a local pastry filled with creamy custard.

Included:

• Walking tour with licensed tour guide
• Pasticciotto cake tasting

Not included:

• Museum tickets (optional)
• Transfer service

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Water
• Sun hat on hot days

Meeting point:

• Porta Napoli gate (under the arch)