Travel fun in Lecce, a baroque gem in southern Italy

Explore one of the Italy's most beautiful cities on a budget

Backpackers arriving Lecce will be stepping back in time. Nothing much has changed since in the 1600s in the baroque masterpiece of the Italian South. Situated in the south-west of Italy, the Puglia district is rarely overrun by tourists and feels somewhat lost and secret. This is surprising given the wealth of its beauty and nearby Salento beaches, which are some of the prettiest in Italy. Lecce is the second largest city in the Italian south, but it doesn't get nearly as many visitors as Naples or Sorrento.

Why not explore the 'Florence of the Baroque' in the dazzling sunshine on holiday? Its theatrical baroque architecture guarantees beauty in every street corner and foodies will be delighted to know the local cuisine is adored across Italy. Lecce's local tradition of 'cucina povera', poor meals radically transformed into gourmet dishes, is a popular trend in contemporary Italian cooking. Even with the budget of a pauper you can eat like royalty in Lecce.

Come stay in this loud, bright historic city and save a fortune on your accomodation. Lecce has an abundance of cheap hostels and low cost hotels available throughout the year. Book your holiday in advance and stay in the heart of Italy's most extravagant centro storico for next to nothing. A backpackers rule is that the further south in Italy you go, the lower the prices. Most good travellers recognise the prices for food and hostels in Lecce is much cheaper than Rome or Florence.

Sights and sounds of Lecce

Lecce is literally made out of la Pietra Leccese, or 'Lecce stone' if you prefer. The soft golden sandstone defines the city with its elaborate churches and ornate street pattens. Universally loved across Italy, many backpackers may not have heard of the city, let alone its sandstone piazzas dating back to the 1600 baroque period.

Wonderful to explore on foot, Lecce's centro storico hosts most of the city's architectural treasures, and you can easily spend a few days here exploring the sights. Most of the grandest monuments can be found strolling around the city with an ice cream in hand. One of the major highlights is the Basilica di Santa Croce, which is extravagantly carved full of dragons, fruits and wild animals.

If that doesn't fill your smartphone with pictures then go back a few thousand years to the Roman amphitheatre in the elegant Piazza del Duomo. Lecce's top archaeological museum, the Museo Provinciale, has plenty of ancient exhibits too. Entry to both attractions is free and backpackers arriving at Lecce railway station will find them no problem.

Sunshine is guaranteed in the south of Italy, but you need to explore Lecce at night to see what all the fuss is about.

Lecce at night

After dark, Lecce transforms itself into one great 'passeggiata'. Loud, passionate and bursting with life, the southern city has a tremendous bar and restaurant scene. Check out Vittorio Emanuelle II and via Ferrante d'Aragona if you want to party. The latter is the main hang out for Lecce's thriving student population and is packed full of cool bars, restaurants and live music venues.

Where to stay in Lecce

Surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, sunny beaches and vineyards, Lecce is easy to reach by budget flights, and is a superb destination for a weekend break. With so many cheap hostels available, you can experience all this serene beauty on a budget in southern Italy.

Easily walkable, affordable, a Baroque style mixed with ancient Roman, mouthwatering food, sunny climate and a lively street life - Lecce has everything a backpacker will ever need.

Flickr Creative Commons Credit: Nikolas Moya and Shaun Merritt