Move Over Florence: Italy’s Baroque Beauty You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

More than 10 years ago, I got the chance to discover Italy – not just on a quick trip, but during a six-month university semester. However, I had to make one big choice: study in the very north (Trieste) or the very south (Lecce, Italy’s Baroque beauty).

The two places cannot be more different, and I had to choose without knowing anything about them. I ended up going to Trieste, and loved every moment of my time spent there.

However, years later, my life as a digital nomad and a travel blogger brought me to Lecce. We spent a month in one of its suburbs and experienced the true slow life of southern Italy.

Everyone’s either been to Florence or plans to go, but trust me on this: Lecce is Italy’s next big thing. This stunning Baroque city is still under the radar for most travelers, and that’s precisely what makes it special.

Here’s what sets it apart – and why it deserves a spot on your Italy must-see list, even over Florence.

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Lecce: Italy’s Baroque Beauty You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Other Puglia Travel Tours

Lecce: Italy’s Baroque Beauty You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Warmer in the off-season

If you’re planning an off-season trip to Italy, think about this: Florence in winter can get pretty chilly, with temperatures often hovering around 5–10°C (41–50°F), and it’s quite damp, with frequent rain and grey skies. Lecce, on the other hand, stays much milder.

Even in January, temperatures rarely drop below 8–10°C (46–50°F) during the day, often reaching up to 15°C (59°F), and you’ll get way more sunshine.

Imagine wandering through Baroque streets in a light jacket instead of bundling up with a scarf and umbrella.

Plus, Lecce is less crowded than Florence year-round, so in the off-season you get beautiful weather, quiet piazzas, and golden sunsets over sandstone churches – all to yourself.

We spent one month there from mid-March to mid-April and even got to swim in the sea at the beginning of April. You’ll need to bring a few layers because mornings and afternoons can get a bit chilly, but you’ll enjoy plenty of sun and not much rain.

Less crowded

Although we live only one hour away from Florence, we rarely visit from March to October because it gets very crowded.

While Puglia has become relatively popular, most people stick to its northern part and rarely venture to Lecce or even further south. That means the city is still very authentic and you can mingle with the locals.

During our stay there, if we would go to the city in the morning during the week we would find empty streets, perfect for exploration.

There are no lines at the most important attractions. You don’t wait to get coffee or be seated at the best restaurants. And you can take the best pictures!

More affordable

When it comes to affordability, Lecce easily beats Florence.

Accommodation in Lecce can be 30–50% cheaper than in Florence – you can find beautiful boutique hotels or B&Bs for around €60–80 per night, while in Florence, similar stays often start at €120–150. Eating out is also far more budget-friendly.

Check out the best hotels in Lecce here!

A delicious dinner with wine in Lecce might cost you €20–25 per person, compared to €35–50 in Florence.

Even coffee and pastries are cheaper – €1 for an espresso and €1.20 for a pasticciotto in Lecce, versus €1.50–2.50 in Florence’s touristy cafés.

Overall, your daily budget stretches further in Lecce, letting you enjoy incredible food, culture, and historic beauty without draining your wallet.

Equisite southern cuisine

The food in Lecce is reason enough to visit. Puglia’s cuisine is simple, rustic, and packed with flavour.

You’ll find dishes you don’t see elsewhere in Italy, like pasticciotto – a warm pastry filled with custard cream, perfect with your morning espresso. I had it daily during our stay, it is SO delicious!

For lunch or dinner, try orecchiette (little ear-shaped pasta) with turnip tops or a rich tomato sauce with ricotta forte.

Lecce is also famous for rustico leccese, a flaky pastry stuffed with béchamel, tomato, and mozzarella – the ultimate street food snack.

Everything is incredibly fresh and affordable.

Plus, the local wines, especially Primitivo and Negroamaro, pair perfectly with every meal. We even did a wine tasting tour at one of the local wineries and got to try some of the best there is.

Eating in Lecce feels like eating at a nonna’s house: honest, generous, and unforgettable.

Easy access to stunning beaches

Sure, from Florence you can easily get to Forte dei Marmi, one of the most luxurious sea resorts in Italy. But from Lecce you can get to the Carribean in less than one hour.

While the Adriatic Sea does not offer a lot of beautiful beaches, Lecce is perfectly positioned for you to get on the other part of the Salentine Peninsula in the blink of an eye.

Punta Prosciutto, Porto Cesareo, Lido Gallipoli are only a few of the stunning beaches close to Lecce. And let’s not forget you can drive to the very tip of the boot and spend time at the beach around Santa Maria di Leuca.