The Salento is the heel of Italy’s boot, a peninsula between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea with some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. Its capital, Lecce, is a jewel of baroque architecture built from soft, honey coloured stone. Whether you want a city break among palazzi, a beach holiday or a slow stay in the countryside, this guide shows where to stay in Lecce and the Salento and the best hotels in each area.
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The short answer
- Best for culture and food: Lecce historic centre
- Best for beaches with sand: the Ionian coast around Ugento and Pescoluse
- Best for cliffs and sea pools: the Adriatic coast around Otranto
- Best for nightlife: Gallipoli in summer
- Ideal plan: two nights in Lecce, then a base by the sea
Where to Stay in Lecce
Lecce’s historic centre is compact and best explored on foot, with the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo and the Roman amphitheatre all within a few minutes of each other. Stay inside or just at the edge of the old town, and remember that cars are restricted in the centre, so check parking with your hotel. Lecce has no beach, but the Adriatic coast is around 20 minutes away by car.
Patria Palace
A historic hotel in the heart of the old town, right next to the Basilica of Santa Croce. Its rooftop terrace looks over the baroque domes and bell towers of Lecce.
Best for: the most central luxury stay
La Fiermontina Luxury Home Hotel
A peaceful hideaway at the edge of the historic centre, with a garden of olive trees, a pool and a calm, contemporary design. The baroque centre is a short walk away.
Best for: calm and a pool in the city
Check rates at La Fiermontina Luxury Home Hotel
Charlotte’s tip: see Lecce at golden hour
The local pietra leccese glows in the late afternoon light. Walk through the old town an hour before sunset, then take an aperitivo in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, when the city fills with locals.
Where to Stay on the Salento Coast
The Adriatic coast: from Otranto south to Santa Maria di Leuca, the east coast has rocky cliffs, sea caves and natural sea pools such as the Grotta della Poesia. Otranto, with its castle and cathedral mosaic, is the most charming base.
The Ionian coast: the west coast has long sandy beaches with shallow, turquoise water, around Porto Cesareo, Gallipoli, Ugento and Pescoluse, often called the Maldives of the Salento. Gallipoli has a lively old town on an island and a busy nightlife in summer.
The far south: Santa Maria di Leuca, at the tip of the heel, and the villages inland, such as Gagliano del Capo and Specchia, are quiet and authentic.
Vivosa Apulia Resort, Ugento
A resort in a natural setting near the sea on the Ionian coast, close to the sandy beaches of Ugento.
Best for: beach holidays on the Ionian coast
Check rates at Vivosa Apulia Resort
Masseria Le Mandorle, Ugento
A masseria in the countryside near Ugento, a short drive from the Ionian beaches. Calm and close to the sea.
Best for: combining countryside and beaches
Check rates at Masseria Le Mandorle
Palazzo Daniele, Gagliano del Capo
An art filled palazzo with only a few suites near the southern tip of the Salento. Read our Palazzo Daniele review.
Best for: design and art lovers
Check rates at Palazzo Daniele
For wine lovers, the Primitivo area around Manduria, north of the Salento, has excellent stays such as Masseria Li Reni.
Compare hotels in Lecce
Lecce’s best boutique hotels are small and fill quickly in summer. Check current rates for your dates.
What to Do in Lecce and the Salento
- Lecce’s baroque centre: the Basilica of Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, the Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the papier mache workshops.
- Otranto: the Aragonese castle and the cathedral with its extraordinary twelfth century floor mosaic.
- The Grotta della Poesia: a natural sea pool in the rocks near Roca Vecchia, one of the most famous swimming spots in Puglia.
- Gallipoli: an old town on an island, fish markets and sunsets over the Ionian Sea.
- Santa Maria di Leuca: the lighthouse and sanctuary at the tip of the heel, and boat trips to the sea caves.
- Wine: Negroamaro and rosato from the Salento, and Primitivo di Manduria to the north. See our Puglia wine guide.
What to Eat
Lecce is a food city. Try a pasticciotto, the custard filled pastry, for breakfast, rustico leccese, a puff pastry filled with mozzarella and béchamel, for a snack, and caffè in ghiaccio con latte di mandorla, iced coffee with almond milk, on a hot afternoon. In the evening, order ciceri e tria, pasta with chickpeas, and fresh seafood on the coast.
Getting There and Around
Brindisi airport is about 40 minutes from Lecce, and high speed and intercity trains connect Lecce with Bari, Rome and Milan. A car is essential for the coast and the villages of the Salento. In Lecce, park outside the historic centre, which is a restricted traffic zone. See our guide to getting around Puglia.
FAQ
Is Lecce a good base for the Salento?
Yes, for culture and food, with both coasts within 30 to 60 minutes. For a beach holiday, add a few nights by the sea.
Which coast of the Salento is best?
The Ionian coast has long sandy beaches with shallow water, the Adriatic coast has cliffs, coves and sea pools. Both are beautiful.
How many days do you need in the Salento?
Three to five days are ideal: two in Lecce and the rest by the sea.
