Italian News Headlines 13-06-2025: The world's most famous Tik Toker, Italian, Kharby Lame, was arrested and then expelled from the United States for remaining in the country after his visa expired. --- The Italian navy training ship, Amerigo Vespucci, arrived in Cagliari to be welcomed by Luna Rossa, the winner of the 37th America's Cup youth and women's tournament --- Italy will host the 38th edition of the America's Cup in Naples in 2027 --- Robert Francis Prevost from the USA has been chosen as the new pope, taking the name, Pope Leo XIV --- Two floating cranes, one of which is among the most powerful in Europe, have begun the process of lifting the sunken superyacht, the Bayesian, to the surface off the coast of Sicily --- Italian racing driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the F1 Mercedes team's replacement for Lewis Hamilton, became the youngest driver to take a Formula 1 pole position for the sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix --- King Charles III addresses the Italian Parliament in Italian, during his state visit of Italy --- A new discovery at Pompei has uncovered near life-sized frescoes that depict religious practices that were popular in the ancient city before its destruction in AD79 --- Pope Francis has spent a 10th night in hospital having been admitted with pneumonia in both lungs --- The Demoskopika Institute has rated Italy at the top of the European Tourism Reputation Index, above Greece and Spain, for the second year running.

Province of Lecce

Lecce Province
Gallipoli, province of Lecce

The province of Lecce is located in the southernmost tip of Puglia, forming the heart of the Salento Peninsula. Known for its dazzling coastline, baroque towns and deeply rooted traditions, it is one of Italy’s most evocative and diverse regions. Here, land and sea come together in a cultural landscape shaped by centuries of history and a fiercely proud local identity.

Nicknamed the “Florence of the South” due to its artistic heritage, the province of Lecce offers more than just architectural beauty. It is a place of olive groves, wild beaches, folk music, and a culinary scene that reflects both its rural soul and Mediterranean spirit.

Lecce Province
Province of Lecce, Puglia

The dual coastlines of the Salento Peninsula

The province of Lecce boasts two very different but equally captivating coastlines. On the Adriatic side, rugged cliffs alternate with small pebbled coves and natural sea caves. Towns like Otranto and Santa Cesarea Terme offer stunning views, medieval centers and clear blue waters that attract swimmers and divers alike.

On the Ionian side, the beaches become wide and sandy, with crystal-clear, shallow waters. Places like Porto Cesareo and Torre Lapillo are popular for their Caribbean-like appearance, while Gallipoli balances a lively social scene with authentic fishing traditions and charming old streets.

Baroque architecture and artistic treasures

Lecce province is a showcase of southern baroque architecture. While the city of Lecce itself is the masterpiece of this style, baroque beauty extends to towns such as Nardò, Galatina and Ruffano. These towns are filled with ornate churches, palaces, and intricate facades carved from local pietra leccese, a soft golden limestone.

Galatina is particularly known for its Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, which contains some of the most extraordinary frescoes in Italy. Across the province, art and architecture reflect not only Catholic devotion but also influences from Byzantine, Norman, and Spanish rule over the centuries.

Traditional towns and countryside life

Inland, the province of Lecce is dotted with small towns and villages where life moves at a gentler pace. Places like Specchia, Presicce-Acquarica and Alessano have preserved their historic centers, often characterized by whitewashed walls, cobbled streets and quiet piazzas shaded by ancient trees.

These towns are part of the authentic Salento, where you can experience artisan workshops, family-run trattorias, and local events that showcase regional identity. Agricultural traditions are still strong here, with olive oil, figs, almonds and wine forming the backbone of the rural economy.

Salento music, dance and cultural identity

The cultural heartbeat of Lecce province is its music and folklore. The pizzica, a hypnotic and fast-paced traditional dance, originates from Salento and is rooted in rituals once used to cure the bite of the tarantula spider. Today, pizzica is a symbol of local identity and joy.

The Notte della Taranta festival, held every August in Melpignano, brings together thousands of people for a celebration of music, dance and southern Italian culture. Throughout the year, village festivals and religious feasts fill the air with music and color, offering visitors a direct connection to Salento's traditions.

Cuisine and local flavors of Lecce province

The food of Lecce province reflects its sun-drenched land and maritime borders. Local cuisine includes hearty dishes like ciceri e tria, a pasta and chickpea combination partly fried for texture, and pezzetti di cavallo, a rich horse meat stew found in many local eateries.

Street food is also popular, with rustici leccesi (pastry filled with béchamel and tomato) and pasticciotti (custard-filled shortcrust pastries) being regional favorites. Fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables and robust local wines like Negroamaro and Primitivo complete the province’s unforgettable culinary identity.

Natural beauty and outdoor activities

The province of Lecce offers more than beaches and baroque towns. Inland areas provide opportunities for hiking and biking among olive groves, dry-stone walls and ancient menhirs, prehistoric standing stones that dot the landscape. The Alimini Lakes near Otranto offer freshwater and saltwater habitats ideal for birdwatching and kayaking.

For nature lovers, the Porto Selvaggio Natural Park near Nardò is a protected coastal area with pine forests, limestone cliffs and hidden coves perfect for swimming and picnicking. The blend of coast and countryside makes Lecce province a destination for both relaxation and exploration.

Language and heritage of Grecìa Salentina

In the southeastern part of the province lies Grecìa Salentina, a cluster of villages where a Greek dialect known as Griko is still spoken by some older inhabitants. This linguistic and cultural enclave is a living link to the Byzantine past of the region.

Villages such as Calimera, Martano and Corigliano d’Otranto preserve ancient traditions and host festivals that celebrate Greek heritage through music, poetry, and food. Visiting this area offers a unique glimpse into the multicultural layers of Salento's history.

Getting around and best times to visit

Lecce province is served by Brindisi Airport, located to the north, with convenient connections to most major Italian cities and many European destinations. Trains and buses link the main towns, but to explore rural areas and coastlines freely, renting a car is highly recommended.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy mild weather, fewer tourists and vibrant festivals. Summer offers a buzzing atmosphere and beach life, while winter, though quieter, allows for reflective cultural exploration and hearty seasonal cuisine.

A soulful and sunlit southern province

The province of Lecce is a destination that goes beyond the surface of baroque façades and turquoise waters. It is a place where every town has a story, where music is felt as much as heard, and where traditions are lived rather than performed.

For those seeking beauty, authenticity and warmth, Lecce province offers an immersion into the soul of southern Italy. It is a landscape of light and stone, of passion and poetry, and one that leaves a lasting mark on those who journey through it.

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More Details

Flag of Puglia
Puglia flag
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 19,366 km²
      Population: 4 million
      Density: 210/km²
      Capital: Bari

      National Parks:
      The Alta Murgia National Park
      The Gargano National Park
Location of Puglia
Location of Puglia
Provinces of Puglia
Puglia provinces
  • Comunes of Puglia
    • Bari
      • Acquaviva delle Fonti
        Adelfia
        Alberobello
        Altamura
        Bari
        Binetto
        Bitetto
        Bitonto
        Bitritto
        Capurso
        Casamassima
        Cassano delle Murge
        Castellana Grotte
        Cellamare
        Conversano
        Corato
        Gioia del Colle
        Giovinazzo
        Gravina in Puglia
        Grumo Appula
        Locorotondo
        Modugno
        Mola di Bari
        Molfetta
        Monopoli
        Noci
        Noicàttaro
        Palo del Colle
        Poggiorsini
        Polignano a Mare
        Putignano
        Rutigliano
        Ruvo di Puglia
        Sammichele di Bari
        Sannicandro di Bari
        Santeramo in Colle
        Terlizzi
        Toritto
        Triggiano
        Turi
        Valenzano

    • Barletta-Andria-Trani
      • Andria
        Barletta
        Bisceglie
        Canosa di Puglia
        Margherita di Savoia
        Minervino Murge
        San Ferdinando di Puglia
        Spinazzola
        Trani
        Trinitapoli

    • Brindisi
      • Brindisi
        Carovigno
        Ceglie Messapica
        Cellino San Marco
        Cisternino
        Erchie
        Fasano
        Francavilla Fontana
        Latiano
        Mesagne
        Oria
        Ostuni
        San Donaci
        San Michele Salentino
        San Pancrazio Salentino
        San Pietro Vernotico
        San Vito dei Normanni
        Torchiarolo
        Torre Santa Susanna
        Villa Castelli

    • Foggia
      • Accadia
        Alberona
        Anzano di Puglia
        Apricena
        Ascoli Satriano
        Biccari
        Bovino
        Cagnano Varano
        Candela
        Carapelle
        Carlantino
        Carpino
        Casalnuovo Monterotaro
        Casalvecchio di Puglia
        Castelluccio dei Sauri
        Castelluccio Valmaggiore
        Castelnuovo della Daunia
        Celenza Valfortore
        Celle di San Vito
        Cerignola
        Chieuti
        Deliceto
        Faeto
        Foggia
        Ischitella
        Isole Tremiti
        Lesina
        Lucera
        Manfredonia
        Mattinata
        Monte Sant’Angelo
        Monteleone di Puglia
        Motta Montecorvino
        Ordona
        Orsara di Puglia
        Orta Nova
        Panni
        Peschici
        Pietramontecorvino
        Poggio Imperiale
        Rignano Garganico
        Rocchetta Sant’Antonio
        Rodi Garganico
        Roseto Valfortore
        San Giovanni Rotondo
        San Marco in Lamis
        San Marco la Catola
        San Nicandro Garganico
        San Paolo di Civitate
        San Severo
        Sant’Agata di Puglia
        Serracapriola
        Stornara
        Stornarella
        Torremaggiore
        Troia
        Vico del Gargano
        Vieste
        Volturara Appula
        Volturino

    • Lecce
      • Acquarica del Capo
        Alessano
        Alezio
        Alliste
        Andrano
        Aradeo
        Arnesano
        Bagnolo del Salento
        Botrugno
        Calimera
        Campi Salentina
        Cannole
        Caprarica di Lecce
        Carmiano
        Carpignano Salentino
        Casarano
        Castri di Lecce
        Castrignano de’ Greci
        Castrignano del Capo
        Castro
        Cavallino
        Collepasso
        Copertino
        Corigliano d’Otranto
        Corsano
        Cursi
        Cutrofiano
        Diso
        Gagliano del Capo
        Galatina
        Galatone
        Gallipoli
        Giuggianello
        Giurdignano
        Guagnano
        Lecce
        Lequile
        Leverano
        Lizzanello
        Maglie
        Martano
        Martignano
        Matino
        Melendugno
        Melissano
        Melpignano
        Miggiano
        Minervino di Lecce
        Monteroni di Lecce
        Montesano Salentino
        Morciano di Leuca
        Muro Leccese
        Nardò
        Neviano
        Nociglia
        Novoli
        Ortelle
        Otranto
        Palmariggi
        Parabita
        Patù
        Poggiardo
        Porto Cesareo
        Presicce
        Racale
        Ruffano
        Salice Salentino
        Salve
        San Cassiano
        San Cesario di Lecce
        San Donato di Lecce
        San Pietro in Lama
        Sanarica
        Sannicola
        Santa Cesarea Terme
        Scorrano
        Seclì
        Sogliano Cavour
        Soleto
        Specchia
        Spongano
        Squinzano
        Sternatia
        Supersano
        Surano
        Surbo
        Taurisano
        Taviano
        Tiggiano
        Trepuzzi
        Tricase
        Tuglie
        Ugento
        Uggiano La Chiesa
        Veglie
        Vernole
        Zollino

    • Taranto
      • Avetrana
        Carosino
        Castellaneta
        Crispiano
        Faggiano
        Fragagnano
        Ginosa
        Grottaglie
        Laterza
        Leporano
        Lizzano
        Manduria
        Martina Franca
        Maruggio
        Massafra
        Monteiasi
        Montemesola
        Monteparano
        Mottola
        Palagianello
        Palagiano
        Pulsano
        Roccaforzata
        San Giorgio Ionico
        San Marzano di San Giuseppe
        Sava
        Statte
        Taranto
        Torricella

Hotels in Puglia
Hotels in Puglia
PugliaWEATHER
Puglia Climate (Bari)
 
High
Low
Sun
Rain
Jan
9
2
3
55
Feb
11
3
4
53
Mar
13
4
5
63
Apr
17
7
6
55
May
21
11
8
35
Jun
25
15
9
44
Jul
28
17
10
34
Aug
28
17
9
54
Sep
25
14
7
61
Oct
20
11
6
74
Nov
15
8
4
71
Dec
12
3
3
77
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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