Italy is astounding any time of year.
Culture buffs have a never-ending list of places to explore, while the country’s phenomenal coastline is truly a site to behold.
Italy’s trendiest destination may surprise you, however, as it’s not Rome, Venice, Florence, or anywhere near the lovely seaside villages dotting the Amalfi Coast.
A city dubbed as the ‘Florence of the South‘, multiple major travel publications have written feature stories showcasing all the delights culturally, historically, and culinarily in 2024 – including us; guilty as charged!
The lesser-known city of Lecce is gaining worldwide attention and will surely pop off even more come 2025.
What’s With All Of Lecce’s Hype This Year?
A trip to Italy without visiting at least one of the country’s iconic destinations is the ultimate travel party foul.
But that’s not to say that Italy’s hidden gems shouldn’t be high on your list. And perhaps no more than any other is Lecce, at least according to the biggest names in travel news.
In February, Travel + Leisure featured Lecce as one of their go-to getaways, and now National Geographic is hyping up this cultural haven as the new ‘Florence’.
Oftentimes, publications will release click-bait “listicles” based on absolutely nothing, but there’s a reason Lecce is essentially being highlighted on a backlit marquee for the world to see.
Now that 2025 is within arm’s reach, we all realize the travel boom that occurred post-pandemic. It’s only natural for tourism titans such as Rome and Venice to fill in as Item #1 on many-a-travelers’ bucket lists.
At a certain point, many of the world’s icons exceeded their limits sparking overtourism concerns – Venice undoubtedly being one of them.
More Italian hidden gems are popping up quicker than an intense game of Whack-a-Mole.
To be honest, I’ve lost count of how many ‘Italy hidden gem’ articles I’ve written, but Lecce seems to take the cake with the spotlight shining brighter and brighter, especially with new trains making this beautiful city nestled in the scenic southern Apulia region easier to reach than ever before.
2 New Sleeper Trains To Lecce
Travel + Leisure may have thrown Lecce on center stage in February, but we were one of the first to report not one but two exciting new sleeper trains connecting curious travelers to Florence’s mini-me.
In case you missed it, the first hotel loophole per se was announced in May connecting from the fabulous city of Milan.
A couple months later, Rome took a page out of Milan’s playbook offering the same route perhaps giving a light nudge to tourists to check out something other than the Colosseum.
In a nutshell, you can save money by skipping your hotel by booking a ticket aboard a sleeper train across Italy to Lecce from either Milan or Rome.
But if you happen to be a sleepwalker or snorer, or you just don’t sleep well in motion, the Brindisi airport is only 29 miles away with numerous European airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet, for seamless connections.
A Step Back In Time: Unveiling Lecce’s ‘Florence’ Vibes
Lecce is quintessential Italy without the curated touristy nonsense – you know, overpriced cappuccinos, pestering tour guides, and tacky trinkets.
One key reason this city is on the path to soaring to new heights is its unprecedented authenticity, which you likely know is why Florence is so lovely to visit.
Well, Nat Geo backs up the claim Lecce lives up to the ‘Florence’ dupe moniker. Located near the heel of Italy’s “boot”, expect a cultural playground brimming with eye-popping architecture dating back ages, savory eats, and perhaps best of all, cheaper prices (at least for now).
Lecce’s roots seep into the Roman Empire, yet many marvels remain very well-preserved. The Lecce Cathedral and Roman Amphitheater are absolute musts!
Perusing the city center, you’ll quickly see why this is Italy’s capital of Baroque art.
Wandering Lecce is a joy in itself as you zig and zag through a maze of cobbled streets seemingly taking you back in time with every step you take.
But rather than pinch yourself to wake up from this dream, how about chowing down on phenomenal local cuisine instead?
Instead of your typical latte back home, try starting your day with caffé Leccese, a strong iced coffee and perhaps best accompanied by a decadent pasticiotto filled with custard.
For dinner, I mean, it’s Italy! Pizza, pasta and wine are widespread, but Lecce specializes in fresh orchiette pasta.
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