Lecce is the main urban center of Salento, one of the areas of Apulia with the highest tourist numbers because of its white sandy beaches and crystal clear, uncontaminated sea. The capital of the province of the same name, it lies in the center of the Salento peninsula. The city has ancient Messapian origins and is one of Italy's most important cities of art. It is no coincidence that it is known as the Lady of the Baroque for the wealth of buildings and churches decorated in full 17th-century Baroque style composed of Lecce stone.

Lecce is one of the favorite destinations for those who want to have a beach vacation but without giving up a bit of culture. In fact, the Salento is not only sea and sun, but can count on a vast historical and artistic heritage. Lecce is therefore an ideal destination for families with children as the streets of the city center are largely pedestrian friendly and can be easily traversed even with strollers.

What to do in the historic center

There is no shortage of architectural wonders to look at in Lecce's historic center, but you should select them carefully if you are in the company of children since patience is not really their strong suit. Those who want to explore the center on foot can leave their cars near Porta Rudiae, where you can catch a glimpse of the statue of the patron Saint Oronzo on the stone arch. A few steps away you will find Piazza Duomo and here you can admire the wonderful and imposing Cathedral of Maria SS. Assunta and the Seminary Palace, recognizable by its fantastic chiseled well.

Behind the Piazza is the Roman Theater, in the background of which you will see the Cathedral Bell Tower. In this area are the Church of Santa Chiara and Piazza Sant'Oronzo, which is the beating heart of Lecce. There is no shortage of clubs and bars at which to buy a nice ice cream or cake to satisfy the little ones. In St. Oronzo Square children can look for the mosaic of the she-wolf and the holm oak. According to legend, you have to walk around it without stepping on the animal. Other attractions in Lecce's historic center include the INA Palace, the Church of Santa Maria della Grazia, and the Basilica of Santa Croce.

During this walking tour of downtown Lecce, however, there are other activities for children. For example, you can drop by the so-called "sweets nuns", the Benedictine nuns of the monastery of St. John who have been making almond paste cakes and delivering them through a historic wooden wheel since the 18th century. In addition, strolling through the old city of Lecce you are sure to find many artisan stores that deal with working with papier-mâché.

Specifically, one can stop at the Leccese Craft House which stands a short distance from the Basilica of Santa Croce. Here you can buy cribs, figurines and puppets depicting madonnas, saints, putti, masks and angels. Finally, children will surely like Liberrima, an old bookstore with a large section dedicated to children's literature and where games, workshops and tastings are held.

What to do outside the historic center

If you have more time, you can move outside the historic center of Lecce. Definitely worth a visit with children is the WWF Urban Forest, a small hiking and forested area that consists of an ancient Lecce stone quarry, on which dense vegetation has grown. To walk through the oasis, it is preferable to wear comfortable shoes and hiking or otherwise sporty clothing.

The peculiarity of this area is that it does not belong to the Municipality of Lecce, but to a private party. In fact, WWF has made it available to the public through some guided nature trails within it. Alternatively, one can move with the children to the sea, perhaps to the hamlet of San Cataldo which in the past served as the town's port. Here you will encounter a series of small beaches with fine, white sand and a shallow sea, ideal for families with small children.

Festival and food

If you are lucky enough to be in Lecce at the end of August, don't miss the wonderful Patronal Feast of Saint Oronzo, known as the "festa noscia." The festival is opened by the city's band and a procession, after which it continues with performances, music, merry-go-rounds, food trucks and a livestock fair. The festival in honor of Lecce's patron saint ends at midnight on August 26, when the customary fireworks display takes place. Children are sure to have a great time!

Another event dedicated to young children is the Lecce Kids Festival, an event that usually takes place in December. In some years special editions are also scheduled between April and May. There is always plenty to do here as there are art workshops, dance and circus shows, readings and many other activities for families.

Finally, how can we not entertain the children with one of Lecce's culinary specialties? One of the workhorses of the local bakery is the pasticciotto leccese, a shortbread pastry treat filled with custard. Similar to the pasticciotto is the fruttone, which instead contains a heart of almond paste and jam. Also very tasty is the puccia, a kind of soft sandwich that can be filled with cold cuts and cheese. It is great for making a packed lunch to take with you. Equally tasty is uliata, the version of puccia with black olives.