comparisons
Lecce vs Ostuni
Two of Puglia's signatures. Lecce is the 'Florence of the South,' a Baroque city of golden stone; Ostuni is a white hill town spilling over a valley. They pair well but feel like different trips.
Curatorial note
Choose Lecce if you want a real city with Baroque churches, good restaurants, and university energy — and a better base to sleep in. Choose Ostuni for the postcard white-town look and a slower, smaller stay. Lecce is the more substantial stop; Ostuni is the prettier day trip. Stay in Lecce, drive up to Ostuni.
Town · Puglia
Ostuni
Ostuni is worth a half-day or a night. The all-white old town is striking from a distance and atmospheric up close. It is a good base for the Valle d'Itria between Bari and Lecce.
Town · Puglia
Lecce
Lecce is worth two nights and is the best base for southern Puglia. It is the most beautiful Baroque city in Italy that isn't on the standard circuit. Pair it with Otranto and Gallipoli.
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