Sometimes you need a place to jog, or to sit and chill after walking through hot city streets and the piazzas are burning hot in the midday sun. Here are my favorite parks in Lecce.
Belloluogo Park
Parco di BelloLuogo
Fantastic park just outside of Porta Napoli. At dusk, you can find people jogging, practicing martial arts, walking their dogs, kids playing hide and seek and on the playgrounds. Paths wander around the strip of land (next to the cemetery) with apple trees, olive trees, pomegranate trees. It’s a truly beautiful place to go – nice and cool after the heat of a mid-summer day subsides. At dusk, bats (pippistrelli) swoop overhead. Summertime sees a lot of musical events hosted here. There’s a small dog park, fountain, and a tower at the far end. About halfway though the park, near the kids play area is a handy bar so you can grab a coffee, or whatever, while you watch over your little ones, or just chill out.
Mura Leccese Gardens
Mura Urbiche di Lecce
Note: open to the public in the evenings: 4 – 9 pm.
Formal garden built along the antique walls of the historic center of Lecce. The sprawling lawn out front is crisscrossed with paths that lead to the main entrance. Inside, you’ll find a formal garden with fruit trees, palms, highly cultivated decorative plants, and fish ponds. Steps lead you to the top of the wall where you can look down onto the pattern of walking paths and flower beds below, or across the (now dry) moat and front lawn. Don’t forget to look at the walls themselves – remnants of frescoes can still be seen, with an especially nice one in the archway of the front entrance.
Campo Coni
Especially popular for the daily constitutional – People are out jogging or walking on the big circuit. It’s a wide open space so there’s lots of room and it’s very peaceful. A little outside of center, but a great place if you don’t want to lose (or want to start) a jogging/walking habit while you’re in Lecce. In my experience, walking in and around the city center is plenty of exercise, but when you need a little green in a place dedicated to activities like this — read: no dodging tourist groups and selfie sticks while trying to keep a steady pace — this is an accommodating space.
Public Gardens
Giardini Pubblici Giuseppe Garibaldi
Formal gardens in the city center with a refreshing fountain, trees, roses, and sculptures. Super convenient when you’re wandering around the city and just need to take a short (or long) break. Lots of benches and shade, a kids’ play area, and a shop to grab a coffee or a snack.
The Lecce Cemetery
Cimitero di Lecce
Forget everything you know about creepy cemeteries from horror flicks, this is actually a lovely walk and a quiet refuge when the bustling city gets to be too much. Cool, quiet, and the oldest parts of the cemetery are like a baroque museum. It’s also right next to Parco Belloluogo.
Honorable mention
Parco Tafuro – It’s a bit outside of the city center. You’re not going to stumble upon it while sightseeing, probably. It’s a skinny strip of green, with grass, shade, and a weekly farmers market
Piazza D’Italia – just outside Porta San Biagio with shady spots and benches.
Piazza Mazzini – Gigantic fountain with places to sit in the shade. The fountain has a nice cooling effect. If you like watching bustling shoppers, this is great. If you are looking for quiet or a lot of greenery, there are better options.