Taking over the hire car

Most travellers booking hire car arrive in Lecce via Brindisi airport. There you will find numerous hire car agencies very close to the arrival terminal.

Before you book your hire car, however, you should make sure that your rental company is also there. If it is only located near the airport, you may have to wait a long time for a shuttle service to take you to your hire car.

Hire car prices

Hire car prices in Brindisi and Lecce tend to be in the mid-range. You can often snag particularly cheap deals if you book well in advance of your trip and use our handy price comparison tool.

hire car price comparison Lecce

age limit

You must be at least 19 or 21 years old to hire car from most hire car companies in Lecce and Brindisi. And many charge extra from drivers younger than 25. You should find out your rental company’s terms and conditions before renting.

Language barrier

When you pick up your car in Lecce or Brindisi, don’t expect English to be spoken well at every rental station.

If you have communication problems, you can try to contact the Italian head office of your rental company by phone. With luck, you’ll find someone there who speaks the language and can provide translation assistance.

Tank control

Be aware of your rental company’s fueling policy. Some hire car companies require customers to purchase the first tank of gas for a hefty service fee and then return the car empty. You’ll save cash if you book with a rental company where you pick up the car with a full tank and return it with a full tank.

Customer Satisfaction Hire Car

Most of the customers are very satisfied with the hire car stations in Brindisi and Lecce. Only some complain about the external condition of some vehicles. Always have defects such as scratches or dents confirmed in writing in a fault report.

Only in this way you can prove that you are not responsible for the damage to the vehicle. Some customers also complain about long waiting times. Therefore, plan a generous time window, especially when returning the car, so that you do not miss the plane or train.

Sights in Lecce

Mighty fort
The fort in the east of the city is a good starting point for a city tour. It was built in 1537 on the orders of Emperor Charles V and still impresses with its mighty walls. Stroll to the Chiesa SS.

Nicolò e Cataldo. Although the façade was rebuilt in the Baroque style in 1716, the church itself is one of the oldest in the city. Tankred, Count of Lecce and last Norman king, donated the church to the Benedictines in 1180. An inscription commemorates the donor.

Pompous Cathedral
The city’s magnificent cathedral, the Duoma S. Maria dell’Assunta, was founded in 1114 but rebuilt from 1659. The 70-metre-high campanile flanking the cathedral is particularly impressive.
Ancient amphitheatre

Journey further back in time when you visit the Roman amphitheatre. It was built in the second century AD.

Baslica di S. Croce: Baroque opulence
If you want to visit a prime example of Baroque architecture, head to the Baslica di S. Croce. It was built between 1549 and 1695 and boasts a richly decorated façade.

Museo Provinciale “Sigismondo Castromediano”: experience history
The Museo Provinciale “Sigismondo Castromediano” is housed in a neoclassical palazzo. It is considered the oldest archaeological museum in Apulia and offers a good overview of the history of the region. In Lecce, it is also worthwhile to simply let yourself drift through the streets. Discover a baroque palazzo here, an old church there and let yourself be captured by the magical atmosphere of the city.

Find a good hotel

There is no shortage of good hotels in Lecce either. We recommend the Patria Palace. You reside in a palazzo in the heart of the old town. The 63 rooms and suites are individually and tastefully furnished. The five-star hotel offers guests every comfort.

Suggestion for a trip by hire car

Otranto: Pretty town
A trip with the hire car could lead you first to Otranto. You can be there in just over half an hour. Otranto welcomes you with a picture-perfect old town centre.

Here you can stroll through alleys lined with snow-white and pastel-coloured houses and hunt for original souvenirs in small shops. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to visit the mighty cathedral, considered the largest in Puglia. Especially the coffered ceiling in the nave attracts the attention of visitors.

Santa Cesarea Terme: sophisticated spa town
Only a half-hour drive separates Otranto from Santa Cesarea Terme, a sophisticated spa town with magnificent villas. On a clear day, you can see all the way across to Albania. Thanks to sulphurous springs, you can nurture your health at the spa with a variety of treatments.

Gagliano del Capo: At the heel of the boot
Before you steer your hire car back to Lecce, you can pay a visit to Gagliano del Capo. In a good half hour you are there. In Gagliano del Capo you have reached the lowest area of the Italian boot heel.

You will not find long beaches in Gagliono del Capo. Instead, a breathtaking steep coast with small hidden bathing bays and crystal-clear water awaits you. For the return journey to Lecce you will now need just under an hour. There you can plan your next tour with the hire car at your leisure.