Lecce Pride 2027 / Salento Pride 2027

Lecce is the capital of the Salento, the peninsula at the very southern tip of Puglia, and with around 94,000 residents it is a fairly small city. Its old town, built from the pale local limestone, is known for its Baroque façades, the Basilica di Santa Croce above all. Lecce has almost no dedicated queer bars or clubs; LGBTQ+ life here is organised mainly through associations and through Pride.

Salento Pride is the region's main Pride march. It started out in Gallipoli, moved to Brindisi for a few editions and has been held in Lecce itself for several years now. The march is part of Onda Pride, the nationwide series of Pride events that Arcigay coordinates every summer through its local branches. The most recent edition gathered at Porta San Biagio, one of the old city gates on the edge of the historic centre, and set off in the afternoon in July. Dates change from year to year, so check with the organisers before you plan a trip.

The main local point of contact is Arcigay Salento, based on Via Corte dei Chiaramonte in Lecce. The group offers testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and runs awareness and cultural events. There is also LeA, a trans-feminist association from Lecce, which has worked with a local photographer on a portrait series of Italian drag queens.

Across Italy, same-sex couples can enter a civil union, but marriage is not open to them.

If you come for Pride, stay a few extra days. The old town is easy to explore on foot, and both the Adriatic and the Ionian coast are only a short drive away.