In 2022, Presicce made international headlines. The local government announced it would pay €30,000 to anyone willing to buy a property in the historic centre and establish residency in the village — one of the first Italian towns to offer a financial incentive on this scale to counter depopulation. Applications arrived from across Europe, the United States, and Australia. The story ran in the Guardian, the New York Times, and dozens of travel publications.
The programme put Presicce, Puglia on the map. But the village was remarkable long before anyone offered money to live in it.
Presicce is a medieval hilltop town in the deep south of Salento, 15 kilometres from Santa Maria di Leuca and 7 kilometres from the Ionian coast. Its historic centre has a concentration of Baroque churches and palaces built during the 16th and 17th centuries. Beneath the streets, a network of underground olive oil mills — some dating to the medieval period — is one of the most distinctive archaeological features of any town in the Lecce province. And the surrounding countryside produces some of the finest extra virgin olive oil in southern Italy.
This is what Presicce actually offers — the €30,000 is just the introduction.
💡Note: In 2019, Presicce merged with the neighbouring village of Acquarica del Capo to form the single municipality of Presicce-Acquarica. The historic centre and all the attractions described in this guide are in the original Presicce area.
What to see in Presicce
The Baroque Churches — Which One to Prioritise
Presicce has three significant Baroque churches within walking distance of each other in the historic centre — more than most Salento towns of its size. They were all built or substantially rebuilt in the 17th century and all feature the ornate carved stone facades characteristic of the Leccese Baroque tradition.
The Chiesa Madre di Sant’Andrea Apostolo is the most architecturally significant — the largest of the three, with the most elaborate facade and the finest interior. The high altar is the standout piece inside. This is the one to prioritise if you only have time for one.
The Chiesa Matrice di San Giovanni Battista has a more restrained exterior but an interior of considerable quality, with good 17th-century devotional paintings in the side chapels.
The Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is the smallest and most intimate of the three — worth a look if you’re passing, particularly for the fresco fragments that survive in the nave.
💡 All three are within a 10-minute walk of each other in the historic centre. The Palazzo Ducale on the same circuit serves as a cultural centre and occasionally hosts exhibitions — check locally for what’s on during your visit.
Olive oil and ancient oil mills
Presicce is famous for its high-quality extra virgin olive oil. The town is located in the heart of the Salento region, which is known for producing some of the best olive oil in Italy. The area’s hot and dry climate, coupled with the fertile soil and the expertise of local farmers, creates the perfect conditions for growing olives that produce flavorful and aromatic oil.
In Presicce, olive oil production has been a vital part of the local economy for centuries. The town is home to many old oil mills that have been in operation for generations, and many of these mills are still active today.
Presicce’s olive oil is renowned for its fruity flavor, low acidity, and rich aroma. It’s often used in traditional Salento dishes, such as frisella (a type of hard bread), pasta dishes, and grilled vegetables. Visitors to the town can sample the olive oil at local markets and specialty shops, and many local restaurants offer dishes that feature this delicious ingredient.
But what sets Presicce apart from other villages in the region is its underground olive oil mills. These mills, which were used to press olives into oil, are located beneath the village’s streets and many of them date back to the medieval period. Today, visitors can explore some of these mills and gain a deeper understanding of the area’s rich agricultural heritage. Check Tripadvisor for some tour idea
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🍽️ What to Eat in and Around Presicce
Presicce sits at the centre of one of the most productive olive oil areas in the Lecce province — which means the raw ingredient that underpins all Pugliese cooking is at its best here. Restaurants in the historic centre use local oil as the foundation for everything from the antipasto to the dessert.
Orecchiette con le cime di rapa — handmade ear-shaped pasta with bitter turnip greens, olive oil, garlic, and anchovy — is the essential first course. Several trattorias in Presicce make pasta in-house; ask before you sit down.
Frisella with local olive oil — the twice-baked durum bread soaked in oil and topped with fresh tomatoes — is the classic summer lunch and the simplest way to taste what the local oil actually does when used properly.
The olive oil itself deserves a purchase directly from one of the local producers or the town’s market. The difference between fresh-pressed Salentine Ogliarola oil and supermarket olive oil is not subtle.
For a sit-down meal, the restaurants in the historic centre are uniformly unpretentious and good value — Presicce has no tourist restaurant inflation because it has no tourist crowd to inflate for.
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📅 When to Visit Presicce
April through June is the best window for the historic centre — mild weather, no crowds, and the countryside at its most vivid. The olive trees are in leaf, the wildflowers are out, and the town is unhurried.
July and August bring the summer beach crowd to the Ionian coast — the town itself stays quiet but the beaches at Torre Vado and Pescoluse fill up. If beach access matters, the infrastructure is fully operational from June through September.
October and November are the olive harvest months — the countryside around Presicce is at its most active and the new season’s oil is available at local mills and markets. The best time to buy olive oil directly from the source.
The €30,000 programme has no seasonal component — applications are processed year-round. Check the current status at the comune website: comune.presicceacquarica.le.it
Beaches near Presicce
Presicce is pretty clos to the Ionian coastline, so if you are planning a visit there here are some of the best beaches you could visit:
Torre Vado Beach: Located just a few kilometers from Presicce, Torre Vado Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Salento. The beach is characterized by crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. It’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
Pescoluse Beach: also known as the “Maldives of Salento,, Pescoluse Beach is a must-visit destination for beach lovers. The beach features a long stretch of white sand and turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Porto Selvaggio Beach: Located in the Porto Selvaggio Natural Park, this beach is known for its crystal clear waters and beautiful cliffs. The beach is surrounded by lush vegetation and offers a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Torre Pali Beach: known for a broken tower into the water (called Torre Pali). The tower is a historical landmark that dates back to the 16th century originally built as a watchtower. Due to the natural erosion of the coastline, the tower gradually collapsed and now lies partially submerged in the water.
Torre Mozza Beach: a beautiful beach that is perfect for families. The beach features shallow waters and is surrounded by pine trees, making it an ideal spot for picnics and relaxation.
What to see near Presicce
Presicce is located in the Salento area of Puglia which has so much to offer. Here are some of the best places to visit nearby:
Gallipoli: This seaside town is located about 20 km from Presicce and is known for its historic center, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife.
Otranto: This town is located about 50 km from Presicce and is famous for its stunning cathedral, castle, and beautiful beaches.
Lecce: This historic city is located about 47 km from Presicce and is known for its Baroque architecture, delicious food, and vibrant street life.
Santa Maria di Leuca: This seaside town is located about 15 km from Presicce and is famous for its stunning lighthouse, beautiful beaches, and clear waters.
Porto Cesareo: This coastal town is located about 30 km from Presicce and is famous for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and natural reserve.
FAQs
In 2022, the municipality of Presicce-Acquarica launched a programme offering €30,000 to individuals willing to purchase a property built before 1991 in the historic centre and establish residency in the village. The initiative was designed to counter gradual depopulation. Applicants must meet specific residency and property requirements. For current status and application details, visit the official comune website at comune.presicceacquarica.le.it — the programme terms may have changed since the initial 2022 launch.
Presicce is known internationally for the €30,000 relocation incentive launched in 2022, which attracted global media coverage. The town is also notable for its underground olive oil mills (frantoi ipogei) — medieval stone-cut mills beneath the streets of the historic centre, some of the most extensive in Salento — its concentration of Baroque churches, and its position in the heart of Salento’s finest olive oil production area. It was designated one of the Borghi più belli d’Italia (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy).
By car from Lecce, approximately 47km via the SS16 towards Gallipoli then signs for Presicce — around 40–45 minutes. From Santa Maria di Leuca, approximately 15km — around 20 minutes. From Brindisi airport, approximately 100km — around 1 hour 30 minutes. The nearest train station is Taurisano (6km), served by the FSE regional line from Lecce. A car is strongly recommended for exploring the surrounding area and reaching the beaches.
Yes — several of the frantoi ipogei (underground olive oil mills) beneath the historic centre are open to visitors, either independently or on guided tours. The mills were carved directly into the soft tufa rock beneath the streets and were used to press olives from the surrounding groves, with the cool underground temperature keeping the oil at optimal quality. Guided tours can be arranged through the local tourist office or booked via TripAdvisor (a tour link is in the article above). The experience is genuinely extraordinary — comparable to the Gallipoli underground mills but less well known.
Yes — particularly for visitors who want to experience a side of deep Salento that the main tourist circuit misses. The underground oil mills are genuinely unique, the Baroque churches are excellent, and the olive oil tradition gives the town a specific food culture that rewards curiosity. It works well as a half-day combined with Santa Maria di Leuca (15 minutes) or as a stop on a southern Salento circuit including Gallipoli and Leuca. The €30,000 story has made it more visited than it was before 2022 — but it remains far less crowded than comparable Salento towns.
