This apartment puts you in the historic heart of Lecce, where narrow streets are home to pasta shops and family-run trattoria that have been in business for generations. You might spot nonnas making fresh orecchiette at rickety tables between the ancient churches. It’s a town brimming with history, from the ancient Roman amphitheatre to the medieval castle of Carlo V.

After a day pounding the time-worn streets of the historic centre, retreat to this apartment hidden behind an ancient door and courtyard. Stepping past the old stone walls typical of Lecce’s old town, you’ll find a surprisingly modern interior – a kitchen with everything you need to replicate Puglia’s culinary delights and a dining table big enough for four. But plenty of traditional touches give the home’s history away, such as the wooden shutters, carved dressers and huge, dark wood wardrobe in the bedroom. It is a tad noisy though, but we think that's worth it for the central location.

Home truths:
*Ttwo guests will be on a sofa bed in the living room – there's also room for an additional guest on a single sofa bed in the main bedroom*There's a set of stone steps to the entrance of this home, so it may not suit those with limited mobility*This apartment lies within the Limited Traffic Zone, so parking near the apartment to drop off luggage is only available between 4pm and 7pm – paid public parking on Via Adua is a few minutes walk away*Linen is changed once a week during your stay*Though there isn't a desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace*Given the central spot, expect to hear some noise during your stay*The pipework in the building is old, so expect an occasional odour from the sink drain