Apulia (Puglia) is the sun-drenched heel of Italy's boot, stretching along the Adriatic and Ionian coasts with over 800 km of coastline, centuries-old whitewashed towns, and a food culture that rivals anywhere in the country. Home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the iconic trulli of Alberobello and the enigmatic Castel del Monte — Apulia blends Norman castles, Baroque Lecce stonework, and ancient masserie (fortified farmhouses) into an unforgettable landscape.
Apulia has a Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers and mild, occasionally wet winters. The region is one of Italy's sunniest, receiving over 2,900 hours of sunshine annually. The Adriatic coast is slightly cooler than the Ionian south. Summers (June–August) are intensely hot (28–40°C); winters are mild (8–13°C) with occasional cold northerly winds. The region very rarely sees snow, even in winter.
Best time to visit
Best: May–June and September–October
Peak Season: July–August
Avoid: Ferragosto (August 15) when much of Italy closes; January–February for beach visits
Notes: May–June offers warm weather (22–27°C), open beaches and restaurants, fewer crowds, and lower prices. September–October is excellent for food tourism — olive harvest, wine festivals, and truffle season. July–August is peak season with crowded beaches and extreme heat.
Items:
- Month
- January
- Avg high
- 12°C / 54°F
- Avg low
- 5°C / 41°F
- Rain days
- 8
- Sunshine hours
- 5
- Sea temp
- 15°C / 59°F
- Crowds
- Very Low
- Notes
- Quiet and peaceful. All museums open. Some coastal restaurants closed.
- Month
- February
- Avg high
- 13°C / 55°F
- Avg low
- 6°C / 43°F
- Rain days
- 7
- Sunshine hours
- 5
- Sea temp
- 14°C / 57°F
- Crowds
- Very Low
- Notes
- Almond blossom in Gargano. Carnival events in Putignano (world-famous carnival).
- Month
- March
- Avg high
- 16°C / 61°F
- Avg low
- 8°C / 46°F
- Rain days
- 7
- Sunshine hours
- 6
- Sea temp
- 15°C / 59°F
- Crowds
- Low
- Notes
- Season opening for agriturismo and masserie. Good for historic sightseeing.
- Month
- April
- Avg high
- 19°C / 66°F
- Avg low
- 11°C / 52°F
- Rain days
- 6
- Sunshine hours
- 7
- Sea temp
- 16°C / 61°F
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Notes
- Easter Holy Week processions (spectacular in Taranto). Countryside blooms. Ideal conditions.
- Month
- May
- Avg high
- 24°C / 75°F
- Avg low
- 14°C / 57°F
- Rain days
- 5
- Sunshine hours
- 9
- Sea temp
- 19°C / 66°F
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Notes
- Excellent month overall. Warm enough for swimming on Ionian coast. All sights open.
- Month
- June
- Avg high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Avg low
- 18°C / 64°F
- Rain days
- 2
- Sunshine hours
- 11
- Sea temp
- 23°C / 73°F
- Crowds
- High
- Notes
- Beach season fully open. Hot but manageable. Book accommodation 4–6 weeks ahead.
- Month
- July
- Avg high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Avg low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rain days
- 1
- Sunshine hours
- 12
- Sea temp
- 26°C / 79°F
- Crowds
- Very High
- Notes
- Peak summer. Very hot and crowded. Notte della Taranta festival (late July). Book everything months ahead.
- Month
- August
- Avg high
- 33°C / 91°F
- Avg low
- 23°C / 73°F
- Rain days
- 1
- Sunshine hours
- 11
- Sea temp
- 28°C / 82°F
- Crowds
- Very High
- Notes
- Hottest month. Ferragosto (Aug 15) closes many businesses for days. Music festivals throughout Salento.
- Month
- September
- Avg high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Avg low
- 19°C / 66°F
- Rain days
- 3
- Sunshine hours
- 8
- Sea temp
- 26°C / 79°F
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Notes
- Arguably best month. Warm sea, fewer crowds, harvest festivals, lower prices. Still feels like full summer.
- Month
- October
- Avg high
- 23°C / 73°F
- Avg low
- 14°C / 57°F
- Rain days
- 6
- Sunshine hours
- 6
- Sea temp
- 23°C / 73°F
- Crowds
- Low
- Notes
- Excellent for foodies — olive harvest, wine festivals, white truffle season. Good for hiking.
- Month
- November
- Avg high
- 17°C / 63°F
- Avg low
- 10°C / 50°F
- Rain days
- 8
- Sunshine hours
- 5
- Sea temp
- 19°C / 66°F
- Crowds
- Very Low
- Notes
- Quiet. Many coastal venues closed. New olive oil (olio nuovo) season begins — worth visiting for foodies.
- Month
- December
- Avg high
- 13°C / 55°F
- Avg low
- 7°C / 45°F
- Rain days
- 8
- Sunshine hours
- 4
- Sea temp
- 16°C / 61°F
- Crowds
- Very Low
- Notes
- Christmas markets in Lecce and Bari. Bari's December is especially festive — city lights and street markets.
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
Items
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Items
Spring (March–May), Summer (June–August), Autumn (September–November), Winter (December–February)
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- Items
- Period
- July–August
- Level
- Very High
- Notes
- Italian domestic tourism at peak. Coastal roads gridlocked. Book everything months in advance.
- Period
- June / September
- Level
- High–Moderate
- Notes
- International visitors peak in June; September brings Italian visitors after school returns. Still manageable.
- Period
- April–May / October
- Level
- Low–Moderate
- Notes
- Best balance of good weather and manageable crowds.
- Period
- November–March
- Level
- Very Low
- Notes
- Quiet throughout. Some masserie and beach restaurants closed. All historic centres and cities open.
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
When: February (dates vary)
When: Holy Thursday and Good Friday (March/April)
When: May 7–9
When: Late August (last Saturday)
When: July–August
When: October–November