Destination
When should you visit Puglia?
Puglia is the heel of Italy: white towns, trulli houses, olive groves and clear water along two coasts. Summer is hot, dry and very busy, especially in August, when Italians are on holiday. Many masserie and beach clubs close in winter. Late spring and September give you beach weather without the crowds. The figures below are for Bari. Here is how every month compares.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
My recommendation
September
The sea is still at summer temperature, the days are warm and dry, and the August crowds and prices are gone.
Best for road trips
May
Warm, green and calm.
Best for festivals
August
The Notte della Taranta concert in late August.
Best for food
October–November
Harvest and new olive oil season.
Best value
March–April
Low prices before the season.
September scores
Plan around
What to know before you book
- August peak
- Peak Italian holidays, especially around Ferragosto on August 15. Book early and expect full beaches.
- Winter closures
- Many masserie, beach clubs and restaurants close.
- Heat
- Plan towns for the morning and beaches for the afternoon.
August
November–March
July–August
Puglia travel tip
Rent a car. Puglia is spread out and the best places, from Polignano a Mare to Ostuni and the Salento beaches, are hard to reach by train. Stay in a masseria, a restored farmhouse, for the countryside, and visit Alberobello early in the morning before the tour buses.
Month by month
All twelve months, at a glance
Tap any month for full scores, temperatures and planning notes.
- Temperature
- 4–13°C
- Cool, around 13°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Book places that clearly say they're open in winter.
- Road trips
- Food
- Temperature
- 4–13°C
- Cool, around 13°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet, apart from Carnival weekends.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Check the Putignano Carnival parade dates.
- Carnival
- Food
- Temperature
- 6–16°C
- Mild, around 16°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Visit Alberobello early in the day.
- Countryside
- Towns
- Temperature
- 9–19°C
- Mild and fairly dry, around 19°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate, busier at Easter.
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate rates.
Rent a car. Towns are spread out.
- Road trips
- Easter
- Temperature
- 13–24°C
- Warm, around 24°C, mostly dry.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Moderate.
- Prices
- €€€
- Moderate rates.
Try the beaches near Polignano before the season.
- Road trips
- Beaches
- San Nicola
- Temperature
- 17–28°C
- Hot and dry, around 28°C.
- Crowds
- High
- Busy at weekends.
- Prices
- €€€€
- High-season rates.
Book a masseria with a pool for the hot afternoons.
- Beaches
- Food
- Temperature
- 20–31°C
- Hot, around 31°C, very dry.
- Crowds
- High
- Very busy.
- Prices
- €€€€€
- Peak rates.
Get to beaches early, the best spots fill by 10am.
- Beaches
- Festivals
- Temperature
- 20–30°C
- Hot, around 30°C, very dry.
- Crowds
- High
- Peak crowds, especially around August 15.
- Prices
- €€€€€
- The highest rates of the year.
Avoid the week of Ferragosto, August 15, if you dislike crowds.
- Festivals
- Swimming
- Temperature
- 16–26°C
- Warm, around 26°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate-High
- Calmer after the first week.
- Prices
- €€€€
- Prices drop after early September.
The sea is warmest early in the month.
- Beaches
- Food
- Temperature
- 13–22°C
- Mild, around 22°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Quiet.
- Prices
- €€€
- Good value.
Ask your masseria about olive harvest visits.
- Food
- Wine
- Temperature
- 9–18°C
- Mild, around 18°C, with rain.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Buy new-season oil straight from a frantoio, an olive mill.
- Food
- Road trips
- Temperature
- 6–14°C
- Cool, around 14°C.
- Crowds
- Low
- Quiet, apart from the holidays.
- Prices
- €€
- Low rates.
Locorotondo and Alberobello have the nicest Christmas lights.
- Christmas
- Food
Climate
Puglia weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Precipitation | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C / 55°F | 4°C / 39°F | 51 mm | 7 |
| February | 13°C / 55°F | 4°C / 39°F | 37 mm | 6 |
| March | 16°C / 61°F | 6°C / 43°F | 41 mm | 7 |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 9°C / 48°F | 42 mm | 6 |
| May | 24°C / 75°F | 13°C / 55°F | 30 mm | 5 |
| June | 28°C / 82°F | 17°C / 63°F | 29 mm | 3 |
| July | 31°C / 88°F | 20°C / 68°F | 18 mm | 2 |
| August | 31°C / 88°F | 20°C / 68°F | 13 mm | 2 |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 17°C / 63°F | 42 mm | 5 |
| October | 22°C / 72°F | 13°C / 55°F | 54 mm | 6 |
| November | 18°C / 64°F | 9°C / 48°F | 62 mm | 7 |
| December | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 47 mm | 7 |
Climate data: NOAA WMO normals (Bari Airport, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
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FAQ
Planning a trip to Puglia
What is the best month to visit Puglia?
September. The sea is warm, the weather is dry and it's much calmer than August.
When can you swim in Puglia?
From June to September, with the warmest sea in August and early September.