Best time to visit Puglia

Already become one of the most popular destinations in Europe, Puglia boasts a much wider tourist offer than you might think. The territory of this region is able to satisfy many types of tourism: from seaside tourism, better known and widespread thanks to the presence of heavenly beaches compared to those of the Maldives, to food and wine tourism thanks to the rich offer of typical local products and wine, to cultural tourism thanks to the presence of baroque cities such as Lecce, to wellness tourism thanks to the presence of thermal springs such as those of Santa Cesaria Terme, to cycling tourism thanks to the presence of notable cycle routes such as the Via Francigena… and so on. As you may have guessed, Puglia is not just sea. So, the question that many ask is: what is the best time to visit Puglia? The answer is… it depends.

Summer in Puglia: pros & cons

Summer is obviously the best time if you want to spend a holiday dedicated to the sea, sun and beaches. The most famous locations in Salento are filled with tourists from all over the world, young and old, intent on enjoying the sea and experiencing the Salento nightlife in the best clubs and discos in Gallipoli. It is difficult to get bored in the summer, thanks also to the rich calendar of events and festivals present throughout the territory, among which we must mention the famous Notte della Taranta in Melpignano, a unique festival of its kind that aims to bring back to life the phenomenon of tarantism and the popular dance of pizzica through songs, dances and performances, as well as thanks to the food and wine stands set up for the festival.

If you love relaxing on the beach, it is advisable to go to Salento in the months of June or September, also saving on the price of hotels, flights and car rental, as the months of July and August are usually crowded with poor availability and higher prices; it is always advisable to book these services well in advance.

In summer, you can also choose from many activities in the various seaside areas, such as boat rentals and tours, kayaking, diving and snorkeling for enthusiasts. Even simply walking through the streets of Otranto, after spending a day on the beach, among the countless shops in the historic center, or enjoying an excellent dinner in the historic center of Gallipoli are experiences that take on a different flavor in summer.

Puglia in Spring and Autumn

If your goal is to spend a holiday dedicated to relaxation, good food and tranquility, the spring months (from March to May) and autumn (October and November) are the ones for you.

During these months the temperatures are mild and allow you to explore and visit the main locations with more calm and relaxation, giving up the high temperatures of the summer months that often reach 40 °.

Although many structures are only open during the summer season, even during these months the Region has a wide range of accommodation to choose from. You can consider different types of stays such as those inside the typical trulli in the Itria Valley area or in one of the many converted and renovated masserie, or inside historic buildings built in Lecce stone in one of the many historic centers of the Apulian municipalities.

In these periods of the year, cycling routes in the Salento countryside are very popular, very often organized by the agritourisms or masserie of the area that provide all the necessary equipment. Furthermore, it is possible to organize food and wine routes, taste the many typical dishes, organize the increasingly requested tours in the various cellars to taste the renowned Apulian wines such as those of Martina Franca.

Taking advantage of the milder climate, you can visit the nearby Itria Valley, which with its fabulous masserie, trulli and historic centers, boasts being among the favorite destinations of many Italian and non-Italian celebrities. Also worth mentioning is the nearby Zoo Safari of Fasano, which with its 140 hectares and 200 different species, boasts being the largest wildlife park in Italy and among the largest in the world.

Winter in Puglia

Winter is the least advisable period to visit Puglia as temperatures are colder, especially in the months from December to February and many activities, excursions and tours are interrupted.

However, in recent years, the Region has been equipping itself to offer something to visitors who choose to come to Puglia in this period. In this regard, during the Christmas period, Puglia is enriched with events and festivals, almost like the summer period, thanks to the numerous living nativity scenes scattered throughout the territory, monumental nativity scenes, including the most famous one created inside the Roman Amphitheatre in Lecce and the markets, full of local artistic artefacts in Lecce stone, papier-mâché or ceramic.

Again, some villages such as Locorotondo and Alberobello come to life thanks to the installation of lights and decorations, making these places fairytale places!

Winter in Puglia is an excellent choice for those who want to spend a wellness holiday like the one offered by Santa Cesaria Terme and its spa, famous for its wellness and therapeutic treatments.

Last but not least, in February, don’t miss the celebration of the Putignano carnival, an emblem of the art of papier-mâché which, for decades, has materialized in the creation of magnificent allegorical floats, character masks and masked groups, protagonists of the colorful caravan of masked courses.

Conclusions

To conclude, we can say that Puglia has something to offer in every season of the year. Certainly, summer is the one in which it is possible to fully enjoy the activities that Puglia can offer, but at the expense of tranquility and relaxation. The “middle” seasons are the ideal solution for those who want to combine relaxation with excursions, guided tours, food and wine tours and “unusual” activities off the beaten track.

Winter, on the other hand, is ideal for those who want to enjoy the more “local” Puglia, in the midst of tranquility and relaxation, participating in village festivals, tasting typical local products, walking through the streets of decorated historic centers or enjoying a stay in a wellness center.