The best times to visit Puglia, Italy

26.03.2024 - 23:31 / lonelyplanet.com

Puglia might still be a somewhat under-the-radar destination compared to other Italian regions, but locals know that the country’s easternmost region is emblematic of all the best things Italy has to offer: stunning natural landscapes, millennia-old history, rich folklore and delicious cuisine.

Sometimes also known as the Heel of Italy since most of its territory takes up what is unmistakably the heel of the boot-shaped Belpaese , Puglia is a popular summer spot for Italians, and its gentle Mediterranean weather and cultural treasures mean travelers will find something to fill their days even in the off season.

Whether you're into summer festivals along the beach or nativity scenes at Christmas, here is a guide to help you pick the perfect time for your visit to Puglia.

The period from April to June is probably the best time of year to be in Puglia. While you might still encounter some rain showers at the beginning of April, each month will get warmer, allowing you to take a dip into the sea and explore the region's enchanting cities and towns – all without the heat and crowds of high summer.

Depending on when Easter falls, you might also be able to catch some of its celebrations in April. Italian schools close in the days leading up to Easter, as do most workplaces for Easter Monday, making that long weekend a bit more trafficked than usual. 

Still, it’s definitely worth witnessing some of the Easter traditions where spirituality and folklore intertwine, like the famous Fracchie in the village of San Marco in Lamis, an event during which huge torches are lit on fire and then hauled along the village’s main streets.

The weather in Puglia is softened by its proximity to the sea, but summer here still gets pretty hot – lean into the languor by dozing on the sand under a beach umbrella or taking a dive into the waters of the Adriatic Sea. July and August provide that quintessential Italian summer experience, but make sure to book in advance as this is high season – accommodations get crowded quickly and prices rise equally fast.

There are many Italians who love to travel to Puglia for their summer holidays – beyond the beautiful beaches and historic towns, the whole region is alight with festivals and events. Don't miss the music festival Notte della Taranta, a string of folk music concerts held in cities and towns across Salento throughout August and that culminates in one big concert in Melpignano.

Autumn is an excellent time to visit Puglia. While the things can turn chilly and rainy towards the end of October, the weather is overall still lovely, so much so that you can’t really tell that summer has actually ended. With life going back to normal for Italians, who return to work and school,