Apulia's climate is typically Mediterranean, featuring hot, dry summers and mild, humid winters. Late spring is ideal for sightseeing, while summer through September is perfect for beach days.

Spring (March to May)

Best for sightseeing and outdoor activities, with May being the most pleasant, featuring an average temperature of 20°C.

• Temperatures rise from 10°C in March to a comfortable 20°C in May. Rainfall decreases, and nature is in full bloom.

Peak Season: Summer (June to August)

Best in June and July for a beach vacation – the Salento Peninsula is especially popular.

• Hot with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 33°C. It is very sunny and dry, with a mild breeze along the coast.

Autumn (September to October)

September is the best time to visit, as it's still warm enough for swimming. Early in the month, temperatures remain summer-hot, while from mid-September, they cool to a pleasant 18°C-20°C during the day — perfect for sightseeing and hiking.

Rainfall increases but remains manageable. However, it's best to avoid heavy showers when possible, as they tend to be short but intense, making roads difficult to navigate — especially due to potholes that can damage vehicles. Waterspouts may also occur.

Winter (November to February)

Not recommended for vacations

• Temperatures: 8°C - 13°C; winter months are mild and humid, with more rainy days.

By Plane

The fastest and easiest way to reach Apulia is to fly to Bari (BRI Bari-Karol Wojtyla). There are many low-cost flights available through Ryanair and easyJet. Using the Brindisi-Salento Airport (BDS) is another option.

By Train

A good alternative is traveling by train with Trenitalia, which offers high-speed connections from cities like Rome, Milan, or Bologna to Bari and Lecce.

Trenitalia and the regional railway Ferrovie del Sud Est provide reliable connections between major cities such as Bari, Lecce, Taranto, and Brindisi. Coastal towns like the popular Polignano a Mare and Monopoli are also easily accessible from Bari. However, during the tourist season, expect longer wait times at ticket counters. In mid-September 2024, we encountered long queues in Bari—so we recommend purchasing tickets online in advance whenever possible.

To make the most of your trip, renting a car in Apulia is the best option. There are numerous rental stations conveniently located next to Bari Airport, and the rental process is straightforward. To our relief, we found Apulian drivers, especially in cities like Bari, to be noticeably more relaxed than those in Florence, for example.

That said, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• The best time to visit another city is during siesta hours (12:30–15:00), when the streets are almost empty and parking is easy to find.
• Expect longer travel times in rural areas, as road quality can be inconsistent. However, main roads are generally in good condition, depending on the section.
• Turn signals? A rarity. Be prepared for drivers suddenly changing lanes or turning without warning.
• Slow drivers on the highway? They’re often distracted by their phones.
• Confusing speed limits: Don’t let the 80 km/h signs on the highway confuse you. These often apply only under specific conditions — we initially found ourselves driving too slowly at times.
• Occasionally, a car might stop right in the middle of a roundabout. The best approach is to stay calm and drive confidently.
• Heavy rain: September brings short but intense downpours. During these times, we recommend staying off the roads. Highways can become slippery, and some city streets may flood, remaining impassable for hours. Locals still drive through, but in low-clearance cars, there’s a risk of undercarriage damage from potholes. - We parked and waited it out in a shopping mall.

Conclusion

We were very glad to have a rental car. It made exploring Apulia easy and allowed us to see a lot in a short time. The coastal drives are particularly scenic. Traffic-wise, Lecce was the only city that felt stressful (especially at large roundabouts), while Bari and smaller towns were generally pleasant to navigate.