Winter in Salento: Brindisi in the quiet season
Mild climate, more daylight than northern Europe and art cities without crowds
In brief: winter in Brindisi is mild: in January the average maximum is 13 °C and the minimum 6.5 °C, and frost is rare. On 21 December, the shortest day of the year, daylight lasts 9 hours and 16 minutes: more than an hour and a half longer than in Berlin or Warsaw. It's the right season to see Brindisi and Salento without crowds, on foot and at your own pace.
In summer Salento is sea, beaches and evenings outdoors. In winter it changes face: the art cities return to those who live there, museums and churches can be visited without queues, and the climate remains mild enough to spend your days outside. Brindisi, with the airport in the city and Lecce 35 minutes away, is the place to start from.
The climate: mild, with a few rainy days
| Month | Average maximum | Average minimum | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 14.2 °C | 7.6 °C | 8 | 14.7 °C |
| January | 13.0 °C | 6.5 °C | 8 | 13.5 °C |
| February | 13.2 °C | 6.5 °C | 8 | 13.3 °C |
Temperature and rainfall: Aeronautica Militare, 1991-2020 averages from Brindisi Casale station. Sea: surface temperature, 1991-2020 averages offshore from Brindisi (NOAA).
In winter the maximum temperatures remain around 13 °C and the average minimums above 6 °C: you go out with a jacket, not a heavy down coat. It's the season with the most rainy days, about eight per month, but that also means the other twenty-two are dry. The forecast for the coming days is on the Weather in Brindisi page.
More daylight than northern Europe
In the south, winter days are longer. On 21 December in Brindisi the sun rises around 7:10 and sets around 16:25:
| Hours of daylight on 21 December | Length of day | Compared to Brindisi |
|---|---|---|
| Brindisi | 9 h 16 min | reference |
| Milan | 8 h 43 min | 33 minutes less |
| Munich | 8 h 21 min | 55 minutes less |
| London | 7 h 50 min | 1 hour 26 minutes less |
| Warsaw | 7 h 42 min | 1 hour 33 minutes less |
| Berlin | 7 h 39 min | 1 hour 37 minutes less |
Length of day calculated from the position of the sun for each city.
And the days lengthen quickly: by mid-February daylight already lasts 10 hours and 38 minutes, and the sun sets after 17:20.
What to do in winter
- Brindisi on foot: the Roman Columns on the harbour, the Cathedral, the Romanesque churches, the seafront. The complete route is in What to see in Brindisi, with visiting time for each place.
- The art cities of Salento: the baroque of Lecce, Otranto with its cathedral, Ostuni and the Valle d'Itria. In winter you can explore them without the summer crowds. Distances are in the guide to Brindisi as a base for Salento.
- The cuisine: it's the season of new oil, just pressed after the olive harvest. To start, here's what to eat in Brindisi.
- Events in the city: concerts, exhibitions and festivals are in the events calendar, updated daily.
Practical tips
- Dress in layers: on sunny days at midday you're fine even with a sweatshirt, in the evening you need a jacket.
- A small umbrella: in winter it rains about eight days a month.
- Make the most of daylight: outdoor visits in the morning and early afternoon, museums and churches towards evening.
- Plan your days: our planner puts together open places, events and experiences based on your interests.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cold in Brindisi in winter?
Not very: in January the average maximum is 13 °C and the minimum 6.5 °C. Frost is rare.
Does it rain a lot in Brindisi in winter?
It's the rainiest season, with about eight rainy days per month from December to February. The other days are dry.
How many hours of daylight are there in Brindisi in winter?
On 21 December, the shortest day, 9 hours and 16 minutes: an hour and a half more than in Berlin or Warsaw.