Start planning your Salento holiday in Brindisi
A mild autumn until November, plenty of light and Salento half an hour away: why the journey starts here
In brief: In Brindisi, autumn is long and mild: in October the average highs are 22 °C and in November still 17 °C, with lows that don't drop below 10 °C. In mid-November the day lasts almost 10 hours, an hour more than in Berlin, Warsaw or London. With the Salento airport in the city and Lecce 35 minutes away, it's the starting point for a holiday in Salento even off-season.
When you think of Salento, you think of summer. But the climate of this tip of Italy offers much more: an autumn that stretches into November, bright days when in northern Europe it's already dark at four in the afternoon, and towns and coasts to experience without the August crowds. And the journey almost always begins here, from Brindisi.
Why start from Brindisi
Brindisi is the gateway to Salento. The city's airport is actually called Salento Airport, the port connects Italy with Greece and Albania, and the station is on the line that runs down the Adriatic to Lecce. From here, by car, Lecce is 35 minutes away, Otranto just over an hour, Gallipoli an hour and ten minutes and Santa Maria di Leuca an hour and a half. Distances to all the main places are in our guide to Brindisi as a base for visiting Puglia and Salento.
Starting from here means having a historic centre by the sea to return to in the evening, after days out exploring, and a city to discover at your own pace: the Roman Columns on the harbour, the seafront promenade, the Romanesque churches. You'll find everything in the What to see in Brindisi itinerary.
The climate: an autumn that lasts until November
Brindisi's climate is Mediterranean: hot, dry summers, mild winters, and an autumn that cools down gradually. These are the official average values from the Air Force weather station at Brindisi airport:
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 26.0 °C | 18.2 °C | 5 |
| October | 21.8 °C | 14.8 °C | 7 |
| November | 17.3 °C | 10.6 °C | 8 |
Source: Aeronautica Militare, Climate Atlas of Italy, 1971-2000 averages, Brindisi Casale station.
This means that in September it's still full summer, with highs around 26 °C. In October the days are mild, perfect for walking all day without the July heat. And even in November the highs stay around 17 °C and at night it stays above 10 °C: you go out with a light jacket, not a winter coat.
November is the month with the most rainfall in millimetres, but on average it rains 8 days out of 30: the others are dry. The month-by-month climate, and forecasts for the coming days, are on the Brindisi Weather page.
Plenty of light, even in autumn
In the south, autumn days are longer. Brindisi is further south than Rome, and in mid-November the sun stays above the horizon for almost 10 hours: it rises around 6:35 and sets around 16:30. Further north the difference is noticeable:
| Hours of daylight on 15 November | Day length | Compared to Brindisi |
|---|---|---|
| Brindisi | 9 h 58 min | reference |
| Milan | 9 h 33 min | 25 minutes less |
| Munich | 9 h 18 min | 40 minutes less |
| London | 8 h 56 min | 1 hour less |
| Warsaw | 8 h 50 min | 1 hour 8 minutes less |
| Berlin | 8 h 48 min | 1 hour 10 minutes less |
Day length calculated from the sun's position for each city.
By late November the difference with Berlin and Warsaw exceeds an hour and twenty minutes. For those arriving from northern Europe it's like extending the season: an extra hour of daylight every day, to spend outdoors.
What to do in Salento in autumn
With mild temperatures and fewer people, autumn is the right time for things you rush through in summer:
- Art towns without the heat: the Baroque of Lecce, the historic centre of Brindisi, Otranto and its cathedral can be explored on foot all day long.
- The coast: in September and on fine October days the sea is still enjoyable, and walks along the cliffs between Otranto and Leuca are more pleasant without the August sun.
- The cuisine: it's the season of new wine and freshly pressed oil. To start, here's what to eat in Brindisi.
- Experiences with locals: tastings, cooking classes, boat trips and guided tours. You'll find available dates on the experiences page.
To see what's happening in the city during your trip, check what to do in Brindisi today and this weekend.
How to plan your trip
Some practical tips for an off-season holiday in Salento with Brindisi as your base:
- Get around by car. With a car you can dedicate one day to Lecce and the Adriatic coast, one to Gallipoli and the Ionian coast, one to the city, and always return in the evening.
- Dress in layers. Between morning and early afternoon the temperature difference is noticeable: t-shirt during the day, a light jacket in the evening.
- Make the most of daylight. In autumn the sun sets early: outdoor visits in the morning and early afternoon, museums and churches towards evening.
- Check the weather forecast on the Brindisi Weather page and move your beach day to the nicest one.
If you want a ready-made programme, our itinerary generator puts together things to see, events and experiences based on your interests and how many days you have.
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Brindisi in October?
Mild: the average high is 21.8 °C and the low 14.8 °C, with about 7 rainy days in the month.
Is it cold in Salento in November?
No. In Brindisi in November the average high is 17.3 °C and the low 10.6 °C. A light jacket is enough.
How many hours of daylight are there in Brindisi in autumn?
About 11 hours in mid-October and nearly 10 in mid-November: an hour more than in Berlin, Warsaw or London.
Where's the best place to start from to visit Salento?
From Brindisi: it has Salento's airport, the port and the railway station, and Lecce is 35 minutes away by car.