What's The Weather Like In Puglia In May
May is arguably one of the best times of year to visit Puglia, a stunning coastal region in the most southeastern corner of Italy. Occupying the so-called "boot of Italy's heel", this region lies on both the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea coasts and has beautiful inland hills and farmlands. This month, because of its excellent and comfortable weather, is ideal for anyone who wants to get out and about. It's not too warm (yet) and it's quite dry.
Temperature
May has an overall average temperature of 18°C, making it the fifth warmest month of the year after the following four summer months of June, July, August and September. Evenings and nights are comfortable now, with an average low temperature of 13°C. In the afternoons, the thermometer indicates averages highs of around 22°C. These lows and highs increase significantly throughout the month, respectively from 11°C to 15°C and from 20°C to 24°C.
Sea Temperature
The average sea temperature is 18°C, but we can assume that it's significantly warmer at the end of the month than in the beginning. Swimming may be possible already in late May!
Rain
There's a huge drop in total rainfall in May when compared to April. Now, there is a total of merely 35mm, which falls down on 6 days. This makes it the fourth driest month of the whole year, after the three next months. The beginning of the month is the wettest, with a chance that it will rain of 35%. The end is the driest, with a 27% chance of rainfall. Moderate rain is the most likely type to be experienced, occurring on 45% of the days with rainfall. Thunderstorms are possible as well, observed on 27% of those days. Light rain is another type that is occasionally experienced; that is, on 17% of the rainy days.
As the rainfall totals and chances decrease, so does cloud cover. Cloud cover drops greatly throughout the month, from 46% to 34%.
Sunshine Hours
The end of May is characterised by mostly clear skies. This clearing of the skies, combined with a 56-minute increase in day length in the course of the month, results in more sunshine for you to enjoy. There are 8 hours of sunshine per day on averagehe same number as in September.
Check out our up-to-date weather forecast for Puglia if you're planning to visit this beautiful region in the near future.
Puglia Hotels In May
33 Baroni Hotel
Consider visiting the striking coastal town of Gallipoli when travelling around Puglia in May. The 33 Baroni Hotel lies only 300 metres from the historic town centre and near the town's main road, the Corso Roma, where visitors can go shopping, eating and drinking. The hotel features lots of facilities, ranging from a panoramic terrace to meeting rooms and organised tours.
Palazzo Mosco Inn
Another recommended place to stay in Gallipoli is the four-star Palazzo Mosco Inn. Housed in a historic residence, this hotel lies in the very heart of the old town and within easy walking distance from the beach. Visitors can enjoy wonderful views of the Ionian Sea from the terrace. Its magnificent location makes it one of the best places to stay in this town.
Hotel Villaggio Dei Pini
Something more budget-friendly is the three-star Hotel Villaggio dei Pini. This suggested place to stay features a restaurant and snack bar, a car park, a TV room and a couple of other amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Puglia Beaches For May
With sea temperatures averaging 18°C and higher, especially toward the end of the month, May may already be a comfortable time of year to go for a swim in the Adriatic or Ionian Seas.
Punta Pizzo Beach
To the south of Gallipoli, Punta Pizzo beach is a beautiful place for swimming and sunbathing, characterised by unspoiled nature. Backed by a dense pine forest, surrounded by rocky peaks and cliffs, and overlooked by a 16th-century watchtower, this gorgeous beach has been awarded 3 Sails, which indicates its natural beauty.
Near the beach, you can go for walks in the regional nature park Isola di Sant'Andrea, which is home to many typical Mediterranean plants and animals.
Bars And Restaurants
Ill Bastione
Il Bastione is both a place to sleep and a place to eat in Gallipoli. This B&B has its own restaurant, which overlooks the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. The restaurant is set in and on the actual fortified city wallsts name couldn't be more appropriatend has one of the most scenic terraces in town.
Trattoria L'Angelo Blu
Another great place to have a bite to eat in Gallipoli is Trattoria L'Angelo Blu. This is a wonderful fish and seafood restaurant that features an extensive selection of wines. Its menu consists of oysters, prawns, clams, mussels, shrimp and all kinds of other fish.
Things to Do In Puglia In May
Gallipoli
Gallipoli is easily one of the most beautiful coastal towns in southern Italy, a great place to explore on foot during a warm day in Mayemperatures rise to 22°C in the afternoon. This town is made up of two partshe modern town is located on the mainland, while the old town occupies a small island in the Ionian Sea. The old town is where you want to be. The Old Town, set scenically on a limestone island, is completely walled and fortified with defensive towers and bastions. Formerly protecting the town from invaders, the walls now help protect it from the salt sea water and help preserve the town's undeniable charm.
The Old Town is basically a maze of narrow alleys and is dotted with striking monuments and buildings. Particular highlights are the fish market, the Castle, the Greek Fountain and the Chapel of Santa Christina. The town's name literally means "beautiful city", which is absolutely appropriate!
San Giovanni Rotondo
In northern Puglia, a popular destination to visit is San Giovanni Rotondo. This is where you can visit one of Puglia's most popular religious attractionshe places of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. This Capucin monastery was where Padre Pio died in 1968. It is now a major pilgrim's destination. The Convent Santa Maria delle Grazie contains the remains of the friar and is a popular attraction.
