Weather in Puglia in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Puglia and ranks 102nd of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Italy it is 4th of 16 (Italy in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Puglia is 4.7°C warmer by day and 5.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Puglia peaks at 12.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 15.2°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 7.4°C; one night in ten drops to 4.3°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 18.7°C (2016-01-10) and the coldest night -3.7°C (2017-01-11).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 59 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2009 with 152 mm, the driest 2007 with 8 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 13.6°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.1°C to 14.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:16 and sets about 16:47 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 55%.

Is January a good time to visit Puglia?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Puglia on our scoring are July, August, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Milder days, but still winter

January is Puglia's coldest month, so the useful comparison is with a British winter rather than an Italian summer. The warmer days reach 15.2°C or more, which can make time outdoors more comfortable, but that is not the everyday expectation. At the colder end, nights drop to 4.3°C or below. Pack layers, a warm outer coat and closed shoes rather than relying on a light jacket throughout. Keep longer outdoor plans for the middle of the day, when temperatures are more favourable, and expect to wrap up again for the evening. This suits travellers who prefer cool conditions to heat.

Plan around rain and limited daylight

Rain is a practical catch: about 9 days have measurable rainfall, so waterproof outerwear and flexible plans matter. That does not mean every wet day is a washout, but a holiday depending on uninterrupted dry weather is a poor fit. There are about 4.2 hours of sunshine within 9.4 hours of daylight, making it sensible to put outdoor time earlier in your plans rather than leave it until late afternoon. The sea averages 13.6°C, firmly cold rather than comfortably swimmable. Treat time by the water as an opportunity for a walk in suitable weather, not a beach-swimming day. If you want both warmth and long outdoor days, January's compromises are likely to outweigh its milder temperatures compared with home.