How to Spend a Perfect Week in Puglia During Winter

From Summer to Winter – Rediscovering Puglia

Puglia has always been my favorite place in summer. Maybe it’s because when I moved to Milan to study and work, I would eagerly wait for my summer holidays to return home, spending weeks under the sun and in the sea. Beach parties, dinners with friends every evening—summer was the best time of the year for me, and Puglia was the perfect place.

Over time, however, I learned to appreciate Puglia in winter. Maybe it’s because I’m now 40, but the intense summer heat no longer appeals to me as it once did. Instead, winter and spring have become my favorite seasons.

The Magic of Puglia’s Winter Climate

Winter in London is cold, gray, rainy, and often windy. At home, the heating is on full blast, while my parents and in-laws call from San Vito dei Normanni or Ostuni telling me it’s 18°C in January or 22°C in December, with beautiful sunshine.

A blue sky, warm sun, lush countryside, and a cozy fireplace (even when it’s not needed)—this is winter at its finest, in the most beautiful place.

What to Do in Puglia in Winter?

• Take long seaside walks, meet local fishermen with the freshest fish, and enjoy aperitivos in beachside bars. A glass of wine, taralli, olives, and polpette (meatballs) to awaken your appetite—all for just €10 per person, sometimes less.

• After the aperitivo, head to a traditional trattoria, perhaps inside a historic masseria, or to a seafood restaurant to enjoy spaghetti allo scoglio (seafood pasta) or salt-baked sea bass. Raw shrimp is a must.

• Evenings by the fireplace with red wine and roasted chestnuts, enjoying freshly baked bread with tomatoes, fresh olive oil, and burrata.

A Warning: Puglia in Winter Can Be Dangerous… for Your Waistline!

You might gain 2-3 kg in a week—so walking is a must!

• Walks in the countryside, admiring centuries-old olive trees and lush greenery.

• Gather wild edible herbs or explore the historic centers of Ostuni and Carovigno, browsing artisan shops and antique stores, or simply strolling through the narrow whitewashed streets.

Puglia in Winter Warms Your Heart

Puglia in winter is mild weather, sunlight like nowhere else, seaside walks, countryside hikes, aperitivos on the beach, and cozy evenings by the fire with a good glass of wine.

Puglia in winter warms your heart the way Puglia in summer warms your body.

Not visiting would be a crime.

And when you decide to experience this magic, Borgomadre will be here to welcome you into a luxurious yet authentic retreat, filled with charm. Our villas offer fireplaces, heated pools, and are surrounded by centuries-old olive trees and Mediterranean gardens.

We are here in winter. We are waiting for you.