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Lecce, in southeastern Italy’s Apulia region, enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, relatively rainy winters. The city boasts long hours of sunshine, moderate rainfall, and pleasant sea breezes that temper summer heat. Lecce’s climate supports vibrant outdoor life, lush countryside in spring, and a long beach season perfect for travellers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
The climate of Lecce
Lecce’s Mediterranean climate is characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summer (June to September) brings average highs of 29–33°C, with July and August being the hottest months. The sea breeze often tempers the heat, but when the sirocco blows from Africa, temperatures can soar above 40°C. Nights remain warm, and rainfall is scarce – July is typically the driest month with just 15 mm of rain. Sunshine is abundant, with July and August offering up to 11–11.5 hours of sun per day and daylight lasting over 15 hours at the solstice. The sea warms to 24–25.5°C in July and August, making swimming ideal.
Winters (December to February) are mild, with average highs of 13–14°C and lows around 4–6°C. Rain is more frequent, especially in November and December, which are the wettest months, each averaging 70–95 mm of precipitation. Snow is rare, though cold snaps can occasionally bring frost. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (17–25°C), moderate rainfall, and vibrant countryside. May and September are especially popular for outdoor activities and beach trips, as the sea remains warm and crowds are fewer. Lecce enjoys about 2,700 hours of sunshine annually, and winds are generally light to moderate, though breezier days can occur, especially in spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Lecce, Italy | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 26 | 29 | 30 | 26 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 30 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 53 | 52 | 53 | 35 | 32 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 61 | 105 | 40 | 483 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 125 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 72 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 67 | 65 | 61 | 60 | 64 | 70 | 73 | 71 | 68 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 22 | 23 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 37 | 37 | 32 | 29 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 17 | 24 | 33 | 30 | 24 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
Travel info
- Spring (March–May): Mild and blooming, with highs from 16–25°C. Occasional light rain and gentle breezes. Ideal for sightseeing, festivals, and countryside excursions – bring layers and a light rain jacket.
- Summer (June–August): Hot, sunny, and dry, with highs of 29–33°C. Sea temperatures reach 24–25.5°C. Perfect for beaches, festivals, and outdoor dining. Pack sun protection, light clothing, and a hat.
- Autumn (September–November): Warm in September (up to 27°C), cooling to 18°C by November. Rainfall increases, especially in November. Early autumn is great for swimming and fewer crowds.
- Winter (December–February): Mild, with highs of 13–14°C and lows of 4–6°C. Rain is more frequent, and occasional frost is possible. Dress in layers and bring an umbrella for showers.
- General tips: Weather is changeable in spring and autumn – dress in layers. Summer is peak season for beaches and festivals; book accommodation early. Evenings can be breezy year-round.
The best time to visit Lecce
The best time to visit Lecce is from mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October, when temperatures are mild to warm, crowds are fewer, and the countryside is vibrant. These periods are ideal for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and enjoying the city’s historic charm without the intense summer heat.
The worst time to visit Lecce
The least favourable time to visit Lecce is in the peak of summer (late July to August), when temperatures can exceed 35°C and crowds are at their highest, or in November and December, when rain is most frequent and days are shorter. However, even in winter, Lecce remains milder than much of Europe.
Frequently asked questions
Lecce has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Summers are sunny and long, while winters are cooler and wetter. Spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities.
The best times to visit Lecce are mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October, when the weather is warm but not too hot, and crowds are fewer. These months are perfect for sightseeing and countryside trips.
Rainfall in Lecce is moderate, with most rain falling from October to December. July and August are the driest months, while November is typically the wettest. Showers are usually brief, and sunshine returns quickly.
Summer highs in Lecce typically reach 29–33°C, but can exceed 40°C during sirocco winds from Africa. Nights remain warm, and the sea breeze often provides relief from the heat.
Yes, the sea near Lecce is warmest from July to September, with temperatures of 24–25.5°C. Swimming is comfortable from June to October, though the water is cooler in spring and late autumn.
In summer, bring light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and a hat. For spring and autumn, pack layers and a light rain jacket. In winter, a jumper and umbrella are useful for cooler, rainy days.
Lecce experiences gentle to moderate breezes year-round, with occasional stronger winds, especially in spring and autumn. The sirocco, a hot wind from Africa, can bring very high temperatures in summer.
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Lecce
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (30.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (13.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (24.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (9.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 16.6 °C.
Rainfall amount in Lecce
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (105.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (4 mm). Over the whole year there are 483.5 mm of rainfall on average.
Rainfall days in Lecce
The month with the most days of rain is January (15.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (2.4 days). Over the whole year there are 125 days of rain on average.
Snowfall amount in Lecce
The month with the most snowfall is January (1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1 mm of snowfall on average.
Snowfall days in Lecce
The month with the most days of snowfall is December (0.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are March, April, May, July and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 0.9 days of snowfall on average.
Relative humidity in Lecce
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (73.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (60.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 68.2 %.
Wind speed in Lecce
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (23.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (14.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 18.4 km/h.
Cloud coverage in Lecce
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (37.4 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (7.3 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 24.1 %.
Daylight hours and sunshine hours in Lecce
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 5 h). Over the whole year there are 8.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
UV index in Lecce
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.3.
- Lecce climate overview
- Climate table
- Related travel information for Lecce
- The best time to visit Lecce
- The worst time to visit Lecce
- Frequently asked questions
- Temperature summary
- Rainfall amount summary
- Rainfall days summary
- Snowfall amount summary
- Snowfall days summary
- Relative humidity summary
- Wind speed summary
- Cloud coverage summary
- Daylight hours and sunshine hours summary
- UV index summary
- Other recommended travel destinations