Best time to visit Malta

The archipelago of Malta lies close to the centre of the Mediteranean Sea and is blessed with some of the best weather in the region. It consists of seven islands, only three of which, Malta, Gozo and Comino, are inhabited.

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Its historic capital Valletta and the many rocky beaches that ring the three main islands are bathed in sunshine and high temperatures throughout summer.

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Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in Malta. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

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When is the best time to visit Malta?

The best time to visit Malta (Valletta) is May, June, July and August based on the following average weather conditions.

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Hours of Sunshine (daily)

Which is the hottest month in Malta?

The hottest time of year in Valletta, Malta is normally August. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 30°C with high heat and humidity.

Which month has the most rain in Malta?

In terms of rainfall, December is usually the wettest month in Valletta, Malta with 99mm on average. There are normally 13 days in December with some rain.

When is it sunniest in Malta?

The sunniest time of year in Valletta, Malta is normally July with bright sunshine on average for 81% of daylight hours; that's 12 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in Malta?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Valletta, Malta in August when the water temperature reaches 26°C.

Best time to visit

The weather guide for Malta (Valletta) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

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Malta weather overview

Malta weather comes in two flavours, hot in summer with plenty of sunshine, and sunny but cooler in winter with some rain and occasionally strong winds.

Malta weather is some of the best in the Mediterranean with plenty of sunshine throughout the year and high daytime temperatures in summer often moderated by cooling sea breezes.

Malta has long been a popular holiday destination with Brits. Everyone in Malta speaks English and there are good flight connections from most major UK airports.

The historic city of Valletta
The historic city of Valletta © Continentaleurope - Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0

One of Malta's main attractions is the sheltered sandy beaches that make it so popular as a family holiday destination. For those who are more adventurous there are also many secluded coves along the rocky shoreline with safe swimming in clear blue Mediterranean waters.

Because of the fine weather, the summer season from June to September is the most popular time for people to visit Malta.

In June the weather is near to perfect. The days are long and 75% of daylight hours are usually sunny. Daytime temperatures do exceed 30°C on some days but heat and humidity is still usually only moderate.

Although this sort of weather is ideal for lazing on the beach, depending on what you are used to, some may find the sea still a little chilly at 21°C.

By the middle of July however the sea temperature has risen to 24°C and 12 hours of sunshine a day is the norm. This is the beginning of the hottest time of year when daytime temperatures rise into the low thirties Celsius and heat and humidity is usually high.

On the coast a sea breeze can help to alleviate the discomfort caused by high humidity and by nightfall temperatures are generally back to the low twenties Celsius.

August is normally quite similar to July - hot and dry, but when September arrives it becomes noticeably cooler and there is even a slight chance of rain showers.

Once the school holidays are over September is a great time to visit Malta. Although daylight hours are shrinking, there is still plenty of sunshine, temperatures are down a touch and the sea temperature is still 25°C.

Even in October it is still pretty warm with daytime temperatures in the mid twenties Celsius, although as the month progresses the number of days with rain increases as the season changes from the settled dry conditions of summer to more variable cooler weather with rain at times.

From the beginning of October to the end of January Malta usually has about the same amount of rain as most places in the UK. However there is also a lot of sunshine.

Rainfall in Malta comes mainly in short episodes, never lasting more than a day or two, and more normally falling over a period of a few hours. In fact the sun still shines for an average of at least 5 hours a day throughout the winter.

Daytime temperatures in winter are comfortable, in the mid to high teens Celsius, and a lot warmer in direct sun. They can however fall below 10°C at night, but never below zero.

Warmth and sunshine are not the only benefits Malta weather has to offer in winter. Because the island is relatively far south daylight hours are longer here than in Northern Europe. London has around 7.5 hours of daylight each day in December. Malta can boast an extra 2 hours a day at 9.5 hours.

Despite the generally fine weather winds can be strong at times in winter and spring when the 'mistral' blows off Western Europe towards North Africa, and on rare occasions when it blows from the north east it brings colder weather from the Balkans.

There is also a chance of 'sirocco' winds that blow from the Sahara desert towards Europe particularly in winter and spring, bringing dust, high humidity and warmer temperatures.

During February the first signs of spring start to appear as rain becomes less frequent and minimum temperatures rise a degree or two. Vegetation is at its greenest in March and from the middle of April when daytime maximum temperatures rise above 20°C the weather begins to warm up.

By May there are 10 hours of sunshine a day, no heat and humidity and little chance of rain - great weather for getting out and about before the heat of summer takes hold once again.

Overall Malta has a delightful climate, in some respects very similar to many other destinations in the Mediterranean.

Being a small island, air temperatures are moderated slightly by the temperature of the surrounding sea, making it cooler in summer and warmer in winter than places that are more affected by continental weather.

What to pack for Malta weather

In summer from June to September light cotton clothing is all you need to take to Malta. Even in the evening the temperature usually remains above 20°C.

However for the rest of the year an extra layer is advisable; and from December to February a warm sweater is essential. Malta weather can be cold windy and wet on rare occasions during winter so a raincoat and umbrella may also be necessary.

A brief introduction to Malta

Malta is an archipelago nation in the Mediterranean made up of seven islands, of which three - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited and popular holiday destinations.

Given its location in the Mediterranean Sea, almost touching Italy and a stone's throw from North Africa, Malta has long been a melting pot of cultures, which over centuries has evolved to create a strong identity.

Boat trip on holiday in Malta
Boat trip on holiday in Malta © Viewingmalta.com

Malta has a rich and interesting history, having homed everyone from the Greeks and Romans to Knights, Napoleon and the British.

Today it's a flourishing holiday destination with so much to offer families and couples, from beautiful beaches and numerous UNESCO heritage sites, to museums, carnivals and fantastic snorkelling.

Family holidays in Malta

Malta welcomes families with ease thanks to its diverse selection of things to do and places to stay. As well as the family-oriented resort, you can look forward to experiencing a wide range of activities and attractions suitable for your little ones.

The Blue Lagoon, Comino
The Blue Lagoon, Comino © Viewingmalta.com

Take a dip in the sheltered waters of Comino's Blue Lagoon, book some water sports, make a base in one of the many beach clubs or splash about in a water park.

On dry land, you can go horse riding, mountain biking, and even visit a film set at Popeye Village Fun Park. Other family-friendly theme parks in Malta include:

  • Mediterraneo Marine Park
  • Playmobil Fun Park
  • Splash & Fun Waterpark
  • Bugibba Water Park

Then of course there's the enormous variety of museums (many with dedicated kids' areas or toys), sites, and events to choose from as well. With such a great deal for families to do together, if you're still deciding where to take your lot this year, a holiday to Malta could be just the ticket.

  • Best beaches for families: Bugibba Perched Beach, Mellieha Bay Beach, St George's Bay, Comino Blue Lagoon
  • Best resorts for families: Bugibba, Qawra, Sliema

Beach holidays in Malta

As a collection of islands, naturally Malta does very well in terms of beaches and bays. Although predominantly rocky there are a number of good sandy options, some man-made. There's plenty of choice, it just depends what type of beach you're after.

The aptly named Golden Bay, Malta
The aptly named Golden Bay, Malta - photo courtesy of Malta Tourism Authority

Sitting almost exactly in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea sandwiched between the north coast of Africa and Sicily, Malta is a true natural treasure with some striking stretches of coast, incorporating a mix of sandy and rocky beaches.

You'll find eight Blue Flag beaches across the three main Maltese islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, which are:

  • Mellieha Bay
  • Ghajn Tuffieha
  • Ramla L-Hamra, Gozo
  • Qawra Point
  • St. George's Bay
  • Bugibba Perched Beach
  • Fond Ghadir
  • Paradise Hotel Perched Beach

One of the island's biggest assets is the sea itself, providing endless opportunities for snorkelling and diving.

Three of the best places to dive in include Malta's Qawra Point, Hondoq Bay in Gozo, and all of Comino's coast, each giving you the chance to get up close and personal with a wealth of colourful creatures.

There's also numerous dive schools and centres offering courses and guided dives, such as to the shipwreck off St Julian's.

  • Best sandy beaches: Bugabbi Perched Beach, St George's Bay, Hondoq Bay Gozo, Golden Bay, Mellieha Bay
  • Best beaches for snorkelling: Blue Lagoon Comino, Qawra Point, Bugabbi Perched Beach, Hondoq Bay Gozo

Malta travel features

Do you want to learn more about Malta? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in Malta.

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