Malta
Best time to visit Malta: weather and seasons by month
Go in April–June or September–October: warm sea, 20–28 °C (68–82 °F) days, medium crowds and medium prices. July–August are hot (30–35 °C (86–95 °F)), packed and at peak rates. November–March is cheap and quiet for sightseeing, but swimming and boat trips are limited. Pick May or October if you want one answer.Go in April–June or September–October: warm sea, 68–82 °F (20–28 °C) days, medium crowds and medium prices. July–August are hot (86–95 °F (30–35 °C)), packed and at peak rates. November–March is cheap and quiet for sightseeing, but swimming and boat trips are limited. Pick May or October if you want one answer.
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GuideMalta
Key facts
- Best overall
- April–June and September–October
- Best for swimming
- June–October; sea 26–27 °C in August
- Cheapest
- January–February and November (low season)
- Busiest and priciest
- July–August, plus Easter week
- Winter days
- 14–17 °C, rain spells, windy; sightseeing only
- Summer days
- 30–35 °C with humidity; sirocco can push higher
- Boat trips and diving
- Cancel in strong gregale (north-east) winds; diving runs all year with a wetsuit
- Eco-contribution
- Rises on 1 July 2026
Summary by month, crowd and price
Verdicts follow the site's country data: go, caution. Prices are 2026 estimates for a mid-range double room per night in Valletta or Sliema; they swing widely around Easter, Santa Marija and New Year.
| Month | Verdict | Crowds | Prices | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Caution | Low | Low | Mild, sometimes rainy; cheapest month; boat trips limited |
| February | Caution | Low | Low | Carnival in Valletta and Nadur; 10 Feb holiday; windy spells |
| March | Go | Medium | Medium | Warming up; wildflowers on Gozo; Easter may fall late |
| April | Go | Medium | Medium | Holy Week processions; ideal walking weather; sea still cool |
| May | Go | Medium | Medium | Warm and green; swimmable by late month; harbour fireworks |
| June | Go | High | High | Beach season and first festas; Mnarja (29 Jun) in Buskett woods |
| July | Caution | High | High | Hot and full; festas every weekend; eco-contribution rises 1 July 2026 |
| August | Caution | High | High | Peak heat and prices; Santa Marija (15 Aug); Comino packed |
| September | Go | High | High | Warmest sea of the year; Victory Day regatta (8 Sep), Independence Day (21 Sep) |
| October | Go | Medium | Medium | Warm, fewer crowds; Birgufest and Notte Bianca in Valletta |
| November | Caution | Low | Low | First storms; sea still swimmable early in the month |
| December | Caution | Low | Medium | Cribs and Christmas lights; Republic Day (13 Dec); mild but windy |
Crowd and price bands are relative to Malta's own year, not to other countries. Easter week and the 15 August weekend behave like July–August even in shoulder months.
Choosing your dates, step by step
Start with what you want to do. If swimming, snorkelling or diving at Comino and Gozo is the point, aim for June to early October; the sea is 15 °C in winter and 26–27 °C in August, and diving runs all year but needs a wetsuit outside summer. If you are here for Valletta, Mdina, the temples and the Cottonera, winter works: 14–17 °C by day, short rain spells, low prices and no queues.
Then check the calendar. Easter moves yearly (Good Friday falls on 26 March in 2027) and brings processions plus high-season prices. 15 August (Santa Marija) fills Gozo ferries and village festas. 8 and 21 September bring the Grand Harbour regatta and ceremonies. Christmas week closes many restaurants. If your dates touch any of these, book accommodation early.
Then weigh heat against cost. July and August are 30–35 °C with humidity, and the sirocco can bring dusty, hot days in spring and autumn. Sightseeing on foot in Valletta in August is hard work; if you must travel then, plan indoor stops at midday and swim in the late afternoon. April–June and September–October give 20–28 °C days, medium crowds and medium prices — the sweet spot.
Finally, watch the wind. Strong gregale (north-east) winds cancel boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, and they are more likely in winter and early spring. Build one flexible day into any short trip if a boat crossing is a priority.
- Swimming and boats: June–early October
- Walking and sightseeing: March–May, October–November
- Cheapest: January–February, November
- Avoid if you dislike crowds and heat: late July–August
Notes and caveats
Malta is small, so weather is similar across the main island and Gozo; the difference is wind exposure on the coasts and on ferry crossings. Public holidays close offices and some shops, and festas can make village roads busy in the evening.
The eco-contribution paid by visitors rises on 1 July 2026; confirm the current rate with the official tourism site before booking. Summer heat and the risk of wildfires or water restrictions are worth checking in a dry year. Sea temperatures and boat schedules are seasonal and change with the weather, so treat any specific crossing time as check.
- Public holidays: 10 Feb, 19 Mar, 31 Mar, Good Friday, 1 May, 7 Jun, 29 Jun, 15 Aug, 8 Sep, 21 Sep, 8 Dec, 13 Dec, 25 Dec, 1 Jan
- Festas run through the summer, mostly at weekends
- Ferries to Gozo are busiest around 15 August
Questions people ask
What is the best time of year to visit Malta?
April–June and September–October. Days are 20–28 °C, the sea is warm from June, crowds are medium and prices are medium. May and October are the single best months if you want one answer.
When is the cheapest time to visit Malta?
January, February and November are the low season, with the cheapest rooms and flights. Winter days are mild (14–17 °C) but rainy and windy, and boat trips are limited. December is quiet but prices rise around Christmas.
What is the weather like in Malta each month?
Jan–Feb: 14–17 °C, rain spells. Mar–May: warming, 17–24 °C, green. Jun–Sep: 26–35 °C, dry and humid, sea 22–27 °C. Oct–Nov: 20–26 °C, first storms. Dec: mild, windy, some rain.
Is July or August too hot for sightseeing?
It is hard work. Expect 30–35 °C with humidity, peak crowds and peak prices. If you go then, sightsee early morning and evening, rest indoors at midday, and book Comino trips ahead.
Can you swim in Malta in winter?
The sea is about 15 °C in winter, so most visitors do not. Diving continues all year with a wetsuit. Swimming is comfortable from June to October, warmest in August and September.
When do boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon run?
Mainly from late spring to early autumn, weather permitting. Strong gregale (north-east) winds cancel crossings at any time of year, so keep one flexible day if a boat trip matters.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialVisit Malta (Malta Tourism Authority)
- officialMalta International Airport
- officialGozo Channel ferry
- secondaryWikivoyage – Malta