Best Time to Visit Malta: Month-by-Month Weather and Events
May, June, September and October are the best months for most visitors to Malta: a choice of sightseeing and beach weather; check actual fares and accommodation availability. Winter is mild and quiet but too cool for most swimmers.
By Malta 365 Editorial Reviewed by Alex Borshch, Founder & Editor
Published November 15, 2026 · 10 min read
The short version
Malta has a Mediterranean climate shaped by the sea around it: hot, dry and very sunny summers, a mild and fairly wet winter, and short, pleasant springs and autumns in between. Most of the year's rain falls between October and March, and from June to August it barely rains at all. Because the islands are small and close together, the weather on Gozo and Comino follows the same pattern as on Malta itself.
For most travellers the best months are May, June, September and October. Choose among these months according to your swimming preferences and the rainfall figures below. Consider winter for sightseeing and walking, and high summer for warm water and village feasts.
Malta weather by month: the figures
The table below uses two official sources. Air temperatures, rainfall and daily bright sunshine are the Malta International Airport Meteorological Office normals for Luqa for 1991 to 2020, published by the National Statistics Office in The State of the Climate 2022, Table 1.1. Rain-day counts are omitted because that table does not give them. Sea surface temperatures are the monthly climate norms quoted by the Malta Meteorological Office in its monthly weather reports; the office does not state a reference period for those sea figures, and no November value is included here.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Sunshine per day | Sea temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.7C (60F) | 10.0C (50F) | 79.4 mm | 5.4 hours | 15.8C |
| February | 15.7C (60F) | 9.6C (49F) | 68.9 mm | 6.6 hours | 15.3C |
| March | 17.4C (63F) | 10.9C (52F) | 39.7 mm | 7.2 hours | 15.3C |
| April | 20.1C (68F) | 12.7C (55F) | 18.7 mm | 8.4 hours | 16.3C |
| May | 24.3C (76F) | 15.8C (60F) | 11 mm | 9.9 hours | 18.4C |
| June | 28.8C (84F) | 19.6C (67F) | 7.3 mm | 11.2 hours | 22.0C |
| July | 31.7C (89F) | 22.1C (72F) | 0.2 mm | 11.9 hours | 25.2C |
| August | 32.0C (90F) | 23.0C (73F) | 11.2 mm | 10.9 hours | 26.7C |
| September | 28.6C (83F) | 21.2C (70F) | 59.2 mm | 8.4 hours | 26.1C |
| October | 25.0C (77F) | 18.4C (65F) | 77.6 mm | 7.0 hours | 24.0C |
| November | 20.8C (69F) | 15.0C (59F) | 89.1 mm | 6.1 hours | not listed here |
| December | 17.1C (63F) | 11.8C (53F) | 84.8 mm | 5.3 hours | 18.3C |
These are long-run averages, not a forecast for your travel dates. The Meteorological Office reported July 2023 as the hottest month in its records at the time, with a mean air temperature of 29.6C. Treat the table as a guide to the shape of the year. For the current forecast, see our Malta weather page.
Month by month
January and February: mild, green and quiet
The two coolest months bring average highs of about 16C, a sea at 15 to 16C and short winter days, with around five to seven hours of sunshine. Winter rain turns the countryside green. Consider this season for walking around Valletta, Mdina and the temple sites with indoor stops on wet days. February ends winter with Malta Carnival, listed by Festivals Malta for 5 to 9 February 2027, with floats and costumes in Valletta and a stranger, more improvised version in Nadur on Gozo. For the whole season in detail, read our Malta in winter guide.
March and April: spring flowers and Holy Week
Average highs climb from 17.4C in March to 20.1C in April, rain tails off, and daily sunshine passes eight hours by April. The sea is still cool, around 15 to 16C, so this is walking weather rather than beach weather, ideal for the cliff-top trails of the Majjistral Nature and History Park and the path along the Dingli Cliffs. Spring is also good for coastal walking and cycling on Gozo before the heat arrives. Holy Week falls in March or April; it opens on the Friday before Good Friday with a procession of Our Lady of Sorrows in Valletta and many other towns. In 2027 Good Friday is 26 March. Check school-holiday dates in your home country before booking.
May and June: the start of summer
Consider May for a mixed sightseeing and beach itinerary. Highs average 24.3C, it rarely rains, the sea reaches about 18C and the days are long. By June the average high is 28.8C, the sea is around 22C and the swimming season is in full swing at beaches such as Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha Bay and Paradise Bay. The festa season begins at the end of May. Late June brings L-Imnarja, celebrated on 29 June. Check the programme for events at Buskett Gardens. Compare availability for your dates before booking.
July and August: hot, dry and busy
Peak summer is hot, with average highs above 30C, warm nights over 20C and almost no rain. The sea peaks at around 25 to 27C, which makes this the best time for snorkelling, scuba diving and boat trips to Comino. Book ahead if your travel dates fall in the summer holidays. Plan your Blue Lagoon visit and Gozo crossing in advance. The festa calendar includes the Feast of Santa Marija on 15 August, and the Malta Jazz Festival takes place in July. Plan sightseeing for early morning and evening, carry water and use the sea breeze on the north and west coasts.
September and October: warm sea, fewer people
September is still summer in all but name: average highs of 28.6C and a sea at about 26C, the warmest of the year after August. Rain starts to return, with 59.2 mm on average. The Victory Day Regatta fills the Grand Harbour on 8 September. October average highs fall to 25.0C with a sea still near 24C, and Visit Malta, the official tourism site, notes that the peak beach season can run until mid to late October. October is also a month of culture in the harbour towns: Notte Bianca lights up Valletta, and Birgufest has been held in October in Birgu, one of the Three Cities; check the next edition's programme. Rain picks up in October, with a monthly average of 77.6 mm, so pack a light waterproof.
November and December: the wet shoulder
November highs average 20.8C and the sea, still holding summer warmth, makes a swim possible on calm days. December averages 84.8 mm of rain, less than November's 89.1 mm, and sunshine falls to 5.3 hours a day. Compare prices for your dates, including the Christmas and New Year period. Christmas in Malta is a big occasion, with nativity cribs in every locality and carol services in the Baroque churches, while resort areas such as Sliema stay lively; our Malta public holidays guide lists the December holidays.
Crowds and prices through the year
Compare flight, room and car-hire quotes for your actual dates. Do not assume that a shoulder-season or winter booking will be cheaper; check cancellation terms as well as the price. If your dates are fixed to the summer holidays, book flights, rooms and any Comino or Gozo boat trip early, and consider staying outside the busiest resort areas; our where to stay in Malta guide compares the options, and Malta on a budget covers cheaper ways to travel in any season.
Festa season
The village feast, the festa, is the most Maltese thing you can see in summer. According to Visit Malta, the festa season runs as a long series of extended weekends from the end of May right through the summer and well into September, and there is hardly a weekend when some town or village is not celebrating its patron saint. A typical festa lasts three days or longer, with banners, statues and coloured festoons along the main streets, food stalls selling Maltese nougat, and evenings that often end in large ground and aerial fireworks displays. Each parish has its own date, so check the official events calendar for the weekends of your trip. Santa Marija is celebrated on 15 August; check parish programmes before travelling. The Malta International Fireworks Festival has run over several spring nights; check the next programme before choosing travel dates.
The sea-swimming season
Consider late May to late October for swimming, depending on your cold-water tolerance, when the sea sits between roughly 18C and 27C. June brings it above 20C, August and September are the warmest months in the water at around 26 to 27C, and October is still near 24C. Visit Malta's climate page notes that bathing is quite possible well into the winter months, but from December to April the sea is around 15 to 18C, too cold for most visitors to enjoy. If swimming is the point of your trip, our best beaches in Malta guide explains which bays are sandy and which are rocky, and Ramla Bay on Gozo is an option for a sandy beach day.
Which month suits which trip
- Beach holiday: June to September, with June and September worth considering for warm water.
- Sightseeing and history: March to May and October to November, when average highs of about 17 to 25C suit long days on foot in Valletta, the Three Cities and Mdina.
- Walking and nature: late autumn to spring, when the countryside is green and the heat is gone.
- Festivals: late May to mid-September for village feasts, February for Carnival, March or April for Holy Week.
- Budget: compare actual quotes for your preferred dates.
Whenever you go, Malta's practical basics stay the same: the euro, left-hand driving, Type G three-pin plugs at 230 V and the 112 emergency number. For a first trip, start with our first-timer's guide, then pick a plan from the 7-day itinerary or the shorter 3-day itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Malta?
For most visitors, May, June, September or October. You get warm, dry weather, a sea that is pleasant for swimming from June onwards (about 22 to 26C in June and September), and can compare dates against the rainfall table and your budget.
When is the sea warm enough to swim in Malta?
From about late May to late October. The Malta Meteorological Office gives sea temperature norms of 18.4C in May, 22.0C in June, 26.7C in August and 24.0C in October. From December to April the sea is around 15 to 18C, which most people find too cold.
How hot does Malta get in summer?
The 1991 to 2020 average highs are 31.7C in July and 32.0C in August, according to the Meteorological Office figures published by NSO. Heatwaves push temperatures past 40C on some days: in July 2023 six consecutive days reached 40C or more. Nights stay above 20C in high summer.
What is the rainiest month in Malta?
November, with 89.1 mm of rain, followed by December at 84.8 mm and January at 79.4 mm (1991 to 2020 normals). June, July and August are almost completely dry.
When is the cheapest time to visit Malta?
Compare actual room and flight prices for November to March with your other possible dates. Expect cooler weather, more rain and a sea that is too cold for most swimmers.
When is festa season in Malta?
From the end of May to well into September, with feasts on most summer weekends somewhere on Malta or Gozo. The Feast of Santa Marija falls on 15 August.
Is Malta worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want sightseeing, walking and quiet streets rather than beach days. Winter highs average about 16 to 17C with five to seven hours of sunshine a day, and check individual museum opening days, restaurant availability and ferry notices before travelling.