Malta in Winter: Weather, Christmas, Carnival and What's Open
Malta in winter is mild and quiet, with average highs of about 16 to 17C, five to seven hours of sunshine a day and winter rain. Sightseeing, walking and festivals beat beach time.
By Malta 365 Editorial Reviewed by Alex Borshch, Founder & Editor
Published November 15, 2026 · 10 min read
The short version
Winter in Malta runs from December to February and is mild by northern European standards. Daytime highs average about 16 to 17C, average lows sit around 10 to 12C, and the sun still shines for around five to seven hours a day. It is also the wettest part of the year, with December averaging 84.8 mm of rain and January 79.4 mm. The sea cools to about 15 to 18C, too cold for most visitors.
That makes winter a season for history, food, walking and festivals rather than beaches. Plan museum visits, meals and ferry trips around individual opening days and service notices, and compare actual room quotes. If you can live without a swim, it is one of the most rewarding times to see the islands.
Winter weather in figures
Air temperatures, rainfall and daily bright sunshine below 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. That table does not give rain-day counts. Sea temperatures are separate monthly norms quoted by the Malta Meteorological Office in its reports; those reports do not specify the sea reference period.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Sunshine per day | Sea temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 17.1C (63F) | 11.8C (53F) | 84.8 mm | 5.3 hours | 18.3C (65F) |
| January | 15.7C (60F) | 10.0C (50F) | 79.4 mm | 5.4 hours | 15.8C (60F) |
| February | 15.7C (60F) | 9.6C (49F) | 68.9 mm | 6.6 hours | 15.3C (60F) |
A few things these averages do not show. November has the highest monthly rainfall average in the 1991 to 2020 table, at 89.1 mm, followed by December at 84.8 mm. Keep an indoor option for stormy days. Allow for wind as well as temperature: a cold northerly or north-easterly makes 15C feel much cooler on an exposed bastion or ferry deck, as Visit Malta notes when it describes winter's occasional short cold spells. Monthly averages do not rule out warmer water: the Meteorological Office recorded 20.5C in December 2024, 2.2C above the sea norm quoted in that report. Check the forecast on our Malta weather page the week before you fly.
Month by month
December: Christmas season
December starts with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December and Republic Day on 13 December, both public holidays, and builds towards Christmas. The separate sea norm quoted for December is 18.3C, warm enough for a short swim on a calm, sunny day if you are used to cold water. Days are the shortest of the year, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and early afternoon.
January: a sightseeing month
After New Year's Day, compare accommodation quotes and check the opening notices for the sites you want to visit. Average highs are about 16C, monthly rainfall averages 79.4 mm, and the countryside turns green. It is the best month to see the major sites with room to breathe, from St John's Co-Cathedral to the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, which still needs booking well ahead.
February: Carnival and longer days
February is a little drier and brighter than January, with 6.6 hours of bright sunshine a day. The Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck on 10 February is a public holiday, and Carnival falls in the days before Ash Wednesday. Festivals Malta has published 5 to 9 February for Carnival 2027.
What is open in winter
Malta does not shut down for winter the way some Mediterranean resort islands do. Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's and the main towns are working cities all year, and most restaurants, cafes and hotels stay open.
- Museums and sites. Heritage Malta runs its museums and sites through the winter and closes on 1 January, Good Friday and 24, 25 and 31 December. That covers the National Museum of Archaeology, Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra and the Ggantija Temples on Gozo. As of November 2026, Heritage Malta also lists a Hypogeum closure from 18 to 24 January 2027. Check current hours and special notices before you go.
- Buses. Malta Public Transport runs all year, with holiday changes. Its December 2025 notice announced lunchtime suspensions and an early finish on Christmas Day and New Year's Day; check the new notice for your travel dates. See our getting around Malta guide.
- Gozo ferry. The Gozo Channel car and passenger ferry between Cirkewwa and Mgarr runs all winter. On Christmas Day and New Year's Day it has paused for a few hours around lunchtime in recent years. Rough weather can delay or cancel smaller boats, so keep plans flexible. Details are in our Gozo ferry guide.
- The airport. Malta International Airport operates all year, though some seasonal routes do not fly in winter, so check direct connections from your home airport.
Christmas in Malta
Christmas is a major celebration on both islands, as much a religious feast as a social one. Visit Malta describes cribs as "positively everywhere", from private houses to small chapels, and touring the cribs, called presepju in Maltese, is a popular local pastime. Some are large, detailed scenes with moving figures built by local craftsmen. Parish churches are decorated for Advent, and Visit Malta recommends the candlelit carol singing at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta for a memorable evening. The annual Christmas pantomime at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta mixes slapstick for children with satire for adults.
On Gozo, the big seasonal draw is Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem (Betlehem f'Għajnsielem), a live, walk-through nativity village. Visit Gozo's historical description records more than 20,000 square metres at Ta' Passi, with an inn, a bakery, a carpenter's workshop, a working farm and more than 150 actors. These are historical details, not a confirmed 2026 cast or layout. Opening days and times are announced each year, so check before you plan a Gozo day around it. Visit Gozo also notes guided crib tours through Gozo's villages during December. Combine a visit with a night in Victoria or Xlendi and a walk up to the Cittadella.
Remember that Heritage Malta sites close on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January, and that in 2026 Christmas Day falls on a Friday and New Year's Day 2027 on a Friday too. Our Malta public holidays 2027 guide lists every date.
Carnival in February
Malta Carnival is the highlight of late winter. Visit Malta describes a carnival week of brightly coloured floats on lorries, children in fancy dress and late-night parties in Paceville, the nightlife district of St Julian's. The main action is in Valletta, with local versions in towns and villages across the islands. For something different, go to Nadur on Gozo, where Visit Malta says carnival takes on "a more macabre and funny mood". Festivals Malta has published 5 to 9 February for the 2027 edition. Look out for imqaret, fried date-filled pastries, as a snack while you watch.
Winter is walking season
From late autumn to spring the islands are green, the light is clear and the heat that makes summer hiking hard is gone. This is the best time of year for coastal walking and hiking. Good winter routes include:
- The cliff tops and valleys of the Majjistral Nature and History Park in the north-west, above Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha Bay.
- The edge of the Dingli Cliffs, combined with the woodland of Buskett Gardens and the old town of Mdina and Rabat.
- The south-east coast around Marsaxlokk and the Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park, finishing with a fish lunch by the harbour.
- On Gozo, the coast at Dwejra and the lanes between villages, which also suit cycling on routes chosen for your experience.
Winter also suits birdwatching at the wetland reserves of Ghadira and Simar; check the managing organisation's opening days before you go. Carry water and a layer even on sunny days, and avoid cliff edges in strong wind.
What not to expect
- Beach days. A sea at 15 to 16C in January and February is bracing, not relaxing. You can sit on a beach in the sun on a calm day, but do not plan a winter trip around swimming. If the sea matters, the best time to visit Malta guide explains when it warms up.
- Reliable boat trips. Fewer excursion boats run in winter, and crossings to the Blue Lagoon and Comino depend on the sea state. Treat a Comino boat trip as a bonus on a calm day.
- Long evenings outdoors. Days are short and evenings cool, so dinners move indoors. Café terraces in the sun are still pleasant at midday.
- Summer festas. The extended village festa season runs from late May into September, according to Visit Malta. Winter also has its own feast days, Christmas and Carnival.
What to pack
- Layers: T-shirts for sunny afternoons, a warm jumper or fleece for evenings, and a windproof jacket for bastions, cliffs and ferry decks.
- A compact umbrella or a light waterproof: bring one for winter rain.
- Walking shoes with grip: limestone paths and old stone streets get slippery when wet.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen: winter sun in Malta is still strong at midday.
- A swimsuit only if you are a cold-water swimmer, or your hotel has a heated pool.
- A Type G (UK-style, three-pin) plug adapter if you are coming from outside the UK or Ireland; the supply is 230 V.
For a first winter visit, a week split between Valletta and Gozo works well: see our 5-day itinerary or the 7-day itinerary, and the Malta on a budget guide for comparing costs. The emergency number in Malta is 112; see our emergency contacts page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Malta warm in winter?
Mild rather than warm. Average daytime highs are 17.1C in December and 15.7C in January and February (Meteorological Office Luqa normals for 1991 to 2020, published by NSO), with lows around 10 to 12C. Sunny afternoons can feel warm out of the wind, but evenings are cool.
Can you swim in Malta in winter?
Only if you like cold water. The Malta Meteorological Office gives sea temperature norms of 18.3C in December, 15.8C in January and 15.3C in February. Most visitors find it too cold.
Does it rain a lot in Malta in winter?
Winter is the wettest season. December averages 84.8 mm of rain, January 79.4 mm and February 68.9 mm (1991 to 2020 normals). Average daily bright sunshine is 5.3, 5.4 and 6.6 hours respectively; rainfall totals do not tell you how many days will be wet.
Is everything closed in Malta in winter?
No. Check individual businesses and service notices for your dates. Heritage Malta museums and sites close on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January (and on Good Friday), but individual sites can have additional closures. As of November 2026, the Hypogeum is also scheduled to close from 18 to 24 January 2027. Fewer excursion boats run, and sea trips depend on the weather.
When is Carnival in Malta in 2027?
Festivals Malta lists Carnival 2027 on 5 to 9 February, just before the Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck on 10 February. The main events are in Valletta, with a distinctive local carnival in Nadur on Gozo. Check the official programme closer to the date for exact times.
What is Christmas like in Malta?
Christmas is a major religious and social festival. Expect nativity cribs everywhere, carol services in the parish churches including a candlelit service at St John's Co-Cathedral, the Christmas pantomime at the Manoel Theatre, and the live nativity village of Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem on Gozo.
Is winter a good time to visit Gozo?
Yes, for walking, cycling and quiet villages. The ferry runs all year, Gozo is at its greenest, and December brings the Bethlehem f'Ghajnsielem nativity village. Pack for wind and rain, and keep a spare day in case rough seas disrupt plans.