In a nutshell
- The best time to visit Malta is between April and September. During these months, the weather and water temperature are ideal and there’s a ton to experience.
- Want to skip the tourist crowds and save a little money? You can visit Malta in winter too — just pack for some unpredictable weather.
- Good to know: because Malta is a small island, the weather is pretty much the same everywhere on the island.
- Read on for our month-by-month weather breakdown, plus tips on the best time to visit Malta for hiking and diving.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Malta?
Like many other destinations on the Mediterranean, Malta is a great vacation spot year-round.
The best time to visit Malta, however, is from April through September. During these months, the island offers ideal conditions for a beach vacation: temperatures between 55 and 86°F, water temperatures around 68°F, and up to 12 hours of sunshine a day.
During this time, you can enjoy all kinds of activities on Malta — such as hiking, snorkeling, diving, and parasailing.
When Is Malta the Cheapest?
You might be thinking, “Hotels are always more expensive during peak season.” Generally, you’d be right — but Malta is a different story.
Hotels here are genuinely very affordable. Even during peak season, you can find good hotel rooms in Malta for very little money. Even nice beach hotels in Malta are reasonably priced.
Malta is, in other words, an affordable destination no matter what time of year you visit.
Is Malta a Good Destination in Winter?
If you want to avoid the tourist crowds that flock to the Mediterranean during peak season, a trip to Malta in winter is a great alternative.
You’ll be giving up the classic summer Mediterranean climate, but you can still count on mild average temperatures between 59 and 64°F.
On top of that, the already-affordable hotels in Malta are even cheaper during the winter months.
One important thing to keep in mind: plan your activities in Malta flexibly between December and February. The weather can be unpredictable during these months, with up to around 20 rainy days.
And by the way: Malta has Christmas markets too — for example, in the beautiful capital city of Valletta.
Climate Chart for Malta
We’ve put together a climate chart for Malta so you can get a better overview of the weather on the island.
Malta Weather Month by Month
The climate in Malta is the same across every part of the island. The only typical differences are between air quality right on the coast versus in the city.
In inland towns like Mdina, heat builds up significantly in summer, while a pleasant breeze blows near the sea.
Here’s what the weather in Malta looks like for each month:
Malta Weather in January
January, along with February, is the coldest month in Malta. Average temperatures range between 50 and 59°F, with roughly five hours of sunshine per day and eleven rainy days.
Swimming is also a non-starter at this time of year, with water temperatures around 59°F and often rough seas.
Malta Weather in February
Things are slowly improving. Daily average temperatures still hover between 50 and 59°F, but the sun shows itself for an hour or so longer each day, and it only rains about eight days a month.
Malta Weather in March
Weather in Malta in March is quite mixed. The sun shines an average of seven hours a day with temperatures between 52 and 63°F. That said, a few rain clouds still roll over the island, and there are about five rainy days.
Malta Weather in April
With April, the rain disappears and the sun finally sticks around longer — up to nine hours a day. Rainy days drop to maybe two at most. Average temperatures range between 55 and 64°F. The sea, however, has only warmed up by about a degree since January.
Malta Weather in May
May marks the start of peak season in Malta. It gets pleasantly warm — 59 to 70°F daily, with a solid ten hours of sunshine. With water temperatures at 66°F, you can even take a refreshing dip in the sea.
Malta Weather in June
In June, temperatures keep climbing. The thermometer rarely dips below 70°F. Water temperatures also rise to around 70°F. Perfect for exploring all the beautiful spots on Malta.
Malta Weather in July
July is the sunniest and driest month in Malta. The sun shines up to twelve hours a day with average temperatures of 72 to 84°F. The Mediterranean along the coastlines has warmed up to about 75°F. There are zero rainy days in July.
We’ve found that despite the high temperatures, the air in Malta is really pleasant even in the height of summer. The reason? A fresh sea breeze always blows across the relatively small island.
Malta Weather in August
August is the hottest month in Malta, with average temperatures of 72 to 86°F. The sun shines a full eleven hours a day, and the water reaches its warmest point at around 77°F.
Important: Always remember to bring plenty of water — no matter what you’re doing during your August vacation in Malta.
Malta Weather in September
September is honestly one of the best times to visit Malta! Peak season is mostly over, hotels get even cheaper, and the weather holds. At 72 to 81°F, the sun still shines nine hours a day, and the water stays a pleasant 75°F.
Malta Weather in October
October and June are quite similar in Malta. With average temperatures of 66 to 75°F and eight hours of sunshine, fall only creeps in slowly. Only the six rainy days give away that summer is winding down.
Malta Weather in November
In November, it gets cooler by Maltese standards. At 59 to 68°F with around six hours of sunshine, the wind also picks up. Rainfall increases too — expect rain on about ten days in November.
Malta Weather in December
December is the rainiest month in Malta. On average, you can expect 13 rainy days with temperatures of 54 to 61°F. Water temperatures max out at around 63°F — which is actually warmer than the air temperature.
The Best Time to Visit Malta for Hiking
If you want to go hiking in Malta, the best time to go is during May or September through October.
The summer months of June, July, and August can get too hot for hiking.
The Best Time to Visit Malta for Diving
The best time to dive along Malta’s coastlines is from April through November. Water temperatures during this period are around 68°F, and visibility at the dive sites is excellent.
What you’ll spot underwater doesn’t depend much on the season — you can get lucky any month of the year.
Malta’s waters are home to dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles, for example. The tiny island of Filfla, just south of Malta, is especially well known for sightings of dolphins and great white sharks.
Find more Malta travel tips here:
Frequently Asked Questions About Malta Travel Times and Climate
When is Malta at its most beautiful?
The best time to visit Malta is from April to September. That said, we’d say September is truly the standout month of the bunch.
By then, the summer tourist rush is over, but the island stays warm and sunny. Plus, hotel prices start to drop as well.
Can you swim in Malta in March?
In March, the water temperature is around 59°F (15°C). That’s not exactly warm. But if you’re tough enough, go ahead and jump in!
When is rainy season in Malta?
Malta doesn’t really have a rainy season. However, the rainiest month is December — on average, it rains on 13 days of the month.
Which are the hottest months in Malta?
The hottest month in Malta is August. That’s when temperatures on the island regularly break the 86°F (30°C) mark. And the water is a seriously pleasant 77°F (25°C) too.
Our tip for the really hot days in Malta — besides drinking plenty of water — is a trip to Hondoq ir-Rummien Beach. It’s one of our favorite lesser-known spots on Malta.
Hardly any tourists know about this beach.
