Why You Should Visit Malta in Winter

While most of Europe is freezing cold and miserable, Malta has nice weather that makes it one of the best places to visit in winter. This small group of islands between Sicily and North Africa has a ton of history, beautiful buildings, and pretty good weather when almost everywhere else in Europe is at its coldest.

I fell in love with Malta at first sight. The first time, I only had the chance to spend a few days on the island. Two months later I returned with a group of friends.

The awesome view of Valetta’s waterfront

Why Go to Malta in Winter?

Winter in Malta is from November to March, but it’s not like winter in most places.

Temperatures are usually between 12-18°C (54-64°F), with lots of sunny days that are great for walking around.

The huge summer crowds are gone, everything costs less, and you’ll actually get to see the famous spots without fighting through lots of tourists.

You get to see the real Malta in winter. Local people are everywhere, restaurants serve actual Maltese food instead of just tourist stuff, and you can take photos at all the popular Instagram locations without waiting forever. The sea is probably too cold for swimming, but the clear water still looks amazing, and the big cliffs along the coast look even cooler in winter.

The Three Cities – view from the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valetta

Getting There

Malta International Airport is connected to most big European cities all year. Budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air fly there a lot from London, Rome, Berlin, Paris, and other cities. Flights usually take two to three hours from most European capitals.

Winter usually has great flight deals. You can sometimes get return tickets from major cities for less than €100. Flying on Tuesday or Wednesday is usually cheaper than weekends.
From the airport, buses go regularly to Valletta (the X4 route), Sliema, and other big towns for just a few euros. Taxis and Ubers are available too, but they cost more. Getting to most hotels takes about 20-40 minutes.

This is the main bus hub in Valetta, just by the main gate. It is well organized, easy to navigate

Where to Stay

Valletta is the coolest place to stay in Malta during winter.

Malta’s capital is full of yellow limestone buildings, old churches, and narrow streets that are fun to explore. In winter, you can find nice hotels in old buildings that don’t cost too much. The city gets lively at night when locals hang out at wine bars and restaurants.

Sliema and St. Julian’s are more modern with nice walks along the water that are perfect for winter. These areas have tons of restaurants and are easy bases for seeing the rest of the island. You can find everything from hotels to apartments. Nevertheless, keep in mind that the main bus node is in Valletta.

Mdina is the old walled city and it’s quieter and more romantic. Staying inside the walls feels like traveling back in time, but you’ll need to go outside for dinner since most places close early. Besides, visiting remote villages such as Marsaxlokk and Marsaskala requires longer commutes.

Gozo is Malta’s sister island and it’s super peaceful. The countryside, dramatic coastline, and slower vibe make it perfect for a chill winter trip. Victoria (also called Rabat) is the main town, and the coastal villages have nice guesthouses.

This beach on Gozo is absolutely fantastic. This is Ramla Beach

What to Do

Winter is perfect for checking out Malta’s history without dying from the heat. Start in Valletta, where St. John’s Co-Cathedral has amazing Caravaggio paintings inside. The Upper Barrakka Gardens have incredible views of the harbor, especially at sunset. Walk around the streets and find hidden courtyards, local cafés, and the newly fixed-up waterfront.

The Three Cities, Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua, are across the harbor and show Malta’s sailing history. These cool towns don’t have many tourists in winter, and the waterfront walks give you different views of Valletta’s walls.

Street view in Senglea, one of the Three Cities

Mdina and Rabat need a whole day. The Silent City’s medieval streets, cathedral, and wall views look amazing in winter. In Rabat below, you can explore St. Paul’s Catacombs and the Roman Villa with its really well-preserved mosaics.

The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is an underground burial site from 3600 BC that you need to book ahead for. It’s one of Malta’s most mind-blowing sites. The mysterious underground rooms and red decorations give you a real connection to Malta’s prehistoric people.

The Tarxxien Temples

Malta’s megalithic temples like Hagar Qim, Mnajdra, and Tarxien are older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. In winter, you can look at these ancient stones without crowds around, which is pretty special.

Here’s a ‘fat lady of Malta’ considered to be a fertility figure

Take the ferry to Gozo for a day trip or stay longer. Even though the Azure Window fell down, the island is still great with the Ġgantija temples, Dwejra Bay’s dramatic coastline, the hilltop Citadella in Victoria, and pretty villages like Xlendi.

Blue Grotto boat trips run in winter if the weather’s good, with amazing views of sea caves and bright blue water. The nearby Dingli Cliffs have great coastal walks with views out to the open sea.

The Blue Grotto – a rock that looks like an elephant’s head

Winter has fun events like Christmas markets, traditional ghana folk music shows, and village parties. Local restaurants serve winter food like rabbit stew, widow’s soup, and hot pastizzi (pastries) filled with ricotta cheese or mushy peas.

How To Prepare Your Winter Trip to Malta

Bring layers, including a warm jacket for nights and a raincoat for the occasional rainy day. Comfortable walking shoes are super important for Malta’s hills and bumpy stone streets.
Everyone speaks English along with Maltese, so talking to people is easy. They use euros, and you can pay by card almost everywhere, though smaller places might want cash.
Buses are cheap and mostly reliable, though the routes can take forever. Think about renting a car if you want more freedom, especially for exploring the countryside or Gozo. Just be ready for crazy local drivers and narrow village streets.

Malta in winter is honestly pretty great: it’s easy to get to from Europe, feels really different, has tons of history, has decent weather, and isn’t packed with tourists. It’s just perfect for a short holiday or for a longer stay.

Before you go, check out this giant list of things to do in Malta. It should help you plan your trip like a pro.