Malta
An island country in the central Mediterranean, known for Knights' forts, megalithic temples and the capital Valletta.
Malta is an island country in the central Mediterranean, south of Italy and north of Libya. It is an archipelago, and only Malta, Gozo and Comino have permanent residents. Valletta, the capital, sits on a fortified site between two harbors. The Knights of St John built it after they held out against an Ottoman siege in the 16th century, and they ruled the islands for nearly three centuries. Their forts and palaces remain across the islands.
Older than the Knights are the megalithic temples. The Ġgantija temples on Gozo, along with Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra on the main island, are among the oldest free-standing megalithic structures in the world. Mdina, the walled former capital, has Norman-era architecture and is quiet compared with Valletta. Gozo is the second largest island, more rural, and lies to the northwest. The best months for warm weather and sea swimming run from about June to November, and August is the hottest month, with daytime highs around 31°C.
Five things to know before Malta
- Check Schengen entry before you book
Malta is in the Schengen area, so most visitors enter under Schengen rules and the stay limit applies across the zone. Confirm your passport and entry status on the official entry page before you book flights. Visas and entry
- Check the Gozo ferry timetable before you plan the day
Gozo is reached by ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr. Check the operator's timetable first, because the crossing decides how much of Gozo you can see in one day. Gozo
- Get a Tallinja card before you ride the buses
Buses are the main public transport on Malta, and the Tallinja card is the card used on the network. Check the operator's site for how to get one before you travel. Getting around
- Carry water and sun cover in August
August is the hottest month, with daytime highs around 31°C. Fresh water is limited in summer, and about 60 percent of drinking water comes from desalination, so carry a refillable bottle.
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches
Malta has over 360 churches, and the parish church is the focal point of every town and village. Dress modestly and keep your voice down inside.
Malta travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Knights' fortified capital between two harbors, built after the 1565 Ottoman siege.
Read the guideMdinaWalled former capital with quiet streets and Norman-era buildings.
Read the guideGozoFerry from Ċirkewwa, the Ġgantija temples and rural villages.
Read the guideGetting aroundBuses on the main island, the Gozo ferry and when you need a car.
Read the guideVisas and entryWho enters visa-free and what Schengen rules mean for your stay.
Read the guideWhere to stayValletta, Sliema and Mdina compared for nights, noise and transport.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Mild, showersFebruaryPartly cloudy
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- MarchClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°Spring, mildMarchClear
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low15°Spring, mildAprilClear
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, mild
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Warming upMayClear
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warming up
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low22°Swimming seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swimming season
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Hot, dryJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Hottest monthAugustClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest month
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low21°Warm seaOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Sea still warmNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Sea still warm
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh17°Low15°Wet, mildDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, mild
Average daily high and low in Valletta, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Malta
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 61%
- Wind
- 58 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Mdina
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today18°17°98%Monday: Rain. High 18°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Tue20°17°28%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Wed21°16°8%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Thu21°17°28%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Fri20°17°65%Friday: Rain. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat21°17°26%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sun22°18°20%Sunday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 20%.
Updated 07:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
NovemberSalzburg Christkindlmarkt
NovemberNuremberg Christkindlesmarkt
NovemberStrasbourg Christmas marketFestivals by month
- JanValletta International Baroque FestivalValletta
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Before you go to Malta
Malta FAQ
Do I need a visa for Malta?
Many passports enter visa-free for short stays under Schengen rules, but the answer depends on your nationality. Check your passport on the official entry page before you book.
How many days do I need in Malta?
Three to four days covers Valletta, Mdina and Sliema. Add a day trip to Gozo, or two nights there if you want the rural villages and the Ġgantija temples.
When is the best time to visit Malta?
June to November is the best window for sea swimming, when sea temperatures stay above 20°C. August is the hottest month, with daytime highs around 31°C.
Do I need a car in Malta?
Not in Valletta or Sliema, where the streets are compact. Buses cover the main island, and a car makes Gozo easier to explore at your own pace.
Do I need to speak Maltese?
No. English is an official language and about 96 percent of people have at least basic English. Maltese is the national language and has close ties to Arabic and Sicilian.