Malta's climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild and rainy winters, and hot and sunny summers. Malta is an archipelago located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, consisting of three main islands, Malta (Malta), Gozo (Ghawdex) and Comino (Kemmuna), as well as some uninhabited islands.

Winter, from December to February, is mild: the average daily temperature in December is 14 °C (57 °F), while that of January and February is 12 °C (53.5 °F), and the daily temperature range is limited. Cold days are rare, and at most there may be some days with highs below 10 °C (50 °F), but it never snows nor freezes. Sunny periods are quite frequent also in this season, although there are periods of bad weather too, with rain and wind, which last a few days.

In spring, the temperature rises gradually: the average maximum is around 17 °C (63 °F) in March, 19 °C (66 °F) in April and 23 °C (73 °F) in May. The rains become less and less frequent, and as early as in April they begin to be rare. The sun shines more and more unchallenged.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F), though the heat is tempered by sea breezes.

In autumn, the temperature is initially high, and then gradually decreases. In September the weather is still summer-like, especially in the first half; usually at the end of the month the first disturbances pass, accompanied by thunderstorms. In October, the temperature is still pleasant, with highs around 24/25 °C (75/77 °F).
Here are the average temperatures in the capital Valletta.

Rainfall in Malta is not abundant: it slightly exceeds 500 millimetres (20 inches) per year. The rains follow the typical Mediterranean pattern, so they are concentrated in the period from October to March, while in the other months they are scarce, and in summer it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

Sometimes the Maltese archipelago can be affected by the Sirocco, a hot dry wind blowing from the Saharan desert, often accompanied by dust or sand. This wind blows more frequently in spring and autumn, and it is able to raise the temperature by several degrees. On the contrary, in summer the Sirocco is usually weaker, and it is brought by the African anticyclone, in periods lasting a few days of a very hot and sunny weather, with maximum temperatures about 37/40 °C (99/104 °F).



The amount of sunshine in Malta is great in summer, when clear skies prevail; in winter there are several sunny periods, but they alternate with periods of bad weather, with rain, wind and thunderstorms.

The temperature of the sea in Malta is warm enough for swimming from July to October, while it's still a bit cool in June, about 21 °C (70 °F).

When to go

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The islands of the archipelago, with their characteristic towns, villages and ports, can be explored preferably in April, May and the first half of October.

For a beach holiday, the summer is the best season, from June to September.

What to pack

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In winter: spring/autumn clothes, sweater, jacket, raincoat or umbrella.
In summer: light clothing, sunscreen, sun hat, light sweatshirt for the evening, light scarf for the sea breeze.