The word Malta translates as refuge from the Phoenician, and when you go walking on this Mediterranean archipelago, you’ll feel like you’ve had a proper escape. Working out the best time to visit Malta isn’t too complicated, as our walking holidays there cover all seasons. With the exception of the height of summer, when we don’t recommend hiking. But we feel that summer stretches into September in Malta, and also on its neighbouring island of Gozo. So fear not, you can walk its wonders throughout the seasons.
Weather in Malta in spring
March brings maximum temperatures of around 16C in Malta, although you will want to have your puffa jacket for the evenings, as the mercury hovers around 10C, but you will feel it if it dips into single figures. March can feel a bit ‘meh’ for many, but not if you add Malta and the Med into the mix. Especially as Malta has 12 hours of daylight this early in the year. You will need a rain jacket too of course, although monthly precipitation eases off after January and February, with averages of 37mm in March and 7mm in May. Average temperatures work their way up to around 24C highs by May too, although you’re never far from a sea breeze in Malta. Swimmers may not be dipping for too long in spring, when water temperatures go from 16-18C. Hardened all-year-round-swimmers in the northern hemisphere will find these temperatures pure luxury though!
Weather in Malta in summer
We simply don’t recommend Malta for hiking in the height of summer, which means our walking holidays are not bookable in June, July and August. During these months, summer temperatures can be 30C and as high as 40C in heatwaves. With 76% humidity on average. Unknown to many, there is also very little tree coverage in Malta, so there is no shade from the heat. In addition, these months are also peak cruising for a bruising season, with the capital of Valletta a very popular cruise ship destination. The highest number of passengers recorded was one July, with five cruise ships in port at the same time, and 14,000 passengers plus thousands of crew members. Which makes for a lot of crowded excursions in the tourism hotspots.
We like to think of September still being a summer month in Malta, however. Meteorological pedants may not, but hikers certainly will as they bask in Mediterranean rays. Lowest temperatures are around 20C and highs average 28C, which is still hot for many, but with increased rain showers too and cooler winds. Sea temperatures average a balmy 26C too so, all in all, September is still Vitamin D-reamy.
Weather in Malta in autumn
With highs of 24C and 20C in October and November respectively, and lows rarely going below 14C, autumn is adventure heaven in Malta. Rainfall is more frequent, with an average of 70mm per month, so more raingear is needed although showers are usually speedy. You still get plenty of daylight in autumn, and it’s considered one of the best times for photography, as the traditional honey-coloured buildings are glowing at this time of year. The sea is also still glowing, with average temperatures of 24C October and 21C in November.
As tourism eases off, local festivals start to thrive in Malta during autumn, with Notte Bianca in Valletta taking centre stage. This is a free community arts event, with outdoor and indoor concerts, theatre, dance, art exhibitions and street food all part of day and night-long cultural hurrah. There’s also a more traditional festival in BirguFest (mid-October) which is a delightful weekend of candlelit streets, history and traditional music.
Weather in Malta in winter
We have walking holidays in Malta and neighbouring Gozo throughout December, January and February. It is one of our most popular holidays for Christmas and New Year, especially with solo travellers. During these months, there are average highs of 16C, and in the evening or early morning, they may dip into single figures, but usually only just. December is the wettest month of the year, with an average of 99mm of rainfall. But winter here feels more like a northern European spring really and, even though there is rain, it’s not usually an all day affair, just in short bursts. You will definitely have our walking trails yourselves though, where you can treat yourself to the gift of nature in peace.
You can also treat yourself to the winter Carnival in February, following similar dates to Mardi Gras festivals around the world. Il-Karnival ta’ Malta is an ancient tradition here, and a weekend long party, with crowds heading to Valletta, Floriana and the village of Hal Ghaxaq for various events. As well as Carnival Gozo, which takes place in Nadur and has a slightly wilder, more natural feel to it. Just like its landscapes, as you’ll see on our walking holiday there.
Best time to go to Malta for flora
Not surprisingly, spring is a full on flora fest in Malta, and although it doesn’t have a lot of tree coverage, there are over 1,100 types of wild plants emerging. So get a flower guidebook, or a nature app – you’ll be glad you did. The delightfully-named Dingli Cliffs, for example, are home to wild garlic and borage, and even wild asparagus. Throughout the island you’ll see Sicilian iris, the pink and purple flowers of common mallow, daisies of course, poppies and the endemic Maltese Rock-Centaury, which is the national flower.
In autumn, the first flower that represents the seasonal change is sea squill, or basla tal-ghansar in Maltese. It thrives in the garrigue environments, which are the islands’ rocky, coralline limestone outcrops. Sea squill creates the prettiest pockets of white, star-shaped flowers. As temperatures drop, the landscape also becomes a lot greener in Malta, allowing other wild species to flourish such as the pink flowers of Malta Thyme, sea daffodils on beaches, autumn buttercups and autumn Lady’s Tresses, which is a type of wild orchid.
Easter in Malta
As you can see from the above, temperatures are balmy during the traditional Easter periods and, as it’s a predominantly Christian country, Holy Week is a time of processions, feast preparations and Passion enactments. The big events are in and around Birgu, the old fortified city on the south side of the Grand Harbour, opposite Valletta, with a Good Friday procession that dates back to the 17th century. However, Easter ceremonies, feasts and services begin a week before throughout the island, on Friday of the Mater Dolorosa, when many walk in processions barefoot. It’s not all about sacrifice, however, as you’ll see a lot of figolla for sale during this time too, a Maltese marzipan-filled pastry that’s a traditional Easter treat.
We hope you’ve enjoyed your seasonal saunter around Malta and Gozo. You may also enjoy our blogs on Idyllic island walking holidays, Everything you need to know about walking in the Azores, Reasons to go walking in Madeira, and Winter sun walking holidays. For any other information, please don’t hesitate to contact our adventure specialists.
