Malta Weather, climate and geography

Weather and climate

Best time to visit

Malta enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.

Spring (March to May) sees the number of rainy days gradually drops from nine days in March to three days in May, while the average high goes from 18°C (64°F) in March to 24°C (75°F) in May. This means that May is a good time to visit Malta if you want warm weather and have the opportunity to enjoy tourist attractions without large crowds.

Summer (June to August) is peak season and the best time to enjoy a beach holiday in Malta, as rainfall is at its minimum and sunshine is abundant. However, it also means tourist hotspots are thronged with sun worshippers. In July and August, the average high is 32°C (90°F).

Autumn (September to November) sees rainfall goes from 40mm (1.6 inches) to 109mm (4.3 inches) as the season progresses. The first half of the season still feels like summer, but by November, the average high is 21°C (70°F).

Winter (December to February) is mild, rainy and windy. In January, the average high is 16°C (61°F).

Required clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens are worn between April and September, although warmer clothes may occasionally be necessary on cooler evenings. A light raincoat is advisable from October to March.

Geography

The Maltese archipelago is situated in the centre of the Mediterranean with three inhabited islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino.

Malta is the largest inhabited island, lying 97km (60 miles) south of Pozzallo (Sicily) and 363km (226 miles) north of Sfax (Tunisia). Valletta, the country's capital on the southeast side, is the cultural and commercial hub of Malta. The island has a largely rugged coastline, indented with harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. It has no mountains or rivers.

Gozo is north of Malta. It is more verdant, with many flat-topped hills and craggy cliffs. You can take a ferry from Cirkewwa in Malta to Mgarr in Gozo (journey time is about 20 minutes).

Comino sits between Malta and Gozo and is sparsely populated. Comino Ferries Co-op operates services from Marfa and Cirkewwa (Malta) to the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island. Bella Comino Ferries operates the route between Gozo and Comino.