Why Malta Is the Perfect Winter Destination: A Guide from a 14-Year Expat

Last updated: February 2026 - Malta boasts around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year and even in December sees about 5 hours of sun per day. With average temperatures of 15-20°C, water temperatures around 17°C, and accommodation up to 50% cheaper than in summer, the island is a hidden gem. This article explains why Malta is the ideal winter destination - from the perspective of an expat who has lived here since 2011.

I have to smile when friends back in the UK send me photos of grey skies, drizzle, and 4°C in January. Not because I want to mock them - but because I'm usually sitting on my terrace in shorts, enjoying the sun, while I read their messages.

I've lived in Malta since 2011. And when someone asks me when the island is at its most beautiful, I don't say "in summer." I say: in winter.

That might sound counterintuitive. But after more than 14 winters here, I can assure you: the months from November to March are when you really get to know the island. Without the summer crowds, with pleasant temperatures, and an atmosphere that just feels right.

In this article, I'll show you what to actually expect from a Maltese winter - with concrete temperatures, honest assessments, and practical tips. No glossy brochure talk, just the perspective of someone who calls this place home.

The Weather in Malta in Winter: What to Really Expect

Let me be honest: Malta in winter isn't the Caribbean. You won't have beach days where you're desperate to turn on the air conditioning. But you also won't experience a single day where you need a heavy winter coat.

The reality looks like this: Between November and February, daytime highs hover between 15 and 20°C. That's roughly what the UK gets in late spring - just in the middle of winter. At night, temperatures drop to between 9 and 14°C, depending on the month.

What surprises many is that Malta has around 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, making it one of the three sunniest places in Europe (Malta Tourism Authority, Climate Data). Even in December, statistically the gloomiest month, the sun still shines for about 5 hours a day. For comparison: London gets about 1 hour of sunshine per day in December.

And What About the Rain?

I have to add a caveat here: Malta does have rainy days in winter. In December, there are on average 13, in January 11, and in February 9 rainy days (Climate data, average 1991-2020). That might sound like a lot.

But the key is the type of rain. In Malta, it rarely rains all day long. Typical weather involves short, heavy showers, after which the sun comes out again. I've experienced December days where it poured for an hour in the morning, followed by brilliant sunshine all afternoon. This is completely different from the persistent grey drizzle you might be used to in the UK.

Malta in December: An Expat's Experience

December is personally one of my favourite months in Malta. The tourist crowds are gone, the Maltese have time for themselves and their traditions - and the island shows a completely different side than in summer.

Daytime temperatures are around 16-17°C, dropping to about 11°C at night. The sea is still around 17°C - definitely fresh, but swimming is possible. I know a few hardy souls (myself included) who still jump into the sea in December. It's certainly invigorating, if you know what I mean.

Christmas in Malta

And here's the thing: Christmas in Malta is special. The Maltese take Christmas seriously - very seriously. The Presepju tradition (nativity scenes) dates back to 1617, and during Advent, you'll find hand-carved cribs in almost every village, sometimes filling entire sections of a street.

For a few years now, there has also been Fairyland Santa's City in the Valletta/Floriana area - a Christmas market with an ice rink, food stalls, and carousels. There's also the Magical Illuminated Trail, a light path leading through the historic gardens.

Forget drinking mulled wine at a UK Christmas market at 3°C. Here, you drink your mulled wine at 16°C while looking out at the sea. It has a certain charm.

Another practical advantage: Accommodation is 30 to 50 percent cheaper in December than in the high season. A good apartment in Sliema or St. Julian's that costs EUR 120 per night in August can be found for EUR 60-80 in December. Hotels with sea views start from EUR 70-90 - prices that would be unthinkable in summer.

Malta in January: What to Expect

January is the coldest month in Malta. But what does "cold" mean on a Mediterranean island? Daytime highs of 15-16°C, night temperatures around 9-10°C, and a water temperature of 15°C.

By British standards, that's a mild spring day.

Most restaurants, cafés, and sights are open. Only some seasonal beach restaurants and beach clubs are closed - which doesn't really bother anyone in January.

What's Particularly Good in January

Hiking. January is, for me, the best time for hiking in Malta. Cool temperatures, no crowds, green landscapes (yes, Malta actually turns green in winter). The cliffs on the Dingli coast or the hiking trails on Gozo are a joy in January. In summer, you'd give up after half an hour in 35-degree heat.

Carnival preparations also start in January. The Maltese Carnival traditionally takes place in February and is a colourful, loud affair - similar to Rio or Venice, just on a smaller scale and with very pleasant temperatures.

Another data point showing that Malta is no longer just a summer secret: Between January and March 2023 alone, over 440,000 visitors came to the island and spent a total of EUR 312.4 million (Malta Tourism Authority, Tourism Statistics 2023). The winter season has been growing continuously for years.

Malta in Winter vs. Canaries, Algarve, and Cyprus

Now it gets interesting. Malta isn't the only winter destination in Europe. The Canaries, the Algarve, and Cyprus also offer mild winters. But how do they compare directly?

My Honest Verdict on the Comparison

Tenerife is warmer. That's a fact. If temperature is your sole priority, the Canaries are the better choice. 21°C highs in winter are hard to beat.

However: Tenerife is over 4 hours away by plane, the official language is Spanish, and you are - with all due respect - on a holiday island without the historical depth and cultural density that Malta offers.

Malta's advantage is the combination: a 3-hour flight, English as an official language, EU membership, the Euro, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and an active expat community. No other winter destination in Europe offers this specific mix.

Cyprus is weather-wise similar to Malta, but flight connections from the UK in winter can be less frequent depending on your departure airport. And the fact that Cyprus is only partially in the Schengen area can cause confusion for some travellers (though less relevant for UK passport holders post-Brexit).

The Algarve is charming, but in January/February it is cooler than Malta and has the lowest sunshine hours of the four options during the winter half-year.

If you are interested in Malta not just for a holiday but also as a location for setting up a company, read our detailed comparison: Malta or Cyprus: Which Location is Better for Your Company Formation?.

Malta has developed into one of the most popular year-round destinations in the Mediterranean in recent years. The combination of a mild winter climate, English as an official language, and excellent accessibility from Northern Europe makes the island particularly attractive.

Practical Tips: What to Pack and How to Get Here

Flight Connections from the UK

Malta is excellently connected to the UK in winter. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and KM Malta Airlines fly from numerous British airports.

Key connections include:

• London (Gatwick/Heathrow/Stansted/Luton): Daily flights with multiple airlines, approx. 3h 15m
• Manchester: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, approx. 3h 30m
• Birmingham: Ryanair, Jet2
• Edinburgh: Ryanair (check winter schedule)
• Bristol: easyJet

What to Pack (and What Not To)

After 14 winters on Malta, I know exactly what you need. And more importantly, what you don't need.

Pack:

• Light jacket (no heavy winter coat - you really won't need it)
• Rain jacket - this is the most important item for the Maltese winter
• Layers - mornings can be crisp, but by noon you might be sitting in a T-shirt
• Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes - Malta's streets can get surprisingly slippery when wet
• Swimwear (especially October/November - the sea is still 20-23°C)

Don't Pack:

• Thick winter boots
• Woolly hat and gloves (maybe for that one evening it drops to 8 degrees)
• Heavy wool jumpers

Winter Activities in Malta: What You Can Do

One of the biggest advantages of the Maltese winter: You can be outside. Not huddled on the sofa (although that's an option too), but actually active. Here are the best activities.

Hiking

The best hiking season in Malta is undoubtedly winter. Temperatures are cool enough for multi-hour tours, the landscape is green, and you have the trails to yourself. My recommendations:

• Dingli Cliffs: Malta's highest point (253 m), breathtaking coastal walk
• Victoria Lines: Historic British defensive line crossing the island
• Gozo Coastal Walk: Around the island, doable in stages

Diving

Malta is one of the best diving spots in the Mediterranean. In winter, water temperatures are around 15-17°C - a wetsuit is mandatory, but visibility is often better than in summer because there are fewer boats and less plankton.

Popular dive spots like the Blue Hole on Gozo, the HMS Maori wreck, or the Cirkewwa Arch are less crowded in winter. Dive schools are open year-round.

Gozo and Comino

The ferry to Gozo runs year-round (every 45 minutes, EUR 4.65 return). Gozo in winter is a completely different experience from summer: quiet, idyllic, almost meditative.

Visit the Ggantija Temples (older than the Pyramids of Giza), La Cittadella in Victoria, and the numerous hiking trails. Comino and the famous Blue Lagoon are quiet and peaceful in winter - a far cry from the summer chaos with hundreds of boats. Boat tours are available in winter too, but check departure times beforehand as schedules are reduced.

Valletta and Culture

Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an absolute joy in winter. Without the cruise ship tourists of summer, you can explore the capital in peace. My highlights:

• St. John's Co-Cathedral: Home to the only signed Caravaggio in the world ("The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist")
• Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens: Fantastic views of the Grand Harbour
• National Museum of Archaeology: The oldest free-standing buildings of humanity (5,000 BC) in model form

Mdina by Night

If you want a special tip for winter: Visit Mdina in the evening. The old capital is atmospheric anyway, but in winter, when it gets dark early and the narrow streets are lit up, it has something truly magical about it. Plus: almost no other tourists.

Conclusion: Why Malta Is Worth a Trip in Winter

To summarise: Malta in winter offers you 15-20°C daytime temperatures, around 5-8 hours of sunshine per day, cheaper accommodation and flights, fewer tourists, and an island that shows its most authentic side.

Is it perfect? No. It rains sometimes, it can be windy, and in January you'll need a jacket in the evening. But compared to what the UK offers during the same period, Malta is a completely different universe.

After 14 winters on this island, I can tell you: If you only know Malta in summer, you don't really know Malta. The winter months are the time when you experience the culture, history, and character of the island - without being crushed by 35-degree heat and tourist crowds.

And who knows - maybe you'll end up like me, and a winter holiday turns into something more. Some of my clients came for two weeks in January and live in Malta today. If you're thinking about that, I've written a comprehensive guide to moving to Malta. And if you're interested in the tax possibilities of a Malta Limited, you'll find all the details there.

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