Season guide · Valletta · Malta
Valletta in winter
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Joe Ambrogio, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Mild highs around 16°C, some rain and wind, low prices, Christmas cribs and carnival in February. Expect highs up to 17°C (63°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 28 rainy days across December–February.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 9°C (48°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 28
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in winter
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C (61°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 10 | 10 h | 1/5 |
| February | 16°C (61°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 8 | 10.8 h | 2/5 |
| December | 17°C (63°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 10 | 9.7 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 16°C (61°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 28 of the year's roughly 62 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 2/5 and hotel prices 2/5 on average.
What's on in winter
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- January: Valletta Baroque Festival (usually January)
- February: Malta Carnival — floats and parades in Valletta and Floriana (usually February, before Lent)
- December: Christmas lights and nativity cribs across Valletta (December)
Good choices for winter
Palace · Lower Valletta
Casa Rocca Piccola
Take the guided tour rather than wandering alone; the family stories are the highlight.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Paola
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
A UNESCO-listed underground Neolithic burial complex, cut into the rock over centuries from around 4000 BC, with chambers carved to imitate built temples and red ochre spiral paintings.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Upper Valletta
St John's Co-Cathedral
Use the included audio guide and save the oratory for last, when you can sit in front of the Caravaggio.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Palace · Upper Valletta
Grandmaster's Palace
The seat of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, and later of British governors and the Maltese president, faces St George's Square.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Castle · Lower Valletta
Fort St Elmo and National War Museum
Walk the ramparts after the museum for views over both harbours and the breakwater.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
- Rainy day
Day trips in winter
- Marsaxlokk (About 30–40 minutes by bus) — A fishing village whose harbour fills with brightly painted luzzu boats, each with a protective eye on the bow.
- Blue Grotto, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra (About 40–50 minutes by bus) — Small boats from Wied iż-Żurrieq visit sea caves with brilliant blue water, weather permitting.
What to pack
- Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is winter a good time to visit Valletta?
It is a trade-off: Mild highs around 16°C, some rain and wind, low prices, Christmas cribs and carnival in February. The best months overall are April–June and September–October.
+What is the weather like in Valletta in winter?
Highs of up to 17°C (63°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 28 rainy days over the season.