Valletta enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city is renowned for its abundant sunshine – among the highest in Europe – and gentle sea breezes. Seasonal contrasts bring warm, sun-drenched days from May to October and cooler, windier, but still pleasant winters, making Valletta an attractive destination all year round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Valletta’s climate is defined by its coastal Mediterranean setting, resulting in four distinct seasons with mild transitions. Summers (June–September) are hot, sunny, and dry, with average highs of 28–32°C and lows of 20–24°C. July and August are the hottest months, often accompanied by the dry, warm Sirocco wind from Africa. Rain is rare in summer, and the city enjoys up to 13 hours of sunshine per day. Sea temperatures peak at 26–27°C, supporting a long swimming season from May to October. Humidity is moderate to high, reaching 77–81% in summer, but sea breezes provide relief from the heat.
Winters (December–February) are mild and wetter, with average highs of 15–17°C and lows of 9–12°C. Rain falls mainly in short, intense showers, with January and February being the wettest months. Even in winter, Valletta enjoys more sunshine than most European cities, with 5–7 hours per day and daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 10°C. Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) are transitional, featuring comfortable temperatures (16–25°C), moderate rainfall, and increasing or decreasing sunshine. Winds are common, especially from November to March, with gusts occasionally reaching 30–40 km/h. Valletta receives about 446 mm of rain annually, spread over 60–70 days, and boasts nearly 4,000 hours of sunshine each year. Daylight ranges from about 9.5 hours in winter to over 14.5 hours in midsummer.
| Average climate data for Valletta, Malta | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 15 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 27 | 31 | 31 | 28 | 24 | 20 | 17 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 89 | 60 | 42 | 23 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 40 | 89 | 81 | 110 | 550 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 80 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 16 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 20 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
The best time to visit Valletta is from April to June and September to October, when temperatures are comfortable (16–25°C), rainfall is low, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. These shoulder seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, hiking, and swimming, with fewer crowds and long, sunny days.
The least favourable time to visit is from January to February, when Valletta is windiest and wettest. While temperatures remain mild compared to mainland Europe, frequent rain and strong winds can limit outdoor activities and make some coastal excursions less enjoyable, though the city is quieter and more affordable.
Valletta has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, moderate humidity, and gentle sea breezes, making it pleasant for travel in any season.
Summer temperatures in Valletta typically reach 28–32°C, with peaks up to 34°C in July and August. Nights remain warm, and the sea is perfect for swimming, with water temperatures around 26°C.
Snow is virtually unknown in Valletta. Winter temperatures rarely fall below 9°C at night, and daytime highs usually stay between 15–17°C, making it one of the warmest capitals in Europe in winter.
Rain falls mainly from November to February, with January being the wettest month. Rain usually comes in short, intense showers, and strong winds are common in winter.
Valletta enjoys nearly 4,000 hours of sunshine annually, with up to 13 hours per day in summer and 5–7 hours in winter. Malta is one of the sunniest places in Europe.
Pack light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a light jacket. For winter, a jumper and rain jacket are useful for cooler, windy, and occasionally rainy days.
Valletta is moderately humid year-round, with humidity highest in summer (up to 81%). The city is often breezy, especially from November to March, when strong winds can make it feel cooler.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (30.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (15.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (21.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (9.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (26 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (15.4 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 20.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (110.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 550.3 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (13 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (0 days). Over the whole year there are 80 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 8.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 10). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.1.
