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Malta , as a central Mediterranean island might not seem like a typical Winter destination. Being known as a leading international diving destination, having warm crystal clear waters and of course the 300 days of sunshine a year, visitors traditionally pour into Malta for the summer.
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Malta, as a Winter destination, has so much more to offer than sunshine and sea, even though Winter still has an abundance of sunshine.
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If you considering visiting Malta the following are a few reasons why it might be better to visit in Winter rather than Summer.
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1. Pleasant weather
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Warm weather in Malta persists until mid-November. Gone are the ridiculous scorching days of July and August, where walking in the sun is so hot you only want to go where the water is.
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Since temperatures in winter are a comfortable 9.5 to 20 degrees Celsius and with the sun shining, exploring Malta is a very pleasant experience.
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2. Cheaper accommodation/ more availability
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If you were to compare prices of places to stay in July to those in December, January or February, you will find that on average, accommodation is 40% less expensive during the Winter
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As fewer tourists visit Malta in Winter, you will be spoilt for choice on the availability of all kinds of accommodation.
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3. Less crowded
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More than a million tourists arrive in Malta annually and most of these are in the Summer months., where Malta’s population of 450 000 almost triples.
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In summer, Malta is anything but tranquil, yet during the Winter season, Malta changes appearance.
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If less people are around, there are fewer queues at museums, and less competition for seats on buses. Even better though is that fares during the Winter season are 25% cheaper than they are in Summer months.
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4. A More Authentic Maltese Experience
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If you are keen to experience authentic Malta you are more likely during the quieter, cooler months, to bump into and chat to a local rather than bumping into another tourist. Malta in general doesn’t feel like a tourist destination during Winter.
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Why not find a seat on a village square, order a coffee and pastizzi and watch the locals socialising as they do daily in any of the squares
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Grabbing a seat at Caffe Cordina in Valletta, a cafe loved by locals and tourists alike, will be queue free and quieter.
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5. Get cultural
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Manoel Theatre, Valletta
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Manoel Theatre, frequented all year round, is one of Valletta’s most prized treasure. Between November and January, the impressive opera hall is stage to celestial choirs and Christmas concerts. With a carrara marble staircases and Viennese chandeliers, Malta’s national theatre is as spectacular as it is intimate.
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Valletta late night shopping
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Don’t miss the the festive displays in Valletta throughout December, when shops stay open until late and small alley restaurants offer the perfect ambience in which to enjoy dinner and wine with friends. Colourful Christmas lights grace buildings at night giving Valletta streets a romantic festive feeling.
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New Years Celebration in Paceville
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Paceville is one of Malta’s most exciting towns, a notoriously wild nightlife hub. It is literally littered with bars, clubs, discos, casinos, gentlemen’s clubs, cinemas and so much more. Most of the clubs in Paceville have a free entrance and are usually open till the early hours of the morning.
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If you find yourself on the island for New Year’s Eve, you’re in luck Paceville is a perfect place to celebrate the last day of the year. Places like the top of Portomaso Tower, the tallest building in Malta, Level 22 treats you to some incredible panoramic views of fireworks all across Malta.
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Irrespective of where you choose to go; crowds of cheery people will make up the best part of your New Year’s Eve in Paceville.
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6. Trekking
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Dry Winter days with the lack of stifling heat opens up an outdoor activity which summer lovers and committed athletes alike find tough in the sweltering summer months: Trekking.
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An abundance of opportunities to explore parts of the island other than the beach. Whether you’re interested in discovering more about Malta, Gozo or Comino, trekking is a great way to explore the less beaten tracks and witness first hand some of the fauna, rock formations unique to the archipelago, as well as caves, historical landmarks and panoramas not accessible by car.
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There are quite a A few groups like Ramblers Malta , Trekking Malta and Experience adventure that organize these “nature” hikes. Treks don’t just cover Dingli Cliffs and Xemxija, but also set out in the south from Marsaskala and Lapsi. Some wander around the center through Mdina and Mosta, and a few groups even organize night hikes, or day trips to Gozo.
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