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Malta

Island

The island of Malta combines Valletta's fortifications and baroque churches, prehistoric sites, ferry connections to Gozo, compact beaches and Mediterranean restaurants serving seafood and pastizzi.

Malta VallettaMdinaGozoMalta
In this guide

Malta essentials

Address: Island of Malta (no single address)

About Malta (island)

Malta is the largest and most populated of the Maltese islands and serves as the country’s political, economic and cultural centre. The island contains major historic cities, prehistoric temple sites, and varied coastal landscapes.

Historic urban centres such as Valletta and Mdina offer dense streets, churches, museums and fortifications from the medieval and early-modern periods. Coastal areas include popular bays, cliffs, and archaeological sites such as Ħaġar Qim and the Blue Grotto, which are accessible on day trips from main towns.

Rural interiors and limestone countryside provide shorter walks and views across terraced fields and small villages, while the coastline supports swimming, diving and boat excursions. Cultural tourism and archaeological sites are frequently combined with seaside activities.

Malta has a long continuous human presence from the Neolithic through Phoenician, Roman, medieval and Knights-period rule to modern independence in the 20th century. This layered history produces an unusually dense concentration of monuments for a small island.

Situated in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa, Malta’s central island is compact and well connected by road and ports to other islands and to international transport hubs.

  • Rich heritage: The island contains a high concentration of prehistoric and historical monuments including Neolithic temples and Knights-period fortifications, many accessible from main towns.

What to See#

  • Valletta: Valletta, the national capital with dense historic streets, fortifications and major state buildings dating from the 16th century.
  • Mdina: Mdina, the old fortified capital inland with narrow streets and medieval architecture preserved within its walls.
  • Ħaġar Qim and Blue Grotto: A southern coastal cluster including the Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra temple sites and the sea-facing Blue Grotto area known for boat trips and coastal views.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Malta (island)

Malta is best explored in spring or autumn for mild temperatures and manageable crowds.

Spring
April-June · 15-24°C
Pleasant walking weather and wildflowers.
Autumn
September-October · 20-26°C
Warm sea and fewer cruise crowds.

Weather & Climate near Malta (island)

Climate

Malta's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 9°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (552 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 50 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 9° - 16° 13° 90 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.8 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 9° - 16° 13° 60 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.2 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Very Good 10° - 17° 14° 40 mm partly cloudy 80% 3.8 m/s 1.0 high 11.8h
April Excellent 12° - 19° 16° 24 mm some cloud 83% 3.9 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Ideal 15° - 24° 19° 10 mm mostly sunny 82% 3.7 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 19° - 28° 23° 2 mm clear 80% 3.4 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 21° - 31° 26° 0 mm clear 77% 3.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 22° - 31° 27° 6 mm clear 75% 3.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 20° - 28° 24° 47 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.3 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 17° - 25° 21° 82 mm some cloud 76% 3.1 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 14° - 20° 17° 87 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.2 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 11° - 17° 14° 104 mm partly cloudy 73% 3.8 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Malta (island)

Malta International Airport (MLA) near Luqa is the main entry point. From the airport, buses and taxis run to Valletta (approx. 20-30 minutes). The island is compact and drivable; public buses connect major towns and sites.