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Maltese islands

Islands

Across the central Mediterranean, the Maltese islands offer Valletta's baroque fortifications and harbours, prehistoric megalithic temples, scuba diving around cliffs and wrecks, island-hopping ferries and seafood-heavy Maltese cuisine.

Maltese islands VallettaMdinaGozoMaltese islands
In this guide

Maltese islands essentials

Website: visitmalta.com
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About Maltese islands

The Maltese islands are an archipelago in the central Mediterranean comprising the principal islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino with several smaller islets. The islands have a dense concentration of prehistoric, classical and early modern monuments and a continuous coastal and urban settlement history.

Travelers visit for fortified cities and Baroque architecture such as the capital Valletta, medieval Mdina, and numerous coastal towns; cultural museums and historic churches are widely accessible. Natural highlights include the Blue Lagoon on Comino for swimming and clear water, and rural landscapes and megalithic temples on Gozo and Malta. Prehistoric temple complexes, coastal cliffs, and a compact urban fabric make the islands possible to explore on short trips.

The islands have been inhabited since the Neolithic and contain some of the oldest free-standing stone monuments in the world. Over millennia they have been ruled and fortified by Phoenicians, Romans, medieval orders and the Knights of St John, whose 16th-century construction of Valletta shaped much of the main island’s historic core.

The archipelago lies in the central Mediterranean Sea, roughly 80 kilometres south of Sicily and centrally positioned between southern Europe and North Africa.

  • Size and composition: The archipelago comprises three inhabited islands-Malta, Gozo and Comino-plus several smaller islets; the total land area is about 316 square kilometres.
  • Prehistoric sites: Numerous prehistoric megalithic temples across the islands date to the Neolithic and Bronze Age; several of these temples are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

What to See#

  • Malta (main island): The largest island that contains the national capital Valletta, major population centres, Malta International Airport and the main historical and urban attractions.
  • Gozo: A smaller, hillier island with a rural character, known for its historic citadel towns and the Neolithic Ġgantija temple complex.
  • Comino: A small island between Malta and Gozo dominated by the Blue Lagoon, a sheltered bay popular for swimming and day trips.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Maltese islands

Spring and autumn offer the best balance of weather and crowd levels; summer is hot and busiest, but ideal for swimming and diving.

Spring
March-May · 12-22°C (54-72°F)
Wildflowers and mild weather, excellent for sightseeing and walking.
Autumn
September-November · 20-26°C (68-79°F)
Warm sea temperatures and fewer tourists; pleasant for diving and coastal walks.

Weather & Climate near Maltese islands

Climate

Maltese islands'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 (539 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 49 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 10° - 16° 13° 88 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.9 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 9° - 16° 13° 60 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.3 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° 23 mm some cloud 83% 4.0 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Ideal 15° - 24° 19° 8 mm mostly sunny 82% 4.4 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 19° - 28° 23° 2 mm clear 80% 3.9 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 21° - 31° 26° 0 mm clear 77% 3.8 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 22° - 31° 27° 5 mm clear 75% 3.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 21° - 28° 24° 44 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.2 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 17° - 25° 21° 80 mm some cloud 76% 3.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 14° - 20° 17° 86 mm partly cloudy 74% 3.2 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 11° - 17° 14° 103 mm partly cloudy 73% 4.0 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Maltese islands

International flights arrive at Malta International Airport (MLA) near Luqa. From Valletta, ferries and buses connect to Gozo (ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mġarr) and to smaller islands; scheduled services operate year-round, with more frequent services in summer.

Tips for Visiting Maltese islands

  • If island-hopping, use Gozo's ferry from Ċirkewwa for quick crossings and book car ferries in advance in high season.
  • Stay in Valletta or Sliema for easy access to heritage sites, then take day trips to quieter islands like Gozo and Comino.
  • Renting a car is useful on Gozo and Malta's rural areas but note narrow lanes and limited parking in older towns.