Pembroke Travel Guide

City Town in Malta with modern residential development

Pembroke began as a garrison town and now offers coastal promenades, family beaches and a compact marina. Visitors stay for watersports, seaside cafés and easy access to neighboring Sliema and Valletta.

Costs

USD 80-130 per day

Affordable compared with Malta's resort hotspots; everyday costs are moderate.

Safety

Very safe; family-friendly

Very safe suburb with family neighborhoods and low crime rates.

Best Time

April to October

Warm months for beach days and outdoor sports.

In This Guide

Why Visit Pembroke?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

3,842

Infrastructure & Convenience

Suburban layout with bus links, sidewalks and English signage; easy to reach from Valletta.

Popularity

Favoured by expats and families rather than mass tourism; close to Malta's busier resorts.

Known For

British-era forts and barracks, coastal promenades, nearby beaches, family-friendly parks, sports facilities, residential developments, diving nearby, cafés, military cemetery, quiet streets

Pembroke developed around a 19th-century British garrison and still shows military-era fortifications in its layout.

Why Visit Pembroke? #

A compact coastal town that combines quiet neighborhoods with quick access to Malta’s livelier hubs. Fort Pembroke and the Pembroke promenade add military history and sea-front walks, while a short hop brings you to Paceville and St. Julian’s nightlife. Visitors often appreciate the mix of family-friendly parks, seafront cafés and English-language cultural events, making Pembroke a practical base for those who want both calm days and easy evenings out.

Top Things to Do in Pembroke

All Attractions ›

Royal Opera House, Valletta

Historic Valletta opera house rebuilt as cultural venue

Theater

Megalithic Temples of Malta

Prehistoric temple complex in Malta, UNESCO World Heritage

Building

Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum

Underground Neolithic burial chamber in Malta, exceptionally preserved

Archaeological Site

Saint John's Co-Cathedral

Baroque cathedral in Valletta with richly decorated interior

Church

Gozo

Smaller Maltese island with rural landscapes and megaliths

Island

Comino

Tiny Maltese island famed for the Blue Lagoon

Island

Malta (island)

Main Maltese island housing Valletta and historical sites

Island

Filfla

Small uninhabited rocky islet south of Malta

Mountains

Don't Miss

Fort Pembroke - 19th-century British fortifications and coastal batteries tucked into Pembroke's headland.
Pembroke Park - Open green space popular with families, sports and community events.
Pembroke Promenade - Coastal path offering sea views and pleasant walks along the shoreline.

Hidden Gems

Pembroke Military Cemetery - Quiet, historic cemetery documenting Malta's military past and Commonwealth burials.
Local cafés and bakeries - Neighborhood spots serving Maltese pastries, espresso and light lunches favored by locals.
Small coastal coves - Hidden rock pools and quiet swimming coves accessible from the local shoreline paths.

Day Trips

Valletta - Malta's capital with museums, fortifications and waterfront cafés reachable by short drive.
Mellieħa and Golden Bay - Large northern beaches and sandy bays for swimming and coastal walks.

Best Time to Visit Pembroke #

Pembroke enjoys warm, Mediterranean weather; visit in spring or autumn for mild temperatures and fewer tourists. Summer brings heat and beach crowds, while winters are cooler and wetter.

Winter

December - February · 12-16°C (54-61°F)

Mild, often rainy and quiet - good for strolling without crowds but limited beach time.

Summer

June - August · 24-32°C (75-90°F)

Hot, sunny and lively - great for swimming, terraces and nightlife, though beaches get busy.

Spring & Autumn

March - May, September - November · 16-23°C (61-73°F)

Comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds - the sweet spot for sightseeing, walks and relaxed seaside cafés.

Best Time to Visit Pembroke #

Climate

Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 10°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (517 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

32°

Warmest Month

8°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

10° – 16°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

9.9h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

10° – 16°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

57 mm

Rainfall

4.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

10.8h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

11° – 17°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

37 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

High

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.

82 Excellent

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

12° – 19°

83%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

21 mm

Rainfall

4.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

13.0h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

16° – 23°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

8 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.9

UV Index

Very High

13.9h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

23°

Feels Like Mild

23°C

Temperature

19° – 28°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

2 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.3

UV Index

Extreme

14.4h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

26°

Feels Like Warm

26°C

Temperature

22° – 30°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

0 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.4

UV Index

Extreme

14.1h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

27°

Feels Like Warm

27°C

Temperature

23° – 31°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

5 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

2.0

UV Index

Extreme

13.3h daylight

September

September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

25°

Feels Like Warm

25°C

Temperature

21° – 28°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

42 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.5

UV Index

High

12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

18° – 25°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

11.2h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

14° – 21°

74%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

82 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.2h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

12° – 17°

73%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

101 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.7h daylight

How to Get to Pembroke

Pembroke (Malta) is reached via Malta International Airport (MLA) with onward travel by taxi, rental car or the public bus network. The town is a short drive from the airport and well connected by road.

By Air

Malta International Airport (MLA): The nearest airport for Pembroke is Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa. Pembroke (on the northwest coast of the main island) is a 20-35 minute drive from MLA depending on traffic; taxis and car rentals are available at the airport. Airport taxis to Pembroke typically take about 25-35 minutes.

(No other regional airports): All scheduled international flights arrive at MLA; onward travel around Malta is by road or bus.

By Train & Bus

Bus: Malta’s public buses link the airport and major hubs (Valletta, Bugibba) - from there you can catch a bus to Pembroke (routes often via St. Paul’s Bay / Bugibba). Journey times from MLA to Pembroke by bus are usually 45-70 minutes depending on connections; single fares are low (cash or Tallinja Card fares apply).

Taxi / Transfer: Airport taxis and private transfers go directly to Pembroke in 25-35 minutes and are the simplest option with luggage.

How to Get Around Pembroke #

Pembroke is relatively walkable in its residential areas and along the waterfront paths. Malta Public Transport runs buses that connect Pembroke with St. Julian’s, Sliema and Valletta, so you can get around without a car. If you plan to explore the island widely, a car is handy, but buses are affordable and frequent on main routes. Watch for limited parking near popular beach spots in summer.

Where to Stay in Pembroke #

Budget

Pembroke / St. Julian's - €25-70/night

Pembroke itself has few hotels; budget travellers usually stay in nearby St. Julian's or Sliema where hostels and cheap rooms are common.

St. Julian's budget rooms (booking) - Hostel and cheap rooms in Spinola/Paceville.
Sliema budget stays (booking) - Affordable guesthouses and apartments.

Mid-Range

St. Julian's / Pembroke - €90-220/night

Comfortable 3-4-star hotels close to Pembroke - mainly in St. Julian's and nearby coastal areas offering good transport links and dining options.

Hilton Malta (St. Julian's) - Waterfront hotel with pools and dining.
InterContinental Malta (St. Julian's) - Large seafront hotel, restaurants and spa.

Luxury

St. Julian's / Sliema - €200-400+/night

Luxury stays are concentrated in St. Julian's and Sliema - high-end hotels with waterfront locations, fine dining, and full-service spas. Pembroke lacks its own luxury hotels.

Hilton Malta - Premium seafront facilities and restaurants.
InterContinental Malta - High-end seafront rooms and spa amenities.

Where to Eat in Pembroke #

Coastal & Casual

Small coastal town dining is relaxed: pizza, cafés and pubs serving easy Mediterranean meals and drinks beside the water.

Pembroke waterfront cafés - Casual cafés and seaside terraces.
Local pizzerias and bistros - Quick bites popular with locals and students.
Bars and small pubs - Evening drinks and light plates.

International & Takeaway

A mix of casual international takeaways and cafés meets local tastes - convenient options for quick meals and coffee breaks.

Takeaway hubs - Convenient international and local fast food.
Casual international spots - Indian, Chinese and burger outlets.
Coffee shops and brunch cafés - Light meals and pastries.

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Pembroke's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Pizza

Burger

Italian

Mediterranean

Regional

Kebab

Pasta

Chinese

Indian

Seafood

Turkish

Coffee Shop

Pastizzerija

Asian

Sushi

Chicken

Sandwich

Maltese

Steak House

Breakfast

Nightlife in Pembroke #

Pembroke’s nightlife is quiet and mainly local pubs and seaside restaurants. For clubs, lively bars and a broader evening scene, nearby St. Julian’s/Paceville is the main destination.

Shopping in Pembroke #

Shopping in Pembroke is limited to small convenience stores and a few cafés. Major shopping and nightlife options are a short bus ride away in St. Julian’s and Sliema.

Nearby Cities #