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The weather in Malta in January might be colder, but the Maltese weather staples of sunshine and warmth are definitely still present. Despite probably being one of the coldest months of the year, it is still relatively warm weather.
As a Mediterranean island, Malta is usually busiest and liveliest during the warmer months. January is not known as the most jam-packed month of the year. However, you will definitely find lots of things to do when you visit, and you won’t have to face large crowds when taking trips to museums and sites.
Generally speaking, January is usually the coldest month of the year in Malta, with the average temperature ranging between 10-15o C (49-59o F). Sea temperatures are also at their lowest at an average of around 15o C (58o F).
One of the most surprising elements for people is usually the humidity. In Malta, the climate tends to be very humid all year round, and believe it or not, this can make the cold a little harsher, especially at night.
Not to worry, though, as uncomfortable temperatures can be dealt with by turning on air conditioners and electrical/gas heating, and humidity by switching on a dehumidifier.
The short answer is yes; if you’re looking to enjoy the warm winter sun during the darker and colder months of the year, January can be a good time to plan a trip to the country. However, don’t expect summer heat and endless days on the beach as many locals and tourists would do during the hotter months of the year, such as June, July, August and September.
Malta’s climate can be a bit hard to predict, and sometimes, cold days can follow extremely warm and sunny days and vice versa.
It’s common to get the sense that you’re experiencing multiple seasons in a day! What might start out as a relatively warm day can quickly turn into a mild grey one, which might then end up being very windy with heavy rainfall.
Yes, it often is. Dull weather is uncommon, and blue skies are still quite prevalent, even if it is January. Just bear in mind that the rainfall can be heavy and that Maltese storms can be intense and somewhat violent at times, but they go away as quickly as they come. In short, don’t let the bad weather stop you from having the best time on the island.
Despite January being one of the quieter months in Malta, that doesn’t mean there aren’t still plenty of things to do.
If you’re considering going on sightseeing tours while you’re visiting, there are a couple that are well suited for this time of year:
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If you talk about Malta, you will inevitably end up mentioning its stunning beaches. While January is not exactly the best beach-going time of the year, Malta’s coastline can still be enjoyed in other ways than swimming, sunbathing, or doing water sports.
In fact, there’s nothing better than taking a walk along the sea promenade during a pleasant day when the sun is shining. To name a few, popular beaches include Paradise Bay, Golden Bay, Għadira Bay and Għar Lapsi. For more information, check out my article for the Top 10 beaches for some ideas on finding the right one to take your family to for a fun day out or your partner for a romantic stroll.
If you’re not one to head to the beach outside of summer and you’d rather not spend your time at festivals and shows, there are a number of quiet winter activities you can enjoy doing in Malta during January.
This includes:
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The lull in busy life following the holidays is most often a welcome one for people who enjoy exploring cool places without finding all the sites clogged with large groups of tourists.
January is the time when most locals get in touch with nature. Warm and sunny wintry Sunday mornings are ideal for taking a hike up one of the various beautiful nature trails (examples listed below), and early evenings are perfect for watching the sunset.
Apart from that, most locals prefer doing indoor activities like visiting wine bars, eating heartwarming dinners, spending quality time with friends and family drinking hot beverages to keep warm.
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Sunshine isn’t always a guarantee when visiting Malta in January, but odds are there will be some sunny days during your visit.
A chance of grey skies doesn’t mean that it’s not a good time to visit. In fact, it might be the perfect time if you’re the kind of traveller who doesn’t mind visiting places off-season and exploring when there are less tourists around and the general atmosphere is one of more calm and quiet.
If this is something that sounds like you would enjoy it, then by all means, add January to the top of your list. Cheaper flights, cheaper accommodation, less queues, less crowds, and milder weather to a hot fiery summer. Sounds like the perfect holiday in the making to me!
If you’re planning January vacations to the island, luck might be on your side since, at this time of year, most accommodations will be offering deals and discounts to encourage visitors to book in during the quieter time following the busy Christmas period and preceding the peak Spring/Summer times.
Obviously, one size does not fit all when it comes to what sort of accommodation you are looking for.
If you’re looking for busy cities where the nights will still be alive and bustling, look for accommodation in places like Sliema, St Julian’s, Msida, and Gzira. Valletta might also be a good spot for you if you enjoy going out in the evening but would like something slightly more mellow with a gentler nightlife. It’s also ideal if you want to wake up in the morning and visit historic sights and museums since you’ll be in a central location to most cultural spots.
If you wish to get cracking on walks, hikes and enjoying nature, quieter villages in the South, like Marsascala, or the North, like Mellieha, are ideal. You might even find lodgings in the centre of the island, a perfect medium for you to explore all around the island.
If you’d like some more help with finding where to stay, you can have a look at my article detailing tips and suggestions on where to stay during your visit to Malta in January. What’s more, you can also find a list of the 25 Best Hotels in Malta on Malta Uncovered, which features luxury hotels like the Hilton Malta, where you can truly rest up and unwind at the spa or enjoy swimming at the indoor pool. You can also check out the Best Malta AirBnB holiday lets for apartments and holiday homes.
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Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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