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Summertime may be dwindling to an end, but September in Malta is still a very warm affair. Tourists and visitors flock to the island for a late summer holiday even at this late stage and locals are squeezing out the last bit of downtime they can before getting back to the busy grind of winter life.
Weather-wise, September tends to come with temperatures that are quite warm but slightly less so than in the preceding months. The high levels of humidity and UV rays make it feel hotter and more stifling than it actually is, with some respite coming from the rainfall that tends to occur during this month.
Entertainment venues and historical sites are usually still busy during September but the number of people starts to fall as the days of the month go by. In fact, this month is one of the greatest times to visit as you can benefit from the last bit of summertime while having to deal with fewer tourists and smaller crowds.
Generally speaking, September is a month with extremes of weather – some days being very hot and summery, while others bring heavy rainfall and others, strong Southern winds.
The temperature is warm, with high humidity levels exacerbating conditions and making it feel more sticky and hot than it actually is. Southern winds from North Africa bring with them a cloud of dust and Sahara desert sand, covering everything in a coating of brown dust. This also means that they bring with them more heat to the air, as they tend to be very warm winds and not at all like the cool breezes you’d wish to get.
On the other hand, you might also experience a few days of sudden and very strong rainfall since around this time, Malta will start getting the first summer storms and rain showers. If you see that it’s going to be raining heavily on one of the days you’re visiting, it’s best to avoid being out on the street and in low-lying areas. A Maltese flood is no joke, with people getting injured (rarely) and cars and debris being swept away. In fact, rainfall averages around 39.4mm in September.
Heatwaves are not unheard of during September, but they are less likely as temperatures tend to be more stable during this month, averaging between 20-28o C (69-82o F). Sea temperatures are also still warm, at an average of 25o C (77o F).
Luckily, the days are still long, with an average of 9 hours of sunshine for you to enjoy.
Yes, Malta in September is very warm. Temperatures are still high but the sensation of heat is mostly affected by the high levels of humidity, which make the air feel heavy, sticky, and stifling. Furthermore, UV rays are also high, making the sun beat down fiercely, which means it’s important to protect yourself by wearing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
The sea is also still warm and a great way to refresh yourself from the heat of the day. Do note that September often has very strong winds, which will cause undercurrents and wild seas.
Those days when it rains might be cooler as the rain is falling, but the general sensation, once the rain has stopped, is that the air has become more humid and sticky. Don’t be shocked if rain showers also leave a coating of brown dust on cars, buildings, and streets once they dry up. This is a phenomenon known as ‘blood rain’ and is due to the Sahara sand that winds blow over.
Yes, Malta is still very sunny in September. The weather tends to be warm and sunny, with high humidity and strong Southern winds. However, some days can bring with them sudden and unexpected rainfall which can be very heavy and cause low-lying areas around the island to flood.
Don’t worry about it getting too cold, as this is unlikely although it can be considerably cooler than the previous summer months.
Malta in September has a general atmosphere of summertime coming to an end, with locals trying to cram in as many summer-related activities as possible before they return back to school and their demanding jobs.
Beaches are likely to still be busy, particularly with families wanting to enjoy the last few beach days together. However, there tends to be more space available than in the previous summer months. The number of tourists also greatly decreases as many get back to school or start their winter schedule earlier than we do in Malta.
However, fun activities and events are still held at this time, with many seasonal venues throwing one last, big ‘farewell’ celebration before they close down until the next season. This is particularly true of water parks and a series of parties hosted by planners just for the summer season.
The Maltese landscape also starts to recover slightly, starting to look less dry once the rains start to fall, with perennial trees and plants regaining some of their beautiful green shades.
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Even though September is the dwindling end of summertime, there is still lots to see and do around the island, especially since the temperatures are still quite warm and the days quite sunny.
With that being said, do keep in mind local authorities’ warning of avoiding the sun between 10:00 and 16:00. This means it might be best to adjust any itineraries accordingly.
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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Coincidentally, the day also coincides with the religious celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary, with a number of local villages – Senglea, Naxxar, Mellieħa, and Xagħra in Gozo – holding a festa (a local type of feast held by individual villages and towns). Locally, the day is known as il-Vitorja (the Victory) or il-Bambina (the baby girl)
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It might surprise you, but September in Malta is still considered to be a good time to be taking trips to the beach and spending days lounging on deckchairs and taking a dip or two in the refreshing waters.
Although both the air and water temperatures start to cool by this month, the weather is still relatively warm and good enough to merit beach activities. However, beaches and promenades will be slightly less filled to the brim with people taking up every inch of space, and you might even be able to enjoy a quieter time on the bay than you would normally in the previous two months.
Do keep in mind that in September in Malta, strong winds and rain showers can pick up and you need to keep in mind that sea currents can get very strong during these times. Any aquatic activities or boat rides that you have planned may also be postponed if the weather isn’t particularly good. But don’t worry, the likelihood is that in a few days you’ll be able to go ahead as planned.
Luckily, with so many bays around the island, it’s not impossible to find an alternative beach for you to visit if strong winds are hitting one side of the island. In fact, it’s wise to keep an eye out on local weather updates to make sure you pick the best location since in some cases, one beach might be experiencing unpleasant weather, but on the other side of the island, it would be a totally different scenario.
Don’t let the slightly cooler weather fool you. You should still protect yourself with hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen at the beach and try to avoid the peak hours of 10:00 and 16:00. Staying in the shade when possible is always wisest.
In Malta you can find different types of beaches to suit your wishes – whether you prefer a rocky beach or a sandy one, you can find a good spot along the Maltese coastline. You can also choose more popular spots or look to find more secluded ones, depending on whether or not you mind sharing the beach with lots of other people.
Generally, the rule is that beaches in the South are more rocky and popular with locals, while beaches in the North tend to be sandy ones and popular with both locals and tourists. The Blue Lagoon in Comino is one of the most famous beaches on the whole of the archipelago, due mostly to its stunning azure water. This means that many people flock to the area and it can fill up and get cramped pretty quickly, although you might be lucky enough to find smaller numbers of visitors in September, particularly towards the end of the month.
Have a look at my list of Top 10 beaches to help make up your mind about what kind of beach you’re looking for.
Yes, September is a great time to visit Malta if you don’t mind the possibility of facing some strong winds and heavy rainfall. The air is still warm and the beach is still a great place to be, and on top of all this, crowds start thinning slightly as visitor numbers go down.
Fortunately, the decrease in tourists means that historic sites, museums, and entertainment venues are less packed, with the best perk coming from the public transport system operating under much less strain.
Many fun events and activities held in September are worth your while, making your visit more pleasant.
While the heat and humidity are still quite strong in September, the buzz of activity and energy is still going strong and many events and activities are still held at this time. Plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces await you to explore and here are some more ideas of what you can do:
September is the last month in the peak of tourists visiting Malta and for that reason, places of accommodation are still usually all booked up during this time. You might be lucky and find some free spots towards the end of the month, but as a rule, it’s always best to think ahead and book lodgings well in advance. This will help make sure you’ve got somewhere to go and don’t end up disappointed or rushing to make it happen right before starting a relaxing holiday.
When it comes to picking the type of place you want to be staying at, there are several options all around the island that will surely fit your requirements. Many will opt to stay in a hotel or a Bed and Breakfast. Several towns and villages offer one or more of these.
On the other hand, you may prefer to set up base in a more self-catering type of lodgings. You’ll be able to choose from several apartments, AirBnBs, farmhouses, villas, and even single rooms. The most important thing to make sure of is that wherever you stay offers air-conditioning, or at least several electric fans – a small detail which you’ll be very grateful for if you’re struggling to get to sleep in the nighttime heat. Luckily, most places nowadays come equipped with either one or both options.
Even though Malta is a small place, where you stay can make a huge difference in how you get around. If you plan on exploring as much as you can of the island, I highly suggest you stay somewhere with easy and efficient public transport. Valletta would be best as the main bus terminus is based here, with buses leading to every part of the island starting and ending their journeys here. Do take note that although you’ll find the correct bus to take you there, visiting sandy beaches up in the North of the island still means a lengthy bus ride.
If spending every day at the beach is not your priority, Valletta is a great spot to be in as it hosts multiple restaurants, bars, pubs, shops, museums and historical sites, and other entertainment venues.
Alternatively, if you’re planning to spend most of your time visiting the popular sandy beaches you’ve seen photos of before booking your trip to Malta, you’ll likely be better off staying somewhere up North. Mellieħa, Qawra, Buġibba, Xemxija, and St Paul’s Bay are all good options, with beautiful seaside views, lovely promenades, and great restaurants and bars to keep you entertained when you’re not in the water.
The other end of the island offers something similar but with a less commercial atmosphere since the South is well-loved by locals. Locations like Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa, Żurrieq, and Xgħajra all offer stunning bays, panoramic sea views, and divine restaurants and bars, but they have a lack of entertainment venues, with a more simplistic vibe dominating.
If you’re looking for a buzzing atmosphere during the day and lively nightlife, then you definitely need to look for a place around Sliema, St Julian’s, Gżira, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Pembroke, or Paceville. Here, you will find the biggest concentration of foreigners on the island, surrounded by modern buildings, several high street and brand name shops, high-end restaurants and bars, nightclubs, and any other form of entertainment you can dream of. Take note of the fact that all this will generally mean a higher price tag for your accommodation.
Of course, Malta’s sister island, Gozo, is always a great option for anyone wanting to have a relaxing, quiet holiday in rural villages with a countryside backdrop. Staying in Gozo will give you the sense of stepping back in time. Many choose to rent a farmhouse or villa, that is often renovated to modern styles and includes a private outdoor area and swimming pool.
Read more here: Where to Stay in Malta.
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