Seasonal ideas
Malta in November and winter: what is worth doing by car
From November to February Malta is quieter, roads are easier and the light is good for walking. The trade-offs are shorter days and showers that arrive quickly. With a car you can follow the weather: coast and cliffs on bright days, museums and Valletta on wet ones.
In short
- November is mild: Malta airport's long-term November mean temperature is about 17 °C and the sea stays around 20 °C.
- Expect showers, sometimes heavy but short. Plan one outdoor and one indoor option for each day.
- Heritage Malta sites keep winter hours; Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, for example, close earlier from October to March.
- The Gozo car ferry runs all winter; from November to March a lower night fare applies on evening departures from Mġarr.
- Daylight is short: aim to finish coastal drives and cliff walks before sunset.
What the weather is like
Records from the Malta International Airport met office put November's long-term mean temperature at about 17 °C, with the sea near 20 °C and warmer after a hot summer. Rain comes in showers and thunderstorms rather than grey days, and a month can be much wetter or drier than average. December to February are cooler, and evenings feel damp, so pack layers and a rain jacket.
Bright days: coast and cliffs
Dingli Cliffs
The highest stretch of Malta's coast. Walk part of the cliff path and stay for sunset.
- Drive
- Approx. 30 min from Valletta
- Parking
- Lay-bys along the cliff road.
- Time to allow
- 1 hour
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra
Prehistoric temples above the sea, under protective tents, with a visitor centre. Good on a dry morning.
- Drive
- Approx. 20 min from the airport
- Parking
- Car park at the visitor centre.
- Time to allow
- 1.5 hours
- Families
- Paved paths, with a slope down to Mnajdra.
Gozo by car
Winter is the easiest time to take the car across: shorter queues at Ċirkewwa and quiet roads on Gozo. Combine the Citadel in Victoria with the coast at Dwejra or Xlendi.
- Drive
- Ferry crossing about 25 minutes; Ċirkewwa is approx. 45 to 60 min from Valletta
- Time to allow
- A full day
Before you take a rental car on the Gozo ferry, check that your rental conditions allow it.
Wet days: indoor plans
- Valletta's museums and churches; leave the car outside the CVA zone and walk in.
- The Three Cities and Fort St Angelo in Birgu.
- The National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, which holds finds from the temples you see on the dry days.
- Esplora science centre in Kalkara or the aquarium in Qawra with children.
December: the Christmas season
In December towns and parishes put up Christmas lights and cribs, and Valletta's streets are decorated. Dates and events change every year, so check the local council and Visit Malta pages before you plan an evening around them. Public holidays on 8, 13 and 25 December change opening hours, and some Heritage Malta sites close on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
Driving tips for winter
- Roads can be slippery and flooded in low spots during heavy showers; slow down and avoid valley roads in a storm.
- Strong winds can stop small boat trips such as the Blue Grotto boats; the Gozo ferry runs more reliably.
- Keep a margin at the end of each day: it is dark by around 17:00 in December.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swim in Malta in November?
Many visitors do in early November, when the sea is still around 20 °C or warmer. By December most people stop; check the wind and choose sheltered bays.
Is winter a good time to rent a car in Malta?
Yes for sightseeing: roads and car parks are quieter than in summer. Plan around showers and short daylight.
Sources
- November 2012, second warmest since 1922 (Malta Airport MetOffice data), MaltaToday (checked October 27, 2026)
- Slightly warmer and wetter November (Malta International Airport data), MaltaToday (checked October 27, 2026)
- Ħaġar Qim: opening hours, Visit Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
- Car and driver fares, Gozo Channel (checked October 27, 2026)
- Heritage Malta, Heritage Malta (checked October 27, 2026)
Rules, prices and opening hours change. Check the official source before you travel. Drive times are approximate.
More guides
Malta and Gozo in 5 days by car: a realistic plan
A five-day route from Malta airport that covers the south-east coast, Valletta, Mdina, the west coast beaches and a full day on Gozo, with short drives and parking notes.
Driving in Malta: what to know before you pick up the car
Left-hand traffic, roundabouts, Valletta's access charge, parking, the Gozo ferry and your licence: the practical points for a first drive in Malta.
Malta with kids: easy days without long drives
Family plans for Malta where no drive is longer than about half an hour: shallow beaches, a science centre, an aquarium and old towns that work with children.