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December is the best of Malta’s winter months. Most days are sunny, temperatures can reach 18°C, and the sea is still warm enough for a swim if you are from Northern Europe.
I grew up in Lithuania, where December means short, grey days and temperatures around zero. Sitting outside with a coffee in the sunshine during Christmas week still feels strange to me, in the best possible way.
Written by Laura Jasenaite, Malta travel expert with 15+ years living on the islands.
Is December a Good Time to Visit Malta?
Yes, and it is the best of the winter months. There are more sunny days than rainy ones in December, temperatures that can reach 18°C during the day, and far fewer tourists than you would find in summer. If friends ask me whether they should come, I say yes, but I also tell them I cannot promise sunshine for ten consecutive days.
What December does reliably offer is the island as it actually is, rather than the version that has to accommodate two million visitors. Historical sites are quieter. Restaurants are easier to book. The countryside has turned green after the autumn rains. And for anyone coming from Northern Europe, even a cloudy 16°C day in Malta is better than what is waiting for you at home.
Flights and accommodation are cheaper in December than at peak times, outside the Christmas and New Year period. If you are flexible on dates, the first two weeks of December tend to be the quietest and most affordable. You can stay in places that fill up in summer for a fraction of the price, including some of the better hotels on the island.
Malta Weather in December: What It’s Really Like
December averages 17-18°C during the day and drops to around 11-12°C at night. The sea sits at 18-19°C, which is warmer than most visitors expect and comfortable for a swim if you are used to cold water.
The thing people do not quite grasp until they arrive is how variable a single day can be. Mornings can be cool, but by afternoon, it feels warm. Then the temperature drops quickly once the sun goes down. A rainy day in December is also possible: December is statistically the wettest month of the year in Malta, but rain rarely lasts all day. Showers tend to come through, clear, and leave you with clean air and a very green countryside.
If it does rain, Malta has enough to do indoors to fill a day without difficulty. I have a guide to what to do in Malta when it rains if you need ideas.
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Things to Do in Malta in December
The best December activities are exploring historical sites without crowds, hiking while the countryside is green, spending a day in Valletta during the festive period, and doing water activities on the calmer sunny days. What you choose depends on what kind of traveller you are.
History and UNESCO Sites
If history is the reason you are coming to Malta, December is one of the better months to do it. The crowds are gone, the temperatures are comfortable for walking, and the light in winter has a quality that summer does not. The Megalithic Temples are extraordinary at any time of year, but without a queue in front of them they feel different. The Hal Saflieni Hypogeum requires advance booking regardless of season, so do that before you travel. Mdina is worth a full morning. In summer it can feel overrun; in December you can walk through the narrow streets without being pushed along by the crowd.
For a thorough day in the capital, my complete Valletta guide covers the sites worth your time, and a walking tour of Valletta is one of the better ways to understand the city properly.
Hiking and the Green Countryside
December is genuinely one of the best months for hiking in Malta. The countryside has turned green, the temperatures are cool enough that you are not exhausted by 10am, and the trails are quiet. In summer, some of the exposed coastal walks are brutal between midday and 4pm; in December, you can walk all day without that problem.
I would start with my guide to the best hiking trails in Malta and Gozo for an overview. Some of my favourites for this time of year are the Victoria Lines in the centre of the island and the coastal walks in the south. You can spend a full day outdoors in December in a way that simply is not possible in July.
Christmas in Valletta
Malta takes Christmas seriously. The Maltese are enthusiastic about it: churches are decorated, streets are lit up, families come out at weekends. Valletta in December is genuinely festive and worth a visit for that atmosphere alone.
The Christmas market, known as Fairyland, runs at Pjazza Tritoni just outside the main city gate from early December through early January. It is not on the scale of a German market; if that is what you are hoping for, Malta will disappoint you.
But as part of a day in Valletta, it is charming, the decorations along Republic Street are lovely, and the city is full of local families doing their Christmas shopping. December 13th is Republic Day, marked with a ceremonial military parade organised by the Armed Forces of Malta, with the President and state authorities in attendance.
I will be honest: Christmas without cold weather does not feel like real Christmas to me. But that is a Lithuanian problem. If you grew up somewhere warm, December in Valletta will feel exactly right.
Scuba Diving and Water Activities
Scuba diving in Malta runs year-round, and December is a genuinely good month for it. The water is clear, the sites are quieter, and some diving centres around Cirkewwa even put up underwater Christmas trees: a local tradition worth knowing about if you plan to dive in December. My guide to scuba diving in Malta covers the best sites and what to expect at each one.
Kayaking is possible on calm days, but rental availability in December is patchy. Call ahead before assuming your preferred operator will be open. My guide to kayaking in Malta lists the operators worth trying.
Visiting Valletta for the first time? My guide to the best Valletta walking tours will help you make the most of a day there.
Can You Swim in Malta in December?
Yes. The sea temperature in Malta in December averages 18-19°C, which is warmer than most people expect and genuinely comfortable for a swim if you are from Northern Europe and used to cold water. Some visitors from Scandinavia or the Baltic states find it almost warm by their standards. On a sunny December day, a dip is entirely possible.
The beach bars are closed and the sunbeds are gone, but the sea is still there. If you pack a swimsuit, you will not regret it.
Where to Stay in Malta in December
Stay in a proper town rather than a beach resort. In summer, the beach resorts make sense: everything is open, there is life everywhere, and you want to be near the sea. In December, places like Bugibba and Mellieha are quiet in a way that can feel flat if you are not used to it. Many seasonal restaurants and bars close or reduce their hours.
Sliema, St Julian’s and Valletta are all active year-round. There are restaurants open, things to walk to, and a sense that the island is still going about its life. My guide to the best area to stay in Malta covers the differences in more detail and is worth reading before you book.
What to Pack for Malta in December
Layers are the key. During the day it can be warm enough for a light top; once the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly and you will want something over it. A light jacket or a mid-layer is enough for most days. You do not need a winter coat.
Pack a swimsuit. Pack sunscreen: the winter sun in Malta can still tan you, especially if you are sitting outside for a few hours. Bring comfortable walking shoes if you plan to hike, as the rocky paths are uneven. An umbrella or a packable waterproof layer is sensible given that December is the wettest month.
For a full breakdown of what to bring, my Malta packing list covers every season.
Heating in Malta: What Nobody Warns You About
Most Maltese homes and many guesthouses have no central heating. Buildings here are built to keep heat out, not in: which works brilliantly in July and poorly in December. Indoor temperatures can drop to 15-16°C, depending on how much direct sunlight the building gets during the day.
For people from Northern Europe who are used to central heating, this can be a genuine shock. Before you book, ask specifically whether your accommodation has heating, not just air conditioning, which many places have but which is expensive and inefficient for warming a room. Pack warm socks and an extra layer for evenings indoors.
Who Is December in Malta Actually For?
December in Malta suits anyone who wants to spend full days outdoors without the summer heat. You can hike for hours, walk the coastal paths, spend a day in Valletta, swim in the sea, and sit outside with a coffee at lunchtime. In much of Northern Europe that is simply not possible in December. In Malta it is a normal Tuesday.
It works well for history lovers, hikers, divers, and anyone who wants to explore Maltese food and culture without competing with the summer crowds. It works less well if beaches are your main reason for going: the beach bars are closed and you will be swimming without the usual infrastructure around it.
If you want everything planned out, I put together a stress-free 7-day Malta itinerary that takes the guesswork out of the order. It works for December visits with a few seasonal adjustments.
Want to plan your whole Malta trip without the stress?
My 7-Day Malta Itinerary handles the routes, timings, and where to start, so you can just be there. Less planning. More Malta.
For a broader picture of travelling outside summer, my guide to Malta in winter covers what to expect across the whole off-season period.
Malta in December FAQ
Is Malta expensive in December?
December offers lower hotel rates and cheaper flights. Want a hot tip? Booking.com offers free cancellation options. Rates often drop weeks before your trip. Spot a better deal? Rebook! Get the hottest deals here.
Is Malta crowded in December?
No: December is one of the quietest months for tourism in Malta. Historical sites including the Megalithic Temples, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum and Mdina are much less crowded than in summer. The exception is Valletta during the Christmas period, which draws local families for shopping, the Fairyland market and the festive decorations along Republic Street. That kind of crowd, locals going about their lives, is not the same as summer tourist crowds.
Is the Christmas market in Valletta worth visiting?
It depends on what you expect. The market, known as Fairyland, is held at Pjazza Tritoni just outside the main city gate and runs from early December through early January. It is charming and festive, with lights and local stalls, and it is a natural part of a day in Valletta. If you are hoping for something on the scale of a German Christmas market, you will be disappointed: go to Germany for that. As part of a broader day in the capital, it is worth seeing.
What do you do if it rains in Malta in December?
Rain in Malta rarely lasts all day: showers tend to pass. If you are stuck indoors, Malta has excellent options: the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta, Casa Rocca Piccola, the War Museum, or a long lunch with Maltese food somewhere good. I have a full guide to what to do in Malta when it rains with more ideas for any season.
