Climate à Malte
From average air and sea temperatures to sunshine, Malta boasts some of the highest scores in Europe. This makes it an ideal year-round destination, even in winter when much of Europe begins to shiver. While spring remains the ideal season, with its mild temperatures and lush green landscapes, particularly in Gozo, summer is perfect for swimming, enjoying the lively entertainment and attending the many local and village festas. Winter and autumn, meanwhile, are ideal for hiking and discovering the archipelago in peace and quiet, away from the main tourist influx. As for water sports, rest assured that Malta can be your playground all year round. And as a corollary pleasure, light clothing is the order of the day, whatever the season.
3,000 hours of sunshine
Malta's climate is Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. However, the sea breezes and narrow streets of the towns and villages make the heat sometimes a little more bearable. The average annual temperature is around 23 degrees during the day and 16 degrees at night, making it one of the warmest in Europe. Temperatures peak between mid-July and mid-September, with daytime highs of 35 to 40 degrees in August and night-time lows of 20 to 24 degrees. And in winter, the island also enjoys fine temperatures, dropping to an average of only 16 degrees during the day and 10 degrees at night in January. To complete this rather promising picture, the Maltese archipelago enjoys around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, which once again places it among the highest levels in Europe. Rainfall, meanwhile, is fairly low, averaging 583 mm per year. But if you come across it, it's best to take shelter, as it can bring traffic to a standstill and turn roads into canals. They tend to be wintry, although climate change means they are occurring earlier and earlier, and they take the form of heavy downpours, which contribute to Malta's water supply problems, as the rain runs off into the sea instead of sinking into the ground. At the same time, summers without rain are also the most water-hungry. While Malta relies on its underground reserves of fresh water, drawn from a system of water tunnels, Ta kandja, located almost 97 meters below the ground surface, its drinking water is also 50% dependent on water desalination. The island boasts another European record for average sea water temperature: 20 degrees, the highest in Europe, a temperature that is happily exceeded during the six months from June to November, reaching a maximum of 27 degrees at the end of August and "falling back" to 22 degrees in November. The wind that dominates the archipelago will come as no surprise to inhabitants of the south of France: it's the mistral. The sirocco, a dry, hot southerly wind, only blows at the end of summer. More problematic, the grigal, a northeasterly wind, causes gusts and maritime storms. If it's blowing, avoid going out to sea or walking along the cliffs at all costs.
Each season has its pleasures
Air and water temperatures that are often very pleasant, exceptional sunshine, low rainfall: Malta is a destination that can be reached all year round. Nevertheless, each season has its own particular attractions. While you can swim in the sea from April to October and enjoy water sports all year round, the best time to visit is undoubtedly spring. Sunshine is guaranteed, but it's not yet too hot and the vegetation is still lush, especially in Gozo, where daisies and narcissi are in bloom. Autumn is also very pleasant, with a still-warm sea and occasional sporadic rainfall, heaviest in September and October. Summer is, of course, the ideal time for swimming. Vegetation slows down, and the dominant color of the islands is ochre. Winter, which is very short in Malta, is particularly suitable for hiking, and if the grigal winds are blowing, you'll be able to admire the spectacle of a raging sea. Whatever the date of your trip, there are a few essentials you'll need to pack: sunglasses, headgear and sunscreen. Pack light clothing for all seasons, perhaps with a little wool and, above all, good sports shoes for walks. If you're going to the beach, it's best to bring shoes with a good grip, as the beach is usually rocky. During the high tourist season, from late June to mid-September, hotel and restaurant prices tend to double those in winter.
