Discover Tailor-Made Malta Vacations

Summer is Malta’s most energetic time, with warm, dry weather drawing beachgoers and divers to the clear waters between June and September. Cities can feel hot, but shade from honey-coloured stone buildings and late evening dining rituals balance the pace. Festivals light up the islands through these months, offering countless chances to sample local traditions and enjoy a cold Cisk on a seaside terrace.

Spring and autumn bring gentler conditions, ideal for walking through historic streets, hiking coastal paths, or exploring Valletta and Mdina without the summer crowds. This is also the best time to appreciate the landscapes in bloom or the golden light over the harbours. In contrast, winter ushers in a slower rhythm. The season is cooler, sometimes rainy, but perfect for outdoor pursuits such as rock climbing, bird watching, or horseback riding, all set against quieter surroundings.

Unique experiences punctuate the Maltese year: horseracing from January to July captures a local passion, while bird hunting traditions coincide with migration season from September to January. Whether travelling in peak summer or the quiet of winter, Malta’s 300 days of sunshine and sparkling sea ensure that the islands remain an inviting destination for exploration, relaxation, and discovery.

The islands come alive with festas, vibrant celebrations filled with feasts, fireworks, and colourful parades where children wear traditional costumes. Joining these events is a wonderful way to share in Maltese hospitality. Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy too, from the energetic Malta Music Week in Sliema each summer to the refined International Spring Orchestra Festival in Valletta every April. Both capture the rich blend of heritage and modern creativity that defines the islands.

Everyday culture is equally engaging. Conversations over coffee, often about football or politics, echo through outdoor patios, while the widespread use of English ensures travellers feel at ease. A quirk of Maltese life lies in surnames—three-quarters of the population share just one hundred, many tied to specific villages, linking identity to place.

Traditional crafts are another window into the islands’ heritage. Delicate lacework, introduced in the 16th century by the Knights of St John, remains a symbol of patient artistry. Silver filigree, influenced by Sicilian design, continues to shine in fine jewellery, while the glassblowers of Ta’ Qali shape vivid creations that travel far beyond Malta’s shores. These crafts, like the festivals, offer travellers an intimate connection to the islands’ enduring spirit.

Seafood is central, with Aljotta, a tomato and garlic rockfish soup, offering warmth on cool winter days. For a quick bite, pastizzi—flaky pastries filled with ricotta, peas, or meat—are an unmistakable staple. Rabbit, a national favourite, appears in everything from rustic stews to rich pasta sauces, while vegetarian travellers can savour dishes like Soppa tal-Armala, a hearty vegetable soup with local cheese. For something simple and authentic, a fresh ftira sandwich is perfect between explorations, while evenings are best spent in Rabat’s winding streets, where intimate restaurants serve modern interpretations of traditional fare.

Malta’s drinking culture is equally rich. Beer is widely enjoyed, with Cisk at its heart and craft options like Hopleaf Pale and Stretta gaining ground. Each summer, Ta’ Qali National Park hosts a ten-day beer festival celebrating this passion. The islands also produce distinctive wines, with robust cabernet and merlot alongside indigenous gellewza and girgentina grapes, thriving in Malta’s dry climate to yield complex, sun-soaked flavours.

Dining in Malta is relaxed and convivial. Service charges are often included, though a small tip is welcomed, and with the drinking age at 17, local taverns and outdoor cafés create a welcoming atmosphere. Whether sharing a traditional stew, sipping wine under a stone archway, or sampling street food, Malta’s culinary culture reveals a generous blend of history, community, and Mediterranean abundance.

Time flows differently here, and planning extra hours in your itinerary allows for these pauses. Shops may close on Sundays and public holidays, but this rhythm is part of Malta’s charm. Crossing between islands is straightforward thanks to regular boat services, while renting a compact car offers freedom to discover winding country roads and hidden treasures such as the prehistoric temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. Good walking shoes, a sun hat, and a scarf for cathedral visits are essential for exploring comfortably. Warm greetings, like the local “għandi pjaċir?” meaning “how are you?”, reflect the Maltese spirit of friendliness.

The islands also reward moments of leisure, from basking beside natural rock pools to swimming in crystal waters. Yet modesty is valued—topless sunbathing or wearing swimwear beyond beaches is frowned upon in this Catholic society. Within Mdina’s golden walls, the “silent city” exudes a quiet grandeur, while Valletta’s St John’s Co-Cathedral glitters with baroque artistry, where Caravaggio’s dramatic works look down upon marble floors.

Whether sipping wine in Gozo, wandering through medieval streets, or gazing at art centuries old, Malta reveals itself most fully when travellers embrace both its lively traditions and its serene spaces.