At A Glance
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January is Malta’s coldest month at 15°C daytime, with year-low prices, the Christmas markets running through 6 January, and the start of Carnival prep.
- Average daytime high 15°C; lows 10°C; sea 16°C; rain days 13.
- Sunshine 5 hours/day; sunset 17:00; daylight 9h 50m.
- The Valletta Christmas markets in Pjazza San Gorg run through 6 January (Epiphany), with the Triton Fountain ice rink usually open until the same date.
- January 2026 is the year-low for flights and accommodation, with Aster House available at our most flexible shoulder rates.
- Aster House sits 150 metres from the Sliema seafront, sleeping up to 9 across three super-king ensuite bedrooms.
January is the quietest month I see at Aster House. The Christmas markets in Valletta are still running through Epiphany on 6 January, the cruise ships have left, and hotel and villa rates are at their year-low. It is also the coldest month of our year, but cold by Maltese standards still means 15°C in the daytime — mild enough to walk Valletta in shirt sleeves on a still day, and warm enough to enjoy the rooftop terrace at lunchtime.
If you want to do the cultural side of Malta — Mdina at dusk, the State Rooms in the Grandmaster’s Palace, the Caravaggio in St John’s Co-Cathedral without a queue, and a long lunch on the Sliema seafront — January is a quiet, value-driven month to do it.
Staying in Malta?
Aster House sleeps up to 9, with a rooftop chillout, a 1930s outdoor tub, and a media room with a 2-metre projector screen. 150 metres from the seafront, 5 minutes from the Valletta ferry.
Malta weather in January at a glance
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Average high | 15°C |
| Average low | 10°C |
| Sea temperature | 16°C |
| Rain days | 13 |
| Sunshine hours/day | 5 |
| Sunset (mid-month) | 17:00 |
| Daylight hours | 9h 50m |
| Season | Winter |
January events in Malta
The Valletta Christmas markets in Pjazza San Gorg run through 6 January (Epiphany), with the Triton Fountain ice rink usually open until the same date. Carnival prep begins mid-month, with floats appearing in workshops around Floriana and Nadur. Republic Day fell back in 2025 on 13 December, but national-day patriotism lingers through early January.
Sea temperature and swimming
The sea is 16°C — too cold for most. Cold-water swimmers and locals do swim through the winter at the Exiles in Sliema, but it is not a beach holiday month.
What to wear in Malta in January
Daytime
Light layers, jeans or trousers, a long-sleeve top or thin jumper. The midday sun is still warm enough on a still day for shirt sleeves.
Evening
A proper jumper or fleece, scarf, light coat. Sea breezes after dark drop the perceived temperature noticeably.
Footwear
Walking trainers and one pair of waterproof shoes for the rougher days. Skip sandals.
Extras
A packable raincoat, an umbrella, sunglasses (the winter sun is low and bright).
What to do in Malta in January
- Walk Valletta empty — St John’s Co-Cathedral, Grandmaster’s Palace, MUZA, all without queues
- Mdina at dusk — the silent city is at its most atmospheric in winter
- The last week of the Valletta Christmas markets and the Triton Fountain ice rink
- Long Sunday lunches at Marsaxlokk, then the fishing-village market
- Hike the Dingli Cliffs and Buskett Gardens in cool, wildflower-edge weather
- Birgu (Vittoriosa) waterfront for evening dinner without crowds
What is open and what is closed
Most major museums stay open through winter, including St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grandmaster’s Palace, MUZA, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, and the Hypogeum (book weeks ahead). Sliema, Valletta, and St Julian’s restaurants and bars stay open. Comino ferries reduce to weekend-only or weather-permitting service. Mellieha and Bugibba seasonal restaurants are mostly closed. Beach lidos are shut. Public buses run year-round on full schedule, with a winter fare from October.
Why January works (and what to know)
January 2026 is the year-low for flights and accommodation, with Aster House available at our most flexible shoulder rates. Daylight hours are short — 9h 50m at mid-month, with sunset around 17:00 — so plan sightseeing for the morning and early afternoon.
Where to base yourself
Sliema is your best base in Malta in any month. Central, walkable, on the Valletta ferry line. Aster House sleeps 9 across three super-king ensuite bedrooms with a rooftop chillout, projector media room, and 1930s outdoor tub. Read my full where-to-stay guide.
A Note From Susan
“January is the month I take my own family to Mdina at dusk. The light on the limestone, the silence inside the walls, and the cafes inside the city full of locals rather than tour groups — this is the Malta you do not see in August.”
— Susan, Espais Roca founder
More to Explore
- Malta Weather by Month: Complete Climate Guide
- Best Time to Visit Malta: Month-by-Month
- Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas Guide
- What to Do in Malta: My Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot is Malta in January?
Average daytime highs of 15°C, with overnight lows of 10°C and sea temperatures around 16°C.
Can you swim in Malta in January?
The sea is 16°C — too cold for most. Cold-water swimmers and locals do swim through the winter at the Exiles in Sliema, but it is not a beach holiday month.
What should I pack for Malta in January?
Light layers, jeans or trousers, a long-sleeve top or thin jumper. The midday sun is still warm enough on a still day for shirt sleeves. A proper jumper or fleece, scarf, light coat. Sea breezes after dark drop the perceived temperature noticeably.
Is January a good month to visit Malta?
January is the quietest month I see at Aster House. The Christmas markets in Valletta are still running through Epiphany on 6 January, the cruise ships have left, and hotel and villa rates are at their year-low. It is also the coldest month of our year, but cold by Maltese standards still means 15&d
What events are on in Malta in January?
The Valletta Christmas markets in Pjazza San Gorg run through 6 January (Epiphany), with the Triton Fountain ice rink usually open until the same date. Carnival prep begins mid-month, with floats appearing in workshops around Floriana and Nadur. Republic Day fell back in 2025 on 13 December, but nat
What is the rainfall in Malta in January?
Around 13 rain days on average through the month, with rainfall coming in short concentrated bursts rather than steady drizzle.
Stay at Aster House
Year-low rates. The Caravaggio without a queue.
Aster House sleeps up to 9 across three ensuite super-king bedrooms, with a rooftop chillout, projector media room, 1930s outdoor tub, and gas BBQ on the terrace. 150 metres from the Sliema seafront.
Check availability