Malta in November 2026: Weather, What to Wear, Events and Early Christmas

Malta in November is one of the most rewarding times to visit the islands. The summer crowds have gone, daytime temperatures still reach the low 20s, and the sea holds enough of its summer warmth for a swim on calm days. It is also the month when Malta shifts from autumn to Christmas, with festive lights appearing in Valletta in the final week. For the full year at a glance, my Malta weather by month guide sets November alongside every other month, so you can compare temperatures, rainfall and sea conditions before you book.

Late November is when Malta starts to celebrate Christmas. Republic Street in Valletta is strung with lights, cribs appear in churches and shop windows, and the first festive events begin. The main Christmas markets follow in December, and my Malta Christmas markets page covers where they take place and what to expect. A trip in the second half of November gives you mild weather, quieter streets and the first taste of a Maltese Christmas in the same week.

November does bring the first proper rain after the long dry summer, but it usually falls in short, heavy showers that clear within an hour or two, leaving bright skies behind. Museums, restaurants, ferries and buses all run as normal, the countryside turns green again after the summer drought, and the cooler air makes long walks through Valletta, Mdina and Gozo far more comfortable than in the heat of August. With layers in your bag and a flexible plan for each day, the month suits city breaks, walking, food and culture particularly well.

Malta Weather in November: Temperature, Rain and Sunshine

The weather in Malta in November is mild by northern European standards. Long-term records for Luqa, the island’s weather station, show an average daily high of 20.8°C and an average low of 14.9°C, measured over 1991 to 2020. Most days feel like a warm late spring day in the UK: comfortable for walking in a long-sleeved top, with sunshine for around six and a half hours a day. Evenings are noticeably cooler once the sun goes down, which is a little before 5pm after the clocks change at the end of October.

November is one of Malta’s wetter months, with an average of 91mm of rain falling on about nine days. That sounds like a lot, but Maltese rain rarely settles in for a whole day. It tends to arrive in sharp downpours or thunderstorms, often overnight or in the afternoon, and the sun is usually back out soon after. The first half of the month often feels like an extension of autumn, while the last week brings cooler nights and the first real taste of winter.

For planning, the practical rule is simple: plan outdoor days such as Gozo, Mdina or a coastal walk for the brighter mornings, and keep a museum, a long lunch or an afternoon at Aster House in reserve for a wet spell. Weather forecasts in Malta are reliable a few days ahead, so checking each evening and swapping your plans around is usually all it takes to enjoy the sunniest hours of every day.

Is Malta Warm in November? Sea Temperature and Swimming

Malta is warm in November compared with most of Europe. With highs of around 21°C, it is roughly ten degrees warmer than London at the same time of year, and on sunny afternoons in the first half of the month it can feel warmer still in a sheltered spot by the sea. It is not beach weather in the summer sense, but it is comfortable sightseeing weather, and a light jumper is usually enough until the evening.

The sea is the pleasant surprise. Because the Mediterranean holds its heat long after the air cools, the water around Malta averages about 21°C across November, warmer than the sea off southern England in August. Many locals keep swimming from the rocks along the Sliema promenade until the end of the month, and visitors from cooler countries often find a calm morning swim entirely comfortable. By December the sea cools to around 18°C, so November is the last month most people swim.

Lifeguards on Malta’s Blue Flag beaches finish for the season in early October, so swimming in November is on your own terms. Choose calm, sheltered spots, avoid the sea after storms when waves and currents build, and use the ladders on the Sliema rocks rather than climbing down the slippery edges. Sandy beaches such as Mellieha Bay and Golden Bay are quiet and beautiful at this time of year, ideal for a walk along the shore even if the water is too lively for a swim.

Valletta Weather in November

The weather in Valletta in November is much the same as across the rest of the island, with daytime highs around 21°C and cool evenings. The capital sits on a narrow peninsula between two harbours, so it can feel breezier than inland towns, especially along the bastions and in the Upper Barrakka Gardens when the wind blows from the north-west. On a calm, clear day, though, November light on the honey-coloured limestone is some of the most beautiful of the year.

Valletta is easy to enjoy whatever the weather, because so much of it is indoors. St John’s Co-Cathedral with its Caravaggios, the Grandmaster’s Palace, the National Museum of Archaeology and the many cafés along Merchants Street and Republic Street give you plenty of shelter if a shower passes through. From Sliema the ferry across Marsamxett Harbour takes around ten minutes, so it is simple to head over on the sunniest part of the day and return for dinner.

In the final week of November, Valletta also starts to look festive. Last year the Valletta Cultural Agency switched on the Christmas lights on Republic Street and the tree in Freedom Square on 25 November, with a children’s choir singing carols, and the lights stayed up as part of the Christmas in the Capital programme until the end of December. If your dates fall at the end of the month, an evening walk along Republic Street is one of the nicest free things to do.

What to Wear in Malta in November

What to wear in Malta in November comes down to layers. Daytime temperatures around 20°C call for light trousers or jeans, a long-sleeved top or T-shirt and a cardigan or light jumper you can take off in the sun. By evening the temperature drops towards 15°C, and the wind off the sea can make the promenade feel cooler than the number suggests, so a light jacket and a scarf are worth packing for dinners out and evening walks.

Rain is the other thing to plan for. A packable waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella on windy days, and shoes with a good grip help on Malta’s polished limestone streets, which become slippery when wet. Comfortable walking shoes or trainers are essential for the hills of Valletta, Mdina and Gozo. If you visit in the first half of the month, pack a swimsuit too, because a calm, sunny morning can still mean a swim in a sea that averages around 21°C.

Inside, Maltese buildings are designed to stay cool in summer, so stone houses and older apartments can feel chilly on a damp November evening. Aster House has underfloor heating as well as air conditioning, so the rooms stay comfortable whatever the weather outside, and there is no need to pack heavy winter clothing. A warm layer for the evenings and a waterproof for the showers will cover almost everything the month brings.

Things to Do in Malta in November

The best things to do in Malta in November make the most of mild weather and quiet sites. Mdina, the walled former capital, is at its most peaceful once the summer coach tours have gone, and an afternoon wandering its narrow streets before watching the sun set over the island from the bastions is hard to beat. The Three Cities across the Grand Harbour, with their waterfront restaurants and old dockyard streets, are perfect for a slow afternoon, and the Marsaxlokk Sunday fish market is busy with local families all year.

November is also an excellent month for walking. After the first rains the countryside turns green again, and routes such as the Dingli Cliffs, the Victoria Lines and the coastal paths of Gozo are far more comfortable than in the summer heat. Closer to home, the seafront between Sliema and St Julian’s is lovely for an evening stroll, and the best things to do in Sliema are all within walking distance of Aster House, from the Tigné Point shops to the ferry and the rock pools.

For a day trip, Gozo is a short ferry crossing from Cirkewwa and is at its best in the cooler months. The Citadel in Victoria, the salt pans at Xwejni and the red sand of Ramla Bay are all beautifully quiet in November, and the countryside walks are some of the best in the islands. Food is another highlight of the month: rabbit stew, pastizzi, fresh fish and seasonal vegetables are on every menu, and a long Sunday lunch is a very Maltese way to spend a wet afternoon.

Malta Events in November 2026

The main cultural event of the month is the Malta Book Festival, which runs from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November 2026 at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali. This year’s international guests include John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, and the Maltese-American cartoonist Joe Sacco, alongside Maltese writers, talks, workshops and book stalls. It is an easy outing from Sliema and a good choice for a rainy day, with plenty for families and readers of every age.

St Martin’s Day falls on 11 November and is one of Malta’s best-loved autumn traditions. Children are given a colourful cloth bag filled with walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, chestnuts, figs and seasonal fruit, and in the village of Bahrija the feast of St Martin brings a traditional country fair with animal shows, food stalls and live music on the nearest weekend. It is a genuinely local celebration and a lovely glimpse of rural Maltese life.

Later in the month, AMORA by Cirque du Soleil opens at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, running from 24 November to 18 December 2026 in one of the most atmospheric venues on the island, the former hospital of the Knights of St John. Tickets for the weekend shows tend to go first, so it is worth booking as soon as your travel dates are fixed, particularly if you are travelling as a family or a larger group.

Christmas in Malta Starts in November

Christmas in Malta starts in late November. As the month ends, towns and villages put up their street lights, parish churches begin preparing their cribs, and shop windows fill with decorations and traditional sweets. In Valletta, the official switch-on of the Christmas lights on Republic Street and the tree in Freedom Square marks the start of the season, and the festive programme continues through December to New Year’s Eve.

For many Maltese families, the weeks before Christmas are about the presepju, the traditional nativity crib. Some are small tabletop scenes, others are elaborate landscapes of hills, windmills and tiny figures built over weeks, and crib exhibitions open in parishes across the islands from December. In the run-up to Christmas, families also sow seeds of wheat and vetch in pots and keep them in the dark, so that the pale shoots, known as gulbiena, are ready to decorate the crib on Christmas Day.

The big Christmas markets and festive villages arrive in December, so a late November trip catches the lights and the build-up rather than the markets themselves. If you want both, the first week of December is the sweet spot, and my Malta in December guide covers the markets, Christmas traditions, what is open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in Valletta. Dates for 2026 events are confirmed by the organisers in November, so check them before you travel.

Is November a Good Time to Visit Malta?

November is a good time to visit Malta if you want mild weather, quieter sights and better value than the summer months. Flights and accommodation are generally easier to find, the main attractions are far less crowded, and restaurants in Sliema, Valletta and St Julian’s stay open all month. It suits couples, families on a half-term or long weekend, walkers and anyone who prefers exploring at a relaxed pace to lying on a sunbed.

There are a few trade-offs to know about. Beach kiosks and lidos close for the season, boat trips to Comino run less often and are cancelled in rough seas, and some Gozo ferry crossings can be delayed in strong winds. Rain is more likely than in October, so a week in Malta in November usually includes a couple of showery afternoons. With an indoor plan in reserve, though, few visitors feel those days were lost.

Museums, churches and historic sites all keep their normal opening hours in November, and many are at their most enjoyable without the summer queues. If your priority is swimming and beach time, October is the better choice. If you want a comfortable city break with a hint of Christmas, November works beautifully, and the Malta in winter guide covers how the months from November to February compare for a longer stay.

Where to Stay in Malta in November: Aster House, Sliema

Sliema is an ideal base for a November trip. It stays lively all year, with restaurants, cafés and shops open through the winter, and the ferry to Valletta leaves from the seafront. Aster House is a restored Art Deco townhouse on a quiet residential street in central Sliema, 150 metres from the sea, sleeping up to nine people in three super-king bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom.

The house is designed to be comfortable in every season. Underfloor heating and air conditioning keep the rooms at the right temperature, the media room has a 2-metre projector screen for evenings in, and the family-equipped kitchen makes it easy to cook with fresh produce from the local markets. On bright days, the rooftop chillout and the dining terrace with its gas BBQ are perfect for a late lunch in the November sunshine.

For families and groups, a private villa takes the stress out of a winter break. Everyone has their own space, there is room to spread out on a wet afternoon, and Susan and the Aster House team are on hand by message or phone for restaurant tips, taxi bookings or advice on the best day for Gozo. Nightly rates start from €229, and the booking page shows live availability for your November dates.

Image credits via Wikimedia Commons: Grey November storm clouds over the fishing boats: Kritzolina, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Pathway through the Upper Barrakka Gardens: C T Johansson, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The Baroque Main Gate of Mdina: Joseolgon, CC BY 4.0 · St Martin chapel: continentaleurope, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Christmas lights above a cafe terrace: Godwin Borg, CC BY-SA 4.0 · The walls of the Citadel: Celiachen, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mdina lit up at dusk: Damiz2692, CC BY-SA 4.0