Malta in October: Weather, What to Wear, What’s Open & Where to Go

If a returning guest tells me they want to come back to Aster House for a single week of the year, October is the week I always suggest first. The summer crowds have packed up, the cruise ships have thinned, and yet the sea is still 23°C, the rooftop chillout is still warm enough for sundowners, and the calendar is full of three of Malta’s best events — Notte Bianca, Birgufest, and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

I have written this guide as a properly practical October briefing: temperatures, what to actually wear (with the things people most often over-pack and under-pack), where to go this month vs. peak summer, and what is open or closing. If you are deciding whether to come in October, this should answer the questions you actually need answered.

Malta temperatures in October

Average daytime highs sit around 24°C, dropping to 18°C overnight. Early October still feels late-summer; by the last week of the month there is a definite autumnal turn after sunset, particularly along the Sliema seafront when the breeze picks up. You will not need a coat, but a light cardigan or a denim jacket is sensible for evenings outdoors.

Stat	Early October	Late October
Average high	26°C	22°C
Average low	20°C	16°C
Sea temperature	24°C	20-22°C
Rain days	1-2	4-5
Sunshine hours/day	8	6
Sunset	18:30	17:00 (after clocks change)

What to wear in Malta in October

This is the question I get asked most often by October guests. The honest answer is that October splits into two halves: before about 15 October you are still in summer-coded clothing; after that you start adding layers, particularly for evenings.

Daytime

• Light cotton or linen dresses, T-shirts, and trousers or shorts — locals are still in short sleeves through mid-October
• Swimwear and a beach towel — the sea stays 22-23°C all month
• Sunglasses and SPF 30+ — UV stays strong even when the breeze masks the heat
• A hat for the long walks around Mdina or Valletta

Evening

• A light jumper, cardigan, or denim jacket — sea breezes after sunset can drop the perceived temperature noticeably
• Long trousers or jeans for restaurant evenings
• A light long-sleeved shirt

Footwear

This is where October guests most often regret what they packed. Pretty open sandals fail in two ways — sudden showers, and the dusty limestone pavements of Valletta and Mdina chew up flimsy soles. The combination that works for me and my guests is one pair of comfortable closed trainers and one pair of sandals. Take an old pair you do not mind getting wet for the boat trips and lidos.

What about a raincoat?

A light waterproof jacket or a packable poncho beats a heavy raincoat every time. When it rains in Malta in October, it almost always rains hard for 30 minutes and then the storm moves on — we do not get the all-day grey drizzle of northern Europe. A cheap pocket umbrella in the bottom of your bag is usually enough.

What people most often over-pack

• Heavy coats and chunky knitwear — you will not need either
• Multiple smart-evening outfits — Sliema and Valletta restaurants are smart-casual at most
• Walking boots — trainers are perfect for Mdina, Dingli Cliffs, and the Sliema-to-Valletta ferry walk

What people most often under-pack

• Swimwear — people see ‘October’ and pack one swimsuit when they need three
• A light evening layer — the breeze picks up after dark
• Closed shoes for the rougher walks (Dingli, Ta’ Cenc, the Comino paths)

Where to go in Malta in October

October is the month many places work better than they do in peak summer. Here is what I send my guests to.

The Blue Lagoon, Comino

August sees up to 10,000 day-trippers a day at the Blue Lagoon. October sees a few hundred. The water is still 22-23°C, and on a weekday in mid-October you can find a quiet patch of rock and swim out without dodging boats. Comino Ferries shifts to a slightly shorter day from 2 October — last return is at 5pm rather than the summer 7pm — so plan for an early start.

Gozo for hiking

October is when Gozo’s hiking season properly begins. The Sanap Cliffs and Ta’ Cenc cliffs near Xlendi are spectacular at sunset, and finally walkable without heatstroke. Take the Cirkewwa-Mgarr ferry, hire a car for the day, and circle Xlendi – Sannat – Ta’ Cenc – Mgarr ix-Xini for one of the best Malta walks I know.

Mdina at sunset

The silent city earns its name in October. Day-trippers leave around 4pm; the golden-hour light on the limestone is unrivalled, the Bastion Square viewpoint is empty, and the cafes inside the walls fill with locals rather than tour groups.

Mellieha Bay and Golden Bay

Both still swimmable, both noticeably less crowded. Mellieha’s Ghadira Bay is sandy and shallow — the family pick — and the Golden Bay headland walks are stunning in the softer October light.

Cittadella and Ggantija temples, Gozo

The hilltop citadel in Victoria, and the Ggantija megalithic temples a short drive away, are walkable without the summer death-march heat. Pair with a slow lunch in Xlendi.

What is NOT worth it in October

• Beach-club and lido days — many private lidos shut between 1 October and the end of the month
• Paceville pool clubs — the Sliema and St Julian’s nightlife scene is quieter, dressier, and more local in October
• Outdoor sunset cocktail venues that depend on August warmth — many wind down by mid-October

What is open and what is closed in October

Ferries and transport

• Comino Ferries: Shifts to shorter daily hours from 2 October. Last return ferry pulled forward to 5pm. Daily, weather permitting.
• Sliema-Valletta ferry: Runs every 30 minutes. Single €1.50, 5-7 minute crossing.
• Public buses: Winter fare kicks in from 19 October. Single journey €2.00 cash. Schedules largely unchanged but some night routes thin out.
• Hop-on hop-off bus: Still running, but last departures pull forward — plan an early start.

Lidos and beach clubs

Most private lidos in Sliema, St Julian’s, and Mellieha start winding down between 1 and 15 October, with many fully shuttered by month-end. Hotel lidos at the Westin and Hilton stay open year-round but with reduced food service. The seafront promenade restaurants in Sliema all stay open.

Museums and attractions

Heritage Malta sites including the Hypogeum, Tarxien Temples, and the Mdina Cathedral Museum shift to winter hours from around 1 October — typically closing 16:00 or 17:00 instead of later. Book the Hypogeum well in advance; tickets are tighter than visitors expect.

Restaurants

Most Bugibba and Qawra seasonal restaurants begin closing from late October through November. Sliema, St Julian’s, Valletta, and the Three Cities stay open year-round. Marsaxlokk’s Sunday market still runs.

October events in Malta

Notte Bianca

Valletta’s all-night culture festival on the first Saturday of October. Museums open free until 1am, street performers fill Republic Street, and the Grandmaster’s Palace and St John’s Co-Cathedral are at their best. Confirm the date on visitmalta.com closer to your trip.

Birgufest (Birgu by Candlelight)

Three nights in mid-October when historic Birgu turns its streetlights off and fills with candles, food stalls, and music in the bastions. Atmospheric and beautifully unrushed — my personal favourite of the October events.

Rolex Middle Sea Race

A 600-nautical-mile yacht race starting from the Grand Harbour on the third Saturday of October. The week before the race, Valletta fills with super-yachts and crews. Best viewing is from Upper Barrakka Gardens for the start, or from the Three Cities.

Malta Classic, Mdina

A weekend of vintage motor-racing through Mdina’s old streets, hill-climb on the cliff road, and a concours d’elegance in the Bastion Square. Late October.

Crowds, prices, and booking

October is the start of shoulder season. Flights are noticeably cheaper than September, villa availability is strong, and queues at the major sites are short. Restaurants do not need booking on weekdays. Hotel prices typically drop 20-30% versus August. Flights from the UK to Malta in late October can run half what they cost in August.

Is October a good time to visit Malta?

Yes — for most travellers it is the best month of the year. Warm sea, manageable air temperatures, low crowds, low prices, three excellent events, and full restaurant and tour availability. The trade-off is rising rain risk in the last 10 days, which most guests consider a fair price for everything else October offers.

Where to base yourself in October

Sliema is your best base for an October trip. We are 5 minutes by ferry from Valletta, walking distance to St Julian’s, and on the most direct bus routes north to Mellieha and Gozo. Aster House sleeps up to 9 across three super-king ensuite bedrooms, sits 150 metres from the seafront, and the rooftop chillout is still warm enough for sundowners well into the month. See my full guide to where to stay in Malta for area-by-area trade-offs.

More to Explore

• Malta Weather by Month: Complete Climate Guide
• What to Do in Malta: My Complete Guide
• Where to Stay in Malta: Best Areas Guide
• Is Malta Expensive? Cost of Travel & Accommodation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim in Malta in October?

Yes, sea temperatures average 22-23°C all month — comfortable for hours of swimming. Locals routinely swim into the first half of November.

Is it sunny in Malta in October?

Mostly — about 7 hours of sunshine per day on average, with occasional dramatic 30-minute storms in the last two weeks of the month rather than steady drizzle.

What should I pack for Malta in October?

Summer clothes plus a light jumper for evenings and a thin packable raincoat. Swimwear, sunscreen SPF 30, comfortable closed shoes for the limestone streets, and one pair of sandals.

How hot is Malta in October?

Daytime highs average 24°C, overnight lows 18°C. Comfortable for sightseeing and beach time. Early October still feels late-summer; the last week is properly autumnal.

Is October cheaper than September in Malta?

Yes — October prices typically run 10-20% below September, particularly after the school half-term break. Flights drop noticeably from mid-October.

When is Notte Bianca in Malta?

Notte Bianca is held on the first Saturday of October each year in Valletta, with free museum entry and street performances running into the early hours.

Are the lidos open in Malta in October?

Most private lidos start closing between 1 and 15 October, with most fully shuttered by month-end. Hotel lidos at the Westin, Hilton, and Cavalieri stay open year-round.

Is Comino worth visiting in October?

Yes — possibly the best month of the year. Crowds are a fraction of August numbers, the water is still 22-23°C, and Comino Ferries runs daily with the last return at 5pm from 2 October.