Why You Should Visit Malta in the Winter
Most people view Malta as a summer destination because of its clear waters and of course the infamous blue grotto. One would never think to visit Malta in the winter, including myself because I assumed it didn’t have much to offer other than a beach style holiday. However when an opportunity presented itself to visit this beautiful island in the month of January, I quickly learned that Malta an be a year round holiday destination instead of just a summer one.
Quick Facts:
Getting Here: Flying into Malta can be pricey from the U.S. I recommend flying into a bigger European city and then connecting from there. I flew into Rome for just $360USD round trip (from NYC) and then flew to Malta round trip for just $80USD from Rome.
Getting Around: The easiest way to get around Malta is by bus. You have the option to rent a car but traffic can be horrendous and this is even in the off season. I purchased my seven day bus pass at the airport at one of the kiosks for 21 euros. This allowed unlimited bus access in Malta as well as Gozo.
When to Visit: Most people visit Malta in the summer months (May - September) but I visited in January and had a great time. I found the weather to be cool but still pleasant. I carried a sweater and jacket but actually didn’t need both. Most days I ended up carrying my jacket in my hand until the evening when the temperatures dropped. The average daily temperature when I visited was about 65 F.
Cash Vs. Cards: Most major credit cards are widely accepted including American Express (a few small businesses did not accept it). Of course, cash (euros only) is king.
Things to Do:
Explore Mdina: This tiny neighborhood used to be the capital of Malta. Its medieval look has been spotted on the big and small screen multiple times. Movies like Troy, and Gladiator as well as shows like Game of Thrones all have one thing in common. They were filmed in Mdina. So be sure to take a stroll and get lost in the unique narrow streets.
Explore Valletta: Valletta is the capital of Malta and is quite different than any other European city that I’ve visited. It actually gave me a Middle Eastern feel with the tan colored buildings but the colorful windows and balconies gave it a European flavor that I definitely appreciated. There are a lot of restaurants, bars and lounges in Valletta so stop at any one and enjoy. I started at the Upper Barraka Gardens and then made my way around.
St. John’s Co-Catherdral: Even if you aren’t a church goer, you can definitely appreciate the details of this cathedral. I’m a lover of all things gold so I was captivated by the statues and overall architecture style here.
Rabat: Another small and relatively quiet area close to Mdina. You’ll find plenty of cute cafes and classic Maltese architecture. There aren’t many activities here but I think it’s worth taking a stroll because of its authenticity.
Popeye Village: This famous landmark is in Northern Malta offering beautiful views. Popeye was a musical filmed in the 1980’s starring the late Robin Williams. The movie set was then turned into a tourist attraction for families and it cost 10 euros to enter. I didn’t actually visit the village, instead I decided take in the views from up top and was still able to get a glimpse of the show for free.
Sliema: Another central area with lots of clothing boutiques and access to the ferry to get to Valletta. You will find classic Maltese architecture here and the popular colorful balconies on the narrow streets. There are also lots of boat companies on the main road selling tours to the blue grotto.
Day Trip to Gozo: The sister island of Malta is definitely a must visit. The famous Azure window in Gozo collapsed in 2017 but it is still worth visiting. I took the bus to the ferry and explored Gozo for the day via the hop on/ hop off bus. The round trip cost for the ferry is 4.65 Euros. The hop on/hop off bus price was 10 euros and it’s a quick and easy way to explore the island and as a solo traveler it made things much more convenient for me. Note: If you decided to rent a car, you can actually drive your vehicle on to the ferry at an extra cost.
Where to Stay:
The main areas to stay in Malta that are central to getting around are St. Julians, Valletta, and Sliema. Hotels in Valletta I found to be more on the expensive side. St. Julians and Sliema are more affordable areas for accommodations.
Intercontinental: A luxury oasis with a private beach on George’s Bay. Be prepared to spend if you stay here.
The Victoria: A budget friendly chic hotel in St. Julian which is the center of all nightlife.
HOLM Boutique & Spa: Another luxury on a budget hotel in St Julians. I stayed here and enjoyed every bit of my stay. I had a large room for just $60 per night with breakfast included.
Where to Eat:
The food in Malta has a bit of an Italian flare with unique tastes to it. You can find all kinds of pasta, pizza, pastries and other popular western dishes. A few of my favorite restaurants were: Piccolo Padre , Zerosei, Pastaus, and Cafe Goloso
Although Malta is known for its great beaches, it’s definitely a place one should consider for a winter holiday. There are plenty of things to keep you busy, and not to mention the winter weather is still comfortable and quite pleasant.
I received a complimentary tour of Malta from the Malta Tourism Authority but all opinions, words and photography are my own.
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