Europe

Malta in August

The hottest and busiest month. August 15 (Santa Marija) is the biggest festa day of the year and a national holiday.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), warm nights

Valletta, Malta — MaltaPhoto: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Malta. The hottest and busiest month. August 15 (Santa Marija) is the biggest festa day of the year and a national holiday.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), warm nights
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What August is like in Malta

August is the hottest and busiest month, with highs near 88F (31C) and warm nights. August 15, Santa Marija, is a national holiday and the biggest festa day of the year, celebrated in several villages at once, especially on Gozo. The beaches and the Blue Lagoon are crowded, and prices peak.

It suits families tied to school holidays and anyone who wants the full festa experience. Book early and plan around the midday heat. If you can choose, September brings the warmest sea with fewer crowds and slightly lower prices.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Malta this month.

Santa Marija on August 15

The biggest festa day of the year brings processions and fireworks, especially on Gozo.

Warm sea

The water is warm enough for long swims and snorkeling at rocky coves.

Evening festas

Brass bands and decorated streets make summer nights lively.

What to pack for August

Light, loose clothing
Strong sunscreen and a hat
Snorkel and mask
Water shoes

Our timing tip

Book Gozo ferries and hotels early for August 15, when Santa Marija fills the island.

Book Malta for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Malta
Opens a hotel search for Malta in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Malta
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Malta
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Malta for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Village festas

June through September

Each parish celebrates its patron saint with brass bands, street decorations, processions, and fireworks. Nearly every summer weekend has one somewhere.

Santa Marija

August 15 every year

A national holiday and the biggest festa date of the year, celebrated in several villages at once, especially on Gozo.

Things to do in Malta

Full guide

Valletta and St John's Co-Cathedral

The cathedral's gilded interior and Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John are the high point. Go at opening; cruise groups arrive mid-morning.

Tickets and tours →

Hal Saflieni Hypogeum

A 5,000-year-old underground burial complex limited to small groups per hour. Tickets sell out weeks ahead; book as soon as your dates are set.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Mdina

The walled former capital on a hilltop, silent at night and busiest mid-morning. Pair it with neighboring Rabat's catacombs.

Tickets and tours →

Gozo

Ggantija Temples, the Citadella in Victoria, and the cliffs around Dwejra. A 25-minute ferry from Cirkewwa makes it an easy day or a better overnight.

Tickets and tours →

Comino's Blue Lagoon

Clear turquoise water and a serious crowd problem in summer, now with visitor controls. Go on the first boat or in May, June, or October.

Tickets and tours →

The Three Cities

Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua across Grand Harbour from Valletta. Take the traditional dghajsa water taxi and walk the waterfront.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the Valletta cruise terminal schedule. On big-ship days, do St John's Co-Cathedral at opening and leave the city center to the groups from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
Take the first boat to Comino or go after 4pm. Midday in July and August is the Blue Lagoon at its most crowded.
Base yourself on Gozo for part of the trip. It is slower, greener, and noticeably quieter than the main island even in summer.
Book the Hypogeum as soon as your dates are firm; it is the one sight in Malta you cannot improvise.

Know before you go

Malta does not shut down in winter. Valletta, Mdina, museums, temples, and restaurants operate year-round, and heritage sites keep regular hours with only a few public holiday closures.
Boat trips to Comino, the Blue Grotto, and around the coast are weather-dependent and run on reduced schedules from about November through March.
Heritage Malta sites close on a handful of public holidays, including Good Friday, December 24, 25, and 31, and January 1. Check hours before building a day around them.
Some beach kiosks, lidos, and seasonal restaurants close from late October to spring, particularly on Gozo and Comino.

Malta in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Malta?

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Malta. The hottest and busiest month. August 15 (Santa Marija) is the biggest festa day of the year and a national holiday.

What is the weather like in Malta in August?

Hot and humid, highs near 88F (31C), warm nights.

Is Malta crowded in August?

August is peak crowd season in Malta; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Malta in August?

Village festas (june through september); Santa Marija (august 15 every year).