Europe

Malta in January

The quietest, cheapest month. Everything cultural is open; sea swimming and Comino boats are off the table for most.

Quiet valueMild, highs near 61F (16C), windy with rain spells

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

The straight answer

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Malta. The quietest, cheapest month. Everything cultural is open; sea swimming and Comino boats are off the table for most.

Weather: Mild, highs near 61F (16C), windy with rain spells
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What January is like in Malta

January is Malta's quietest and cheapest month. Highs sit near 61F (16C), mild by European standards, but it is windy and rain comes in spells. Valletta, Mdina, the museums and the prehistoric temples all stay open, so the cultural side of the island is fully available. Boat trips to Comino and the Blue Grotto run on reduced schedules and often stop when the sea is rough.

It suits history lovers, walkers and budget travelers who want Malta without the summer crowds. It is not a beach month, and sea swimming is off the table for most people. For warm weather with low prices, aim for May or October instead.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Malta this month.

St John's Co-Cathedral without crowds

Caravaggio's Beheading of Saint John and the gilded interior are easier to enjoy with few cruise groups around.

Easy Hypogeum tickets

The 5,000-year-old underground Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is still limited to small groups, but slots are easier to find than in summer.

Winter walks on Gozo

The cliffs around Dwejra and the Ggantija Temples are calm and green, perfect for a day out by ferry.

What to pack for January

A windproof, waterproof jacket
Warm layers for chilly evenings
Comfortable walking shoes for stone streets
A small umbrella

Our timing tip

Avoid January 1 for heritage sites, since Heritage Malta closes on that public holiday.

Book Malta for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Malta
Opens a hotel search for Malta in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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 January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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 January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Malta?

January is a quiet, good-value month to visit Malta. The quietest, cheapest month. Everything cultural is open; sea swimming and Comino boats are off the table for most.

What is the weather like in Malta in January?

Mild, highs near 61F (16C), windy with rain spells.

Is Malta crowded in January?

January is one of the quieter months in Malta; most sights can be done without long waits.