Europe

Malta in July

Peak crowds and prices, with Blue Lagoon and Valletta packed. The Malta Jazz Festival and nightly village festas are the payoff.

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

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

The straight answer

July is a month of real tradeoffs in Malta. Peak crowds and prices, with Blue Lagoon and Valletta packed. The Malta Jazz Festival and nightly village festas are the payoff.

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

What July is like in Malta

July is hot and humid, with highs near 88F (31C). It is peak season, and the Blue Lagoon and Valletta are packed. Prices are at their highest. The payoff is the Malta Jazz Festival by Valletta's waterfront and nightly village festas with fireworks.

It suits families on school holidays and festival lovers who can handle heat. Plan beach time early in the morning and sightseeing indoors at midday. If you have a choice, June or September gives you similar sea and fewer people. Book hotels and Comino boats well ahead.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Malta this month.

Malta Jazz Festival

Evening concerts by Valletta's waterfront are a summer highlight.

Nightly festas

Village festas fill the streets with music and fireworks nearly every weekend.

Evening swims

The sea is warm, and late afternoon swims avoid the midday heat and crowds.

What to pack for July

Light, breathable clothing
Strong sunscreen and a wide-brim hat
Water shoes
A refillable water bottle

Our timing tip

Visit St John's Co-Cathedral right at opening, before cruise groups arrive mid-morning.

Book Malta for July.

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

What's on in July

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.

Malta Jazz Festival

July

Evening concerts by Valletta's waterfront, a long-running highlight of the summer calendar.

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 July, quick answers

Is July a good time to visit Malta?

July is a month of real tradeoffs in Malta. Peak crowds and prices, with Blue Lagoon and Valletta packed. The Malta Jazz Festival and nightly village festas are the payoff.

What is the weather like in Malta in July?

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

Is Malta crowded in July?

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

What is happening in Malta in July?

Village festas (june through september); Malta Jazz Festival (july).