Europe

Malta in September

The sea is at its warmest, the heat eases through the month, and festa season winds down. A top pick for swimmers and divers.

BestWarm, highs near 84F (29C), warmest sea

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

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Malta. The sea is at its warmest, the heat eases through the month, and festa season winds down. A top pick for swimmers and divers.

Weather: Warm, highs near 84F (29C), warmest sea
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What September is like in Malta

September is a top pick. The sea is at its warmest, the heat eases through the month and highs sit near 84F (29C). Festa season winds down, and crowds start to thin after the summer holidays. Evenings are warm and long enough for dinner by the harbor. Prices are still fairly high but below August.

It suits swimmers, divers and families who can travel after school starts. Couples will enjoy the warm evenings. Book hotels a couple of months ahead, since September is popular with European travelers. If you want cooler walking weather, late September or October are ideal.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Malta this month.

Warmest sea of the year

It is the best month for long swims, snorkeling and diving around Gozo and Comino.

Last festas

The final village festas of the season bring music and fireworks to a few parishes.

Calmer beaches

After the summer holidays, beaches like Ramla Bay feel more relaxed.

What to pack for September

Swimwear and a rash guard
Sunscreen and a hat
Snorkel gear
Light layers for evenings

Our timing tip

Book the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum weeks ahead, since tickets sell out even in shoulder season.

Book Malta for September.

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

What's on in September

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.

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 September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Malta?

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Malta. The sea is at its warmest, the heat eases through the month, and festa season winds down. A top pick for swimmers and divers.

What is the weather like in Malta in September?

Warm, highs near 84F (29C), warmest sea.

Is Malta crowded in September?

Malta is busy in September, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in Malta in September?

Village festas (june through september).