Summer in Malta: A Detailed Guide With All You Need To Know

A summer break on a Mediterranean island – life doesn’t get much better, right? And the Maltese Islands are at the heart of where it all happens, with free summer festivals, quaint outdoor restaurants and perfect blue beaches to make it a short break to remember.

Welcome to our ultimate guide to summer in Malta. Here’s what nobody tells you: planning ahead will make your summer holiday a million times better, and we’ve got 10 reasons to visit Malta and make it count.

A summer holiday in Malta comes with a plethora of outdoor festivals to enjoy, and some of them are even free! The Maltese love a good street party and the warm months are the perfect time for it as people stay out till late, enjoying al fresco concerts, wine festivals, theatre and traditional events like the iconic village festa.

No matter what tickles your fancy, your Malta summer break has it. Here are the first five reasons to visit Malta in summer.

Bit of a culture vulture? The MIAF is taking place between June 14 and 23 and whether you prefer theatre, music, visual arts or a multi-disciplinary approach – this world-class festival brings it all. You’ll be able to discover some of Malta’s most stunning locations that remain a well-kept secret, as the events take place in various top spots around the Maltese Islands.

Easily one of the biggest nights out of the summer, bringing together music, food, artisan markets and a generally awesome vibe to one of Malta’s most beautiful outdoor areas.

Taking place between June 6 and 9, Earth Garden Festival presents a spectacular line-up of music that includes top local names and some big international ones, but there’s a lot more to enjoy. There are four main stages, and this is also a family and pet friendly festival, with children’s areas and pet facilities.

For the young or young at heart, this is the biggest free festival taking place in Malta – and it’s in one of the most spectacular locations no less, with views of a lit up Valletta and Floriana surrounding you. The festival takes place in July, with the date and line-up usually announced a few weeks before. Past performers have included One Republic, Marshmello, Mae Mueller, BeBe Rexha, Lady GaGa, Ricky Martin and more. Best of all? Entrance is completely free.

Did you know that the Maltese Islands yield some of the best wine vintages? If you’re into good wines, we’ve got some excellent news for you as throughout summer Malta’s best known wine labels throw their own open air festivals, with food aplenty, entertainment and some super wine sampling offers.

The season kicks off with the Malta International Wine Festival between June 19 and 23 at the gorgeous Argotti Gardens in Floriana. This brings together local and foreign wine producers, but you’ll find a wine festival taking place any summer month you visit

Every weekend is festa time in summer in Malta, as every village parish has a dedicated weekend to honour their patron saint. The celebrations are more about culture than about religion; think of it as one big street party, with popcorn, candy, music, fireworks and everyone glammed up for a good time! The biggest festas take place in August, for Santa Marija week, but there’s a festa pretty much every weekend. Just drop in at the Hotel Valentina reception during your stay with us and we’ll tell you where it’s all going down.

The stunning beaches are another excellent reason to visit Malta in summer. Love the sand? Lounge to your heart’s content at Għadira, Golden Bay, Paradise Bay or the unique Ramla l-Ħamra, so called due to the deep red hue of the sand, in Gozo. Rocky beaches come with thrilling water sport options and there are some lovely exclusive lidos with full amenities for those of you who like to have their cocktail bang on the sea. A short stroll away from Hotel Valentina we’ve got St George’s Bay, a fantastic Blue Flag beach with sand and rocky coves. Just make sure you keep hydrated and stay protected from the sun!

Food is always an excellent reason to visit Malta, and this is even more so in the summer, when local produce is in full bloom. Check out Sliema and St Julian’s for chilling on the promenade with luscious soft serve ice-cream that the island’s famous for.

Drop in to Valletta for some street food served outdoors, or pick a fancier option to see exactly what our chefs can create with seasonal bounty. You can enjoy various Michelin star restaurants in Valletta or around the Sliema/St Julian’s area, and there are also more laidback trattorie, bistros and pizzerie around. For one of the coolest vibes on the island, check out The Avenue, which is a five minute walk away from Hotel Valentina and a huge favourite with the locals.

Keen on getting in some history during your summer break in Malta? The island’s chequered history, gorgeous architecture and beautiful museums bring plenty of that. While visiting Valletta, take shelter from the sun by popping into MUZA, the national art museum. The Museum of Archeology offers a wonderful walk down the annals of time, and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a neolithic subterranean burial site that’s unique in the world. The cool, underground air makes it ideal to visit in the summer months.

The mediaeval city of Mdina is one for your after sunset itinerary, so you can meander the narrow, quiet streets at leisure before stopping off for a slice of chocolate cake at the cafe with one of the best views in Malta. The city also offers myriad upscale restaurants, all housed in antique palazzi.

Calling all Instagrammers! It’s worth visiting Malta in the summer for this alone – a swim in the island of Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where the water is so translucent you’ll feel like you’re floating. Reaching the island by ferry is easy, and the Hotel Valentina staff can sort it all out for you. All you need to do is pack your swimsuit and SPF, and you’re good to go. There are plenty of ice-cream and cocktail boats doing the rounds in the area, so you don’t really need much else.

Summer in Malta is a laid back affair, so if you pack a few basics and your flip flops, swim suit and some walking shoes you should be sorted. The sun does get pretty strong, so a strong SPF is a must, and a hat will definitely keep things more comfy. That said, a light shawl or something to cover up with at night is also a good idea as the sea breeze can get fresh after midnight.

Hotel Valentina is your perfect base from where to enjoy the Maltese summer, a short walk away from the most popular beaches, upscale shopping districts in the same area and plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. St Julian’s is very well connected to the rest of the island by public transport, so you’ll find it very easy to get around.

Is Malta worth visiting in summer?

If you enjoy the sunny weather, Malta is definitely worth visiting in summer as it offers all the ingredients needed to make the most of these months. From gorgeous beaches to outdoor festivals, excellent food and fun events, it makes for a great summer break.

Does Malta have four seasons?

Officially yes, Malta has four seasons, although the winters and autumns tend to be very mild. Between March and October the weather is pretty much summer-like, with people spending time at the beach and enjoying outdoor events.