Winter Holidays in Malta – A great destination for your winter holiday!

Snuggled just south of Sicily in the Southern Mediterranean Sea, Malta enjoys idyllic mild winters.  There is no snow, no frost! Average day time temperatures are 15 to 20 degrees C. Pack short sleeve t-shirts along with your jumper and scarf as some Maltese winter days are warmer than most European summers.  This warm off-peak season is an ideal time to explore this culturally rich and historically diverse destination. Here are our suggestions to help you get the best winter holidays in Malta…

The capital city of Malta, the best place to start

With a wealth of architecture, history, galleries, museums, restaurants, shopping, coffee shops and views you can spend days discovering Valletta’s gems. A must is Malta’s most impressive church – St Johns Co Cathedral with its floor mosaic of polish marble tombs.  The Malta Experience or Malta 5D will give you a great summary to Malta and our history. Listen to the Noon day gun shot from a canon at the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The gardens are also an excellent place to look out over the majestic Grand Harbour.

Valletta is also home to The Grand Masters Palace, The Manoel Theatre, National War Museum at Fort Elmo, National Museum of Archaeology, The Palace State Rooms, Valletta Waterfront and Muza where a 1760s palace is home to Maltese art. Don’t forget to look up to take in the traditional Maltese balconies and baroque architecture or to watch the world go by a St George’s square in the city centre.

Megalithic temples older than the pyramids

The temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra are two amazing UNESCO world heritages sites perched on a hilltop overlooking the sea at the south west of Malta.  Ħaġar Qim dates back to 3600 – 3200 BC with one of the 5.2-metre high monoliths on the outside of the temple estimating 20 tonnes. The temples are evocative and inspiring.

The best walk in Malta, rich in countryside and historical treasures

The Xemxija Heritage Trail starts from the coastal village of Xemxija on the north east coast and extends along a ridge across to the other side of the island.  You can walk the old Roman Road to Golden Bay beach. This countryside trail really stands out with gorgeous land and sea views, archaeological artefacts and great discoveries along the way. There aren’t many walks in the world where you will find Roman bee apiaries, ancient trees, remains of a Neolithic temple, Punic tombs and cave dwellings.

Best places to watch the sunset

Let’s be honest, anywhere on the west coast is spectacular but we love two special spots – Dingli Cliffs and Riviera Beach at Ghajn Tuffieha Bay (which means apple of the eye).  Both places are perfect for a pre-sunset walk. At Dingli there are some fabulous restaurants that specialise in local seasonal produce from either from their own or the surrounding farms. Check out Diar il Bniet and The Cliffs. Here are some other restaurants that we recommend closer to your holiday home – Best Restaurants in Malta

Enchanting, peaceful Mdina

Mdina is the original capital of Malta and is also known as the Silent City. From the high stone bastions, views spread out over fields, towns and villages to sea.  A personal favourite is walking here in the quiet of night before dinner. During the day, amble through the narrow quiet streets pausing to discover Mdina Cathedral and its museum, Mdina’s Dungeons, Palazzo Falzon a medieval townhouse built by Maltese nobility and the National Museum of Natural History.  This is also the perfect opportunity to explore the old city of Rabat just outside the gates of Mdina, home to St Paul’s Catacombs and the Roman Villa.

Promenade strolling

Walking next to the sea, be it following the path or along the rocks is good for the soul. In Sliema you can walk ‘the front’ as the locals call it. ‘The front’ stretches from the yacht Marinas of Ta’ Xbiex through Sliema, St Julians right through to the beach at St Georges Bay. Another great promenade is in St Paul’s Bay area where a lovely stretch can take you from Qawra, along Bugibba, St Pauls Bay and even onto Xemxija.

When in Vittoriosa, Kalkara and Senglea, walking the water’s edge against the historic backdrop of the bastions and looking out over marinas across to Valletta is simply magical.

Dine on the beach

Mellieha has some great restaurants right on the beach. Mediterranean menus at Munchies, Il-Pirata and Blu beach Club and the Japanese Amami are our favourites which are open for lunch and dinner.
 

Winter coffee culture

With warmer, drier winters enjoy alfresco coffee all year round. Grab a book and relax. For the best coffee in town here are our top recommendations: Lot Sixty One and Piadina Cafe in Valletta, Mint in Sliema, Coffee Circus in Mosta and Qawra, Koffee and Oblico Cafe in Bugibba, The Corner Cafe in St Pauls Bay and L-Arlogg in Birgu.

Winter sports scene

The mild temperatures and less rain than most holiday spots in Europe, rock climbing, abseiling, off road biking, zip lining and even kayaking are still on the menu. Whether you go solo or would prefer us to recommend a local trusted expert there is a great number of options to set your heart racing.

With Malta being small and accessible, whether your chosen holiday home is in the north, central or south of Malta, all destinations are easily reached. If you haven’t chosen where to stay browse through our personally selected apartments, penthouses and villas – Our Holiday Home Portfolio

If you love lower off-peak prices, less tourists, then warm Winter Holidays in Malta are just what you need!!