Malta
Valletta in December
🧥 WinterCool and some showers.
🎒 Pack: light layers
Why December scores 9.3What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort8.9
- ✓Cool (17°C highs / 12°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 12°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~94 mm rain)
- Air quality9.7
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~7 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Apr | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.3 Excellent | 9.7 Excellent |
| Season | 🧥 Winter | 🌷 Spring |
| High / low | 17° / 12° | 20° / 13° |
| Rain | 94 mm | 21 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 12° | dew pt 13° |
| PM2.5 | 7 µg/m³ | 8 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Luqa (Malta) weather-station normals. Rainfall: Luqa (Malta) weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 Dec) · Republic Day (13 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore VallettaEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyMalta's compact, walled capital was built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travellers come for its Baroque churches, harbour views and easy base for exploring the islands.
No major events on our calendar for December.
Coming up later
Malta CarnivalDate variesDates vary; held in the days before Lent, usually February
Colourful floats, costumes and dancers parade through the capital.
Why go: Streets are lively and crowded; book accommodation early.
Where: Valletta and Floriana
Victory DayEvery year8 September every year
Public holiday marking the end of historic sieges, with a traditional regatta in the Grand Harbour.
Why go: A good chance to watch the colourful rowing races from the harbour bastions.
Where: Grand Harbour and around Valletta
Independence DayEvery year21 September every year
National holiday marking Malta's independence in 1964.
Why go: Expect ceremonies and some closures of government offices.
Where: Valletta and Floriana
St John's Co-Cathedral
Lavishly decorated Baroque church of the Knights, home to Caravaggio's The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
💡 Cover shoulders and knees, and go early to avoid cruise-ship crowds.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
Arcaded terrace garden with sweeping views over the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities.
💡 The Saluting Battery below fires a ceremonial gun at noon.
Grandmaster's Palace
Former seat of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John, with state rooms and an armoury.
💡 Parts may close for official state functions, so check before going.
Fort St Elmo and the National War Museum
Star-shaped fort at the tip of the peninsula covering Malta's military history from prehistory to the Second World War.
Lascaris War Rooms
Underground tunnels used as an Allied command centre during the Second World War.
Pastizzi
Flaky diamond-shaped pastries filled with ricotta or mushy peas, Malta's favourite snack.
💡 Pastizzerias and kiosks around the city
Stuffat tal-Fenek
Rabbit slow-cooked in wine, tomato and garlic, often seen as Malta's national dish.
💡 Traditional Maltese restaurants
Ftira
Ring-shaped Maltese bread, often filled with tuna, tomatoes, olives and capers.
💡 Bakeries and casual cafes
Imqaret
Deep-fried pastries filled with spiced dates.
💡 Street stalls and bakeries
Maltese silver filigree
Delicate silver jewellery, often featuring the Maltese cross.
💡 Jewellers along Republic Street and Merchants Street
Mdina Glass
Colourful hand-blown glassware made on the islands.
💡 Craft and souvenir shops in Valletta
Maltese lace
Hand-made bobbin lace, a craft particularly associated with Gozo.
💡 Specialist craft shops