This page covers a single month. To compare the whole year, see our guide to the best time to visit Malta.
The weather in Malta in October is still summery: around 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon, 17 °C (63 °F) at night and a sea at 22 °C (72 °F). But it is also one of the wettest months (90 mm (3.5 in)), in often short thundery showers. Verdict: a very good month, provided you accept a few storms.
October combines swimming that is still pleasant, sightseeing without crushing heat and crowds falling after the summer. The rain does not fall every day: a large part of the monthly total can fall in a few violent storms, with on average about ten rainy days in the month.
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Malta in October: key facts
- Temperature: 24.2 °C (76 °F) average maximum and 17.1 °C (63 °F) average minimum at Luqa
- Rain: 90 mm (3.5 in), often in thundery showers
- Sea: about 22 °C (72 °F)
- Sunshine: about 7 hours a day
- Ideal for: swimming, diving, sightseeing, Gozo
- Note: autumn school holidays, with demand rising
What is the weather like in Malta in October?
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Sea | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 28.0 °C (82 °F) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 8.7 |
| October | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 17.1 °C (63 °F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 22 °C (72 °F) | 7.1 |
| November | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 13.9 °C (57 °F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19 °C (66 °F) | 6.1 |
The first half of the month is generally more summery than the end. The normals apply to the whole archipelago: Malta, Gozo and Comino have a very similar climate.
Can you swim in Malta in October?
Yes: the sea has stored the summer’s heat and stays around 22 °C (72 °F), more than in June. The beaches of Mellieħa, Golden Bay or Ramla (Gozo) are much less crowded than in August. After a storm the sea can be rough: swim in supervised areas and respect the flags. The UK FCDO advises taking care when swimming in the sea, notes that some beaches have strong undercurrents and that red flags indicate dangerous conditions, and recommends swimming within designated zones, taking extra care if there are no lifeguards, flags or signs (GOV.UK, read 11 November 2026).
Things to do in Malta in October
- Diving and snorkelling: the water is warm; Gozo (Dwejra) and the wrecks around Malta are renowned.
- Comino and the Blue Lagoon, much less crowded than in summer.
- Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities, with temperatures that are bearable for walking.
- Gozo, its cliffs and the Ġgantija temples.
- The first hikes of the cool season, at the end of the month.
Events in Malta in October
October has no major national festival in Malta, and the village festas, very numerous in summer, are over. Cultural events take place in some years in Valletta: check the tourist office’s agenda before you go.
Crowds and prices in October
Crowds are moderate and prices fall compared with summer, except during autumn school holidays, when demand picks up. 1 to 2 months’ booking is usually enough. Most international visitors arrive at Malta International Airport (MLA).
What to pack for Malta in October
- Summer clothes and a swimsuit
- A light sweater for evenings at the end of the month
- A waterproof or a compact umbrella for the showers
- Sunscreen and a hat
- A travel adapter if your devices do not fit local sockets
Where to stay and how to get around Malta
Out of season, the choice of neighbourhood matters more than the beach. Valletta is ideal for a cultural stay: everything is done on foot, and the boats to the Three Cities and Sliema leave from the harbour. Sliema and St Julian’s have many hotels and restaurants open all year, as well as boat links to Valletta. Mdina and Rabat suit those looking for quiet. Gozo is good for a few nights in a farmhouse, provided you accept depending on the ferry.
The bus network covers the whole archipelago, but journeys can be long at peak times. A rental car gets you to the cliffs and Gozo faster.
- For 3 to 4 days: Valletta, the Three Cities, Mdina and the temples in the south
- For a week: add two to three days on Gozo and a trip to Comino if the sea allows
- On a tight budget: accommodation in Valletta or Sliema and the buses
Autumn storms: good habits
October showers are often short but intense. Keep a sheltered fallback activity (museums, St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master’s Palace), check the weather before a boat trip to Comino or Gozo, and avoid the sea front and cliffs in strong wind.
Normals or forecasts: how to read these figures
The temperatures and rainfall totals on this page are climate normals: averages calculated over several decades by official weather services. They show what is usual for the month, not the weather you will get during your stay. A given year can be warmer, cooler, drier or wetter, and a month’s rain can fall on just a few days. To plan your trip, use the normals to choose the period and the region; in the week before departure, check the national weather service forecast and adapt your plans day by day, keeping fallback activities for the less favourable days.
If October does not suit you
September is hotter (28 °C (82 °F)) and drier (40 mm (1.6 in)), with a sea at 24 °C (75 °F), but busier. For a quieter and cheaper stay, see Malta in February and Malta in November.
Other ideas for October: Crete in October, Madeira in October or Cyprus. All our ideas: where to go in October. To plan your stay: our Malta travel guide; for passport and entry rules, see our entry requirements for Malta.
Frequently asked questions
What is the temperature in Malta in October?
Around 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon and 17 °C (63 °F) at night at Luqa according to 1961-1990 normals, with a sea around 22 °C (72 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Malta in October?
It is one of the wettest months (90 mm (3.5 in)), but mostly in thundery showers, often short. Dry, sunny days remain plentiful.
Can you swim in Malta in October?
Yes, the sea is still at about 22 °C (72 °F). Avoid swimming just after a storm and respect the flags.
Is Malta expensive in October?
Less than in summer. Prices rise during autumn school holidays.
October or November for Malta?
October for swimming (sea at 22 °C (72 °F), 24 °C (75 °F) in the air). November for quiet visits and low prices, with a sea at 19 °C (66 °F).
Our sources
- Malta Meteorological Office, via the WMO World Weather Information Service: 1961-1990 normals for the Luqa station
- Deutscher Wetterdienst, Klimatafel von Luqa: sea temperature (1946-1960) and sunshine (1961-1990)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Malta, safety and security (GOV.UK, page read on 11 November 2026; advice last updated 11 August 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.