December finishes the Maltese year in the wettest way possible. The Luqa station averages about 97 mm over the month, on roughly ten days that reach 1 mm. It is the highest monthly figure in the 1991-2020 climate record, ahead of November’s 88 mm. Even so, it is a mild winter: highs of 17 C and lows of 11 C are far from freezing.
What that rain looks like
Statistics can mislead here. Ten rain days out of thirty-one leave twenty-one without. The wet ones often arrive in spells, with a stormy front, a day or two of rain and wind, then a fresh clear day with sharp light and few other visitors. Treat the forecast as a menu rather than a verdict, and reorder your plans around it.
Mild, but damp
Night-time lows near 11 C are not severe, but many older buildings with thick stone walls hold the damp. Warm layers are more comfortable than a single heavy coat, and a hotel with proper heating is worth paying for. Wind adds to the cold on the waterfront, so check for gusty days before planning cliff walks.
The sea, for divers
The sea averages about 18 C, as per the satellite surface record (1991-2020), around the same as in May. Swimmers will find it chilly. Divers, on the other hand, dive all winter in thicker suits; the sites near Gozo, such as the Blue Hole, stay open for them when the sea allows, although rough conditions can limit entry points.
A winter calendar
Three public holidays fall in the month: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December, Republic Day on 13 December and Christmas Day on 25 December. In the weeks before Christmas, Valletta and many towns put up lights, and nativity displays and crib exhibitions are a tradition across the islands. Expect closed doors on the 25th and busy days before.
Where December works
Valletta suits the month. The streets are decorated, the St John’s Co-Cathedral is a shelter and a treat, and the Manoel Theatre has a winter programme (check the listing). The Casa Rocca Piccola lets you see a noble house indoors.
For gentle outdoor time, the Hastings Gardens and the harbour walls are good in dry spells. The village of Mellieha in the north is worth a stop, and the sandy beach nearby is empty for winter walks.
What to pack
A warm layer, a waterproof jacket and shoes with grip. A scarf and a pair of gloves for windy evenings are a small weight with a large effect. Leave heavy winter wear at home.
The bottom of the curve
The air loses about four degrees at the high (21 C to 17 C) and three at the low (14 C to 11 C), and the sea falls from 21 C to 18 C. Rain rises from 88 mm to 97 mm and the rain days from nearly nine to ten. That makes December the coolest and wettest point in the second half of the year. January follows with almost the same air temperature and a little less rain, so the winter feels like a single long season.
Why a December break can work
The case for December is simple. The weather is damp but mild, the crowds are small, and the calendar gives you reasons to be in town: lights, cribs and church services. A weekend in Valletta with a couple of museum visits, a long lunch and an evening stroll can be easy to enjoy even when it rains. The sun is low, so churches and palaces often have lovely light through the windows in the morning.
If you want sun and swimming, though, December is not the month. Shift the trip to May or later, or accept a winter-walks-and-sightseeing holiday.
Between showers
Rain in December often falls at night or in the early morning, and the middle of the day can be bright. Check an hourly forecast rather than a daily one, and use the dry window for the outdoor item. A narrow street between tall stone buildings can funnel wind, so a hat or hood that stays on is useful. Carry a small towel or cloth for wet seats outdoors. And keep a charged phone for late buses, since winter timetables are thinner.
Planning note
Check ferry and boat timetables the day before, since winter services are reduced and weather-dependent. Book restaurants ahead for the weeks around Christmas. The Malta weather overview places December in the full year, and the cycle begins again with Malta weather in January.
