November is when Malta exhales. The summer crowds have gone, the sea still holds the last of its warmth and the evenings fill up with concerts, theatre and, by the end of the month, the first Christmas lights. If you want mild days, a quieter island and a full diary, this is a very good month to come.
Weather in Malta in November
These are long term averages, not a forecast, so any given week can be warmer, wetter or windier. Based on the 1991 to 2020 climate figures for Luqa, beside Malta International Airport, a typical November day reaches about 20.8°C and drops to around 14.9°C at night, with a daily mean of 17.9°C, the same norm the Meteorological Office quotes in its monthly reports.
- Average high: about 21°C
- Average low: about 15°C
- Sea temperature: a November norm of about 21°C
- Rainfall: about 91mm across the month, falling on roughly 9 days with at least 1mm
- Sunshine: around 195 hours in the month, or a little over six hours a day
- Daylight: sunrise moves from about 6.25am on 1 November to about 6.54am on 30 November, and sunset from about 5.08pm to 4.49pm
In practice that means warm, bright middays, cooler evenings and the odd heavy shower or thunderstorm that clears as fast as it arrives. Rain here tends to come in bursts rather than whole grey days. Wind is the bigger variable: a strong blow can roughen the sea and, now and then, cancel fast ferry crossings.
Early or late November?
The month changes as it goes. The first fortnight often still feels like a soft end to autumn, with long lunches outside and the sea at its warmest. By the last week the evenings are noticeably cooler, the light goes earlier and the mood turns towards Christmas, with lights going up in Valletta and village squares. If swimming matters most, aim for the first half. If you want concerts, markets and festive lights, the final ten days are hard to beat.
Can you swim in Malta in November?
Yes, on most calm days. With the sea averaging around 21°C, a midday swim is very doable, especially in the first half of the month. Pick sheltered bays and rock pools out of the wind, swim around midday when the air is warmest and keep it short if a northerly is blowing. Our guide to the best swimming spots in Malta will help you choose a spot that suits the day.
What to pack
- Light layers: T shirts for the afternoon, a jumper or fleece for the evening.
- A light waterproof jacket, which also doubles as a windbreaker on cliff walks.
- Swimwear and a quick drying towel, because the sea is still very much in play.
- Walking shoes with grip, since paths can be slippery after rain.
- Sunglasses and sun cream: the November sun is still strong at midday.
- Something a little smarter for the evening if you plan to book the theatre or a concert.
The short version: pack for a mild spring week at home, add swimwear, and make sure one layer will keep out the wind on exposed clifftops and ferry decks, which can feel a good deal cooler than a sheltered street in town.
What's on in Malta in November 2026
Here are our picks from the second half of the month. Full listings are on What's On.
Concerts and theatre
- Malta International Piano Festival 2026 at Ta' Pinu, 1 to 15 November: nightly recitals inside the basilica near Għarb, free entry.
- Salome by Oscar Wilde, 6 to 15 November at Teatru Manoel in Valletta.
- Jazz Assemblea 2026, 19 to 22 November: four days and 20 concerts from NAPA.
- Bruckner's 7th, 20 November, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in St Paul's Cathedral, Mdina.
Runs, walks and pageantry
- Express Trailers Żurrieq Half Marathon and 10K, 15 November through Żurrieq and the southern countryside.
- In Guardia, 15 November at Fort St Elmo: a military pageant in 16th century dress with cannon and musket fire. Tickets from €10 at the time of writing; check before you go.
- Il-Mixja tal-President 2026, 22 November, the charity walk from San Anton Palace in Attard to Valletta.
- Gharb Run, 29 November, a road and country race from Għarb square in Gozo.
Markets and fairs
- Malta Artisan Markets November Edition, 15 November from 5pm to 10pm at Mercury, St Julian's.
- Gozo Herbs Festival, 22 November in Għarb square: herbs, honey, preserves and rural crafts, free entry.
The start of the Christmas season
- Christmas in the Capital 2026, 25 November to 31 December: lights, the tree, carols and street performances across Valletta.
- Villa Rundle Illuminated Gardens, 28 November to 6 January, Victoria's public garden lit up for Christmas, free.
- Valletta Waterfront Christmas Village, 29 November to 6 January at Pinto Wharf, free entry with some paid activities.
For everything from December onwards, see Christmas events in Malta, our guide to Christmas markets in Malta and our guide to things to do in Malta in December.
Quieter November days
Cooler air makes this one of the best months to walk. The Dingli Cliffs to Il-Fawwara walk gives you huge sea views without the summer heat, and the Wied il-Għasel valley walk near Mosta is greener after the first rains. In Valletta, the Commonwealth Walkway is an easy way to fill a grey morning. For a slower break built around the sea and the cliffs, see our guide to wellness in Malta in winter.
On a wet day, head indoors. Living for Eternity: The Ancient Egyptians opens at the National Museum of Archaeology in Valletta on 21 November and runs until 16 May 2027, an easy pairing with a slow coffee in the city and a wander round the bastions once the shower has passed.
Gozo is at its calmest now. Walk the Ramla walk, the Xlendi walk or the Dwejra walk, then call in at Il-Ħaġar museum in Victoria for The Cave of Calypso: Victor Pasmore, free from 14 November. More routes are on our walks page.
Practical tips for November
Crowds and prices. November sits well outside the summer peak, so beaches, sites and restaurants are calmer and it is usually easier to find a table or a room. Popular concerts can still sell out, so book those early. The last weekend of the month gets busier in Valletta as the Christmas season opens, so plan dinners there ahead.
Getting around. Shorter days and occasional downpours make it worth planning one main outing a day and keeping a museum or a café in reserve. Cliff paths and country lanes can be muddy after heavy rain, so give them a day to dry out if you can.
Ferries. The Gozo Channel ferry between Ċirkewwa and Mġarr runs all year and takes about 25 minutes, and the fast ferry links Valletta and Mġarr in about 45 minutes. Both can be disrupted by rough weather, so check the operator's page on the morning you travel.
Daylight. With sunset before 5pm for most of the month, start walks early and plan to be off cliff paths before dusk. Evenings belong to the theatres, concert halls and, from late November, the Christmas lights.
