September 2025 brings a welcome cooling to Malta’s shores, turning the island into a more leisurely spot for visitors seeking a mix of cultural outings and relaxed seaside days. With average temperatures dipping to the mid-20s Celsius, the month eases away from summer’s intensity, allowing for comfortable walks through historic streets and boat rides around the harbour without the midday rush.
Shoulder season draws those who prefer fewer crowds, though advance bookings for ferries and tours remain a smart move as the weather stays reliably sunny.
With the intense summer heat easing off, September 2025 offers a welcoming time to discover Malta’s compact charms, where temperatures settle around 26°C during the day, perfect for exploring historic sites and coastal paths without the midday scorch. Travellers can anticipate fewer crowds at popular spots, allowing for a more unhurried pace, while the island’s clear seas remain warm at about 24°C, inviting swims and boat trips.
In Valletta, the capital’s baroque streets come alive with the Notte Bianca event in late September, featuring open-air concerts, art installations, and illuminated landmarks that draw locals and visitors alike. Strolling through the Upper Barrakka Gardens for sunset views over the Grand Harbour costs nothing, and a simple meal of pastizzi pastries or rabbit stew at a nearby café runs about €10-15. For history buffs, the Hypogeum in nearby Tarxien provides guided tours of its ancient underground chambers, bookable in advance for around €20 per person, offering insights into Malta’s prehistoric past.
Village festas continue into early September, with fireworks and band marches in places like Mdina, the Silent City, where narrow lanes and honey-coloured walls create a timeless feel. Entry to the city’s cathedral is free, though donations are appreciated, and a horse-drawn carriage ride around the walls adds a fun twist for €15. Inland, the Mnajdra Temples offer panoramic clifftop views, reachable by bus for under €5 from Valletta, blending archaeology with scenic hikes.
Mid-September marks the start of the grape harvest in the countryside, particularly around the Dingli area, where small vineyards invite tours and tastings of local wines like Ġejtun. A half-day excursion, costing about €25, includes a farm visit and lunch featuring Maltese cheeses and fresh bread. Further afield, the Għadira Nature Reserve in the north provides birdwatching opportunities, with September seeing migratory species arrive, and entry fees at just €5 for access to the hides. Hikers can tackle the Victoria Lines trail, a 20-kilometre path across the island’s ridge, best attempted in sections to match the milder temperatures.
Coastal spots shine this month, with beaches like Golden Bay and Mellieħa offering calmer waters for swimming and snorkelling, free to access though sun loungers rent for €10 a day. The Blue Lagoon on Comino remains accessible via daily boats from Marfa for €20 round trip, providing clear seas for a half-day escape. In Gozo, reached by a 25-minute ferry from Ċirkewwa for €5, the Ġgantija Temples stand as one of the world’s oldest freestanding structures, with tickets at €9 and guided walks available. Ramla Bay nearby delivers red sands and shallow pools, perfect for families packing a picnic.
Cultural events add a local touch, with the Notte Bianca festival on 27 September lighting up Valletta’s squares with free concerts, art installations, and street performances that run late into the night. Earlier in the month, the Birgu Festival from 13 to 15 September celebrates the town’s maritime history with boat regattas and fireworks over the harbour, entry to most activities free. Food markets in places like Marsaxlokk on Sundays feature fresh fish and pastizzi pastries, where a meal of grilled lampuki – seasonal fish – costs around €15 at waterside stalls.
Dining options expand with the harvest, from rabbit stew in Valletta’s trattorias to vegetarian dishes like kapunata at beach cafes. Cooking classes in Sliema, priced at €40, teach how to prepare these staples using island produce. Evenings often involve gelato from a corner shop or a drink at a harbourside bar, watching the ferries come and go.
Malta’s September 2025 scene also includes harvest-time markets in places like Marsaxlokk, where Sunday fish markets showcase the day’s catch, with bargains on lampuki fish for home cooking or immediate grilling. Accommodation options, from boutique hotels to self-catering apartments, average €80-120 per night, making it easier to extend stays. The month delivers a balanced mix of culture, beaches, and outdoor activities, suited for couples, families, or solo explorers seeking Malta’s enduring appeal.
Over on Gozo, the quieter sister island, the Ġgantija Temples stand as some of the world’s oldest freestanding structures, accessible via easy walks amid the countryside. September’s calmer ferry schedules from Ċirkewwa make day trips straightforward, with rentals for scooters or cars starting at €30 for the day, ideal for reaching secluded beaches like Ramla Bay. Divers will find the waters around the Blue Hole in Gozo particularly appealing, with visibility up to 30 metres and organised dives priced at €40-50, including equipment.
Comino’s crystal lagoons, such as the Blue Lagoon, see lighter footfall in September, allowing for relaxed snorkelling sessions amid the turquoise waters. A speedboat excursion from Malta’s main island typically costs €25 return, and packing a picnic of fresh ftira bread with local cheeses keeps expenses low. Back in Sliema and St Julian’s, the promenade buzzes with evening promenades, where seaside restaurants serve fresh seafood platters for €20-30, paired with a glass of Maltese wine.
- Aer Lingus and Ryanair both fly direct from Dublin to Malta. Ryanair also flies from Belfast and Shannon while Jet2 flies from Belfast. Visitmalta.com offers trail maps and event updates.
