November can be a very pleasant month to visit Malta if you want comfortable sightseeing weather without the intense heat of summer. On sunny days, it can still feel quite warm around midday, and you may even be comfortable in a T-shirt when there is little wind.
As November progresses, the weather generally becomes more changeable. Evenings feel noticeably cooler, while wind and rain become more likely to affect how a particular day feels. A light jacket or jumper is useful, and it is best to have something waterproof with you as well.
From our experience living in Malta, we would approach November as a sightseeing, walking and exploring holiday rather than a beach holiday. Swimming is still possible on a calm sunny day, but the sea and air feel cooler, conditions can be rougher, and normally very few people are swimming by this time of year.
Malta weather and travel in November✍️ Written by Albert and Benjamin Magro, Malta locals sharing practical advice based on living on and exploring the islands.
Historic street in Isla during NovemberThese historical extremes show what is possible in November, but they are not typical. Most visitors should plan around the average daytime and night-time temperatures rather than the record figures.
November weather can vary considerably from year to year. Some periods can still be unusually warm and settled, while other days can feel much cooler because of wind, rain and cloud.
November days are noticeably shorter than in October, particularly towards the end of the month. With sunset before 17:00 for much of November, it is worth starting outdoor sightseeing and longer walks earlier in the day.
Sunshine hours and daylight are not the same thing. Malta averages around 6.1 hours of actual bright sunshine per day in November, while the total time between sunrise and sunset is considerably longer.
Choppy November seas along Malta's coastThere is usually a noticeable difference between early and late November, although the change is gradual.
Early November can still bring pleasant, sunny days, and around midday it may feel quite warm with little wind. Evenings are cooler, and rain or wind can make some days feel much less mild.
By late November, cooler evenings and more changeable weather become more noticeable. Sunny days are still possible, but wind and rain are more likely to affect outdoor plans.
By this stage, normally no one swims. The sea and air are cooler, and windier or rougher conditions make swimming much less inviting.
Overall, late November is still a good time for sightseeing and exploring, but it is best to keep your plans flexible and be prepared for cooler or wetter weather.
In Malta, you may hear the expression Is-Sajf ta’ San Martin, or St Martin’s Summer, referring to a spell of fine, warmer weather around the middle of November.
Some years it can be quite noticeable, with pleasant sunny days and calmer conditions. In other years, it may hardly be noticeable at all, so we would not plan a November holiday expecting it.
Think of it as a traditional Maltese name for a possible spell of good November weather rather than something guaranteed.
Yes, November can be a very good month for exploring Malta, especially if your main interests are sightseeing, history, walking and food rather than beaches and swimming. Temperatures are generally comfortable for spending long periods outdoors, although the weather is more changeable than in October.
We recommend November, especially for sightseeing, culture, walking, and exploring Malta at a quieter pace. If your priority is hot weather, sunbathing and swimming every day, November is not the best month to choose.
Sunny November view across Grand HarbourNovember weather in Gozo is broadly similar to Malta, but exposed countryside and coastal areas can feel noticeably cooler when it is windy.
On calm, sunny days, Gozo can still be very pleasant for sightseeing and walking. On windier days, however, places along the coast or in open countryside can feel much colder than sheltered village streets.
If you are planning a day in Gozo, we recommend bringing an extra layer and checking the wind and rain forecast before you set out.
Packing for Malta in November is mainly about layers and flexibility. On a pleasant, sunny day, a T-shirt or light top can still feel comfortable around midday, but you'll usually want something warmer for later in the day.
For evenings, windy days and cooler spells, bring a jumper, cardigan or light jacket. From our experience, wind can make it feel noticeably cooler than the temperature suggests, especially along the coast.
Heavy winter clothing is normally unnecessary, but bringing only light summer clothes would leave you unprepared for cooler evenings, wind and rain.
The best approach is to check the forecast shortly before travelling and pack clothes you can layer, so you are prepared for both pleasant sunny weather and more unsettled conditions.
November is a great month for sightseeing, walking, and exploring Malta, as the cooler temperatures are usually much more comfortable than in summer.
Beaches are generally very quiet at this time of year. On a warm, sunny weekend, you may still see a few people spending a few hours in the sun, but November is much more about exploring Malta than having a beach holiday.
For more inspiration, see our guide to events and things to do in Malta during November.
November brings a mix of cultural events and the first signs of Malta's Christmas season.
If you are visiting later in November, you will start to notice Malta gradually moving into the Christmas season, particularly in Valletta and the main shopping areas. You can also see our guide to Christmas markets in Malta and Gozo for festive events that begin appearing from late November onwards.
Christmas market decorations in MaltaRain in November can vary considerably. From our experience, you may get a short but very heavy downpour, several hours of unsettled weather, or occasionally a much wetter day.
Heavy rain can fall quickly in Malta, and some roads may flood temporarily, while traffic can slow. Wind can also make conditions feel much colder and may affect coastal walks and boat trips.
If unsettled weather is forecast, it helps to keep a few flexible options available. You could:
A rain symbol in the forecast does not always mean the whole day will be wet, but in November we would still recommend keeping some flexibility in your plans.
November is still a good month for sightseeing tours around Malta and Gozo, particularly because the cooler weather makes spending several hours exploring much more comfortable.
Land-based tours are generally the safer choice at this time of year. Hop-on, hop-off sightseeing, guided city tours, and trips around Gozo can all work well in November.
Boat trips to Comino and the Blue Lagoon may also run, but they depend more on wind and sea conditions. If you are considering a boat trip, check the forecast and latest departure information before booking or travelling to the departure point.
Swimming is still technically possible in November, but normally you will see very few people, if anyone, swimming by this time of year. The sea is cooler, the air temperature has dropped, and windier or rougher conditions can make getting in and out of the water much less inviting.
The average sea temperature is still around 21°C (70°F), as the Mediterranean retains some of the warmth built up during summer.
However, sea temperature is only part of the picture. On a calm, sunny day, someone who does not mind cooler water may still swim, but stronger wind, cloud, and rougher seas can make conditions feel considerably colder.
We would therefore not plan a November holiday around swimming. Treat it as a possibility on an unusually good day, not something to expect.
On a pleasant sunny day, it can still be nice to spend some time by the sea, but most people will normally be fully dressed rather than sunbathing. You may occasionally see visitors from colder countries in swimwear, but this is not typical.
November is therefore not a dependable beach or sunbathing month.
Our view: Come to Malta in November expecting a sightseeing, walking and cultural holiday with some pleasant sunny days, rather than a beach holiday.
See our complete Weather in Malta guide to compare conditions year-round.
Is Malta Still Warm in November?
Malta can still have pleasantly warm and sunny days in November, particularly around midday when there is little wind. Evenings are noticeably cooler, and the weather becomes more changeable as the month progresses.
Does It Rain a Lot in Malta in November?
November is one of Malta's wetter months, but rain does not necessarily last all day. You may experience short heavy downpours, several hours of unsettled weather or occasionally a much wetter day.
Can You Swim in Malta in November?
Swimming is possible, but normally very few people, if anyone, swim in November. The sea and air are cooler, while wind and rougher conditions can make swimming much less inviting.
What Should I Wear in Malta in November?
Pack clothes you can layer. Bring T-shirts or light tops, long trousers, a jumper or cardigan, a light jacket, comfortable walking shoes and something waterproof for rain.
Is November a Good Time to Visit Malta?
Yes, particularly for sightseeing, walking, history, culture and food. November is much less suitable if your main priority is guaranteed hot weather, swimming and beach days.
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