September in Malta: What to Expect and How to Make the Most of It

Ask a Maltese local for the best month on the island and August rarely gets a vote. September, though, wins elections. The heat loosens its grip, the sea is at its absolute warmest, the crowds drain away after the first fortnight — and the island exhales. Here’s what to expect if you’re here this month, and how to spend it well.

In short: September in Malta means daytime highs of 27–29°C, the year’s warmest sea at around 26°C, two public holidays — Victory Day on the 8th with its Grand Harbour regatta, and Independence Day on the 21st — and, after mid-month, noticeably fewer tourists and friendlier prices. It is peak Malta without peak season.

The weather: summer, edited

Early September still carries August’s warmth — if you’ve read our August survival guide, the first week plays by those rules. Then the edit begins: evenings cool enough for a walk without strategy, mornings that invite rather than threaten, and the occasional dramatic thunderstorm that rinses the dust off the island and leaves everything looking freshly developed.

The sea: the whole point

The Mediterranean spends all summer warming up and September is when it pays out — around 26°C, warmer than most hotel pools. It’s the finest swimming month of the year, and the rock swims along the Gzira and Sliema coast are at their glorious best: warm water, softer light, and space on the rocks again.

Victory Day, 8 September

Malta’s most storied public holiday marks the lifting of the Great Sieges of both 1565 and 1943 — the island has a habit of not losing. The centrepiece is the traditional regatta in the Grand Harbour: rowing crews from the harbour towns racing beneath the bastions, with flags, brass bands and partisan cheering. Watch from the Valletta or Three Cities waterfronts — the ferry ride over is part of the day out. We’ve written the complete guide to the Victory Day Regatta — viewing spots, the district teams, what to bring, and how to watch it from the water.

Independence Day, 21 September

A quieter national holiday, but a public one — expect Sunday schedules and closed offices. A fine excuse for a long lunch and a coastal walk as the season turns.

The mid-month shift

Around the 15th, the school year resumes across Europe and Malta changes key. Flight prices drop, restaurant bookings get easier, and the island returns to its residents — which is precisely when longer-stay guests get the best of it. Buses and ferries run their full timetables well into autumn; our guide to getting around without a car has the details.

Frequently asked questions

Is September a good time to visit Malta?

One of the best. Daytime temperatures ease to a comfortable 27–29°C, the sea is at its warmest of the year at around 26°C, and the peak-season crowds thin noticeably after the first fortnight — with prices following.

Can you swim in Malta in September?

Absolutely — September has the warmest sea of the entire year, around 26°C, having soaked up the whole summer. Locals consider it the finest swimming month, and the water stays comfortable well into October.

What happens in Malta on 8 September?

Victory Day (Il-Vitorja), a national public holiday commemorating the end of the Great Sieges of 1565 and 1943. The highlight is the traditional regatta in the Grand Harbour, with rowing crews from the harbour towns racing beneath the bastions.

September rewards the ones who stay past the summer rush. Morrison Court is five serviced apartments in Gzira, designed for one or two guests, with the warm sea a short walk from your door and a private home office for everything else. Check September availability at morrisoncourt.com.