Valletta Weather in May

May days in Valletta

May feels warm and bright, with long days for wandering. The average high reaches 20°C, and rain usually comes on just a few days. You can explore St John's Co-Cathedral, walk the city walls and linger at Upper Barrakka Gardens without summer's stronger heat.

Afternoons in the sun can still feel warm, so take a break in a shaded café along Strait Street. A shower can interrupt a walk, but it's usually not a reason to give up a whole day outdoors.

Events and local life

May 1 is Labour Day, a public holiday in Malta. Some businesses may close or change their hours, so don't assume every café or shop will be open. There isn't one major Valletta festival that reliably defines the whole month.

If you hate crowds, May is a good middle ground: busier than April, but generally calmer than the peak summer months. Valletta's lanes and sights feel lively without the same crush you can find later in summer. Prices also tend to be more manageable than in the busiest months, though they can rise as demand grows.

Make the most of your visit

With spring weather and around nine hours of sunshine a day, May works well for sightseeing and outdoor meals. It's less suited to a day built around guaranteed beach weather; save time for Valletta's museums and harbour views instead.

Travelling with kids? Take the Barrakka Lift down to the waterfront, then catch a ferry across to the Three Cities. It saves a steep walk back up, and the harbour ride gives you a fun change of scene. At the Lower Barrakka Gardens, look for the Siege Bell War Memorial nearby.