Malta in February: Weather, Carnival and What to Do

Malta in February is much like January – mild days around 15–16°C, low prices and few crowds – but with one big addition: Carnival. For a week in the run-up to Lent the streets of Valletta and the Gozo village of Nadur fill with floats, costumes and music, giving a quiet winter month a real burst of colour. It's still a city break rather than a beach trip, with the sea at its coldest of the year. Here's what to expect and how to plan around the Carnival.

What's the weather like in Malta in February?

Mild and slowly improving. Daytime temperatures sit around 15–16°C, much like January, dropping to roughly 9–10°C overnight. The rain eases off a little from the January peak, still arriving in short bursts rather than long downpours, and the days are noticeably longer by the end of the month.

It's not warm, but it's pleasant for walking, and the bright spells between showers can feel almost spring-like. Late February often brings the first almond blossom, an early sign of the season turning.

The sea, however, is at its coldest of the year, around 15–16°C, lagging behind the air. Swimming is off the table for all but the hardiest, so February stays firmly a month for the land.

Carnival: Malta's February highlight

The reason to time a trip for February is Carnival. In the week before Lent, Malta throws itself into a colourful street festival of giant papier-mâché floats, elaborate costumes, dancing and music, with the main events in Valletta and the spontaneous, costumed late-night version in the Gozo village of Nadur.

It's free to watch, family-friendly by day and livelier after dark, and it gives an otherwise quiet month a real sense of occasion. The exact dates shift each year with Easter, but it usually falls in mid-February – worth checking before you book if Carnival is the draw.

Because it lands in low season, you get the spectacle without summer prices or crowds.

Is Malta worth visiting in February?

Yes, particularly if you catch Carnival or want a cheap, quiet escape. The sights are calm, the air is mild for sightseeing, and prices remain among the lowest of the year. The Valentine's stretch also makes it a low-key option for a couples' break.

As with January, it's the wrong month if you're after the beach – the sea is cold and lidos are shut. But for culture, value and a splash of Carnival colour, it delivers. See our best time to visit Malta guide for how February sits against the rest of the year.

The best things to do in Malta in February

Beyond Carnival, this is sightseeing weather. Walk Valletta and the Grand Harbour, lose an afternoon in walled Mdina and Rabat, and work through the museums, temples and the Three Cities at a relaxed winter pace – the full list is in our things to do in Malta guide.

It's a quietly romantic month, too. With Valentine's Day and the low-season calm, February suits a couples' trip built around long lunches and historic streets – our Malta honeymoon and couples guide leans into that side of the islands.

Beach days and Comino boat trips remain out until the weather warms, so build the trip around the towns and the Carnival.

Prices and what to pack

February stays cheap. Prices and crowds are still low, so it's an easy month to stay somewhere smart for less – browse the best hotels in Malta and you'll find rates far below summer, fitting the wider value picture in our is Malta expensive guide.

Pack as for January: layers, a light waterproof and comfortable shoes, with something warmer for the evenings. If you're going for Carnival, bring a bit of energy for the late Nadur crowds – and sunglasses for the bright spells in between.