Ignore those advertisements that beckon tourists to flock to Malta to enjoy the summer sun for fun times. Spring is the time to soak in the Maltese experience.
Summer in Malta is hot, baking hot. The smell of roasting limestone and concrete still fills my senses and the chill of the Mediterranean, while escaping the heat, against my burning skin sends shivers over me. While summer is an exciting time to be in Malta, spring is the time to make the most of visiting all the island has to offer. Regardless of what you want to experience, it is available to enjoy in spring without the need to seek out the ‘AC’.
It is the perfect time to explore the dozen world heritage sites across Malta and Gozo that house the ancient megalithic structures. Avoiding the baking summer sun allows ample time to wander through the spectacular Ħaġar Qim complex, and even the opportunity to witness the spring equinox at the Mnajdra Archaeological Park. Visiting the remains of the Skorba temple, the open air structures of Tarxien or exploring the prehistoric cave of Ghar Dalam can be more easily accomplished in the comfortable weather. The mild Spring weather allows time to appreciate the significance of these prehistoric structures which UNESCO describes as the “oldest free-standing monuments on Earth”.
There is more than enough going on in spring and yet it is still warm enough to swim at the beaches and in the bays. You may not a find all the kiosks, bars and nightclubs open compared to when the island is pumping in summer, but there are plenty of places to eat and drink in the most picturesque sites.
Visiting in spring means you can avoid the crowds that jam the streets in Valletta and enjoy a coffee in the café square adjacent to St John Co-Cathedral before visiting the magnificent church and the works of Caravaggio. Grab a pastizzi at Champs before entering the archaeological museum without the long lines or exploring the underground tunnels.
Walk the Sliema promenade, stopping for a meal looking out over the Mediterranean. Explore the winding, quiet streets of Mdina where there is not only the baroque architecture but also, the Fontanella offers spectacular views across the island to appreciate the patterns of green and brown before the dry summer heat turns the whole landscape brown.
Even when the weather turns a little nasty, it can be spectacular to see the angry sea smash into the rocky island spraying water over natural rock platforms and ripping at the man-made roads and paths.
Malta loves nothing more than a festival. Spring is the time of the Easter festivals from, the smaller Easter processions in the villages, to awe inspiring productions in the larger towns. We stood in the crowd on the streets of Rabat and amongst the families of Ghaghur to witness the impressive productions from the local church community.
Malta is the island of festivals. Apart from the renowned religious festivals, trawl the island visiting towns, which celebrate their local area and how they are best known for contributing to Maltese life.
Try everything strawberry related at Mgarr’s strawberry festival, Festa Frawli.
Witness International fireworks displays and competitions on the coastline. Catch talented musicians preparing for the summer music season, releasing new music and playing small venues. Not to mention the local interest in the local representation competing in the Eurovision song contest.
Explore the island walking and trekking in areas away from the main towns to be amongst the Maltese and Gozitan countryside where you may come across both natural wonders and relics from rich Maltese history.
Photo: Joanne Mohr Photography
Take the time to visit a farm in Gozo to devour the home made Kunserva on locally baked Hobza and even sip masterfully crafted wine, amongst the green countryside.
The spontaneous decision to stop at a family farm and winery on our drive through Gozitan countryside evolved from a desire for a short break into an afternoon of hospitality and having our eyes, and taste buds, opened to another under appreciated part of living in Malta and skipping across the channel to Gozo.
Enjoy the Maltese summer heat but relish the opportunity to see and experience Malta in Spring time.
My novel The Maltese Web, is set in the spring time in Malta. I wanted to bring the reader a view of Malta that is under appreciated and that goes beyong many tourist brochures. You can read short passages from my book about living in Malta in spring time, here on my site.
The Maltese Web is available on Amazon.
Thanks to Joanne Mohr and Maria Stella Micallef for the great photos that capture Malta and Gozo in springtime.
