Are you wondering what to wear in Malta? Malta is an island country in Southern Europen and is a very popular vacation destination due to its range of activities and luxury accommodations. In this guide will tell you exactly what to wear in Malta and Gozo on the beach, in the towns and out for dinner to help you not look like a tourist no matter the season you are visiting.
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But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Malta along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about exactly what and where Malta is, and how the seasons will affect your Malta Packing List.
Where is Malta?
Malta is an island nation in Southern Europe. It also consists of Gozo too which is it’s neighbouring smaller sister island and is only a 20-minute ferry ride away from Malta.
So now you know where Malta is, what are the dress codes you should be aware of?
Malta Dress Code
As with many places in Southern Europe, Malta doesn’t really have a dress code per se. As it is famed for its beautiful coastal location it should come as no surprise that lightweight resort wear can be seen in the town and on the beach.
However it is important to realise although coastal, you will find people in Malta fashionably dressed.
It is also worth noting that Malta is a big tourist destination. As such peak season usually runs from April until October. If you visit Malta in Winter you will find there to be far fewer tourists. But this comes with the downside of the weather not being as beach-friendly.
How do local people dress in Malta?
The locals in Malta know that the key to dressing in particular for summer, is picking outfits that can cope with the heat.
You will find loose and flowing dresses and skirts are very much in fashion throughout Malta and Gozo. Abd clothes wise you will find many of these stores selling lots of loose flowing dresses and skirts so you know these styles will help you fit in with the locals.
And you can never go wrong with linen whether you are a man or woman in Malta.
Considerations for your Malta Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include to make your Malta outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend on Malta. Cottons, silks and linen are well known for being more breathable than man made fabrics . Linen in particular is very in fashion among locals and tourists alike in Malta.
Pack Light
Island hopping between Malta and Gozo is a great thing to do on your Malta vacation however if you decide to do this then you will need to pack light. Nothing can spoil the island hopping experience than having to lug heavy luggage onto multiple ferries.
For more information on how to pack light for Malta we recommend checking out our guide on the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method or our sudoku method which will help you create the perfect European Capsule Wardrobe.
What to Wear in Malta in Summer (June, July and August)
Chances are if you are looking to at what to wear in Malta and you will be visiting during the Summer Months. Summer in Malta and Gozo is characterised as June, July and August although peak tourist season runs longer than this.
During the Summer in Malta you can expect lots of sunny days and very little rain. In terms of temperatures, in the summer you can expect to see average highs of 87F/31C and lows of 51F/11C. However, you will find the evening temporaries much lower than the daytime ones.
But the good news is that the chances of rain in Malta in Summer is pretty much 0%.
As such we would recommend putting the below on your summer Malta packing list:
Maxi Dresses
As I mentioned above there is lots of beach wear and resort wear seen in and around Malta in Summer.
Maxi dresses are one of my favorite things to wear in Malta and Gozo in Summer.
Loose and flowing dresses are better for Malta in Summer than tight fitting ones made of man made fabrics as they will keep you cooler. They are also great for wearing down on the beach and out for dinner.
Maxi Skirts
Maxi Skirts are also great for pairing with T shirts and Tank tops in Malta.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for out exploring Malta and can be paired with skirts or shorts. Tank tops are also acceptable in Malta in most places just don’t expect to go into churches in a tank top without covering your shoulders first.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular with the locals and are good in the hot weather.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Malta without a pashmina. They are great for the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco and can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting churches in Malta.
Shorts
Shorts are great for Malta. Personally, in Summer I prefer chino-style shorts over denim as I find them more comfortable in the heat.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Malta in Summer chances are you will be spending time on the beach, on a boat, or around a hotel pool. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
As there are no dress codes on public beaches in Malta you can choose whatever swimwear you feel most comfortable in whether that be one pieces or bikinis.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the beach here depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other if you are going to Malta for a week.
Beach Cover
Most people in Malta when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover to head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses with good UVA Protection are an essential for staying sun safe in Malta.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Malta summer packing list. Be sure to pick a wide-brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to for more in with the locals.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
Light weight PJs are a must for Malta in Summer.
Note: If you want to know what to wear in Malta for men I recommend packing a mixture of chinos and linen trousers and some smarter shorts alongside plain t-shirts and polos and short-sleeved shirts for summer.
What to Wear to the Malta in Spring (March, April, May)
Depending on what time in Spring you are visiting Malta will depend on how hot the temperatures are.
April really kicks off the peak tourist season in Malta and Gozo and you may find March too cold to be spending too much time on the beach and not all the shops and restaurants will be open yet.
In March average high temperatures are 17C and lows of 10C/ while it slowly warms to highs of 24Cand lows of 15C in May.
For this reason we recommend packing the same as the summer for May while your March packing list will be more akin to the Winter packing list for Malta.
In March you really won’t need much swimwear as the water tends to be too cold to swim in and you will want some extra layers with you for the Spring months.
Additions to your Spring Malta packing list should also include:
Cardigan
Days and evenings in Malt in the Spring can be cold so be sure to add a cardigan to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater / Hoodie
This is great for exploring Malta in Spring no matter the month.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting Malta in March and later in Spring if you feel the cold.
Swimwear
Also for March you probably will only need one item of swimwear at most as the sea temperature still tends to be too cold to go swimming in for most people.
What to Wear to the Malta in Fall (September, October and November)
What to wear to Malta in Fall and Autumn is very similar to what to wear in Malta.
In particular, if you are visiting Malta in September you can pretty much select the same outfits as you would in Summer as the temperatures are very similar particularly to June with average highs of 28C and lows of 20C.
In fact Fall in Malta is much warmer than Spring, and you will find the sea temperature much more comfortable for swimming in so you will still want your swimwear in September and October.
November is really the only cool month in Autumn where you might want to add some additional top layers and a jacket.
What to Wear to Malta in Winter (December, January and February)
Malta can be cold in Winter and as Winter isn’t peak season you will find that many of the local businesses such as shops and restaurants will be closed or have limited opening hours.
Also it is generally speaking too cold to swim in the sea and use the beach in Winter in Malta so you can really limit the swimwear you need to bring with you.
Generally speaking the temperatures range from 16 to 9C / 60 – 48F in Winter and is the rainiest season in the area with around 8 days of rain in each Winter month. The wind is also at its strongest in Winter.
Therefore we recommend abandoning the summer packing list and wearing the below to Malta in Winter instead.
Jacket/Coat, waterproof
You will definitely want a jacket or for the Malta in Winter. If possible we recommend a waterproof or water resistant one as you can get rainy and something that is good in the wind.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts in Malta in Winter. Long sleeve t shirts and blouses are therefore a much better choice.
We recommend packing a variety of long sleeve tops and blouses with you including some smarter ones for dinners if you are visiting in the Winter months of December, January and February. I also don’t think youn can go wrong with a merino wool sweater in Winter either.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for Malta in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are too lightweight for Winter visitors to the region.
Instead we recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter. We tend to recommend packing jeans instead.
Pashmina
I never go to Europe without a pashmina but it is a handy extra layer for Winter visitors and can also be used as a scarf.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter.
Best Shoes for Malta
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for Malta whatever time of year you visit.
They can cope with the warmer weather (if you pick a light weight and breathable pair) while also being good for your feet on uneven surfaces and even near beaches.
Note: if you plan on doing any longer length hikes then you may need hiking shoes.
However we do recommend wearing sneaker socks with them to reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Sandals
Sandals are a definite must for Malta and Gozo in the summer. However due to the terrains you encounter I would pick a pair with arch support and without a heel. I quite like the Teva brand as an all round sandal for sightseeing.
Espadrilles or wedges are a great evening shoe choice particularly for nicer restaurants in towns.
Flip Flops (Optional)
Flip flops are not good for walking, especially on the steep terrains such that you get in altawever if there is space in your case you may want to pack a pair of flip flops for round your hotel pool, the beach or near the blue lagoon and boat trips.
Water Shoes (optional)
Water shoes are optional depending on which part of Malta are visiting as there are both sandy beaches and rocky coves on the island. For rocky beaches such as St. Peter’s Pool I would definitely take water shoes to protect your feet.
What Else to add to your Malta Packing List
Sun Cream / Sunscreen
No matter when you traveling you will need sun cream with you. We recommend getting a high SPF, we recommend SPF 50 for Summer
Aloe Vera
No one wants to get burnt on vacation but just in case we recommend packing aloe vera / aftersun. Click here to shop aloe vera / aftersun
Lip Balm with SPF
Although it is very important to protect your skin from the sun, it is also important to protect your lips. For this reason we recommend packing a lip balm with SPF. Our current favorite lip balm with SPF is Sun Bum. Click here to shop lip balm with SPF.
Toiletries
You will always be able to get toiletries on arrival in altar toiletries packing list will give you a quick overview of things you may want to pack if you have space in your case.Click here to shop the best shampoos and conditioners for tropical climates.
Also when looking at packing makeup remember to pack waterproof mascara afor if you plan to use the pool.
Beach Bag
For use around the pool and at the beach .
Camera
Malta is beautiful so you will want a camera with you.
Travel adaptor
If you are traveling from the US or Uk, or anywhere outside of Europe then please note the plug sockets are not the same. Be sure you pack a travel adaptor with you. We like a universal type as this will work wherever you travel.
Click here to shop travel adaptors.
Mosquito Repellant (for summer and shoulder seasons)
Malta does get mosquitos so be sure to add some insect repellant to your packing list in summer.
FAQs About What to wear in Malta
So now you know what to wear in Malta season by season we will answer some of your more specific questions.
What to wear in Malta at night?
Malta is still relatively casual in the evenings. Therefore we recommend sticking with a maxi dress for going out at night in Malta.
If you can dress it up with an accessory such as a pashmina or some costume jewellery, it will make it a great day to night transition piece.
Do I need a jacket in Malta?
If you are visiting Malta Summer then a jacket likely won’t be necessary however if you are visiting in Winter or one of the shoulders seasons I would recommend packing a jacket. In April and October for instance, a lightweight one such as a denim jacket will be fine. However in Winter a heavier weight jacket is likely to be needed.
Are there mosquitos in Malta?
Malta does get mosquitos. They don’t tend to be dangerous however an irritant if you get bitten. Therefore we recommend packing insect repellant and some long sleeve tops and trousers if you are visiting during mosquito season.
Do you have a question about what to wear in Malta that we haven’t answered? Drop us a comment below and we will do our best to answer.