Malta in March 2026

The poppies come first.

Sometime in late February, the Maltese countryside quietly turns green. By the first week of March, the transformation is complete. Wild red poppies push through cracks in 400-year-old limestone walls. Purple asphodels line the footpaths above the Dingli Cliffs. Tiny yellow daisies colonise every untended corner of every village.

This is not the Malta that appears on Instagram in August. And almost nobody writes about it.

March : The Month Nobody Books

Why shoulder season is the smartest move you’ll make this year

Malta receives millions of tourists a year. The vast majority arrive between June and September, when daytime temperatures regularly crack 35°C and the limestone cities hold heat long after dark. Hotel prices peak. Restaurant reservations become a competitive sport. The Hypogeum sells out months in advance.

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March gets a fraction of that traffic.

Average highs sit around 17°C — warm enough to eat outside every lunch, cool enough to walk all day without wilting. Roughly seven hours of sunshine per day. The countryside, parched to beige by June, is at peak green. You can visit Ħaġar Qim with six other people instead of six hundred.

Flights from most European cities cost a fraction of peak fares. Apartment nightly rates drop significantly. If you ask a local when to visit, most will say October. The smarter ones say March.

Here’s the part most travel guides skip: March 2026 has a genuinely strong calendar — a 5,000-year-old solar alignment, a three-night flagship song festival, and a national holiday with harbour boat races — all in a single month.

What’s Actually Happening

March 2026’s event calendar, date by date — what’s scheduled, what’s worth your time

March in Malta isn’t just shoulder-season scenery. The month packs genuine cultural weight — religious feasts, arts festivals, sporting events, and one of the most extraordinary archaeological experiences available anywhere in Europe. Here’s what’s listed for 2026, in chronological order, with any softer items clearly marked TBC.

St. Patrick’s Day — 17 March

Malta has one of the largest Irish and British expat communities in the Mediterranean, and they do not let this day pass quietly. St. Julian’s and Sliema turn into a sea of green from mid-afternoon. Pubs along the Strand and Paceville overflow onto the pavement. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, it’s good fun — and it falls on a Tuesday night in 2026, so pace yourself if you’ve got a full week of sightseeing ahead.

Feast of St. Joseph — 19 March (Public Holiday)

This is proper, old-school Malta. The 19th is a national holiday, which means shops close, buses run a reduced schedule, and the pace of the island drops to a crawl. Head to Rabat, where the main celebration happens. A procession threads through the narrow streets — brass band marches that echo off the limestone, followed by fireworks that seem absurdly extravagant for a town this size.

Welcome to Malta. Every town has a fireworks budget that would make a mid-size city blush.

Mużika Mużika — 19–21 March

The Maltese Song Festival. Three consecutive nights of live performances backed by a full orchestra, showcasing original compositions in Maltese. Even if you don’t understand a word, the production value is impressive, and it’s a genuine window into contemporary Maltese culture that most tourists never encounter. Held at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali — easy to reach by bus from anywhere on the island.

Spring Equinox at Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra — 19–22 March

This is a bucket-list event. Full stop.

Mnajdra is a megalithic temple complex on Malta’s southern coast, built roughly 5,000 years ago — predating Stonehenge by centuries. During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the rising sun sends a beam of light directly through the main temple doorway, illuminating the inner chamber with precision that would impress a modern surveyor. Whoever designed this alignment did it with stone tools. We still don’t fully understand how.

Heritage Malta runs a special programme across multiple mornings at both Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra. Numbers are strictly limited. Start with the official Heritage Malta March listings (the 2026 calendar PDF) and book as soon as the ticket links go live.

Heritage Malta 2026 calendar (official source)

— Standing in a Neolithic temple at dawn, watching a solar alignment that’s been repeating since before the pyramids were built — that’s not tourism. That’s time travel. —

La Valette Marathon & Half Marathon — late March (TBC)

A certified marathon with a coastal route and a brilliant atmosphere. The finish-line buzz in the Three Cities is worth the ferry ride even if you’re not running. The exact 2026 organiser page and confirmation link are not included in this guide yet, so treat the date as TBC until the official race site publishes the 2026 details.

Freedom Day & National Regatta — 31 March

March goes out with a bang. Freedom Day marks 31 March 1979 — the departure of the last British military forces from Malta. There are official ceremonies and military parades, but the real spectacle is the traditional regatta in the Grand Harbour. Brightly painted dgħajjes — traditional Maltese rowing boats — race across the water while supporters from each competing town line the Valletta bastions and make an extraordinary amount of noise.

Watch from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Arrive early. The view of the Three Cities across the harbour, with dozens of racing boats cutting through the water below you, is one of the great free spectacles in Malta.

What Else Is On

The Malta Biennale 2026 opens on 11 March and runs through May, with contemporary art exhibitions at heritage venues across Malta and Gozo — Fort St. Elmo, the Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu, and sites you’d never otherwise visit. If you have even a passing interest in contemporary art, this transforms the entire trip.

Teatru Manoel has a strong March programme too — an adaptation of Orwell’s 1984 (6–15 March), a Miles Davis tribute concert (22 March), and an MPO orchestral night (27 March). And the Gaulitana music festival launches on Gozo from 28 March, running into April with concerts and recitals across the island.

Meanwhile, smaller village feasts pop up across Malta most weekends throughout March, with street food, fireworks, and brass bands. Ask any local and they’ll point you to whatever’s happening that week. Check our Calendar of Cultural Events in Malta for the full confirmed 2026 listings.

If you’re travelling with family, our Best Things to Do in Malta With Kids guide covers which of these events work well for younger visitors.

Spring, Not Summer

An honest breakdown of what March weather actually feels like on the ground

March in Malta is spring. Proper spring. Not the warm-beer-on-the-beach fantasy that summer visitors picture, but not the grey damp of northern Europe either.

Average daytime highs hover around 17°C, dropping to roughly 11°C at night. When the sun’s out and you’re sheltered from the wind — sitting in an inner courtyard in Mdina, or on a south-facing café terrace in Valletta — it feels genuinely warm. You can eat outside comfortably for every lunch.

But once the sun dips or the north-westerly picks up (and Malta is a windy island), you’ll want a layer.

Rain happens. March typically brings a handful of showery days, but don’t let that number alarm you. We’re talking short, sharp showers rather than all-day drizzle. A morning downpour often clears by lunch. Carry a compact umbrella and a light waterproof layer, and you’ll barely notice.

The sea? Too cold for most. Water temperatures hover around 15–16°C. You’ll see a few hardy locals doing their daily dip at the rocks in Sliema at 6am. Unless you’re one of those cold-water types, save the swimming for May.

Beyond the Events

What to do with the days between the headline events — the stuff that makes a trip feel real

Events fill specific evenings and mornings. The rest of your trip is where March genuinely outperforms summer. Everything is accessible. Nothing is overcrowded. The light is extraordinary.

Hike the Victoria Lines

A 12-kilometre fortification line built by the British across the full width of Malta, running along the Great Fault escarpment. In March, the path is flanked by wildflowers, the air is cool enough for a proper walk, and the views from the ridge — farmland dropping away below, sea visible on both coasts — are the best on the island. Half a day. Zero cost.

Valletta Without the Cruise Ships

Valletta in August is an oven full of day-trippers. Valletta in March is a living city with room to breathe. Take the ferry from Sliema, walk the length of Republic Street to Fort St. Elmo, and give yourself at least an hour inside St. John’s Co-Cathedral. The two Caravaggio paintings in the oratory — The Beheading of St. John the Baptist is the only work Caravaggio ever signed — are worth the flight to Malta on their own. Find a window seat at one of the cafés on Strait Street. In March, you’ll actually get one.

Gozo Day Trip

The ferry from Ċirkewwa takes 25 minutes and deposits you on a quieter, greener island. Ggantija Temples are even older than Mnajdra. Ramla Bay has red sand and, in March, virtually nobody on it. The Citadel in Victoria offers 360-degree views. Pack lunch, hire a car or use the hop-on hop-off bus, and make a full day of it.

The Promenade Walk

Gzira to Sliema to St. Julian’s, following the coastline. One of the best free walks in Malta. Start on the Gzira waterfront with the Valletta skyline across the harbour, trace the rocky coast past Sliema’s bathing spots, and end at Spinola Bay where painted luzzu boats bob next to waterfront restaurants. In March the promenade is perfect — warm sun, no humidity, locals jogging, a few cats claiming the best rocks.

This is everyday Malta. No ticket required.

Mdina and Rabat

The old walled capital. In March — especially around St. Joseph’s feast on the 19th — Rabat comes alive while Mdina stays eerily quiet. They call it the Silent City for a reason. Walk the bastions at sunset. The views toward the coast are extraordinary, and in spring the surrounding countryside is that impossible shade of green that photographs never quite capture.

Manoel Island

Connected to Gzira by a short bridge, Manoel Island is a strange, fascinating pocket — an 18th-century fort, crumbling quarantine buildings, and some of the best sunset views on the island. It’s one of the few places in Malta where you feel like you’ve stumbled somewhere genuinely forgotten. We’ve written a full Manoel Island guide if you want the history and the walking route.

Most of the above works best with a base on the central east coast — close to the ferry, the promenade, and the bus network. Which brings us to the accommodation question.

The Gzira Argument

Why the neighbourhood most travel sites ignore is exactly where you should be

Most first-time visitors default to Sliema, St. Julian’s, or Valletta. They’re fine choices. But if you want to experience Malta as a place people actually live — not a resort backdrop — let me make the case for Gzira.

Gzira is a residential town. Not a resort zone. Not a tourist trap. You’ll hear Maltese on the streets, shop at the same supermarkets as locals, eat at restaurants where the menu isn’t designed to separate cruise passengers from their money. The seafront promenade runs along the harbour with one of the best view in Malta: the entire Valletta skyline reflected in the water, lit golden at night.

Practically, the position is hard to beat. Sliema is a five-minute walk. The Sliema–Valletta ferry — ten minutes from your door — is fast, scenic, and practically a sightseeing trip in itself. Buses connect to everywhere on the island. You’re near the University of Malta, close to Manoel Island, and within walking distance of more restaurants and cafés than you’ll manage to try.

The real advantage? Quieter and more affordable than its neighbours. Same location. Less markup.

If you want a local’s experience rather than a hotel lobby, our designer 2-bedroom apartment puts you right in the heart of Gzira — seafront nearby, private balcony, full kitchen, dedicated workspace with high-speed WiFi, and a small outdoor patio. Recently renovated with designer interiors, it sleeps up to 5 and has a ★4.74 rating from previous guests. Works for couples, families, or remote workers spending a week or two in the spring sun.

Why It Works for March

Walking distance to the Sliema–Valletta ferry — skip waiting for buses on rainy mornings. Quieter than Sliema or St. Julian’s, with the same waterfront access. Dedicated workspace and fast WiFi for remote workers chasing the shoulder-season sweet spot. And shoulder-season pricing — significantly less than peak summer rates for the same apartment.

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Disclosure: This is our own apartment. We link to it because we think it’s genuinely excellent for visitors, not because we earn commission on the links above — the booking links go directly to the platforms.

Getting There, Getting Around

Flights, buses, ferries, and what a week actually costs

Flights

Malta International Airport (MLA) has direct connections from most major European cities. Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and several other carriers operate year-round routes. From London, you’re looking at roughly three hours. Shoulder season often means cheaper fares — book a few weeks out and you can sometimes find excellent deals.

Transport on the Island

Malta’s public bus network (Tallinja) covers the entire island. A 7-day Explore card costs €25 for unlimited travel on standard routes — it doesn’t cover tallinja Direct express services, but you’re unlikely to need those. Buses aren’t always punctual. They are cheap and go everywhere.

The Sliema–Valletta ferry is fast, scenic, and essentially a sightseeing trip with a practical purpose. For flexibility, Bolt works well for taxis and is generally cheaper than traditional cabs.

Car hire is an option, but for a week in March, buses plus the occasional Bolt will serve you well. Malta’s roads are narrow, signage is creative, and parking in Valletta or Sliema is an exercise in optimism.

What It Costs

Malta sits in mid-range European pricing territory. A meal at a decent restaurant runs €15–25 per person. A glass of local wine is €3–5. Coffee is around €2. Admission to most heritage sites is €10–15. Staying in an apartment rather than a hotel saves money on two fronts: lower nightly rates, plus the ability to cook breakfast and the odd meal at home.

Five Days, Based in Gzira

A sample itinerary that orbits the waterfront — adjust freely, March doesn’t punish spontaneity

This is how I’d spend five days in Malta in March, using Gzira as a base. It’s a suggestion, not a commandment. Half the joy of March is that nothing feels rushed and nothing requires advance booking — with the notable exception of the Mnajdra equinox.

Day 1 — Arrive and Slow Down

Land, drop your bags, resist the urge to cram in sightseeing. Walk the Gzira seafront promenade as the sun drops. Watch Valletta light up across the harbour. Find a table at one of the waterfront restaurants — something simple, maybe a ftira (Maltese flatbread) with tuna and capers and a cold Cisk.

You’re on island time now.

Day 2 — Valletta

Walk to Sliema ferry terminal — ten minutes from Gzira. Take the boat across. Start at the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the harbour panorama.

Work through the city: St. John’s Co-Cathedral is non-negotiable (give yourself an hour inside, minimum). Strait Street for lunch — it’s gone from the old red-light district to one of the coolest café strips in the Mediterranean. Fort St. Elmo if you have energy. Ferry back to Sliema for sunset.

Day 3 — Mdina, Rabat, and a Gzira Evening

Bus to Mdina — direct from Valletta or change in Mosta. If it’s near March 19th, Rabat will be buzzing with St. Joseph’s feast preparations. Follow the sound of brass bands. Explore the Silent City, walk the bastions, eat pastizzi at Crystal Palace in Rabat. It’s an institution. Head back to Gzira for the evening and try one of the local restaurants you spotted on your promenade walk.

Day 4 — Gozo or the South Coast

Option A — Gozo. Early bus to Ċirkewwa, ferry across, explore Ggantija Temples, the Citadel, and Ramla Bay. Back by evening.

Option B — South Coast. Blue Grotto boat trip (sea conditions usually fine in March), Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Temples — especially powerful if you’re there near the equinox. Marsaxlokk for a late seafood lunch by the harbour.

Day 5 — Manoel Island, Sliema, and Farewell

Morning walk across to Manoel Island. Explore Fort Manoel, find a quiet spot on the rocks, let the place settle into you. Stroll into Sliema for last shopping or a final coffee on the front. Farewell dinner somewhere you’ve been meaning to try all week.

Common Questions

Quick answers to what people actually search for

Is Malta warm enough in March?

Yes — comfortably so for sightseeing, walking, and outdoor dining. Daytime highs are typically around 17°C with about seven hours of sunshine per day. You’ll want a light jacket for evenings and the occasional breeze, but you won’t be cold during the day.

Can you swim in Malta in March?

Technically yes, but sea temperatures hover around 15–16°C. Most visitors wait until May. You’ll see some locals doing it — they’ve been doing it all winter — but for most people March is a walk-the-coast month, not a swim-in-the-sea month.

Is Malta busy in March?

Much less than summer. March is shoulder season, which means significantly fewer tourists, lower prices, and shorter queues at major sites. Specific events like the Mnajdra equinox sunrise can sell out, but otherwise you’ll have room to breathe.

What’s the best area to stay in Malta in spring?

For first-time visitors who want a local feel with easy access to Valletta, Sliema, and the bus network, Gzira is hard to beat. It’s quieter and more affordable than Sliema or St. Julian’s, with the same waterfront and a five-minute walk to the ferry. See our full breakdown above.

Malta in March doesn’t sell you the beach holiday fantasy. What it offers instead is better — a real, lived-in Mediterranean island at its most beautiful and least crowded. The poppies are blooming in the limestone cracks. The temples are empty at dawn. And you’re sitting outside, eating ftira, wondering why you ever booked a July holiday anywhere.

Planning a March trip? Our Gzira apartment is booking now for spring 2026.

— ManicMalta.com