Things to Do in Valletta in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Valletta
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Fewest crowds of the year - major attractions like St. John's Co-Cathedral and Grandmaster's Palace have 70% fewer visitors than summer months, meaning no queues and better photo opportunities
- Perfect walking weather for exploring the fortified city - cool temperatures of 10-15°C (49-60°F) make the steep limestone streets comfortable for hours of exploration without overheating
- Carnival season brings authentic Maltese celebrations - February features traditional village feast preparations and pre-Lenten festivities that locals actually participate in, not tourist shows
- Lowest accommodation prices of the year - boutique hotels in Valletta average €80-120 per night in February versus €200-350 in peak summer, with better room selection and upgrade opportunities
Considerations
- Unpredictable weather requires flexible planning - 10 rainy days means outdoor walking tours get cancelled or become uncomfortable, especially with wind gusts reaching 40 km/h (25 mph)
- Limited ferry services to Gozo and Comino - rough seas cancel boat trips 3-4 days per week in February, making island hopping unreliable for short visits
- Shorter daylight hours restrict sightseeing - sunset at 6:15 PM means only 9.5 hours of daylight for outdoor exploration compared to 14 hours in summer
Best Activities in February
Underground Valletta and Wartime Shelters Tours
February's cool, damp weather makes underground exploration ideal - you'll stay dry while discovering the 16th-century tunnels beneath the city. The Lascaris War Rooms and St. Paul's Catacombs maintain constant temperatures of 18°C (64°F) year-round. Fewer tourists mean intimate group sizes of 8-12 people versus summer crowds of 25+.
Palace State Rooms and Armoury Extended Visits
Cool February weather makes the unheated palace rooms comfortable for extended viewing - summer visitors rush through due to stuffiness. You'll have the Throne Room and tapestry halls nearly to yourself. The Knights' Armoury displays are better lit in winter months for detailed examination of 16th-century weaponry.
Traditional Maltese Cooking Workshops
February is fenkata season - rabbit stew preparation workshops use fresh ingredients from winter hunting season. Indoor cooking sessions are perfect for rainy days, lasting 3-4 hours with hearty meals ideal for cool weather. Local families offer authentic experiences in traditional Valletta townhouses with original kitchens.
Upper Barrakka Gardens and Saluting Battery Experience
Clear February air provides exceptional harbor views extending 20 km (12 miles) to Dingli Cliffs. The daily cannon firing at noon draws smaller crowds - arrive 15 minutes early for front-row viewing. Cool temperatures make the 15-minute walk from city center comfortable, and gardens provide wind shelter during gusty days.
Casa Rocca Piccola Private Palace Tours
This lived-in noble palace offers intimate winter tours with the Marquis family actually present - they winter in Malta and personally guide February visitors through rooms closed to summer crowds. Central heating makes Victorian-era rooms comfortable, and family stories span 400 years of Maltese history.
St. John's Co-Cathedral Extended Art Study
February's smaller crowds allow extended viewing of Caravaggio's masterpieces - you can study 'The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist' for 20-30 minutes uninterrupted. Cathedral heating makes the ornate interior comfortable for detailed examination of floor tomb art spanning 375 individual marble memorials.
February Events & Festivals
Carnival of Malta Valletta Celebrations
Traditional Maltese Carnival features elaborate floats parading through Republic Street and authentic village competitions. Unlike tourist-oriented summer festivals, February Carnival involves genuine local participation with families crafting costumes for months. Evening torch-lit processions through Valletta's narrow streets create magical atmosphere.
Feast of St. Paul's Shipwreck Preparations
St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral and local parishes begin elaborate feast preparations visible throughout February. Traditional banner-making workshops in parish halls welcome respectful visitors. Street decorations appear mid-month, and you'll witness authentic community involvement in Malta's patron saint celebration.