Things to Do in Valletta in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Valletta
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Shoulder season pricing drops significantly - accommodation costs typically 30-40% less than summer months, and you can often negotiate walk-in rates at mid-range hotels if booking last minute
- The Mediterranean sun is still strong enough for outdoor dining and walking tours (19°C/69°F highs feel genuinely warm), but you're not dealing with the oppressive 35°C+ (95°F+) heat that makes July afternoons unbearable
- Cruise ship crowds thin out dramatically - you'll actually be able to photograph St John's Co-Cathedral interior without 200 people in your frame, and Upper Barrakka Gardens becomes peaceful again
- Local cultural calendar heats up as residents reclaim their city - you'll find authentic village festas, theater performances in Maltese at Manoel Theatre, and the Malta International Arts Festival often extends into early November
Considerations
- Rain arrives unpredictably and those 10 rainy days can disrupt outdoor plans - when it rains in Valletta, the steep limestone steps become genuinely slippery, and there's limited covered walkway space in the historic center
- Seawater temperature drops to around 21°C (70°F), which is cold enough that most tourists skip swimming entirely, and some beach clubs around Malta close for the season
- Daylight hours shrink to about 10 hours daily by late November, meaning sunset hits around 4:45pm - this compresses your sightseeing window and affects golden hour photography timing
Best Activities in November
Fortification Walking Tours Around Historic Valletta
November weather is actually ideal for the 5-7 km (3.1-4.3 miles) walks around Valletta's bastions and fortifications. The cooler temperatures mean you can comfortably walk the entire circuit from Fort St Elmo to the Lower Barrakka Gardens without overheating, and the softer autumn light creates beautiful photography conditions along the honey-colored limestone walls. The crowds at major viewpoints like Upper Barrakka are noticeably thinner than summer, so you can actually take your time. Rain is the only wildcard - those limestone steps get slick when wet.
Three Cities Harbor Tours by Traditional Boat
The Grand Harbour is magnificent in November - calmer seas than summer months make traditional dgħajsa boat rides much more pleasant, and you avoid the intense sun glare off the water. The view of Valletta's fortifications from water level is genuinely spectacular, and touring Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua by boat lets you cover more ground than walking. November's softer light is perfect for photography. That said, bring a light jacket as it gets breezy on the water, and tours occasionally cancel if rain comes through.
Museum and Cathedral Circuit During Rainy Spells
Valletta packs an impressive concentration of museums within a compact 0.8 sq km (0.3 sq miles), making it perfect for those inevitable rainy November days. St John's Co-Cathedral is the crown jewel - Caravaggio's largest painting is here, and November means you can actually appreciate it without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. The National Museum of Archaeology, MUZA art museum, and Casa Rocca Piccola all provide 2-3 hours of indoor exploration each. The cooler weather also makes the non-air-conditioned historic buildings more comfortable than summer visits.
Mdina and Rabat Day Trips
November is arguably the best month to visit Malta's former capital, 20 minutes inland from Valletta. The Silent City is genuinely silent in November - you'll have medieval streets nearly to yourself on weekday mornings. The 19°C (69°F) temperatures make the uphill walk through Mdina's narrow streets comfortable, and the surrounding countryside turns green after October rains. St Paul's Catacombs in Rabat stay a constant cool temperature year-round, making them perfect rainy-day backup plans. The bus ride from Valletta costs just 2 EUR each way.
Traditional Maltese Cooking Experiences
November brings seasonal ingredients that define Maltese cuisine - fresh lampuki (dorado fish) is at its peak, and you'll find ftira (Maltese sourdough) and pastizzi at their best in cooler weather when bakeries are more active. Hands-on cooking classes typically run 3-4 hours and include market visits to Merchant Street or the Marsaxlokk fish market. The indoor nature makes them perfect for rainy afternoons, and you're learning from locals during their actual cooking season rather than tourist-focused summer months.
Gozo Island Full-Day Exploration
The ferry crossing to Gozo is noticeably calmer in November than summer months, and the island's rural character really shines when tourist crowds thin out. The Azure Window may be gone, but Dwejra Bay, the Citadel in Victoria, and Xlendi Bay are all more enjoyable without peak-season crowds. November's green countryside (after October rains) makes the scenic drives between sites particularly beautiful. The 25-minute ferry costs just 4.65 EUR return and runs year-round, though sea conditions occasionally cause delays.
November Events & Festivals
Feast of Christ the King
This moveable feast typically falls in late November and brings processions and celebrations to various parishes across Malta. While not as elaborate as summer village festas, you'll see genuine local devotion and traditional band marches. Worth experiencing if you're interested in Maltese Catholic culture beyond the tourist sites.
Malta International Arts Festival Extension
While the main festival runs through October, programming often extends into early November with theater, dance, and music performances at venues like Pjazza Teatru Rjal and Spazju Kreattiv. Check the festival website closer to your dates - this is when you'll see work by Maltese artists rather than purely international touring productions.