Mdina gives you a calm escape, and its weather shifts gently through the seasons. That makes it appealing pretty much all year.
The best time to visit Mdina for comfortable weather is late spring through early summer, from mid-March to early June. During these months, temperatures feel warm but not too hot, and rainfall stays low. That creates ideal conditions for wandering the city’s narrow streets and soaking up the historic sites.
If you like warmer days, late summer or early fall works too. Highs can reach the upper 80s Fahrenheit, but evenings cool down enough for pleasant walks.
Winter brings cooler temperatures and more rain. Still, the city stays mild compared to much of Europe, so it’s quieter and usually more affordable then.
Knowing how Mdina’s climate changes through the year helps you pick the right balance between weather, crowds, and cost.
Maybe you want clear skies for sightseeing, or cooler air for peaceful strolls, or just fewer tourists in the streets. The timing of your trip really shapes your experience.
Understanding Mdina’s Climate
Mdina has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, hot summers, and moderate rainfall that comes and goes throughout the year.
You’ll see clear seasonal changes in temperature, sunshine, and rainfall, and those really shape the best times to explore.
Mediterranean Climate Overview
Mdina sits inland on Malta, but its weather mirrors the wider Mediterranean vibe.
Summers last long, feel sunny, and stay dry. Winters get cooler and wetter.
You’ll notice warm temperatures most of the year. Only a couple of months feel truly cool.
Rain doesn’t spread evenly. Most of it falls between late autumn and winter, while summer barely sees any.
Humidity stays fairly high all year, usually between 69% and 79%. Winds pick up more in the cooler months.
Sunshine is abundant, especially in summer, which makes outdoor sightseeing a breeze for most travelers.
Year-Round Weather Patterns
Mdina’s weather shifts gradually through the seasons, not in wild swings.
Summers, from June through September, get hot and dry. Daytime highs often climb above 28°C.
Rain barely shows up during these months, and skies usually stay clear.
Autumn brings more rain, especially in November, but temperatures still feel pleasant for walking and sightseeing.
Winter, from December to February, cools down with highs around 15–16°C. Rain happens more often, but snow just isn’t a thing here.
Spring warms up fast. May and June offer mild temperatures and lower rainfall. You get comfortable weather and longer daylight hours, which lots of visitors love because it’s not peak summer heat.
Temperature and Rainfall Trends
Average daytime temperatures in Mdina range from about 16°C in February to 28°C in August.
Nights get cooler but rarely cold—lows hover around 13°C in winter and 26°C in late summer.
Mdina gets about 439 mm of rain per year, but it doesn’t fall evenly. December brings the most, with around 79 mm across 13 rainy days. July? Almost no rain at all.
Sunshine hours swing a lot. In July, you’ll see about 12 hours of sun per day. December drops to only 5 hours.
This seasonal contrast really affects when outdoor activities feel best.
Best Time to Visit Mdina for Ideal Weather
Mdina’s climate stays mild for much of the year, but some months stand out for comfortable temperatures, longer sunshine, and less rain.
If you want to explore the city’s historic streets without sweating through extreme heat or dodging heavy showers, timing your visit can make all the difference.
Optimal Months for Pleasant Temperatures
The most comfortable time to experience Mdina is late spring and early autumn.
May, June, September, October, and November bring daytime highs between 21°C and 26°C. That’s warm enough for sightseeing, but not oppressively hot.
July and August can get up to 28–31°C, which might feel a bit much if you’re planning long walks in the walled city.
Winter months like January and February drop to 15–16°C. That’s still mild compared to many places, but it’s cooler for outdoor dining or evening strolls.
If you want steady warmth without the extremes, aim for late May or early October. These months give you comfortable days and cooler nights, so you can enjoy both daytime tours and evening views.
Sunshine and Rainfall Considerations
Mdina gets plenty of sunshine, especially in summer.
July averages about 12 hours of sun per day. December falls to just over 5 hours.
This variation can impact how much time you’ll want to spend outside.
Rainfall stays pretty low overall, with an annual average of 439 mm.
December is the wettest month at around 79 mm, while July is almost completely dry.
Autumn months like October and November bring some showers, but they rarely last all day.
For dry, sunny days, June and July are your best bet. If you want a mix of sun and the occasional cooling rain, September and October work well.
Bringing a light jacket or umbrella in autumn helps you stay comfortable during brief showers.
Seasonal Weather Highlights
Each season in Mdina brings something a little different.
- Spring (March–May): Mild days, fewer crowds, and blooming landscapes.
- Summer (June–August): Hot temperatures, long daylight hours, and almost no rain.
- Autumn (September–November): Warm but not too hot, with some rain and plenty of sunshine.
- Winter (December–February): Cooler, wetter, and quieter, with highs around 15–16°C.
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Mdina if you want pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and reliable sightseeing.
Summer is perfect for sun-seekers. Winter works for those who want a calmer atmosphere.
Seasonal Breakdown: Mdina Weather by Month
Mdina’s climate stays mild most of the year, but temperature, rainfall, and sunshine hours shift enough to change how you experience the city.
Warm months bring long, sunny days. Cooler periods offer comfortable sightseeing with fewer crowds.
Spring: March to May
Spring in Mdina feels mild and pleasant. Daytime temperatures usually climb from about 16°C in March to around 23°C by May.
Nights stay cooler, averaging between 11°C and 15°C. That’s great for walking the narrow streets without the heat of summer.
Rainfall drops as spring goes on. March still sees a few showers, but by May you’ll only get a little rain.
Sunshine increases, reaching about 9 hours per day in May.
Humidity stays moderate, and winds ease up compared to winter. These conditions make spring a good time for sightseeing, photography, and day trips.
If you want fewer tourists, March and April are quieter. May starts to get busier as the weather turns warmer and drier.
Summer: June to August
Summer is the hottest season in Mdina.
Daytime highs climb to 28°C in August, and nights stay warm at around 22–26°C.
Humidity drops compared to winter, but the heat can feel pretty intense during midday.
Rainfall is almost nonexistent. July is the driest month, and June and August barely see any rain either.
Sunshine peaks at over 12 hours per day in July, so you get long, bright days.
Sea temperatures also hit their warmest, around 25–26°C, which is perfect if you want to mix your visit with some coastal trips.
Winds stay light, so evenings feel still and warm.
Crowds reach their peak in summer, especially in July and August.
If you visit during these months, plan your sightseeing early in the morning or late in the afternoon to dodge the strongest heat.
Autumn and Winter Weather in Mdina
Mdina goes through mild autumns with warm days that cool off as winter gets closer.
Rain becomes more common in late autumn. Winter brings cooler temperatures, shorter daylight hours, and higher humidity.
Autumn: September to November
Autumn in Mdina starts off warm in September, with daytime highs around 27–29°C.
By November, temperatures slide down to about 20–22°C. Walking the city’s narrow streets feels comfortable throughout the season.
Nights cool off gradually, from 21°C in September to about 15°C in November.
Rainfall picks up as autumn goes on. September can bring sudden showers, and November averages 70–76 mm of rain spread out over more days.
You’ll get a mix of sunny spells and cloudy periods.
Sunshine hours drop, from about 9 hours per day in September to closer to 6 hours in November.
That means shorter sightseeing windows, but the milder weather makes up for it.
Humidity levels stay moderate, usually between 70–75%, so the air can feel a bit damp on cloudy days.
Light jackets or layers come in handy, especially in the evenings.
Winter: December to February
Winters in Mdina feel mild compared to northern Europe.
Daytime highs usually sit between 15–17°C, and nights dip to around 10–12°C.
February is often the coolest month, with average temperatures near 16°C by day and 13°C at night.
Rainfall peaks in December, averaging 75–80 mm across about 12–13 rainy days.
Showers are often brief but can be heavy. January and February stay damp, but rainfall drops a bit compared to December.
Sunlight gets limited in winter, with just 5–6 hours per day.
Combined with higher humidity—often 75–79%—the air can feel cooler than the numbers suggest.
Winds also pick up during this time, averaging 4–5 m/s, especially in exposed areas.
A windproof layer is a good idea if you plan to explore the city’s higher spots.
Tourist Seasons and Crowds in Mdina
Mdina draws visitors all year, but the number of tourists changes with the seasons.
Weather and holiday schedules both affect how busy the city feels.
High and Low Tourist Seasons
The peak tourist season in Mdina runs from June to August.
Warm weather, long daylight, and summer holidays bring the most visitors. The narrow streets can get crowded, especially in the afternoons when tour groups show up.
Accommodation prices usually rise with demand.
The low season falls between December and February.
Fewer travelers visit during these cooler months, and you might find the city almost empty at night.
Temperatures stay mild compared to northern Europe, but rain showers happen more often, and some outdoor dining spots close early.
The shoulder seasons—spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November)—offer a middle ground.
Tourist numbers drop compared to summer, but the weather remains pleasant.
These periods often provide a calmer experience without losing comfort.
Balancing Weather and Visitor Numbers
If you want both good weather and manageable crowds, the best time to visit Mdina is usually in May, June, September, or October.
Daytime highs average between 20°C and 26°C, and rainfall stays pretty low.
These months give you comfortable conditions for walking tours and sightseeing.
Visiting in late spring or early autumn means you can enjoy Mdina’s quiet streets without the peak-season crowds.
Restaurants and attractions stay open, but you won’t have to compete with big groups.
For travelers who crave solitude, winter brings the most peaceful atmosphere.
You’ll need to be ready for shorter daylight hours and a higher chance of rain, though.
By weighing weather against visitor numbers, you can pick the season that fits your travel style.
Comparing Mdina’s Weather with Valletta and Other Maltese Cities
Mdina and Valletta sit just a few kilometers apart. Their different settings create some small, yet noticeable, changes in daily weather.
Other Maltese towns, especially those along the coast, show their own quirks in temperature, rainfall, and wind. These differences might end up affecting your travel plans more than you’d expect.
Valletta Weather Differences
Valletta sits right on the coast. Mdina, on the other hand, stands inland and higher up.
Because of this, Valletta usually feels more humid and breezy in summer. Mdina, being tucked away, stays a bit warmer at night and doesn’t get blasted by strong coastal winds as much.
You’ll probably notice stronger sea breezes in Valletta. They can feel great on a hot day, but those winds also make the evenings feel a bit chillier.
Mdina’s higher spot shields it from those sea winds. So, the weather there feels steadier and doesn’t change as much from hour to hour.
Rainfall patterns look almost identical since both cities share the same Mediterranean climate. Still, coastal clouds sometimes hit Valletta first and bring showers before drifting further inland.
Sunshine hours? They’re basically the same, with just a tiny difference in cloud cover.
Key contrast:
- Mdina: more stable, slightly warmer nights, less wind
- Valletta: breezier, more humid, cooler evenings
Regional Climate Variations
When you look at Mdina and Valletta compared to other Maltese cities, the big differences really come down to altitude and how close you are to the sea. Sliema and St. Paul’s Bay, both coastal towns, usually feel warmer in summer. That’s mostly because of the extra humidity, honestly.
Gozo sits farther north, and you’ll probably notice it gets a bit windier up there. Mdina’s inland spot keeps it away from sea spray and that salty air, so the air feels noticeably drier than in Valletta or the resorts along the coast.
If you’re not a fan of humidity, you might find Mdina more comfortable, especially during July and August. Rainfall totals across Malta don’t change much—usually somewhere between 430–480 mm per year.
Still, rain tends to hit coastal areas first. Towns like Mdina, sitting inland, get showers a little later. The coast also enjoys a bit more sunshine, but honestly, the difference isn’t huge.
Quick comparison:
- Mdina: drier air, stable conditions
- Valletta: coastal breezes, higher humidity
- Other coastal cities: warmer summer feel, more humidity
- Gozo: windier, slightly cooler evenings