Weather in Valletta in January

How January compares

January is the 11th warmest month of the year in Valletta and ranks 74th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Malta it is 3rd of 4 (Malta in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Valletta is 7.2°C warmer by day and 9.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Valletta peaks at 14.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.7°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 11.9°C; one night in ten drops to 9.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 18.8°C (2010-01-01) and the coldest night 6.2°C (2015-01-01).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 54 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2006 with 187 mm, the driest 2007 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 16.0°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.6°C to 16.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.7°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:12 and sets about 17:10 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 47%.

Is January a good time to visit Valletta?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Valletta on our scoring are July, June, August; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug, Sep.

Milder than London, but pack for cool weather

Valletta's average January daytime high is 7.2°C above London's 7.4°C, so the difference should be useful for a break spent walking around. Still, mild is the right expectation, not hot: even the warmest 10% of days reach only 16.7°C or more. Plan on trousers, comfortable closed shoes and layers you can adjust during the day. A jacket remains useful after dark, and the coldest 10% of nights fall to 9.5°C or below. January sits near the cool end of Valletta's year, so it suits travellers who prefer being active without summer heat more than those hoping to sit outside in light clothing all evening.

Leave room for rain in your plans

Rain is the main catch: January has about 9 rainy days, so a rigid outdoor itinerary is less sensible than plans you can rearrange. Pack a waterproof outer layer and shoes you would be happy wearing on wet streets. There is still useful daylight, with about 5.2 hours of sunshine out of 9.8 hours of daylight, but that does not promise clear skies throughout your stay. Put weather-dependent plans into the brighter spells and keep indoor time flexible. With daylight limited, it makes sense to start outdoor days promptly rather than leave most of your walking until late afternoon.