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Averages for Malta in November

Weather lowdown

November is typically one of the wetter months of the year Malta. There can be considerable variation from one November to the next, depending on how frequent and how far south the low pressure systems are. Some Novembers end up very wet (the wettest was that of 1999 with 383mm) while others are largely rain-free. There is a mean monthly precipitation total of 80mm, spread over a mean of 11 days per November with measurable precipitation, so during an average holiday it will rain on one day in every three.

Rainfall in Malta is generally heavier and shorter-lived than in northern parts of Europe, and consequently, sunshine totals are still quite high, in spite of the rainfall. There is an average sunshine total of 183 hours during November which equates to just over 6 hours per day, which is not far off what many parts of north-western Europe experience during the summer months.

Novembers are generally mild, though not hot, with a mean daytime maximum temperature of 20°C at Luqa Airport and a mean minimum of 14°C overnight. Temperatures in excess of 25°C are occasionally recorded when a burst of southerly winds brings hot air up from northern Africa, but temperatures in excess of 30°C do not occur in November. The hot, dry and dusty sinoco wind occasionally crops up during October.

Humidity is generally high thanks to the surrounding seas, with a mean relative humidity of 77%. The sea temperature fall to an average of 21°C during a typical November, which is swimmable, but rather on the cool side.

Dates for the diary

The International Choir Competition and Festival is a musical event focusing on choirs, performing in numerous churches and concert halls across Malta. It attracts choirs from all over the world and spans three days.

The 11th November is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, which is celebrated at the village of Baħrija and boasts feasts of nuts and fruits, with many traditional recipes served in bags.

Things to do

There are many good historical sites of interest in Malta that are worth a visit. St. John’s Co-Cathedral at St. John Street, Valletta boasts spectacular architecture inside the main area of worship, and is open from 09:30 to 16:30 on Mondays to Fridays and 09:30 to 12:30 on Saturdays. The church has a number of tapestries and there is a book shop that also sells souvenirs for tourists. Photography is permitted provided that no flash is used. The Oratory is recommended for a visit, which includes two works by the artist Caravaggio.

Mdina Old City boasts good views of the surrounding area, and a wide range of old, attractive buildings and souvenir shops. There is a cathedral inside the main square, and the Mdina Dungeons and the National History Museum of Malta are located inside the city. To get the most out of visiting Mdina Old City, a guided tour is recommended, or The Mdina Experience, which is an audiovisional show, which give a good account of the history of the place.

The Point at Tigne Point, Sliema is a highly-rated shopping centre, which houses a wide range of traditional shopping stores such as Debenhams and Fotovision Imaging Int., and the centre arranges special party events which are particularly tailored towards children. The premises also contains restaurants, some of which boast good views over the sea front. The building has three floors and has approximately 1000 car parking spaces.

Where to eat & drink

Malta has many excellent restaurants, and regardless of your tastes, chances are they will be catered for. The Arches, at George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha, is a good option for French, Mediterranean and international options, and it is also highly-regarded for serving excellent wines. Fans of seafood can consider Wigi’s Kitchen, situated at Main Street, Saint Julian's, which also serves some good international and Italian food alongside various varieties of good seafood.

Trabaxu, located at 1 Triq id-Dejqa/Strait Street, Valletta, is a high quality wine bar which also serves Mediterranean snack food, and plays mainly jazz/blues type music in the background, making it a particularly appropriate venue for jazz/blues fans hoping for a relaxing meal and chance to drink some good wines. A good nightclub is the Footloose Fun Bar, at St. George's Road, Paceville, Saint Julian's, which features a disco and dance area accompanied by traditional party music.

Hit the beach

November is not one of the better times of the year to hit the beach, for the weather is often quite wet. However, for those who fancy a beach stay, there is a limited selection of good beaches in and around Malta.

The beach at the Blue Lagoon is worth considering and is an excellent bet for exploration as it contains numerous coves and cliffs. The fairly secluded Ramla Bay on the island of Gozo hosts numerous snack bars for those after a trip to the island of Gozo.

Where to stay

Malta’s accommodation options are numerous and there are many good hotels to choose from. The Westin Draganora Resort at 5 Dragonara Rd, Saint Julian's boasts piano music in the bar on evenings, and some good breakfast buffets and a spa, making it a good all-round choice catering for a wide range of tastes. The Duncan Guest House at Xatt is Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk overlooks the fishing harbour at Marsaxlokk and features a good value restaurant on-site, which serves some high quality cuisine. The Corinthia Hotel St George’s Bay is situated on a peninsula close to Paceville and Silema making it ideally situated for access to the attractions at those centres.

Those on a tight budget can consider the Solana Hotel at Gorg Borg Olivier St, Mellieha, while there are also many good self-catering options in Malta, including the The Encarto Holiday Apartment.