Don’t Visit Malta in the Summer. Here’s Why You Should Visit in the Fall Instead
In college, I lived in Malta for a year. About a month into my stay, my study abroad advisor took me to an annual festival in Birgu, called Birgu Fest. Every October, the entire medieval town of Birgu, also known as Vittoriosa, turns off its electricity and is illuminated by candles in this magical event. It was hands down the most magical memory of my entire year there. So much so that I went back in 2019 with my husband—and it was just as lovely as I remembered.
Plus, fall means fewer crowds and warm (but not too warm) weather in Malta, making it an excellent event to plan a trip to this underrated Mediterranean island around.
This year Malta’s Birgu Fest, is happening this October 10 + 11th — and it’s not too early to start planning.
What to expect from Birgu Fest
The festival, as expected, comes alive after dark, when attendees arrive and begin walking through the medieval gates. There are no tickets or admission for the festival, but there will be vendors selling snacks and other items (bring cash). The main square of the town is the center of the action, but you’ll want to veer off into side streets to discover even more—art installations, music, film, and other performances. I once came across a trio of violins playing in an old stone house with the windows and doors open. Another time, we were invited in to tour the inside of an abandoned home. And it’s exactly this unexpectedness and “who knows what you’ll find?” that makes this event so memorable.
Getting to the festival: If you’re staying in Valletta, take the water taxi across from the near The Harbor Club to the Birgu Waterfront.
It’s another 10-15 minute walk from there, but still far faster (and more scenic) than battling traffic on the ground.
Plan your trip
Okay, so you decided to visit Malta in October. Now for planning the rest of your trip:
➛ Other things to do in Malta
The festival is only during the evening, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore other parts of Malta too. If you’re there for a few days (which I’d recommend) tack on an overnight trip to Gozo and hike, rock climb, or go scuba diving on Malta’s second smallest island. You also won’t want to miss spending a day in the medieval town of Mdina or explore the capital and UNESCO World Heritage site, Valletta, after dark.
➛ Can’t-miss places to eat
I’ve got a full list of Malta recommendations in this curated Google Map list, but if you’re short on time or just want a few highlights, some places I wouldn’t miss are:
Coffee at Lot 61 and traditional Maltese pastizzi next door at Manuela
Fresh seafood lunch at Tartarun
A traditional Maltese dinner at Legligin
In Valletta, sit outside with a cocktail at Cafe Society or G&Ts at Yard 32.
Ferry across the harbor for drinks on a boat at Guadalupe.
➛ Where to stay
Valletta Vintage
If you’re only there for a few days, make Valletta your home base with a stay at the luxurious boutique hotel, Casa Ellul, ultra-luxurious Phoenician, or one of the apartments at Valletta Vintage. Valletta Vintage also has properties in Birgu, which make getting to and from the festival even easier. Whichever you choose, try to book a room with a traditional Maltese balcony.
➛ Packing tip
Bring a light jacket and a hat—this time of year gets windy in Malta. And of course, pack a good pair of walking shoes and a small bag (Birgu Fest gets crowded). I’d generally recommend packing light as well, to make dealing with elevator-less apartments and tiny rental cars on Gozo a bit easier.
Related: The Complete Travel Guide to Malta
➛ Getting there
There aren’t any direct flights from the U.S. Fly through Rome or Paris and tack on a night (or two) in one of these cities.
➛ Take this trip
Want to take this trip? Save all of my Malta recommendations instantly in your Google Maps app with this curated Google Map list. Or get in touch and I’ll plan (and book) everything for you.
