This island with turquoise sea is one of the warmest places to visit in Europe this autumn

If you’re considering a trip to Europe this fall and wondering if it’s already too late for an off-season dip in the Mediterranean, or sipping red wine al fresco with breathtaking vistas, we’re here to tell you that not all hope is lost.

While it is true that the leaves have turned amber in most places and that Pumpkin Spice Latte has made its annual comeback in Old Town cafes, there An European island still memories of the summer.

With average autumn temperatures of 22°C, the small Mediterranean country of Malta is one of the warmest places you can visit across the pond right now. And believe us when we say: you have never seen water so clear.

The warmest European island this season

Malta, an archipelago south of Sicily, is the perfect off-season beach getaway if you’re not ready for the change of season.

For starters, the autumn period here is a lot milder than in other parts of the continent, due to Malta’s southern location: if you think about it, it’s almost halfway between Europe itself and the coast of Africa, so it’s usually hit hard by any Saharan heatwaves coming from the south.

Then there’s the fact that Malta is a very dry, almost desert-like landmass: there are no rivers, vegetation cover is minimal, and last year it only registered 69 days of rain– if we break it down into heavy precipitation with, say, more than 20mm of rain, that’s an even lower 10-20 days.

Autumn temperatures in Malta reach average as high as 76°Fwhile the average minimum temperature, generally observed in the evening, is a pleasant 63°F.

A postcard-ready capital with a small-town feel

Summer temperatures and minimal rain aren’t Malta’s only advantage this season: in case you’re not familiar with the country, it’s packed with ancient sights, baroque cities frozen in time and heavenly beaches that look like a postcard.

Of course there is no Malta without Valletta compact port capital. The smallest capital of the European Union, with an area of ​​just 0.24 square kilometers, is a hilly maze of narrow streets with colorful covered balconies.

Located on a pedestrianized Republic Street, St. John’s Co-Cathedral is richly decorated with gilded ceilings and intricate carvings, and houses Caravaggio’s masterpiece The beheading of Saint John the Baptist.

If you are passionate about history, you cannot miss this one Grand Master’s Palace from the 16th centurythe historic seat of the Knights of St. John, who founded Valletta. It now houses the office of the President of Malta, but tourists are still welcome to visit the museum.

Along the edges of the walled city, the Upper Barakka Gardens offer fantastic views of Malta’s heavily fortified Grand Harbor and the ‘Three Cities’ in the distance. It also features grandiose memorials, shaded walkways and ornate fountains.

Medieval towns abound

Speaking of the ‘Three Cities’, they are a trio of historic municipalities that now form one conurbation, located across the Grand Harbor from Valletta.

The eldest of them, Vittoriosa was the original seat of the knights before Valletta was built. Senglea is scenic and more relaxingwith the Gardjola Gardens providing a particularly good vantage point over the capital. Finally there is Cospicuaa doubly fortified city with imposing coastal walls.

It doesn’t stop there: Malta is littered with well-preserved medieval ‘cities’; Technically they’re all small towns, but let’s play along here.

Mdina, known as the ‘Silent City’is completely surrounded by walls and a moat, and intersected with cobbled alleys leading to hidden patios. Just outside Mdina, Rabat has Roman-era catacombs, traditional Maltese houses and local cafes.

Everyone has heard of the ‘Three Cities’, but many tourists know Malta’s ‘Three Villages’: Lija, Balzan and Attard, all elegant old towns dominated by Baroque domes and characterized by an almost unchanged medieval street scene.

Beach hopping in October? Why not?

October (and early November) are perfect for beach hopping around Malta, as the summer crowds have completely disappeared, the water temperatures are still pleasant enough for swimming and you have most of the beaches all to yourself.

This also applies to Golden Bay, perhaps Malta’s most popular sandy beach due to its… crystal clear waterMellieħa Bay, a rivaling stretch of sand with family-friendly shallow seas, and of course Malta’s iconic ‘Blue Lagoon’:

However, something you should know is that Malta is not a one-island country.

It consists of three major landmasses: Malta itself, the largest island and main administrative center, Gozo, the second largest island, and Comino, an islet that is not permanently inhabited, located between the other two.

The Blue Lagoon is located in Comino and you have to book a boat trip to get there. Happy, they run all year roundas tourists come from all over the world, regardless of the season, to marvel at the impossibly turquoise waters of this natural pool.

Discover Malta’s smaller, lesser-known sister

When it comes to Gozo, it is a destination in itself, with many unspoilt coves and swimming coves to explore, and many more ancient settlements to be discovered.

Ferries to Gozo depart from the North Maltese port of Ċirkewwa, and the crossing to Mġarr port takes approximately 25 minutes. From Mġarr there are regular buses to Victoria, the capital of Gozo, and a fortified citadel with a baroque cathedral in the middle.

Other island attractions not to be missed include Xaghra, the site of a prehistoric archaeological site, and Nadur, an inland town with Maltese family businesses. trattoria and ocher buildings, and Ramla Bay, famous for its red sand beach azure blue, warm water.

Autumn temperatures on the island of Gozo are similar to those in neighboring Malta, only slightly cooler. Average high is 73°F, average low is 63°F, and only a few rainy days, mostly light showers throughout the season.

Direct flights from the US to Malta will start in 2026

Starting next year, Americans will be able to fly non-stop to Malta for the first time in more than two decades. You read that right: no more stopovers on mainland Europe.

Delta Airlines have announced that they will serve Malta International Airport (MLA), the country’s sole access point, from their JFK base from June 7, 2026.

Flights will take place three times a week, and will operate through October of the same year, on a wide-body Boeing 767-300ER.

This will make Malta much more accessible, and within easy reach of American holidaymakers looking for a sun-drenched cultural getaway.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.