Visiting Malta's Christmas Markets (from Newcastle)

This post was published in August 2026 and is based on a visit paid for by myself. As always, please check with venues direct for the most up to date information when making plans as info can change. 

My birthday is in December and the older I get, the more I hate the cold so I'm always looking for somewhere to escape the freezing depths of winter for a few nights if I can. One year we spent my birthday in Fuerteventura which was lovely and last year we did a day trip to Dublin Christmas Markets which weren't actually too chilly. 

This time though, I had to stick with Fri-Sun flights from Newcastle.

I used trusty Skyscanner to scope out the options and the best option which maximised our time away was Malta. It also happened to be the cheapest option. A Ryanair leaves Newcastle at 6:05am on Friday and leaves Valletta at 9:20pm on Sunday which means we will have a full 2.5 days to explore. 

Malta is actually fairly mild in December with average max daily temperatures of 16-18C. Not sunbathing weather but no frost, snow or below zero temperatures to contend with is good enough for me. It's also said to be pretty sunny in December and blue skies and sunshine always lift your mood. 

So.....what do we have planned? 

Accommodation 

Credit : Palais le Brun 

We have booked Palais le Brun which is a converted 17th Century Baroque Palace in the heart of Malta's capitol Valletta.

The hotel looks lovely with a rooftop bar/pool, original features & huge marble bathrooms plus a local breakfast included and some of the suites have hot tubs on their balcony with views over the city. Rooms are priced from around £170 for 2 people per night over December weekends. 

Day One - Christmas Cocktails & Fairyland 

We land in Malta at 10:45am and are going to hop in a taxi (around 20euros) to our hotel which should take around 20 minutes. We'll drop our bags and are then going to head on a little self-guided food and cocktail bar around Valletta. 

Credit : 1522 a Food Story 

On my list, I have local specialities of Rosette Pasta & Pinca from 1522 a Food Story on the famous Valletta steps, Kamy Cocktail Bar, Cafe Society and Bridge Bar but we will see where the afternoon takes us.  I am hoping some of the bars have Christmas specials on offer. 

Credit : Fairyland 

Then as the sun starts to set we are going to visit Fairyland Santa's City which is next to the main fountain in Valletta and a fairly commercial Christmas Market with food stalls in wooden huts, gifts for sale, live music, snow tubing, a big wheel, a carousel, ice skating, a ski bar, light displays, games, a Santa's Grotto and more.

I've also read that this market is one of the places you can try a traditional Maltese Christmas Drink - Imbuljuta tal-Qastan which is a thick chocolate, chestnut and christmas spiced drink. Sounds gorgeous and I hope I get to try some. 

There's also a Christmas Market and festive decorations by Valletta Waterfront with traditional gifts and crafts for sale and a lifesize Nutcracker so we will have a mooch if there's time. In previous years there has been a Christmas parade with Santa, music, characters, dancers etc...at 7:30pm so I am hoping this returns and we can catch it.

Day Two - Mdina & Rabut  (Christmas Cake & Traditional Christmas Market)

After a little lie in we will hop on the bus to Medina (takes around 25 mins and is 2euros each). Mdina is a fortified hillside city with just 240 residents and is like stepping back in time. It's known as the Silent City.

It was the primary filming location for the first season of Game of Thrones. We will probably visit the Cathedral here and there is a famous tea room (Fontenella Tea Garden) which is known for fantastic cakes and views. They usually serve Christmas treats in December so I'll be trying some of their homemade Yule Log, Baileys Cheesecake or a Mince Pie. 

Credit : Fontenella

Mdina is located directly next to the town of Rabut which is where the largest Christmas Market in Malta is held. Natalis Notabilis transforms the cobbled streets into a Christmas Village with over 100 stalls, a Nativity Trail & beautiful christmas lights and live music.

Credit : Natalis Notabilis

The streets are fairly narrow here and it does seem to get busy but I am hoping we will still enjoy it. The gifts for sale here are mostly traditional rather than mass produced and there's a chance to try traditional Honey Rings. 

We will catch a cab (Bolt is said to be best) or the bus back. 

Day Three - Marsaxlokk Fishing Village Sunday Market 

This isn't a Christmas Market as such but a regular market which takes place in this pictureque sleeping village every Sunday from 6:30am-2pm with the addition of Christmas treats and mulled wine for sale in December. You can catch a traditional vintage but there direct from Valletta for 2.5 euros and takes around 25 minutes which should be cute. 

The local stalls sell fresh fish straight from the boats, souveniers, jewellery, gifts & local treats such as honey and jam. I have my eye on a stall which makes hand-crafted traditional rings here. 

After the market we will enjoy lunch in one of the seafood restaurants which line the harbour and all serve the fish which has been caught that day. 

We'll catch a bus / cab back to Valletta and don't have any plans for our final afternoon yet. 

ALTERNATIVELY 

We may catch the ferry to Gozo on Sunday (fast ferry takes around 20 mins) and explore the island via the Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour. There's said to be another beautiful Christmas Market in Victoria and lots of pretty decorations too. 

I will of course update this post after our trip but it looks like it's going to be a nice mix of sunshine and festive fun.