Why You Should Visit Malta for Christmas (Plus These Other Mediterranean Destinations)

While much of mainland Europe’s daylight is cut to just six to eight hours per day, Malta still sees approximately 10 hours in December. Located farther south than parts of Tunisia, Malta enjoys an incredibly temperate climate (December sees plenty of days above 60 degrees) and around 300 days of sunshine.

Communities across Malta’s three inhabited islands -- Malta, Gozo, and Comino – pull out all the stops for their Christmas decorations and celebrations. Churches get decked out in Christmas trimmings and flowers, while homes and churches create their own Nativity scenes. It’s a popular Maltese pastime to walk from house to house to view these elaborate displays that include handcrafted designs and mechanically-operated figurines. Malta’s capital, Valletta, sees the most Christmas grandeur. Christmas carols can be heard through Valletta’s pedestrian streets and public squares, which are adorned with extensive lights and garlands. Other highlights include the Manoel Theatre’s comedic pantomime shows and the incredible Christmas decorations at the St. John’s Co-Cathedral.

Aside from the Christmas revelry in Malta’s cities and towns, the archipelago is teeming with natural wonders and outdoor activities. Though it might be a bit frigid for swimming at the beach, Malta’s world-class diving sites are still very much accessible. Malta has created several artificial reefs by sinking decommissioned boats, such as the MV Karwela ferry wreck off Gozo and the Um El Faroud oil tanker off Malta. Malta boasts naturally occurring spectacles underwater, too, like the Blue Hole and double arch cave. The archipelago’s ancient history is on full display at numerous archaeological sites. Visitors can descend into the subterranean necropolis of Hypogeum, which dates back to approximately 3600 to 3000 B.C. Hypogeum’s rooms and passageways were painstakingly carved out of the rock face, which kept them hidden until 1902. Today, the underground chambers are protected by UNESCO, so visitation is limited to 10 people per tour and eight tours per day. Above ground, Hagar Qim and Mnajdra comprise Malta’s well-preserved prehistoric temples. The beauty of these megalithic structures is further enhanced by their position on dramatic sea cliffs.




Where to Stay in Malta

Situated on the legendary Côte d’Azur, Nice’s mix of French and Italian influences coupled with its coastal beauty have been drawing visitors for centuries. Although summer is high season, Nice is France’s fifth-largest city, and thus, its seaside promenades, streetside cafes, and museums are lively throughout the year. While visitors will likely find the December temperatures in the mid-50s to be a respite from winter, expect the locals to be fashionably bundled up and in full winter garb.

Nice’s Place Massena is the center stage for its Christmas festivities. On December 1, the square transforms into a Christmas village, including chalet-style market vendors, an ice-skating rink, plenty of lights and garlands, and carnival rides. Nearby, the swaying palm trees along the famous seaside Promenade des Anglais are strewn with lights.

Aside from the Christmas celebrations, Nice has plenty to entertain visitors for a lengthy holiday visit. Old Nice’s maze of narrow, winding lanes contains plenty of shops, bars, cafes, and the Cours Saleya market square. The bustling market is divided between a food and flower market. The former sells fresh produce, delicious cheeses, freshly baked bread, and local specialties, while the latter offers blossoms sourced from the surrounding countryside. On Mondays, the Cours Saleya transforms into a flea market, where local vendors hawk trinkets, art, and other crafts.

Nice boasts an impressive selection of art museums, including the Marc Chagall National Museum, Musée d’Art Moderne, and the Musée Matisse. The latter houses a collection of Henri Matisse’s work in a stunning 17th-century Genoese villa, located across the Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez from the artist’s grave. Finally, no visit is complete without ascending the winding steps (or taking the free lift) up from the east of Old Nice to Colline du Château park. Here, you’ll find the best views over the city and surrounding hills.

The Hotel Beau Rivage

Dubrovnik continues to top travel bucket lists, thanks to ongoing buzz from “Game of Thrones.” It even issued daily visitor limits to combat overtourism. December, however, falls well outside the high season, meaning that visitors will be spared from waiting in lines and jostling for space in Dubrovnik’s compact city center. Cooler temperatures will likely rule out the beach, but the brisk weather makes exploring the city’s walls and fortresses more pleasant than in scorching July and August.

Additionally, December sees an explosion of local festivities and holiday pageantry that transforms the less crowded, but still lively, streets. Dubrovnik’s marvelous historic buildings are enhanced by laurel wreaths on gateways and arches, while twinkling lights are strewn above alleyways and outdoor cafes.

The city’s main thoroughfare, Stradun, is consumed by booths selling traditional delicacies, mulled wine, and crafts, while side streets lead away from the crowds to smaller restaurants and boutiques. On Christmas Eve, locals gather at the steps of the gorgeous City Council Palace to hear the mayor deliver a speech before caroling from home to home. Croatia is predominantly Roman Catholic, so plan to arrive early to attend a packed midnight mass.

Take advantage of Old Town’s Christmas spectacle from a cozy room at the Hotel Stari Grad

Greece’s largest island, Crete, encapsulates remarkable landscapes and centuries of rich history. Although it’s an increasingly popular summer destination, crowds and prices drop off significantly during winter. Crete’s interior White Mountains reach heights of 8,000 feet, allowing for a stellar hike in the morning and a relaxing stroll along white-sand beaches in the afternoon. Crete’s beaches and crystal-clear water could be easily mistaken for the Caribbean, especially Elafonisi, palm-fringed Vai, and the vast Tymbaki beach. Other top options include the black-sand Agia Roumeli, Balos beach and lagoon, and Matala for its sandy shoreline and hidden caves. For the holidays, base yourself in the seaside town of Chania on the northwestern coast. Unlike many of Crete’s smaller beach towns, Chania’s Old Town bustles year-round. Narrow lanes lead between Venetian and Turkish-style townhouses, many of which have been converted into boutique shops and trendy eateries.

The Serenissima Boutique Hotel

Like Crete, spending the holidays in Corsica means you can ski and soak up the winter sun on the beach. Given the island’s southerly location between mainland France and the Italian island of Sardinia, many outsiders are unaware of Corsica’s diverse topography. The coast is fringed with palm trees, striking rocky outcrops, and an impressive selection of sandy beaches. However, rugged mountains constitute the majority of Corsica. A total of 20 peaks tower more than 6,500 feet over the shimmering azure sea. Corsica’s ski season, which typically spans December through April, is characterized by powdery snow due to the warm surrounding climate. The islands have two main ski resorts, Val d’Ese and Ghisoni Capanelle, both of which feature lifts and several trails. Val d’Ese is located roughly an hour by car from the port town of Ajaccio, while Ghisoni Capanelle is best accessed from the east coast. Regarding holiday festivities, Corsicans typically celebrate at home with family, so there isn’t much for visitors to partake in. That being said, it’s a great time to explore this uniquely independent island and its phenomenal scenery without the summer bustle.

Perched above the town of Bonifacio, A ChedaYou’ll Also Like:

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