For visitors who are looking for a warm destination for a Christmas break in December, Mellieha in Malta is a great choice. Although it is not the warmest time of the year at this destination, it is still a pleasant climate compared to the cold winters of the north of Europe. Similar in temperature and rainfall to nearby Crete in Greece, the resort has around 3 hours of sunshine each day, which is the lowest of the whole year. The length of each day is generally constant throughout the month, with sun rise at around 7am and sunset at around 5pm most days.
The average temperature at Mellieha is cooler in winter at 140C, and those looking for a warmer destination should consider visiting this resort in the hotter summer months such as July. On average, the high and low temperatures are from 110C at night to approximately 170C during the warmer days, so it can still be a very pleasant time of year to travel. The warmest December recorded at this resort was 250C, while the coldest temperature was 40C. Have a look at the up to date weather forecast before travelling to decide what clothes to pack.
The sea temperatures are a cool 180C at this time of year, so swimming is only for the bravest or most dedicated swimmers. Humidity levels are lower than at other times of the year, and range from 60% to 90% humidity. December is the wettest month of the year in Mellieha, with 112mm of rain falling over around 13 days of the month. The average probability of seeing rain this month is about 55%, with the most common forms of rain being moderately heavy showers or the occasional thunderstorm.
Cloud cover is fairly heavy now compared to the rest of the year, and on average is about 50% cover. This means there are still plenty of clearer days, with clear skies approximately 50% of the time. The winds are cold at times when blowing from the north, and can get quite gusty. The average wind speeds are around 1 m/s to 8 m/s with some windier days seeing up to 12 m/s winds.
Where to stay
Stay at the beautiful Ringway Villa in a Santa Maria Estate in Mellieha for luxury during the cooler December month. Featuring an indoor heated pool and games room, there is plenty to do to stay busy even in winter. There are three apartments available, with one two-bedroom and two three-bedroom units to choose from. The villas can be connected to provide a large villa that sleeps 16 people. Air-conditioning is available at extra charge. The nearest beach is Mellieha beach, about a 5-minute drive away, and it is within walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars. This is a great option for a large group or family looking for a Christmas break.
Galea's apartments located in nearby Qawra, consists of an elegantly furnished apartment and provides free Wi-Fi in rooms. Situated just 400m from the sea and 10km from the beautiful sandy Ghadira Bay, this is a lovely property to take a group of friends or family as it sleeps up to six people. Pets are welcome in this resort, and units have separate bedroom and living area, a fully equipped kitchen, air-conditioning, flat screen TV and fan. It is close to all the activities in the area, and the hosts can help visitors to arrange excursions and car hire.
A great place to stay in winter is Apartment Azzure Waters, with free Wi-Fi throughout and a modern style. This property is located 2.5km from St Paul's bay, with a private sea view terrace for evening drinks, and two separate bedrooms. The apartment also features a living area with flat screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering, and pets are allowed. There is also heating for the cooler winter nights in the area. Bike hire is available for guests who want to explore during their stay.
Things to do
For active visitors, the Ghadira Nature Reserve is a beautiful area next to Mellieha's sandy beach that was designated as a bird sanctuary in 1978. Open from November to May, this reserve is of significant ecological importance with its wetlands and saltmarshes, which are both rarities in Malta. This is a 6-acre area that is a haven for migrating birds and many rare and protected flora are also found here. Guided tours are available during the months the park is open to visitors, and volunteers will act as your guide along the paths and help visitors spot the many flora and fauna in the park.
For kids of all ages, December is a great month to visit the Popeye Village which is located at the gorgeous Anchor Bay. This was the setting of the 1980 musical "Popeye" starring Robin Williams and was originally known as Sweethaven village. Today it is the most visited family attraction on the island, and has year-round activities such as boat rides, cartoon characters, water trampolines, free wine tasting, and food and drink outlets. There are also indoor play areas for colder days, and at Christmas, the area gets festive with Santa's Toy Town.
Eating and drinking out
If looking for a great place to eat, in the town of Mellieha, try the Cross Keys restaurant. This great Italian restaurant owned by two brothers serves delicious dishes such as pasta, pizza, meats, seafood and vegetarian options, in a relaxed and friendly ambience. Suitable to take the whole family or just go with friends, there is superb value for money, and generous portions to be had when dining here. If you're not feeling hungry, just head there for a couple of drinks in the bar and enjoy the casual surroundings and views over the town.
Worth searching out while staying in Mellieha is the Il-Bottegin restaurant for its tasty food and friendly service. This restaurant serves international dishes such as pizza, barbecue ribs, pasta as well as a great selection of appetizers and desserts. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, so if weather permits in December, diners can choose to sit out on the terrace overlooking the town. This is a very popular restaurant with both locals and visitors and you will leave feeling like you are part of the family.
If visitors are looking for something other than Maltese or Mediterranean cuisine, try the Benjawan Thai restaurant for some authentic Thai food. Offering great value for money and delicious food, this restaurant has a great selection of rice, noodles, curries and stir fries for everyone to enjoy. The portions are large but if feeling hungry, go for the four-course set menu, which will leave you full and is a great deal. There are a range of starters, mains and desserts to choose from and diners will love the spicy, fragrant flavours of Thailand during their stay in Malta.
