Why Digital Nomads Choose the Off-Season
Off-season = Golden season
In short: Malta's Off-Season
- Making friends: Socialising with long-term expats and locals
- EU & flights: Inside the EU • Zero VPN issues • Cheap Ryanair tickets
- Off-season events: Notte Bianca • Regatta events • Festivals & Carnival
- Coastal trails: Perfect hiking weather • Greener landscapes
- Cost savings: Monthly rental discounts • October to April rates
- Weather: Zero heating bills
In October, Northern Europe enters the grey-autumn-mode. It’s getting dark early, people stop having drinks and dinner outside. And depending on where you live you may even have to switch on your heating. At crazy gas prices :-(
Those who work remotely are lucky to be able to move South for a few months. Malta is still wonderful in autumn and winter.
The summer crowds are gone, the water is still warm (until mid-November) and clearer than in summer. I use to snorkel more often in the off-season actually.
Meeting people
After-work drinks in Ta' Xbiex
Socialising is surprisingly better in autumn. If you go for after-work drinks, you meet people who live here long-term. Connecting with Maltese is much easier now.
Areas like Gzira, Sliema and Valletta still have enough life, even in November and January. The iGaming and fintech people are still around.
Inside the EU
Malta has a legal advantage because it's inside the European Union. Many companies are strict about your login location and require an EU base (and VPN) for tax compliance and IT security.
And some employers specifically offer 90-days-remote-programmes within the EU only.
Flights
When you need to fly back to Germany, the UK, or northern Europe for occasional meetings, budget airlines like Ryanair often have tickets starting at around €25-35.
In summer, flying out for a spontaneous meeting can quickly cost a (painful!) €200 one-way.
Coastal Trails
Coastal path from Sanap Cliffs towards Xlendi (31st of January shot)
In summer you usually begin to sweat after a couple metres walking in the sun. In winter it is more enjoyable.
The countryside actually turns green because of the autumn/winter rain.
Sannap Cliffs
Sunny day in January
I usually go for hikes at Riviera Beach, Il-Majjistral (both in the Northwest) or Delimara and Marsaskala (both in the South).
And sometimes I even spend a weekend in Gozo, especially when the nightly rates drop to the bare minimum.
Off-Season Events
These are some of the events that I like during the off-season:
Notte Bianca (October)
Rolex Middle Sea Race (October)
Birgu by Candlelight (October)
Carnival (February)
Freedom Day Regatta (March)
Gozo Half Marathon (April)
Accomodation
Staying somewhere for a few months normally costs a fortune. But from October to April hosts drop their monthly rates quite a bit.
If you need tips on where to stay for a few months, send us a message on instagram!
Author: Bjorn
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