Seasonal · Malta

How to walk a dog through a Maltese summer

June to September in Malta means limestone pavements that hit 60°C in midday sun, narrow streets with no shade, and the legal definition of unsafe walking hours running from roughly 12pm to 4pm. Here is the schedule Maltese walkers actually use.

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The Maltese summer reality

Maltese summer is hotter than most Mediterranean owners realise. The combination of low humidity, intense sun reflecting off limestone, and narrow streets without tree cover means pavement temperatures regularly climb above 60°C between noon and 4pm. A dog walked at that time gets paw burns within minutes and overheats quickly, especially short-snouted breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs) which are popular in Sliema and St Julian's expat households.

The Commissioner for Animal Welfare advises against walking dogs between 12pm and 4pm in summer, and this rule is reinforced by most Maltese vets. Petme walkers follow it without exception.

The right schedule

Morning walk: before 9am. The earlier the better; pavement is still cool from the night, and shade is available even on inner-harbour streets. This is when most Maltese walkers do the longer daily walk (30-60 minutes).

Lunchtime: skip. If your dog cannot wait, a short toilet break in shade is fine, but no real walking. Office-hour Maltese owners often switch to a Petme drop-in visit for the lunchtime toilet break in summer.

Evening: after 7pm, ideally after 8pm. The pavement cools faster than the air. Most walkers do a short evening loop around the local block.

The pavement test

Before any summer walk, press the back of your hand flat against the pavement for 7 seconds. If you cannot hold it, the dog's paws cannot either.

Limestone holds heat much longer than tarmac. Even at 7pm, parts of a south-facing Maltese street can still be too hot. Walk on the shaded side, switch sides at junctions, and avoid open squares (Sliema Strand, Valletta Republic Street midday) where the sun has been baking down for hours.

Frequently asked

FAQs

What hours should I avoid walking my dog in Malta?
Avoid walking between approximately 12pm and 4pm from June to September. Walk before 9am and after 7pm instead. The Commissioner for Animal Welfare advises against midday summer walking.
How hot does the Maltese pavement actually get?
Limestone surfaces in direct midday sun routinely exceed 60°C in July and August. Paw burns happen within minutes of contact. Use the 7-second back-of-hand pavement test before every summer walk.
What if my dog refuses to walk at 7am?
Build the habit gradually in May before the heat sets in. Most dogs adjust to early walks within a week. Use the lunchtime drop-in visit for a toilet break in shade if the morning walk is short.
Are there shaded routes in Sliema and St Julian's?
Yes, but they're narrow. The Sliema seafront promenade has shaded benches on the inland side. Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay have palms providing partial shade. Most other streets are exposed; plan around the shaded routes in advance.
Can a Petme walker handle the lunchtime drop-in instead?
Yes. Switching the lunchtime walk to a 30-45 minute drop-in visit (feeding, water, brief toilet break, photo update) is the standard Maltese summer pattern for office-hour owners.

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