Malta Holidays

Diving holidays:

Malta is one of the best spots in the world to go diving, with diving schools available for first timers. With the typically clear, calm waters making Malta perfect for exploring fascinating shipwrecks, stunning reefs and captivating caves.

Things to do in St Julian’s:

• St George’s Bay – This bay is a popular area for tourists thanks to the sun, sea and sand! Plus, with cafes and restaurants nearby, you can easily spend the whole day here.
• Spinola Bay – Brimming with small boats, this picturesque bay is perfect for a meal out where you can enjoy the view as well as the cuisine.
• Balluta Bay – This bay brings about a bit more of action and adventure with it. Try diving as well as other watersports.

Things to do in Mellieha:

• Saint Agatha’s Tower – This fortress was built in the 17^th century, if you head to the top of it, you’ll get to experience stunning views of the Maltese islands.
• Parish Church of Mellieha – Built in the late 19^th century, Mellieha’s Parish Church has a beautiful exterior and interior which is well worth seeing.

Things to do in St Paul’s:

• Malta National Aquarium – Perfect for a family day out, discover a variety of fish, reptiles and amphibians.
• The Malta Classic Car Collection – Are you into vintage cars? Check out Malta’s display of restored vehicles from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s.

Best beaches in Malta:

• Golden Bay Beach – Situated in Mellieha, Golden Bay Beach is one of Malta’s most popular. You can find watersports as well as nearby restaurants and cafes.
• Mellieha Bay – The shallow waters here make Mellieha Bay a great choice for families. But you can also have a go at kayaking and water skiing too.
• Ramla Bay - A visit to Gozo requires a beach day at Ramla Bay. Bright blue waters and soft sands make this a picturesque day out.
• Blue Lagoon –  Comino’s Blue Lagoon is a must-see! Its sandy area is quite small but regardless, it’s a great place for a swim.
• Ghajn Tuffieha Bay – This smaller beach boasts red sands and very few people. So, it’s perfect for those seeking privacy.

An ideal destination for family holidays, Malta offers everything from family-friendly all inclusive resorts to fun-filled theme parks. 

Things to do in Malta with the kids:

• Mellieha Bay - The longest sandy beach on Malta, has clean, shallow waters which are ideal for the youngest travellers.
• Gozo - Older kids might enjoy Gozo, which is a world-renowned diving destination and the perfect choice for boating excursions.
• Mdina - Kids will also love the ancient archaeological sites dotted around Malta, as well as the historic battle re-enactments by costumed horsemen in the capital city of Valletta. Mdina is a stunning Medieval town and kids will love exploring the alleyways. The town also has excellent interactive museums portraying the diverse history of Malta. 
• National Aquarium - The kids can gaze at the tropical fish at the aquarium in St Paul's Bay. 
• Splash and Fun Water Park - The kids can let off steam on the water slides and pools.
• Qawra - With its busy but laid-back town centre, is great for a family holiday.

Top family friendly hotels:

• db Seabank Resort + Spa
• Seashells Resort at Suncrest
• Radisson Blu Malta St. Julian’s
• Hilton Malta
• db San Antonio Hotel + Spa

Holidays in Malta are perfect for romance: the historic towns of Valletta and Rabat are like gorgeous stage-sets, while Malta's picturesque coves provide the perfect setting for relaxation. If you fancy it, try a luxury holiday in Bugibba or Qawra in St. Paul's Bay.

Malta is a wonderful LGBTIQ holiday destination, having long ago legalised gay marriage, the gorgeous weather, stunning landscape, and friendly atmosphere make it a glorious wedding (and honeymoon) spot for every couple.

Active types will enjoy hiking, particularly in beauty spots like the Delimara Peninsula, where you can take a dip in the refreshing water of the St Peter's Pool. Why not explore the island's underwater treasures together? Gozo island is famed for its gorgeous marine life while neighbouring Comino is home to the Blue Lagoon. You can get the ferry from Cirkewwa (not far from Mellieha) on Malta and from Mgarr on Gozo.

Top hotels for couples:

• Solana Hotel and Spa
• Paradise Bay Hotel
• Ramla Bay Resort
• be.Hotel
• Grand Excelsior

Malta holidays are great when it comes to culture. The Maltese islands are home to the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum, a labyrinthine necropolis which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world. The magnificent megalithic ruins, scattered across the islands, also enjoy World Heritage status and include the oldest free-standing monuments in the world, the Ggantija on Gozo.

Waves of settlers have left their mark on Malta over the centuries, notably in the perfectly preserved capital Valletta, built by the Knights of St John and still ringed by the defensive walls. The fortress city of Mdina, now almost swallowed up by Rabat, was built by the Arabs and remains an alluring time-capsule full of handsome palaces and delightful squares. On Gozo, the capital Victoria is home to a mishmash of cultures, and there's plenty of towers, fortresses and chapels spread out over the island too.

Malta plays host to a series of vibrant festivals and events throughout the year. Highlights include the spectacular Malta Fireworks Festival (late April), the Malta Jazz Festival, held in Valletta's picturesque Grand Harbour in July, and the island-wide Malta Arts Festival, which takes place in late June/early July.

Traditional Maltese food:

If you’re after an authentic Maltese dining experience, take a stroll along St. Julians waterfront to sample the excellent fresh seafood in historic 18th-century buildings or out on sunny terraces. Victoria, on Gozo, is the main town and restaurants serve up Maltese treats like rabbit stew. Whilst, the seafront at Qawra is a buzzing spot to enjoy some seafood. Aside from that, you can expect kapunata (the Maltese ratatouille) and pastizzi (a pastry containing ricotta or mushy peas).

Top restaurants in Malta:

• Malata – Based in the Maltese capital of Valletta, you can enjoy a mixture of Mediterranean and French cuisine right outside of the Grand Master’sPalace.
• Fumia – The grand Manoel Theatre is also home to the Fumia Restaurant. They serve up Sicilian style seafood in a majestic setting.
• Rampila – Also in Valletta, Rampila has a tasty range of Mediterranean dishes including seafood, rabbit and cuts of steak.
• Dinner in the Sky Malta – 22 guests are taken above ground for an aieriel culinary experience, talk about dinner with a view!
• Palazzo Preca – Another hotspot for Mediterranean cuisine, the Palazzo Preca offers seafood options and local Maltese dishes, as well as a beautiful setting.

Food prices:

In Malta you can eat out according to your budget. You can have meals at cafes and small restaurants for a decent price. However, there are also high-end offerings with prices to match.

St Julian’s - Paceville in St Julian's is the epicentre of Malta's nightlife scene. Nights at St Julian's will include casinos and cocktail bars to Irish pubs and nightclubs, more than enough to keep visitors of all ages happy from dusk till dawn. The glittering marina is at the heart of the action, surrounded by a host of buzzing nightspots.

Qawra – Home to scores of vibrant pubs and with its busy town centre, you can easily reach other resorts along the coast.

Mellieha Bay – Featuring romantic restaurants and mellow bars where you can enjoy cocktails. Malta is an island of variety, and you’re bound to find something to suit you.

Great bars, clubs and restaurants in Malta include: 

• Havana
• Sky Club Malta
• Q Bar & Restaurant Malta
• Hugo's Lounge

How long is the flight time to Malta?

The average flight time to Malta is 3 hours from the UK.

Is Malta a winter sun destination?

Malta enjoys a sunny climate all year round, making it a great choice for a winter sun holiday!

When is the best time to visit Malta?

Between May and October the average daily temperature in Malta hovers between just below 25c and a shade over 30c, no wonder holidays in Malta are so popular. However, Malta is also a great winter destination, especially if you're looking for an active holiday. The winter months provide a much cooler temperature. The most rainy months in Malta are towards the end of the year, during November and December. 

Average high and low temperatures for each month are:

• January: 16° / 9°
• February: 16° / 9°
• March: 17° / 10°
• April: 20° / 12°
• May: 24° / 15°
• June: 28° / 19°
• July: 31° / 22°
• August: 31° / 22°
• September: 28° / 20° 
• October: 25° / 18°
• November: 21° / 14°
• December: 17° / 11°

Is there Uber in Malta?

No, Uber isn’t available in Malta. However, there is another app based service called eCABS.

How much are taxis in Malta?

Malta’s official taxis are white and are quite reasonably priced. A taxi from the airport to the capital Valletta could cost you around 15 Euros.