Malta is a magical all-year-round destination brimming with so much to see and do, whether you are discovering the island for the first time or embarking on new adventures on an exciting return visit.
The laid-back pace of this fabulous Mediterranean getaway makes it an ideal choice for a relaxing holiday, with the chance to visit a myriad of wonderful cultural and historical attractions, as well as immersing yourself in the island's spellbinding natural beauty and radiant sunshine.
Beautiful beaches, picturesque villages, wonderful shops, fine dining restaurants, vibrant nightlife and unrivalled hospitality are among the delights in this enthralling destination which is steeped in culture and history spanning more than 7,000 years.
Let's take a closer look at this idyllic haven of leisure, pleasure and entertainment to reveal why it's perfect for an unforgettable holiday experience.
Year-round appeal
Malta enjoys warm summers and mild winters, with more than 300 days of annual sunshine which make it an amazing place to visit any time of year.
The summer high season from June to August is a hugely popular time to holiday on the island, with around 12 hours of daily sunshine, minimal rain and daily temperatures around 31°C (88 F).
The shoulder seasons of March to May and September to October are also great times to visit Malta when you can avoid the crowds and marvel at the blissful beauty, incredible landscapes and superb attractions all around you, free of any hustle and bustle.
The winter season from December is also a wonderful time to holiday in Malta, with sunny and pleasant weather, stress-free sightseeing and spectacular Christmas attractions which include dazzling illuminations, colourful winter markets and colourful festivals.
Charming resorts
There’s a resort for every type of holidaymaker in Malta, from dreamy and romantic coastal retreats oozing tranquillity and beauty to lively seafront towns where you’ll find plenty of entertainment and nightlife.
Mellieha is home to golden sands beaches, ancient landmarks and glorious landscapes, while Golden Bay is a big hit with families, featuring a Blue Flag beach, huge dunes and inviting waters.
St George’s Bay is a popular area for swimming, sunbathing and water sports action, while the coastal town of Sliema, once the home of Malta’s aristocracy, boasts an 18th-century polygonal Fort and an impressive long waterfront.
Bugibba features golden sands and a lively town square and nearby Qawra is a quieter coastal village which is perfect for couples seeking some romantic time together.
For excitement and adventure, the resort of Paceville is a magnet for people who like to party with its pulsating clubs and bars, superb beaches and excellent leisure activities.
Enchanting Valletta
The island capital Valletta is a magnificent walled city which is home to epic Baroque architecture, grand palaces, opera houses and theatres, enthralling museums and top-class restaurants.
The UNESCO listed city will take your breath away with its beautiful churches, regal squares, unique art, jawdropping architecture and majestic palaces.
St John's Co-Cathedral is a truly stunning attraction with Baroque frescos, imposing statues, vaulted ceilings, ornate marble floors and carved stone walls.
Other must-see attractions in Valletta include Parliament Building, the domed Carmelite Church, Royal Opera House, National Museum of Archaeology, Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the striking Grandmasters Palace, with its incredible tapestries and captivating artwork.
The Grand Harbour is also well worth a visit and features the world’s oldest saluting gun battery still in operation, with a firing ceremony daily at midday.
Attractions galore
Key attractions away from the capital in Malta include the medieval fortified city of Mdina, the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra neolithic temples complex, the Tarxien Temples, Marsaxlokk fish market and Red Tower near Marfa.
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a fascinating excavated prehistoric burial site, the Blue Grotto near Zurrieq boasts sea caverns with intense blue waters and Popeye Village, originally built for the Robin Williams film, is a big favourite with families.
The alluring hilltop medieval town of Mdina offers the chance for a thrilling trip back in time, while a trip around the winery trail vineyards in Malta and Gozo offers the chance to sample some of their superb produce.
A short taxi boat ride will transport you to the beautiful islands of Gozo and Comino. Gozo is home to quaint villages, pristine beaches, the megalithic Ggantija Temples and the fortified city of Victoria, while Comino boasts incredible dive sites, a famous Blue Lagoon and amazing reptiles including the Moorish Gecko and Maltese Wall Lizard.
Sports and leisure
There’s no shortage of wonderful sports and leisure attractions in Malta, with a huge choice of activities to keep you healthy, active and entertained during your holiday.
A range of water sports include jet-skiing, flyboarding, water-skiing, wakeboarding, parasailing and kitesurfing. You can head into the inviting Mediterranean waters for snorkelling, scuba diving, banana boat rides and catamaran cruises.
A host of popular outdoor pursuits in Malta include mountain biking, golfing, canyoning, trail-running, ziplining, sailing, trekking, horse-riding and jeep safaris.
Getting around
Malta is blessed with a reliable and inexpensive public bus fleet which offers the perfect mode of transport for visiting the main cities, towns and villages.
Other options include hiring a car, motorbike or Segway, cycling, hailing an official white taxi or, if you are staying in Three Cities, you can get around by taking to a Rolling Geek self-drive electric car.
A ferry service operates from Valletta to Sliema, while water taxi, ferry or seaplane are options for visiting the islands of Gozo or Comino.
Beach bliss
Malta boasts fabulous sandy beaches, wonderful dive sites, historic wrecks and some of the cleanest waters in the EU.
The island’s largest sandy beach in Mellieha Bay is ideal for families with its shallow waters and extensive range of pursuits in the sea, Golden Bay is home to red sands and amazing sunsets, and Mistra Bay has a lovely sandy beach and delightful caves to explore.
St George’s Bay in St Julian’s has a great beach with plenty of fun on the sands, the Blue Lagoon on Comino island has a sublime sandy expanse and the terracotta-coloured sands of Gozo's Ramla Bay are out of this world.
Lively nights
There’s plenty of evening fun and entertainment in Malta, with pulsating nightclubs, lively beach bars and chic restaurants among the delights.
Paceville is an up-beat party spot, with glitzy clubs and bars, while Bugibba, Qawra and Sliema are also ideal for some fun-packed entertainment after dark.
Options for a more sophisticated night out include chic restaurants, live jazz music venues, excellent wine bars and you can also try you luck on the roulette tables at a range of casinos.
Food glorious food
Malta is a foodies’ heaven, with everything from excellent beachfront cafes to fine dining restaurants, including five with a highly-coveted Michelin Star rating.
Stuffat tal-Fenek is the island’s national dish which features tender cuts of rabbit that have been slow cooked with potatoes, red wine, garlic, onions, carrots and tomato puree.
Bigilla is a Maltese pasta made from mashed tic beans, garlic, parsley and other herbs, while other popular dishes include ratatouille-like Kapunata, Bragioli (beef olives) and Lampuki fish pie.
Imqaret are scrumptious sweet treats with a date filling, while prinjolata is a flavoursome sweet round cake.
Cisk lager is a popular beverage brewed in Malta since 1929 and much-loved local liqueurs include Limoncello, Bajtra Bajtra and Hanini Digestiv.
Shoppers’ paradise
You’ll discover everything from traditional street markets to high-end shopping malls in Malta, with endless opportunities for some retail therapy.
The island’s main malls include Embassy Shopping Centre, Bay Street Shopping Complex, The Plaza Shopping Centre and The Point Shopping Mall.
For a flavour of local life you can visit a range of bustling markets including the Farmers' Market, Birgu Flea Market and Ta’ Qali crafts village.
Discover the beauty and wonder of Malta on an exciting sunshine holiday. Book your escape today to this wonderful Mediterranean island with HolidayGems.co.uk.
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