LIVE THE GOOD LIFE ON A LUXURY LONG-STAY HOLIDAY IN MAGICAL MALTA

Malta is a dream come true for anyone craving a sensational long-stay holiday, surrounded by luxury living, spellbinding natural beauty and glorious sunshine.

Whether you are discovering the wonders of this awe-inspiring island for the first time or making a return visit to create more magical memories, you'll be wowed by the delights which await.

With so much to see and do in Malta, a long-stay holiday is the relaxing and stress-free way to enjoy everything this enchanting Mediterranean destination has to offer.

Luxurious 5-star hotels, world-class restaurants, cosy wine bars, plush casinos, glitzy boutiques, pristine sandy beaches and high-end shopping malls are just some of the joys in store.

Year-round sunshine makes Malta a compelling option for a dream holiday, with the pleasant conditions in winter offering the chance to escape the cold weather and dark nights in the UK.

Many hotels offer superb long-stay deals during the winter season or shoulder months, when you can avoid the crowds and queues for key attractions.

Let's take a closer look at magnificent Malta to reveal why it’s a great choice for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Year-round pleasure

Warm summers, mild winters and more than 300 days of annual sunshine make Malta a fabulous place to visit any time of year.

The summer high season is from June to August, with approximately 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 ideal for a long-stay holiday, letting you avoid the hustle and bustle, explore the island’s major attractions at your own pace and immerse yourself more deeply in Malta’s fascinating history and culture.

The mild winter season from December to February is also a great time for a long-stay escape, with pleasant weather, stress-free sightseeing and wonderful Christmas attractions including amazing illuminations, winter markets and festive festivals.

Hotel heaven

Malta is blessed with a plethora of luxurious 5-star boutique hotels where you’ll enjoy relaxing days and entertaining nights, surrounded by style, comfort and impeccable service.

You’ll discover opulent havens of tranquillity boasting exquisite accommodation, fine dining restaurants, sumptuous spas, cutting-edge gyms, glistening infinity pools and a host of other incredible amenities.

Romantic couples yearning for a special time together can opt for an adults-only hotel where they will receive the VIP treatment throughout their stay, with the chance to sip cocktails by the pool in a comfy cabana or enjoy a candlelit dinner under the stars.

Charming resorts

Malta has a resort to suit all tastes, from lively seafront towns alive with entertainment and nightlife, to secluded coastal hideaways steeped in blissful tranquillity.

The south of the island is where you’ll find most of the island’s luxurious 5-star boutique hotels, including the spellbinding city of Valletta, the seaside town of Marsaskala and St Julian’s Bay with its gourmet restaurants, up-market shops and luxury yacht marina.

Sliema, on the east coast, is a former fishing village which is now renowned for its golden sands, stylish restaurants and lovely wine bars.

Glorious Valletta

The island capital Valletta is an imposing walled city which is home to epic grand palaces, opera houses and theatres, wonderful museums, highly-rated restaurants and breathtaking Baroque architecture.

The magnificent St John's Co-Cathedral will take your breath away with its incredible frescos and statues, vaulted ceilings, ornate marble floors and some of the world’s greatest art, while you can watch a midday firing ceremony at the Grand Harbour, the world’s oldest saluting gun battery still in operation

Other must-see attractions in Valletta include Parliament Building, Royal Opera House, the domed Carmelite Church, National Museum of Archaeology, Upper Barrakka Gardens and Grandmaster’s Palace, with its 18th century tapestries and amazing artwork.

Wining and dining

The gastronomic delights in Malta will satisfy the most discerning palate, with no shortage of excellent fine dining venues to tantalise your taste buds.

Enjoy an alfresco lunch beside the water’s edge, a romantic beachfront meal by moonlight with the love of your life or take your pick from more than 30 top-class restaurants on the island which have a coveted 5 Michelin Star rating.

You can also sip creative cocktails in a laid-back bistro bar or vibrant nightclub, while you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to fabulous wine bars, with everything from centuries-old cellar bars like Trabuxu and Del Borgo to modern venues such as Levels Wine Bar and Tal-Village Boutique Wine Bar.

Attractions galore

A long-stay adventure in Malta offers the chance to take in even more of the wonderful attractions on the island than you could during a standard holiday.

You can’t fail to be impressed by the Blue Grotto near Zurrieq with its incredible sea caverns and intense blue waters, while Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a captivating excavated prehistoric burial site in Paola.

Other key attractions include the medieval fortified city of Mdina, Red Tower near Marfa, the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra neolithic temples and the Tarxien Temples complex.

You can also visit Fort Manoel in Gzira, swim in the Blue Hole in Gozo or take to a traditional brightly-coloured Maltese Luzzu fishing boat for a romantic time around the coves and bays.

There’s also the chance to set out on a delightful winery trail around some of the major vineyards in Malta and its sister island Gozo where you'll get to sample their top-quality produce. Wine-producing estates you'll visit include Meridiana, Maria Rosa, Marsovin, Monte Kristo, Ta Betta and Ta Mena.

A relaxing full-day cruise of the three islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino is also highly recommended, with a delicious meal included and the chance to snorkel at the Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon and Paradise Bay.

Sports and leisure

Malta offers limitless opportunities for some healthy sports and leisure activity during your holiday in the sun.

A myriad of thrilling water sports include jet-skiing, parasailing, kitesurfing, flyboarding, water-skiing, and wakeboarding, while a range of other exciting pursuits on the ocean include kayaking, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, banana boat rides and catamaran cruises.

Other fun-filled activities waiting to be enjoyed include ziplining, horse-riding, mountain biking, hiking, golfing, canyoning, jeep safaris, trail-running and trekking.

Nights out

There’s plenty of evening entertainment in Malta with chic restaurants, stylish rooftop bars, sophisticated nightclubs and live jazz music venues among the delights.

You’ll also discover an array of atmospheric wine bars in Valletta, Three Cities and Mdina. The Bridge Bar in Valletta, for example, is a wonderful candlelit venue where you can enjoy fine wines and soothing jazz sounds.

Trabuxu is a renowned spot in a 400-year-old limestone cellar, hung with musical instruments and an impressive display of contemporary art. More than 300 Maltese and international wines are available, served with cold meats, cheeses and oysters.

Malta is also home to several casinos in a range of settings including a restored 17th century palace and a plush colonial-style villa. Dragonara Casino, Oracle Casino and Portomaso Casino are among the choices for trying your luck on the roulette table.

Retail therapy

You won’t struggle to find somewhere for some retail therapy during a holiday in Malta with trendy boutiques, big-name designer stores and up-market shopping malls among the choices available.

You'll discover the best in electronic goods, fashion, jewellery and much more in the main malls which include Bay Street Shopping Complex, The Plaza Shopping Centre and The Point Shopping Mall.

For a taste of local life you can barter for a bargain in one of the island’s bustling markets, including the Farmers' Market, Birgu Flea Market and Ta’ Qali crafts village.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and wonder of the wonderful Mediterranean island of Malta. Book your getaway today with Destination2.co.uk.