Malta is a destination steeped in breathtaking beauty, rich culture, warm hospitality and wonderful weather – but which part of this magical Mediterranean island is best for your holiday plans?

Blessed with more than 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, Malta has something to delight every type of visitor. Whether you’re an adventurous solo traveller, a romantic couple, a fun-loving family or a thrill-seeking group of friends, this exhilarating escape has you covered. Malta and its sister islands of Gozo and Comino are home to jaw-dropping scenery, fabulous food, lovely beaches and superb outdoor attractions. Awe-inspiring Valletta is a wondrous capital boasting grand palaces, regal squares, beautiful churches, unique art and Baroque architecture, while a myriad of exceptional holiday resorts includes Bugibba, Mellieha, Qawra and Sliema. We’ve decided to turn the spotlight on some of the key elements of holiday life – including cuisine, beaches, culture and nightlife – to help you make a decision about where to stay.

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Best Places For Beaches

Malta has some of the best beaches and cleanest waters in Europe, with wonderful stretches of unspoilt sands waiting to be discovered. Golden Bay on the north coast has particular appeal for families with its safe and shallow waters, and inviting red sands for hours of fun in the sun. Another family favourite is Mellieha Beach, the island’s longest sandy expanse which extends 800 metres and features a range of aquatic activities including sea kayaking, banana boat rides, water skiing and windsurfing. Other excellent places to catch some rays, enjoy sandcastle-building sessions, venture into the sea for water sports action and marvel at beguiling sunsets include Ghajn Tuffieha, Paradise Bay and Armier Bay. The most impressive beach on Gozo can be found in Ramla Bay, with its reddish sands, snorkelling opportunities and sublime tranquillity, while the enchanting Blue Lagoon off Comino is well worth a visit.

Best Places For Culture

Malta is brimming with history and culture which goes back more than 7,000 years. The magnificent UNESCO-listed capital Valletta is the place to really immerse yourself in fascinating architecture and traditions from the past. A must-see attraction is St John’s Co-Cathedral, a stunning building home to extravagant Baroque decor, beautiful gilded walls and amazing ceiling paintings. Other cultural delights include the domed Carmelite Church, the Grandmaster’s Palace, Parliament Building, the Royal Opera House and the National Museum of Archaeology. The city’s Grand Harbour features the world’s oldest operational saluting gun battery, with a firing ceremony held daily at midday. Malta’s old capital, the fortified city of Mdina is a magnet for history buffs, with its 4,000-year-old cobbled streets. Historical wonders elsewhere on the island include the Tarxien Temples, the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra neolithic temples complex and the megalithic Ggantija Temples on Gozo.

Best Places For Nightlife

There’s no shortage of vibrant entertainment in Malta, with pulsating night clubs, live music venues and bustling bars to ensure your evenings go with a swing. Paceville in St Julian’s is a dream come true for those who like to party, with its strip of trendy night spots and fun-packed bars. Bugibba and Qawra are also magnets for holidaymakers craving entertaining nights out. Valletta has a thriving wine bar scene, with centuries-old cellar bars like Trabuxu to modern venues including Camarata Wine Bar. The city is also home to several theatres for a more cultured night out, plus a host of glitzy casinos, including Dragonara Casino which is located in a majestic palace built in 1870. Romantic couples seeking a laid-back evening can check out some of the island’s live jazz music venues or elegant wine bars and restaurants in Sliema, Birgu Waterfront, Naxxar and Rabat.

Best Places For Activities

Malta is a goldmine of outdoor activities and adventures, with something to keep every visitor happy. Set off on an outdoor trek along the picturesque coastline from St Julian’s to Sliema, or hire a bike to visit some of the island’s landmarks and natural attractions. You can marvel at the wonders of the capital Valletta during a sightseeing tour or take a boat trip to Gozo to explore ancient caves, old artisan villages and pristine sandy beaches. Other popular pursuits include jeep safari tours, scuba diving to enchanting shipwrecks, ziplining in Rabat, canyoning in the Malta Valley and quad biking across verdant landscapes to discover the heart and soul of the island. Popular activities on the water include romantic catamaran cruises and chartered boat trips with your own captain to visit Comino Island and the Blue Lagoon, with stops along the way for swimming and snorkelling.

Best Places To Eat

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding irresistible food in Malta. The island boasts a plethora of restaurants, cafes and bistros where you can sample some of the island’s popular local fare, including Stuffat tal-Fenek, the national dish which features tender cuts of rabbit. Valletta is the place for food aficionados to savour world-class culinary delights in Michelin-starred dining venues including Under Grain, Noni and ION Harbour. The city is also home to the Italian trattoria Rubino, one of the oldest restaurants on the island, which has been in operation since 1906. The Cliffs is an excellent restaurant at the highest point in Malta in Dingli where couples can enjoy a romantic meal while gazing out at breathtaking ocean vistas. The resorts of Bugibba, St Julian’s, Qawra or Sliema also offer many fabulous dining venues. Malta is also a producer of top-quality wines, with Marsovin Winery being a name of particular repute.

Best Time To Visit

Malta enjoys warm summers and mild winters which mean it's a fantastic destination for a fun-filled Mediterranean holiday, any time of year. Extremes in temperature are rare, so there’s very little chance of you becoming uncomfortably hot and unpleasantly cold. June to August is a very popular time to visit the island, with minimal rainfall and daily temperatures averaging around 31°C. Malta is blessed with an average of 12 hours of daily sunshine in the summer months and most of its rain occurs in the winter months. It's no surprise that this wonderful island is a great choice for some winter sun, with average daily temperatures between November and March of 15°C to 20°C and around 5 to 6 hours of sunshine. There's plenty going on at this time of year, with many of the island's key attractions still open.

“Year-round sunshine and a short 3-hour flight from the UK are among the key factors which help make Malta a great choice for a sensational getaway in the Mediterranean.

“There’s something in this magical destination for every type of holidaymaker, from epic historical attractions for culture enthusiasts to sensational sandy expanses for beach lovers.

“The capital Valletta is truly awe-inspiring, with its striking architecture from the past, grand palaces, imposing churches, fantastic shops and lively wine bars.

“There’s also a feast of fun waiting to be enjoyed in a host of delightful coastal resorts, where you’ll discover plenty of vibrant nightlife, water sports thrills and postcard-perfect scenery. Malta’s sister islands of Gozo and Comino are also perfect for an exciting day out in the glorious sunshine.”

Qawra Palace Resort & Spa

Jet off for a feast of sun, sea and sand at this charming family-friendly getaway which offers glorious views across Salina Bay. Sip creative cocktails beside the glistening swimming pool, succumb to head to toe pampering in the sumptuous spa and practise your backhand on the tennis court. You’ll tuck into delicious fare in superb dining venues and spend heavenly nights in stylish accommodation boasting a myriad of facilities. An array of other superb amenities at this delightful all-inclusive retreat includes mini golf, a games room and jacuzzis.

Check out the Qawra Palace Resort & Spa

db Seabank Resort and Spa

Lazy days and entertaining nights await in this magical all-inclusive escape which is located a stone’s throw away from the golden sands and crystal-clear waters of Mellieha Beach. Beautifully-appointed accommodation will impress every guest, while Asian, Brazilian and Italian cuisine is among the choices to tantalise your taste buds in a choice of excellent dining venues. Other amenities to help create a wonderful holiday experience include a fitness centre for keeping in shape, an elegant spa for a soothing massage, a fun-filled kids club and a plethora of thrilling water sports.

Check out the db Seabank Resort and Spa

db San Antonio Hotel and Spa

A bumper programme of live evening entertainment will ensure there’s never a dull moment after dark in this fabulous escape overlooking St Paul’s Bay. You’ll spend fun-packed days soaking up the sun beside the sparkling swimming pool, a lively kids club will keep the little ones occupied and a plush spa provides the ultimate pampering experience. Restful nights await in your tastefully-appointed room, a host of top-class restaurants offer flavoursome global and local fare, and a range of shops and bars are located a short stroll away in bustling Bugibba Square.

Check out the db San Antonio Hotel and Spa