Malta and Gozo holidays

Malta scores high on the stunning scale. Beautiful history-stuffed towns? 10/10. Gorgeous sandy beaches? 100%. Italian-inspired food? Off the charts. While only dinky, there's no doubt that this Mediterranean island is made for exploring all year round. Surrounded by centuries-old walls and teeming with grand mansions and lush gardens, UNESCO-stamped capital Valletta's got to be top of the list. But quaint Mdina and pretty Victoria over on Gozo can't be missed either. When you need a break between sightseeing, Malta’s seaside resorts have you covered. Mellieha Bay's sandy beach screams relaxation and St Paul’s Bay is a buzzy base, while Qawra boasts a blissful mix of lidos, bars and restaurants. And that's just what's on land. Eerie wrecks, dramatic caves and crystal-clear lagoons make the surrounding sapphire waters equally epic for adventures. Yep, Malta has it all.

Popular Malta holiday resorts

db Seabank Resort & Spa

Mellieha Bay, Malta and Gozo

Our rating

Based on 9006 reviews

Dine around option available
7 restaurants
Adults only pool
Beachfront hotel
Children's club

db San Antonio Hotel & Spa

St Paul's Bay, Malta and Gozo

Our rating

Based on 6250 reviews

Great range of bars and restaurants
Dine around option available
Beachfront hotel
Adults only rooftop infinity pool
Pirate ship splash pool

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Language

Maltese and English

Currency

Euro

Time difference

+1hr

Cost of a beer

from €1.50 a bottle

3 course meal

usually a set menu for around €15

Flight times

3-4hrs

Beautiful beaches

You’ve got three islands to enjoy here – Malta’s the biggest, with sleepy Gozo floating to the north and dinky Comino in between. Stick to the resorts around the north of Malta if you’re big on beaches. Mellieha Bay, Rambla Bay and Golden Bay are a trio to tick off while you’re here, famed for their striking sand.

Lots to see and do

Malta’s teeny size makes it a doddle to explore. Make the most of the regular bus network or hire a car – there’s a speedy ferry service to Gozo too. When it comes to day trips, Valletta, Mdina and Victoria are three star attractions, equal in their history and beauty. Prefer getting active? Take your pick from boat trips, epic dives and Segway tours among the epic natural scenery.

Lip-smacking food

Malta’s Mediterranean location makes it a delicious melting pot. The heaviest influence? Italy. While rabbit stew, stuffed bread and fish platters feature on most Maltese menus, expect seafood spaghetti, homemade ravioli and pizza with fresh Mediterranean toppings. Don’t miss the chance to try island-grown wine either – the reds are particularly delicious.

Mellieha Bay

Overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, Mellieha Bay’s a winner when it comes to a relaxing beach holiday in Malta.

Qawra

A buzzing seaside resort with a huge choice of restaurants, bars and seafront lidos, Qawra is the perfect spot for a blissful beach retreat.

Bugibba

Classic Malta takes a modern twist in the form of Buġibba.

St Paul's Bay

Located on the northern coast, St Paul’s Bay is a great base for exploring Malta and its sprinkling of pretty towns.

Gharb Gozo

Whizz back a few centuries and teeny tiny Gharb would be no more than a hamlet. Today, however, this village in western Gozo has grown in size but definitely hasn’t dwindled in charm.

Ghasri (Gozo)

Għasri’s a hidden gem. Small but quaint, this enchanting village is a charmer.

Beaches

For a classic day on the beach, head to the sweeping Golden Bay – close to Mellieha, it’s gifted with soft, dusty sand and shallow water that’s suited to paddling. Mellieha Bay has a great stretch, too. So if you’re after a bit of choice, Malta’s got it in spades.

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Sights

Malta’s bursting with historical sights, from mysterious temples to the palazzos of the walled city of Mdina. In Valletta, there’s plenty of architecture left over from the days of the crusaders, and perfectly-preserved war rooms from the Second World War. It’s a fantastic site for historic ruins and blemishes of bygone times.

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Popeye Village

Mellieha, Malta and Gozo

This former-movie-set-turned-visitor-attraction makes for a great family day out. It was built for the 1980 film starring Robin Williams. You can wander around the charming wooden houses and meet the actors...

Day trip to Gozo

Malta and Gozo

When the weather is calm enough, you can take a ferry from Malta to Gozo, one of the sister islands. When you get to Gozo you can visit some of the oldest religious structures in the world, the Ggantija...

Activities

Families flock to wild waterparks, with one major draw sitting between Sliema and St Paul’s Bay. And watersports are big, especially in Qawra and Bugibba, where a sheltered bay keeps the waves really calm for water-skiing and banana boats. Exploring the little towns and waterside paths is essential.

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Blue Lagoon

Malta and Gozo

The Blue Lagoon is famous in Comino for its mesmerising waters and jaw-dropping scenery. It’s well worth a trip as you can go snorkelling and swim in the cool waters at your leisure. Make the most of the...

Mdina

Malta and Gozo

Mdina's as spellbinding as they come. Nestled in the heart of the island, this old fortified city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head through one of the grand gates to enter the 'Silent City' and wander the...

Eating and drinking

Traditional meals here are all about freshly-netted seafood. Most Maltese places do their own version of a tasty fish pie, keeping homely touches on tap. And if you’re in search of bags of flavour, garlic-packed stews are big around here. It’s all finished off with the local tipple – prickly-pear liqueur.

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Lord Chambray Brewery

Malta and Gozo

Real ale fans should quench their thirst at the first microbrewery in Maltese history . Founded by the D’Imperio family in 2014, you can take a tour around the Lord Chambray Brewery and try some of their...

Fliegu Restaurant

Malta and Gozo

Visit Fliegu Restaurant to enjoy great food with impressive panoramic views of the channel, whether you dine in or eat on the terrace. On the menu there’s local and Mediterranean cuisine, freshly caught fish...

Shopping

If you want shopping malls filled with familiar names, stretch your legs around Sliema and you’ll quickly tick boxes. Meanwhile in Valletta, the island’s capital, you’ll discover that the city does a great line in fashion boutiques and quirky craft shops. So get ready for a spree!

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Duke Shopping Mall

Malta and Gozo

Duke Shopping Mall in the heart of Gozo is a one-stop shop. You’ll find everything from branded clothing to homewares and a wellbeing centre. The Food Store has a delicatessen with all you’ll need to pack a...

Arkadia

Malta and Gozo

If you need to top up on some holiday essentials or fancy some retail therapy Arkadia has it all. It is the biggest shopping centre on Gozo and is open late. Over three floors you’ll find fashion, food and...

Nightlife

Sure, things seem cool, calm and collected here across Malta and Gozo, but glammed-up St Julian’s is Malta’s big party town, full of chic nightclubs to brag about. Bugibba’s a great after-dark spot, too, with a raft of fun bars and Brit pubs to chill out in.

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Bugibba Square

Bugibba, Malta and Gozo

The main square of Bugibba is where you'll find all the after-dark action bubbling away. As well as bars, clubs and restaurants, you'll also find cinemas and casinos. But it's not just adults that are catered...

Café del Mar

Bugibba, Malta and Gozo

For stunning views over the Med, this stylish open-air bar is ideal for if you want to infuse some glamour into your holiday. Arrive during the day to make the most of the infinity pools and sunbeds. And as the...