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, the seaside resorts have you covered. Sliema's all chic bars and restaurants, St Julian's is a neon-lit nightlife hub and Mellieha Bay's beachfront screams relaxation. 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. Did we mention the events calendar? It's bursting with music festivals, carnivals and parties. Yep, Malta has it all.

Popular Malta Holiday Resorts

No. 11 – Tripadvisor’s Trending Destinations – World

The trending isle of Malta has bags of culture to get stuck into. Add beaches, activities and festivals to the mix and you’ll be in your element!

db Seabank Resort & Spa

Mellieha Bay, Malta and Gozo

Our rating

Based on 8661 reviews

Dine around option available
7 restaurants
Close to the beach
Pool and Sea View rooms available
Large lagoon-style outdoor pool

db San Antonio Hotel & Spa

St Paul's Bay, Malta and Gozo

Our rating

Based on 6014 reviews

Dine around option available
Close to the beach
Adults only rooftop infinity pool
Pirate ship splash pool
Great range of facilities

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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 coastline

You’ve got three islands to enjoy here – Malta’s the biggest, with sleepy Gozo floating to the north and dinky Comino in between. All of them have rocky coastlines, with wildly dramatic cliffs and romantic pebbly coves. There are a few impressive Blue Flag sandy beaches dotted around too. Epic diving sites? You bet!

Amazing sights

Spellbinding cathedrals and religious structures have made their mark, with Baroque buildings filling the streets of Mdina and Valletta. But they all look positively youthful compared to the megalithic temples and remnants near St Paul’s Bay. This archipelago’s a cultural and historical melting pot that’ll sweep you off your feet. That’s why it made the cut as a Game of Thrones filming location!

Charming, lively resorts

Lots of Malta’s big seaside towns– especially Sliema, Qawra and Bugibba – are blessed with wide promenades, plus lots of restaurants and fun things to do. St Julian’s is a ready-to-party option, but if you’re after peace and quiet, the medieval village of Mellieha will charm your socks off.

Mellieha Bay

Crowning Malta’s pretty north-east coast, the relaxed resort of Mellieha Bay is a tranquil spot for a glorious, sun-kissed getaway.

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 in population but brimming with charm, you’ll be instantly mesmerised by this enchanting village.

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

St Paul's Bay, Malta and Gozo

This old fortified city is near St Paul’s Bay and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s some great architecture to be seen and the lack of cars means you can walk the streets of the ‘Silent City’ in peace....

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...