All you wanted to know to plan great Malta holidays
Malta holidays are memorable for all the right reasons. Fascinating history, stunning scenery, amazing beaches and an eclectic mix of cultures and character are just some of the treats that make this a first class holiday destination.
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, English as a common language and all the culture and entertainment you could wish for, it’s no wonder Brits are taking more holidays in Malta than ever before!
Located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa, The Maltese Islands are proof that great things come in small packages. With a picturesque rugged coastline dotted with amazing beaches, stylish harbour towns and historic monuments, there is something here for everyone.
There are lots of historic sites, beautiful towns and villages, a thriving capital city in Valetta and lots of places to visit. With some of the best diving in the Mediterranean and lots of secluded coves, there is plenty to explore too.
Your holiday in Malta can be as relaxed or as active as you like. Sun yourself on one of the Blue Flag beaches or explore tranquil traditional towns. Watch the world go by in one of the many cafes or dance the night away in the clubs of Paceville. The beauty of the island is that you never have far to go whatever you want to do!
Choice Holidays is the place to find the cheapest Malta holidays - we can offer the best prices on many hotels in Malta - guaranteed!
What are the best Malta holiday destinations?
The Maltese Islands may be small but they offer a lot in a beautifully compact package. Each destination offers a mixture of old world charm, a culture where civilisations influenced the islands over eons and miles of dramatic coastlines. Warm seas, sandy beaches and relaxed bars and restaurants are everywhere too.
Valletta (il-Belt)
Valletta (known locally as il-Belt, or the City) is the capital of Malta and of the Knights of Malta. It is also European Capital of Culture for 2018. Measuring less than a kilometre square, this amazing city is packed full of history, culture, shops and restaurants. Popularised by its narrow streets with painted balconies, the plays a pivotal role in any Malta holiday.
Highlights to see in Valetta include St John’s Co-Cathedral, Upper Barrakka Gardens in the bastion, Grand Harbour, Lascaris War Rooms, The Grand Master’s Palace, Museum of Archaeology and lots more besides.
Any holiday to Malta has to take in the island’s capital!
The Valletta skyline, as seen from Sliema is iconic - and we have started this article, by giving you the most beautiful of Malta scenes.
Bugibba - laid back holiday
Bugibba is where the majority of holidaymakers take their Malta holidays. Stylish, modern with a historical twist, characterful and friendly. Just some of the many reasons it is one of the most popular holiday resorts on Malta. Comprised of an historic town and a Blue Flag beach, the town effortlessly blends the ingredients of a perfect all-inclusive holiday with the history and character Malta is so famous for.
Bugibba town centre is full of Maltese charm. Overlooking St. Pauls’ Island, the town features lots of restaurants, bars, cafes and culture. Relax on the beach or use the quaint wooden bridges to reach the azure blue sea which is ripe for enjoying the warm Mediterranean or some of the many watersports available.
Qawra - Malta's vacation town
Qawra is a purpose built resort town set in the northeast of the island. Built around St. Paul’s Bay, the area is full of modern high rise buildings that run along a scenic promenade that stretches from Qawra to Bugibba. Qawra is what you imagine when you plan your package holiday to Malta. Sun, sea, sand and sublime surroundings.
The Blue Flag beach is ideal for soaking up the sun while the water is perfect for water skiing, jet skis and scuba diving. Despite the modernity, the original character of the town remains with the historic Qawra tower still watching over the sparkling bay.
Mellieha Bay - Malta's largest sandy beach
Mellieha Bay is a laid-back resort that has evolved from a small fishing village around 30 minutes from Mdina. Overlooking Għadira Bay, this is where you come for a relaxed Malta holiday. Calm, relaxed and tranquil are just some of the terms people use to describe Mellieha Bay.
Mellieha Bay also has a very strong presence in local culture, including the timeless song, "Il-Bajja tal-Mellieha" (Mellieha Bay)
Mellieha is made up of a quiet town set on a hill above the bay. It has a central church, quaint shops, restaurants and cafes. The town overlooks the bay and is a 20 minute walk or short bus ride from the long golden sands of the bay itself.
Paceville - Malta's Nightlife capital
Paceville is part of St. Julian’s located in the north of the town. Known primarily for its nightlife, Paceville is the ideal destination if you want to spend your holiday dancing the night away. The character is lively and vibrant with a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel warm and welcome wherever you go.
Served well by hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, Paceville has a cinema complex, bowling and a whole lot more. Most famous for its nightlife, the bars and clubs are some of the best on the island.
St. Julian’s
St. Julian’s features in many Malta holiday deals. It is a lively, characterful town on the east coast of the island. Comprised of four distinct areas, there is a lot of charm for such a modest location. Spinola Bay is for foodies and those who love fresh seafood or authentic Maltese cooking. Paceville is where the night owls go to party. St Georges Bay is a very cosmopolitan area with a lovely golden beach with a modern shopping centre. Finally, Portomaso, the harbour cut into the rocky cliffs offers a glimpse of traditional Maltese life mixed with the modern.
Each area offers something a little different, yet combined, they display the charm and character of Malta that we all enjoy. Locals are very welcoming, the beaches and coastline are amazing and there is literally something here for everyone.
Sliema - enjoy the hustle and bustle of modern Malta
Sliema is a very popular destination for Malta holidays thanks to the combination of sun, sea, shopping and sensational scenery. By day, the beaches of Sliema are popular with both visitors and locals. The five kilometres of coastline with cool blue water and lovely sunshine are what holidays in Malta are all about.
The town is full of unique shops, shopping malls such as The Point at Tigne Point and The Plaza, relaxed restaurants and friendly bars. By day, the town is a fantastic place to enjoy the slower pace of life in sumptuous surroundings. When the sun goes down, the sophisticated nightlife for which this town is known comes alive. Lively, yet classy the mix of bars, pubs and clubs along Triq ix–Xatt by the harbour are the place to be.
Marsaxlokk and the south of Malta
Marsaxlokk, at the very tip of the island, is the last real fishing village, which you shouldn't miss. Traditional colorful fishing boats line the harbour, the market can be found on some days, selling fish which are in season and you can probably find a few fishermen repairing their nets when they're not out at sea.
Gozo Holidays
Gozo is Malta’s sister island and is much more rustic and rural. Life is slower on Gozo and life is still lived the old way. Seasonal industries, rural communities and a rugged landscape typify this most beautiful of islands. Believed to be Calypso's isle Homer's Odyssey, there is an atmosphere of tranquillity from shore to shore.
Accessed by a ferry from Ċirkewwa to Mgarr harbour, Gozo is a 25 minute ride but could easily be a continent away. Despite only being a few miles from Malta, the character is completely different. Where many visitors take package holidays to Malta, they stay in farmhouses or apartments on Gozo, although there are a few hotels on the island.
With some world class diving, hidden beaches and miles of rugged coastline, there is a lot to recommend holidaying or visiting Gozo.
Click here to learn more about Gozo Holidays.
Weather in Malta
Holidays in Malta can be taken at any time of year thanks to the Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Average temperatures are around 23C with over 300 days of sunshine per year. It rains occasionally but only really in winter.
Thanks to its location, Malta has a perfect climate. Short mild winters, long dry summers and no extremes. July and August are the hottest with highs of around 31C and 12 hours of uninterrupted sunshine. As an island, a cool sea breeze helps keep you cool and the clear blue Mediterranean waters are always warm but never hot.
Winter sees lows of 15C and occasional rainfall which is still much warmer than the UK!
Malta Hotels / All-Inclusive
Malta offers a wide variety of hotels. From luxurious all-inclusive hotels, small boutique hotels to rustic farmhouses, there is something here for every Malta holiday. Modern high rise hotels, historic buildings converted to their purpose or something completely different. Malta is known for diversity and for being cosmopolitan. From package holidays to Malta to all-inclusive packages, there really is a lot on offer here.
How to find the cheapest flights to Malta
If you want to visit Malta, direct flights to Malta are available from London, Manchester, Glasgow and Newcastle. At only three hours flight time, the island is very accessible. Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport on the island. Located next to the villages of Luqa and Gudja, public transport and taxis are all available to take you the three miles to the island’s capital Valetta, or direct to your destination.
Peak season for Malta holidays is between July and August. Festival seasons runs May to September, making this a very popular time to visit the islands.
Thanks to a favourable climate and year-round popularity, any time is a good time to visit. Winter is the optimum for cheap holidays to Malta and to enjoy more active holidays thanks to cooler temperatures and great deals.
If you're looking for cheap holidays to Malta, ChoiceHolidays offers packages which include Malta direct flights as part of the deal - our partnerships with leading airlines allow us to give you the best overall deal when compared to other travel agents.
Get an Insiders view of Malta from Choice Holidays
What better way to unveil the secrets of Malta before you arrive than by learning from locals? The Choice Holidays blog has been created specially to give you the inside track on where to go, what to see and when to visit our beautiful islands. It will also highlight any special Malta holiday deals we offer!
Visitors guide to Malta
As Malta was ruled by the United Kingdom from 1800 until independence in 1964, the British influence is strong. The island has English as its official second language after Maltese and uses the British system of law, administration and education.
It is one of the many reasons why we Brits love to holiday in Malta. It is familiar, yet completely different at the same time. The sunshine and lovely surroundings don’t hurt either!
As a full member of the European Union and signatories of the Schengen Agreement, the British do not yet need a visa to visit the islands. You can visit for as long as you like with just your passport. With direct flights from major UK airports and a mere three hour flight time, Malta is an excellent place to visit.
Currency
As a full EU member, Malta has adopted the Euro and is the only legal tender on the island. There are banks and currency exchanges in the major towns and credit cards are accepted in most places. American Express is not quite as readily accepted but Visa and Mastercard are.
Getting around Malta
Getting around the island is very easy so filling your Malta holiday with sightseeing is a must. The island is well served by buses that use new air conditioned vehicles run by the Malta Public Transport. There are also taxis in most major towns that will take you wherever you want to go, while booking cabs through local companies such as eCabs is very comfortable - with prices agreed in advance.
The is only one airport on the island, close to Valetta. It is also well served by buses and taxis. If you’re holidaying in Gozo, ferries run regularly from Ċirkewwa to Mgarr harbour. The journey takes around 25 minutes. Buses run to the ferry terminal from Valetta regularly.
Maltese cuisine
Maltese cuisine is as diverse and as fascinating as the island’s history and culture. Influenced in the same way, by the many civilisations who have called Malta home, the cuisine reflects every stage of the island’s development.
The character of the cuisine is a mix of Mediterranean, North African and local Maltese tastes. The traditional food reflects the four seasons and the rustic origins of the island. Typical dishes include stuffat tal-fenek (rabbit stew), Kapunata (A traditional mixed salad) and Bigilla (a broad bean dip).
As an island with a rich seafaring culture, seafood features highly in the diet. All this delicious food can be washed down with a traditional non-alcoholic Kinnie made from bitter oranges.
Malta also has a wide variety of cafes, restaurants and eateries serving delicious dishes from around the world.
Best time for a holiday in Malta
Thanks to the idyllic climate, anytime is a good time to holiday in Malta. Long warm summers and short mild winters make this the perfect antidote to the great British weather.
Summers are long and dry with July and August seeing the warmest temperatures. This is also the busiest time on the island. If you love hustle and bustle and lively beaches and towns, this could be ideal. January and February are ideal for more active holidays in Malta as more reasonable temperatures prevail. February also marks the arrival of carnival with the main celebration in Valetta running for an entire week from the 9th of February.
The 21st to the 29th April is the annual Firework Festival and is a great time to visit. Held in the amazing Grand Harbour of Valletta, the combination of great weather, early season and amazing displays make this a popular time to holiday in Malta.
For a more detailed, month-by-month breakdown of when is the best time to visit Malta, click here.
History of Malta
As well as an amazing place to enjoy a cheap beach holiday, Malta is also a place steeped in history. Made up of an archipelago collectively known as The Maltese Islands, Malta has a history and culture spanning over 5000 years. From the dawn of civilization, Malta has played a part in world events. Relics of a rich history of culture and diversity are everywhere.
From Neolithic temples to fertility, Phoenician and Carthaginian relics to Roman and Byzantine artefacts, Malta as seen and participated in it all. In 60 AD St. Paul was shipwrecked on the coast and brought Christianity to the island. The Arabs brought their own culture in 879 AD, then the Normans, the Aragonese, the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the French and then the British. All have ruled the islands at one time or another and each has left their mark. It is from this history that the unique cultural and historical mix that makes up the island comes from.
Malta is now a republic and an independent member of the European Union.
Malta is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples and the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum. There are also seven sites on the Tentative World Heritage List. They are Coastal Cliffs, Qawra/Dwejra, Cittadella, Knights' Fortifications around the Harbours of Malta, Mdina, Maltese Catacomb Complexes and Victoria Lines Fortifications.
Malta is also home to some ancient temples, some dating back thousands of years. They include The Ġgantija Temples on Gozo, Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra and Tarxien, The Ta' Ħagrat and Skorba temple complexes.
That is a lot of history for such small islands!
Today’s Malta holiday deals
If you’re looking for bargain holidays in Malta, you’re in the right place. Choice Holidays offers a wide selection of cheap holidays to Malta. We can offer the best prices on a select number of hotels - that's a guarantee!