I’ve by no means fairly perceive why a sunny Mediterranean island with heaps for teenagers to do shouldn’t be extra in style – however in some way household holidays in Malta appear to remain just below the radar.
incorporates affiliate hyperlinks*
I’ve visited the island a few occasions, together with studying to dive in Malta, and it’s excellent for households, whether or not you will have youthful youngsters or extra energetic teenagers.
So if you happen to’re questioning precisely what’s so tempting, right here’s why I believe you have to be placing Malta household holidays in your checklist.
Flight time to Malta
It solely takes round three hours to fly from the UK to Malta – much less time than it takes to achieve the Greek islands or the Canary Islands.
There are low-cost flights with easyJet in addition to nationwide carriers together with KM Malta Airways and British Airways. Straightforward peasy actually (at all times a bonus once you’re flying with youngsters).
There are not any tough visa laws both – UK residents can enter with out restrictions for a keep of as much as 90 days (in a 180-day interval), and if you happen to’re a US citizen, you may as well keep for as much as three months.
Malta’s climate
Solar wonderful solar! And better of all, there’s an extended vacation season in Malta, so if you wish to skip the best temperatures of July and August when it’s within the low 30s, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover 25C heat in October.
There’s hardly ever greater than 7 or 8 days rain a month on common from November to February too, if you happen to’re in search of some winter solar with no long-haul flight.
Household-friendly motels
One of many greatest elements once you’re visiting Malta with youngsters is the place to remain – like so many Mediterranean locations, youngsters are the centre of consideration so it’s very best for a relaxed escape.
All roads result in the capital Valletta too, so if you happen to favor the thought of resorts in Malta for households, you needn’t keep within the metropolis. Take a look at the motels set on completely different bays across the island – some could have their very own shuttle to Valletta as effectively, if you happen to don’t fancy ready for a bus or hiring a automotive.
My very own favorite approach to arrive is taking the ferry from Sliema so you’ll be able to see Valletta seem from the water, its honey gold buildings reflecting within the sea.
The island is residence to some nice resorts if you happen to’re in search of five-star household pampering too – someplace just like the Corinthia Lodge St George’s Bay is a powerful contender for greatest place to remain in Malta for households with a string of family-friendly companies, and yow will discover some nice extras if you happen to ebook by Luxurious Escapes.
That features a complimentary youngsters’ programme on sure dates, normally throughout important faculty vacation intervals, in addition to a number of the necessities that you just want if you happen to’re visiting Malta with a child or toddler. from steriliser and bottle hotter to child tub, play mat, evening mild, step stools, pushchair, potty and extra.
For barely older youngsters, there’s even a spa menu aimed toward kids whereas 4 of the resort’s 9 eating places have a kids’s menu (and there’s babysitting too if you happen to fancy trying out the others).
Should you favor your personal area, there are some beautiful flats on PlumGuide together with choices for larger households, in addition to some with a non-public pool.
Or you may as well discover some nice vacation packages for Malta from TUI and Jet2 Holidays, in addition to Malta motels on reserving.com.
For extra concepts of the place to remain in Malta with no automotive, take a look at the following tips
Malta household points of interest
Whether or not you’re in search of a relaxed day on the seashore or days out with youngsters in Malta, there’s lots to maintain all ages entertained.
Numerous Malta’s seashores are pebbly so if you happen to’ve bought your coronary heart set on sandcastles, head in the direction of the northern a part of the island – Ghadira Bay (or Mellieha Bay) is likely one of the hottest, together with Golden Bay on the west coast.
Proper on the northern tip, you’ll additionally discover smaller seashores together with Paradise Bay and Armier.
There are additionally waterparks on Malta, open in the course of the summer time months, in addition to diving for older youngsters – over-eights can check out Bubblemaker fundamental scuba dives – and the Malta Nationwide Aquarium if you happen to don’t wish to get your ft moist.
Or step onto a movie set at Popeye Village, now remodeled right into a theme park. Film followers will discover fairly just a few different filming areas as they discover – Gladiator used Valletta as a backdrop, Malta has cropped up in just a few Bond movies, whereas areas doubled because the Crimson Hold in Recreation of Thrones.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Malta with youngsters, take a look at this submit
Two extra islands to find
You’re not in need of issues to do with youngsters on Malta, however if you happen to do fancy exploring additional afield, it’s a brief boat or ferry trip to Malta’s sister islands, Gozo and Comino, whereas you may as well ebook loads of boat journeys, together with personal household boat excursions with iMalta boat journeys that may be tailor-made whether or not you will have teenagers or toddlers.
Comino, the smallest, has only some everlasting inhabitants and is greatest recognized for its spectacular blue lagoon – not simply blue however a spectacular turquoise color (though it does get very busy today). You was once in a position swim throughout to the tinier island of Cominotto, nevertheless it’s busy with boat site visitors today.
Laid-back Gozo, in the meantime, is just a little like Malta in miniature, from its historical websites just like the temple of Ggantija to its walled Citadella in Rabat, often known as Victoria (or Vittorija).
It’s additionally residence to the fascinating Marsalforn salt pans in addition to the crimson sand seashore of Ramla Bay – the shallow water is ideal with youngsters, though anticipate it to get busy in the course of the summer time.
You’ll be able to go to each Gozo and Comino on a day boat tour from Malta with youngsters
The meals in Malta
With so many various cultures influencing Malta over the centuries, it means yow will discover some improbable meals alongside the best way.
There’s lots round for fussier eaters, together with some nice Italian eating places (so pasta and pizza galore). Though having tried sea urchin pasta myself, I’m not stated that specific dish has been taken off menus!
For individuals who wish to attempt typical Maltese meals, that features some child-friendly choices too – pastizzi are cheese-filled pastry snacks (one phrase of warning: in case your youngsters hate peas, some pastizzi additionally include these) or imqaret: dates wrapped in pastry then deep-fried.
There’s additionally loads of gelato to assist settle down, together with some variations with a distinctly Maltese twist utilizing condensed milk, plus a cousin of Italian cannoli that includes lemony ricotta with chocolate, cherries or nuts.
Unsurprisingly you’ll discover fish galore – together with octopus for anybody extra adventurous but additionally some nice grilled fish contemporary from the ocean.
One different factor you’ll additionally see lots is rabbit: value understanding to be careful for or keep away from if there’s a pet bunny again at residence!
The historical past
Malta’s historical past stretches again for 1000’s of years with historical websites which make the pyramids look younger – the Ggantija temple complicated on Gozo was created within the Neolithic age and is over 5,500 years outdated, whereas the temples at Hagar Qim and Mnajdra date again to round 3600BC, a millennium earlier than the pyramids of Giza.
If mysterious megaliths don’t seize your youngsters’ curiosity – though there may be now a customer’s centre at Hagar Qim to convey the stones to life – then Malta has lots extra historic spots that are simpler to understand.
The Knights of St John, based in the course of the crusades, dominated Malta for 250 years, creating Valletta plus the Three Cities and Fort St Angelo alongside the best way.
Head to the Grandmaster’s Palace to see weapons from this era within the Palace Armoury, in addition to peeking into the Throne Room, earlier than trying contained in the Baroque St John’s Co-Cathedral.
Then wander the winding streets previous the auberges, grand mansions which housed the completely different orders of knights and head on to the Higher Barrakka Gardens the place a cannon is fired from the Saluting Battery at midday and 4pm on daily basis (besides Sundays).
Take a look at my video of the midday gun being fired to get a style of the expertise
Within the centre of the island, the medieval capital of Mdina is ideal if you wish to step again in time. The streets are closed to most site visitors, so you’ll be able to stroll from the island’s different co-cathedral to its outdated partitions, down peaceable alleyways and fake you’re residing a number of hundred years in the past.
For extra concepts of one of the best issues to do in Mdina with youngsters, take a look at my prime picks
Close by, the catacombs of St Paul and St Agatha are higher for older youngsters, whereas in Marsaxlokk on the southern tip, you’ll see the well-known vibrant fishing boats or luzzu, embellished with eyes – believed to guard the fishermen, this dates again to the time of the Phoenicians round 3,000 years in the past.
Fairly just a few extra arrivals to Malta’s shores had their eyes set on its strategic location – which implies numerous forts remaining from its historical past too. Fort St Elmo is likely one of the greatest with youngsters.
Renovated after being repeatedly attacked and destroyed, the In Guardia Parade sees re-enactors in costume to convey the fort to life (takes place chosen Sundays). it’s additionally residence to the Nationwide Battle Museum, with objects relationship again to the Bronze Age.
*First revealed 2020, final up to date 2026*
PIN FOR LATER: FAMILY HOLIDAYS IN MALTA
Disclosure: This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee. All opinions and causes I like household holidays in Malta are my very own (apart from the ocean urchins…)
Lodge picture courtesy of the Corinthia Lodge St George’s Bay, all others Depositphotos
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER