Malta

Hotels

Malta’s sweet climate and remarkable heritage have made it a popular holiday hotbed for decades, and its hotel stock reflects this through-the-ages appeal. The five-star Hotel Phoenicia Malta (The Mall) reflects the grandeur of the 1920s and offers a great location just outside of Valletta’s city walls, while over in St Julian’s the modern, 340-room Westin Dragonara Resort (Dragonara Road) typifies Malta’s more contemporary soul. Also in St Julian’s, but far less sizable, is the classy Hotel Juliani (25 St George’s Road), while smaller still is the fashionable Pebbles Boutique Aparthotel (88-89 The Strand).

Shopping

Maltese handicrafts have long been the souvenirs of choice for visiting tourists, with basketware, lace and knitwear all readily available. On top of this you can expect the usual array of quality clothing stores and big-name brands, with Merchants Street and Republic Street the most obvious ports of call in Valletta, and Bay Street Mall in St Julian’s attracting shoppers with stores such as Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Adidas and Skechers. Malta’s open-air markets – found in almost every town and village at some point in the week – offer a far more traditional experience, and a good chance to pick up local delicacies.

Food & Drink

Various civilisations have occupied Malta over the centuries, and this cultural diversity has seeped into the local cuisine. It means that alongside classic Mediterranean dishes, visitors can also enjoy the likes of rabbit stew, fish pie and various artisan breads. These days, of course, the march of time means that you’ll find the full range of world cuisines on offer, from fast food to high-end gastronomy. Some of the very best restaurants include The Medina Restaurant in Mdina (7 Holy Cross Street) and Grill 3301 (Corinthia Hotel) in St Julian’s. Elsewhere, Marsaxlokk Fish Market, open each Sunday, has an eye-popping array of fresh seafood.

Events

Malta Fireworks Festival

April

A free-to-attend fireworks spectacular that takes place over several days at the end of April, the festival was originally created to celebrate Malta’s accession to the EU. The grand finale evening takes place over Valletta’s Grand Harbour.

Malta International Jazz Festival

July

The balmy Maltese summer provides a relaxed setting for this showpiece musical event, a three-day open-air festival that attracts international artistes to share a bill with their Maltese counterparts. There is a nominal charge for events.

Malta Arts Festival

June-July

Combining music, theatre, dance and visual arts, this annual extravaganza runs for three weeks and showcases a mix of domestic and overseas performers. It makes use of some of Malta’s most atmospheric venues, including the remarkable Mediterranean Conference Centre, formerly a knights’ hospital.

Notte Bianca

September

A long night of festivities, entertainment and live music, Notte Bianca takes place in Valletta and aims to celebrate the country’s art and culture. The event is principally held outside, but also spills into cafés, bars, restaurants, museums and galleries.

Mediterranea

October 

Malta’s sister island, Gozo, is the setting for this mid-autumn festival, which includes a large number of concerts but also features art exhibitions, historical talks, food and drink events and guided walks. It gives an excellent chance to learn more about Gozo’s incredible archaeological sites.

Where to stay in Malta

Whatever you’re looking for in a holiday to Malta, you’re sure to find it in one of Malta’s many holiday resorts. Take a look at our recommendations for where to stay on your holiday to Malta from Manchester Airport.

Best for families:

If a sandy beach is a must for your family holiday, then head for Mellieha Bay. This area on the north coast of Malta boast the island’s longest, sandiest beach - a rarity in Malta where most of the coast is on the rocky side. The beach at Mellieha also slopes gently into the sea, meaning the shallow water is ideal for paddling. For older kids you’ll find watersports including jet skiing, diving, windsurfing and stand-up paddleboarding.

If your little ones are happiest around the pool, then consider a holiday in Qawra or Buggiba. These family-orientated resorts located either side of a peninsula in the north of Malta offer a range of family-friendly hotels, along with a seaside promenade, a man-made beach and great bus connections to the rest of the island, if you can tear yourself away from your sun lounger.

On the tiny island of Gozo, just a 20 minute ferry trip from the northern tip of Malta, you’ll find Marsalforn, another perfect resort for families with children. One of the most popular places to stay on Gozo, Marsalforn offers a sheltered sandy beach, rocks for sunbathing and a charming working harbour where you’ll see traditional Maltese fishing boats.

Best for couples:

Couples looking for a low-key, sunny beach break will also enjoy Mellieha, which is a resort of two halves; above the sandy beach, perfect for sunbathing and snorkelling, you’ll find a traditional Maltese village with beautiful churches, relaxed nightlife and stunning countryside and clifftop walks.

Couples looking for a more lively, cosmopolitan break with a dash of history and culture should consider staying in Sliema. Boasting stunning sunset views of Malta’s historic capital Valletta, Sliema has a wealth of stylish restaurants, shops and bars, along with easy access to many of Malta’s top attractions. Don’t miss a boat cruise around the Grand Harbour or a trip to the “silent city” of Mdina - both of which featured as locations in Game of Thrones.

For the perfect romantic holiday or even honeymoon in Malta, book a room at one of the historic, boutique hotels springing up across the island. Alternatively, indulge yourself at one of Malta’s five star spa hotels, many of which are located in the buzzing resort of St Julian’s, allowing you and your partner to combine relaxation with great nightlife.

Best for nightlife:

For those looking to party into the early hours and sleep it off in the sun, the best place to go in Malta for nightlife is without doubt the Paceville area of St Julian’s. The streets around Paceville Piazza are packed with bars, clubs, casinos and restaurants; whichever one you choose, you’re sure to have a great night. For a night out with a difference, try one of the boat parties - some of which end with a moonlight swim off Comino.

For the last three years, Annie Mac’s music festival Lost & Found has brought some of the biggest names in music to Malta. For 2018 the lineup includes Jamie xx, Diplo and Four Tet across a packed weekend in early May.

Best for winter sun:

Long after northern Europe has cooled down, Malta is still balmy. The sea stays warm enough for swimming in October and even into early November. The coldest months are January and February, when the thermometer dips to an average high of 16 degrees - still significantly warmer than the UK! While you may need a jacket in the evenings, you’ll still be able to enjoy much of what Malta has to offer, even in the winter months. Resorts like Sliema, Buggiba and Qawra are open all year round, catering for winter-sun-seekers and holidaymakers enjoying an extended stay in Malta to avoid the worst of the UK winter.

Holiday resorts in Malta:

• Buggiba
• Mellieha
• Paradise Bay
• Golden Bay
• Qawra
• San Anton
• Sliema
• St George’s Bay
• St Julian’s
• Paceville
• St Pauls Bay
• Valletta
• Marsalforn
• Xlendi

Direct flights to Malta from Manchester Airport

Direct flights to Malta from Manchester Airport land at Luqa Malta International (MLA) airport, in the south of the island on the outskirts of the capital city Valletta.

The airlines which currently offer flights from Manchester to Malta are:

• Jet2
• TUI Airways
• Ryanair
• Thomas Cook Airlines
• EasyJet

Flights from Manchester to Malta take around 3 hours 30 minutes.

Getting to and from Luqa Malta International airport

Malta's international airport is well-served by public transport and taxis, with regular bus services to all the major tourist resorts. If you're staying on Gozo, you'll need to take a bus or taxi to the Gozo ferry terminal in Cirkewwa on the north coast of Malta. The ferry takes around 25 minutes.

If you want to visit Mdina, the ancient megalithic temples at Ħaġar Qim or some of the more remote coastal areas, you may want to hire a car.

Book holiday car rental in Malta