Malta's a stunning little archipelago (group of islands) in the Med, packing a beachy punch with scorchin' sands and epic diving spots.

Good to Know for your holidays to Malta 2026

• 🏰 Fun Fact: Calling all Game of Thrones superfans (let's cry over the finale later) - Malta was the filming location for some of the most iconic moments (see Fort Ricasoli). Time to play spot-the-scene!

• 🏖️ Best Beach: It's got to be Golden Bay, decked out with soft sands, clear-as-anything water and loads of snack spots for when you get peckish.

• 🍺 Price of a Pint: Between €2.50 - €5 (that's only around £2.15 - £4.30 - way to give your local pub a run for its money!)

Destination highlights

• A beach for every mood (think boujee, breezy or pure bliss)

• One of the Med's top diving destinations - pack your GoPro!

• Packed with history so you can memorise some facts for the next pub quiz

• Home to scenic capital, Valletta, which cameos in Game of Thrones

📍 Where to Stay in Malta 2026/2027

💑 Couples

• Sliema - Swanky waterfront hotels, a buzzing promenade and top-tier restaurants. Easy ferry access to Valletta and a short walk to St Julian's for evening drinks.

• Valletta - Malta's capital is all history, culture and charm. Grand architecture, epic sea views and plenty of boutique stays. A UNESCO World Heritage Site that's absolutely stunning after dark.

• St Julian's - Where the nightlife kicks off. Spinola Bay is gorgeous for waterfront dining, and Paceville is right next door for late nights. Brilliant for couples who want romance with a side of buzz.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Mellieha - Home to Malta's biggest sandy beach with shallow, calm water perfect for little paddlers. Close to Popeye Village and the Gozo ferry. The top pick for family holidays.

• Bugibba - A lively mix of budget-friendly stays, fun bars and a brilliant seafront. The Malta National Aquarium is on the doorstep in neighbouring Qawra.

🎉 Groups

• St Julian's - Paceville is Malta's nightlife hub with clubs, rooftop cocktails and late-night bars. Perfect for group holidays where early nights aren't on the agenda.

• Bugibba - Good-value hotels, a buzzing square with bars and restaurants, and easy access to boat trips. A solid base for groups who want a bit of everything without the Sliema price tag.

🏖️ Other Malta destinations worth a look

• Gozo - Malta's laidback little sister island, a 25-minute ferry ride away. Stunning countryside, proper relaxed vibes and brilliant diving. Perfect for nature-lovers who want to switch off.

• St Paul's Bay - A mix of local charm and tourist-friendly fun with easy access to beaches, boat trips and seriously tasty seafood. The harbour is gorgeous and there's a cracking Sunday market.

What are the best beaches to hit up in Malta?

Malta's coastline is as gorgeously rugged as a Hollywood actor who's aging like fine wine (we'll let you insert your own name). It's the perfect pick for beach holidays with a twist, so you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the best backdrop for your seafront sunbathe. Whether you're looking for cheap as chips, one of our last-minute Malta deals, or you're thinking further down the line for your 2026 holidays... we've got your beachy bucketlist covered:

• Blue Lagoon, Comino: the ultimate beach for those Insta-worthy shots, with vibrant waters so bright you'll think you're in the middle of a Photoshop ad. This place is a huge hit with the kiddos and snorkelling fans too.

• Golden Bay: true to its name, this beach is home to the toastiest golden sands, backed by a lush green hillside, because...get you a bit of coast that does both. It's well-equipped for a day out too, so it's great for some fam-friendly fun.

• Ghajn Tuffieha: much easier to lounge on than it is to pronounce, this laidback stretch is just a stone's throw from Golden Bay, but with much fewer crowds. The hike down to it (and back up afterwards) isn't for the fainthearted, but it's totally worth it for the little slice of paradise you'll find waiting for you.

• Paradise Bay: with a name this promising, you know it's gonna be good, and this place is a top pick for a sizzling day out. Tucked away near the Gozo ferry, it's a cosy little cove with clear, shallow waters ideal for young paddlers, and a backdrop that's straight off a postcard.

• Ramla Bay, Gozo: speaking of Gozo, this spot takes the cake as (allegedly) one of the best in Malta! We'll let you be the judge, but if the rich red sands, raw beauty and lengthy shore are anything to go by, we think we know where we stand.

• St. Peter's Pool: a moment for the rock pools, please. This natural swimming pool is bursting with charm, housing clear blue waters perfect for a swim if you fancy something a bit different.

• Mellieha Bay: Malta's biggest beach had to get a mention, swooping down to shallow waters perfect for the kiddos, and packed with amenities that'll have you set for a full day out.

🏨 Malta Hotels 2026/2027

Malta punches well above its weight for hotels - from all-inclusive mega-resorts in Mellieha to five-star luxury in Sliema and Valletta. Here are the top picks.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• db Seabank Resort and Spa - Overlooking Malta's biggest sandy beach in Mellieha with six restaurants, Malta's largest outdoor pool, a kids' club and an all-inclusive package that's hard to beat. Very well reviewed with over 13,000 ratings.

• Paradise Bay Resort Hotel - On its own private sandy beach near the Gozo ferry with three outdoor pools, a paddling pool and one of the largest indoor pools in Malta. Brilliant for families who want a quieter spot.

• Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa - A four-star in Mellieha village with three pools (including an adults-only rooftop pool), a kids' club and sea views. A short drive down to the beach and close to Popeye Village.

💑 Couples

• AX The Palace - Five-star luxury in the heart of Sliema with a rooftop infinity pool, spa facilities, jaw-dropping city views and a short walk to the Valletta ferry.

• Barcelo Fortina Malta - Adults Only - An adults-only seafront escape in Sliema with a Beach Club pool area, a restaurant serving Maltese classics and an on-site spa. Kid-free downtime sorted.

• Riviera Spa Resort - Adults Only - Adults-only in Mellieha with spa and fitness facilities, three bars and dining from buffet to a la carte. A proper relaxing retreat.

🎉 Groups

• be.HOTEL - Slap bang in St Julian's with a nightclub on-site, indoor and outdoor pools and Paceville's entire nightlife scene on the doorstep. Walking distance to Spinola Bay and St George's Beach.

• DoubleTree by Hilton Malta - Right on the Med in Qawra with an infinity pool, poolside bar, on-site casino and solid rooms. A good base for groups who want boat trips by day and a flutter by night.

✨ Luxury

• Hotel Phoenicia - One of Malta's swankiest stays, just outside Valletta's city walls with fairytale gardens, multiple dining options and a mini golf course.

• Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Golden Sands - Perched on a cliff overlooking Golden Bay with a 1,000 sqm spa, private beach, two outdoor pools and panoramic sea views. Five-star done properly.

• Hilton Malta - A five-star classic in St Julian's with five pools (four outdoor, one indoor), a gym, Thai restaurant and easy access to Paceville nightlife.

💰 Value

• Luna Holiday Complex - A budget-friendly option near Mellieha Bay with a rooftop pool, Sky Lounge and all the basics done well. Great value without the bells and whistles.

• Mellieha Bay Hotel - All-inclusive overlooking Mellieha Bay with two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, bowling, tennis and a nightclub. Great value for families and groups.

👉 See all Malta hotels | All-inclusive holidays in Malta

🗺️ Malta Holidays 2026/2027 - Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Splash and Fun Park - The ultimate summer hit in Bahar ic-Caghaq. Packed with slides, a wave pool and lazy rivers. A guaranteed winner for a full day of fun.

• Popeye Village - The original film set for the 1980 Robin Williams movie, now a funky theme park near Mellieha. Splash zones, live shows and boat rides in the bay. Quirky, colourful and totally unique to Malta.

• Malta National Aquarium - Shaped like a starfish and sitting pretty on the coast in Qawra. 49 tanks packed with everything from coral reefs to rays and clownfish. Brilliant for a family day out.

• Mellieha Bay beach day - Malta's biggest sandy beach with shallow water perfect for little paddlers and loads of amenities for a full day out.

• Blue Lagoon, Comino - Hop on a boat to the tiny island of Comino for water so bright it looks photoshopped. Great for snorkelling and family swimming. Get there early in summer to bag a good spot.

💑 Couples

• Mdina (The Silent City) - No cars, no chaos, just cobbled streets and fairytale vibes. Stroll past St. Paul's Cathedral and finish with cake at Fontanella Tea Garden for views of the Maltese countryside.

• Valletta after dark - Malta's capital glows up at night. Wander the lit-up streets, find a candlelit restaurant in a converted palazzo and finish with a cocktail overlooking the Grand Harbour.

• Sunset at Dingli Cliffs - The highest point in Malta with an endless view of the Med. Find a quiet spot and watch the sun drop below the horizon - proper romantic.

• Gozo day trip - Catch the ferry from Cirkewwa to Gozo. Explore the Citadel in Victoria, swim at Ramla Bay's red sand beach and try the local seafood. A 25-minute ferry ride and a world away.

• Cooking class - Learn to make a Maltese feast at Diar il-Bniet. Nothing says couples' holiday like extra garlic and a bottle of local wine.

🎉 Groups

• Paceville nightlife - Located in St Julian's, this is where the party pops off. Club Havana, Gianpula Village and a strip of bars and clubs that don't quit until the early hours.

• Blue Lagoon boat trip - Grab the whole crew and hop on a boat from Sliema or Bugibba to Comino. Crystal-clear water, snorkelling and the ultimate group photo spot.

• Three Cities tour - Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua across the Grand Harbour from Valletta. Cobbled streets, harbourside forts and old-school Malta vibes without the crowds. A quick ferry hop from the capital.

• Marsaxlokk Sunday market - Colourful fishing boats, fresh seafood stalls and local produce in one of the most photogenic harbours in the Med. A proper group day out.

• Hiking the Dingli Cliffs - Break up the sunbathing with a trek along the highest point of Malta. Stunning views, fresh air and good chat with the mates.

We've got loads of deals on last-minute jollies, which means you can go from bed to beach as early as next week and get LOADS more splash for your cash. Bosh.

💬 Local lingo 💬

Who says you can't sound like a total local on your Malta holidays? Drop these phrases into convo and you might just get the best pastizzi rec going (trust us, you’ll want to know).

• Hello - Merħba

• Hi - Bonġu

• Bye - Ċaw

• How are you? - Kif inti?

• Thank you - Grazzi

• You're welcome - Ta’ xejn

• How much is it? - Kemm jiswa?

• Where is the bus stop? - Fejn hi l-waqfa tal-linja?

🏖️ More Malta Destinations

• Sliema - Malta's most popular resort town. A buzzing promenade, waterfront restaurants, brilliant shopping and an easy ferry ride to Valletta. The go-to for couples and anyone who wants a stylish base.

• St Julian's - Next door to Sliema with Spinola Bay's gorgeous waterfront dining and Paceville's nightlife. Home to some of Malta's best five-star hotels and the island's main club scene.

• Valletta - Malta's tiny, mighty capital. A UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with grand architecture, Baroque churches, harbourside bars and some of the best restaurants on the island.

• Mellieha - The family favourite in the north with Malta's biggest sandy beach, Popeye Village nearby and the ferry to Gozo and Comino on the doorstep.

• Bugibba - A lively, good-value resort on the north coast with a fun seafront, boat trip departures and the Malta National Aquarium in neighbouring Qawra.

• Qawra - A chilled-out neighbour to Bugibba with the National Aquarium, seafront hotels and a more relaxed pace. Good for families and couples on a budget.

• St Paul's Bay - Local charm meets tourist-friendly fun. A pretty harbour, Sunday market and easy access to boat trips along the coast.

• Gozo - Malta's quieter sister island. Ramla Bay's red sand beach, the Citadel in Victoria, ancient temples and proper laid-back countryside vibes. A 25-minute ferry from the main island.

🌊 More Mediterranean Destinations

• Sicily - Just 90 minutes by catamaran from Valletta. Baroque towns, Mount Etna, incredible food and a completely different pace from Malta. Easy day trip or extend your holiday.

• Cyprus - Another compact Mediterranean island with year-round sunshine, ancient ruins and brilliant beaches. Paphos for culture, Ayia Napa for nightlife. About four and a half hours from the UK & Ireland.

• Greece - Island-hopping, whitewashed villages and turquoise water. Crete, Rhodes and Corfu are the closest comparisons to Malta for sun, history and food. About three to four hours from the UK & Ireland.

• Croatia - Stunning Adriatic coastline, walled old towns and Game of Thrones filming locations (just like Malta). About two and a half hours from the UK & Ireland.