Marvellous  Malta holidays & tours

When you’re planning your Malta holidays, you shouldn’t miss seeing at least one of the ancient Megalithic temples, including Hagar Qim and Mnajdra on Malta itself and Ggantija on Gozo, as well as the less well-known Hypogeum not far from Valletta. There’s plenty more than ancient history, with Malta’s beautiful medieval cities to explore – the ‘silent city’ of Mdina, the island’s former capital, as well as golden Valletta, built by the Knights of St John, and the walled city of Vittoria on Gozo. The island’s other big attractions are its beautiful scenery and coast; save time to relax by the beach or take a boat trip to the dazzling Blue Lagoon, spot the traditional luzzu colourful boats at Marsaxlokk or the spectacular views from the Dingli Cliffs

Absolutely. There are some great family attractions in Malta, as well as beaches, some great boat trips, a relatively short flight time and a warm welcome for children across the island. Older kids will love learning about the fascinating history of Malta’s ancient sites, while the sights and colours will appeal to all the family. 

Many of Malta’s beaches are pebbly, so if you’re looking for a stretch of sand, Ghadira Bay (also known as Mellieha Bay) is one of the best, with a range of watersports on offer too. Golden Bay on the west coast is another popular alternative, while neighbouring Ghajn Tuffieha has similar golden sand, but is slightly harder to reach which results in fewer people. 

If you head to the northern tip of Malta, there are some smaller beaches here too including Paradise Bay and Armier. And for those more focused on swimming than sand, you’ll find some lovely natural swimming pools around the island, including the sheltered St Peter’s Pool, formed out of the rocks. 

On Gozo, Ramla Bay is another popular sandy spot that’s ideal for families on their Malta holidays, while the Blue Lagoon at Comino is one of the prettiest across the islands – although you can expect to have to share it with plenty of others. 

There’s plenty to tempt you to Malta throughout the year but the best time to visit Malta is during the shoulder months of spring and autumn, in around April-June and September-October. The weather is pleasant and sunny without the highest temperatures and biggest crowds of peak season. You can also discover the wine harvest on Gozo in autumn, as well as enjoying some of the beautiful spring flowers earlier in the year. July and August tend to be two of the busiest months, with temperatures close to 30C, which makes sightseeing harder but you can enjoy a string of local festivals during the summer. The mild Mediterranean climate also makes Malta a good option for winter sun, even in the rainiest month of November. 

No, a hire car isn’t essential although having your own transport can make it easier to reach some of the more remote sights, unless you’re visiting with guided Malta tours. There’s a good bus network across the island, although most routes start and end in Valletta, so you may not always take the most direct route. The iconic vintage buses previously used as daily transport have mostly been replaced with newer – if less photogenic – models. You can also find taxis, including the Bolt service (similar to Uber) which also operates on Gozo. There are also regular ferry links between Malta and Gozo, as well as boat trips between the islands. 

One of the best part of all Malta holidays is the sheer variety you can include within a relatively short break. You can enjoy everything from exploring ancient sites and beautiful cities, to relaxing on the beach, taking boat trips, and trying local specialities at restaurants (look out for dishes with rabbit and sea urchin), along with vibrant summer festivals, and a fascinating mix of influences from over the centuries, including the British presence on the island. 

Malta is a fantastic destination for those who love history, home to some of the world’s oldest Megalithic sites, which predate the pyramids by around a thousand years. There’s also a chance to explore medieval history in Mdina, Valletta and Vittoria (also known as Rabat), where the Knights of St John built cathedrals, fortifications and grand palaces. Venture slightly off the beaten track during your Malta tour and you can also find early Christian catacombs, 19th century British forts and Second World War sites as well. 

Malta has two official languages, Maltese and English, with the vast majority of people speaking at least some English. Until 1934 Italian was also an official language and is still widely spoken in Malta too. Maltese itself is a unique language influenced by Malta’s strategic location and melting pot of cultures over time, deriving from medieval Sicilian Arabic with later Italian influences. 

Malta uses the euro. Card payments are widely accepted, especially Visa and Mastercard, but we’d also recommend taking some cash, which comes in handy for tipping or shopping at smaller shops or cafés. 

Although you can get a flavour of Malta over a long weekend, allow at least a week if you want to explore the islands properly. While the three islands are relatively small, there’s plenty to discover, and you can easily spend a day exploring each of the main cities, as well as time at the key archaeological site, on boat trips, discovering the island’s picturesque villages, plus any separate attractions and time to relax at the beach. You could easily spend 10-14 days on Malta, Gozo and Comino if you’d like to explore at a slower pace, with more time to relax by the sea. 

Malta is a relatively conservative culture, and Catholicism is extremely important in daily life, especially for older generations. Covering up arms and legs before entering a church is essential, as well as avoiding any behaviour which might appear disrespectful towards the official religion. The Maltese also have very strong opinions about politics (and football!) so you can expect loud, enthusiastic discussions but people may be less likely to tolerate differences of opinion from tourists compared to locals. In general, the Maltese are very welcoming and friendly, and it’s easy to strike up conversation in English, although knowing a few basic words of Maltese (including ‘bongu’ - good morning – and grazzi - thank you) will be appreciated. 

Tipping is customary for good service – around 10% of the bill is common in restaurants. Tour guides and drivers will also appreciate a small tip, perhaps a couple of euros per day. You can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included in our Malta tours, so there’s no need to tip for bags.