Cheap Malta holidays

Which island is best for you: Gozo or Malta?

Malta is the largest island, with a lively nightlife, good shopping and a wide range of restaurants. A 20-minute ferry ride away, Gozo is quieter and more rural. For a short break to hike in nature and get away from it all, consider Gozo. While both islands have beaches, the bigger resorts and better range of package deals are in Malta.

Tiny Comino, between Malta and Gozo, is uninhabited and has no accommodation options but its Blue Lagoon is definitely one for a day trip.

For an all-inclusive holiday

Qawra, in the northeast of Malta, is a popular spot for an all-inclusive holiday. There are several resorts around its seafront promenade, many of which have views over St Paul's Bay, swimming pools and a range of restaurants.

Of the all-inclusive resorts in the seaside town of St Julian's, the Westin Dragonara Resort is worth considering if you’re looking for luxury. On a private peninsula, the five-star resort has two pools and direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. Another great option is the db Seabank Resort + Spa, which overlooks Malta's largest sandy beach in Mellieħa.

For families

With a sandy beach and tons of activities, Mellieħa is a great shout for a family holiday. There are loads of family-friendly hotels to choose from, with great kids’ clubs, pool complexes and entertainment options.

Buġibba and Qawra are neighbouring seaside towns that also have kid-friendly activities on offer. Buġibba has a lovely artificial beach, while Qawra has Ta' Fra Ben, a popular swimming and snorkelling spot, and Malta’s National Aquarium.

For travellers on a budget

St Paul’s Bay, on Malta’s northern coast, has a wide range of accommodation for most budgets, with cheap rooms in guest houses, self-catering apartments and B&Bs aplenty. Plus, the sights and activities of Buġibba and Qawra are close by.

Further down the coast, the trendy resort town of Sliema also has good accommodations for budget travellers – think family-run hostels and hotels. There’s a good choice of pubs and restaurants and you can reach Valletta by taking the cheap ferry.

For a beach holiday

You’ll find Malta’s largest stretch of sand – as well as good hotels, plenty of entertainments and lots of watersports – at Mellieħa Bay in the north. Golden Bay is another safe, popular beach with a handful of hotels nearby.

Armier and Little Armier are quieter beaches good for swimming and cracking views of Comino and Gozo. A short drive from all four beaches is Ċirkewwa harbour, where you can catch ferries to Malta’s other islands.

For a short break

Valletta is Malta’s city break destination. The heart of the country’s cultural scene, the capital reflects Malta’s fascinating history and has the most extensive shopping, dining and nightlife options in the archipelago.

Valletta has enough sights to occupy two to three days and is also a convenient and well-connected base to explore the rest of Malta. With loads of accommodation choices, you can stay in a high-end five-star hotel or save with an affordable self-catering apartment.

Packed with ancient history, lively cities and spectacular natural wonders, Malta has plenty to keep you busy.

Discover Valletta’s stunning architecture

You don’t have to wander through Valletta for long before stumbling across something beautiful. Even in a city famed for its architectural marvels, St John’s Co-Cathedral might just be the pick of the bunch.

Built by the Order of the Knights of Saint John in the 16th century, its cavernous main hall, all marble and gold, is one of the highlights of the island. Keep an eye out for Caravaggio’s grisly frescoes – The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist is considered one of the painter's finest works.

Take a boat to The Three Cities

Directly across the harbour from Valletta, the Three Cities of Vittoriosa (I-Birgu), Senglea (L-Isla) and Cospicua (Bormla) offer a glimpse into everyday Malta. These three fortified cities have stood since the Middle Ages, with spectacular churches, battlements and palaces that are even older than Valletta’s.

The journey to them, via ferry, water taxi or traditional dgħajsa boat, is half the adventure, crossing Valletta’s historic harbour with epic views over all four cities.

Party in Paceville

Malta might be small, but this little island knows how to party. For the best nightlife scene on the island, head down to Paceville in St Julian’s. Loud and lairy nightclubs, casual British pubs, cool cocktail bars… whatever your vibe, you’ll find it here.

If you like your nights long, Rabat needs to be on your radar. During summer, the town comes to life with open-air beach clubs pumping out music to the small hours.

Explore Malta’s many natural wonders

Each one of Malta’s three islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) is blessed with natural beauty. The Blue Grotto, off Malta’s southeast coast, is a complex of sea caves best explored by boat or, if you’re feeling adventurous, by kayak. Gozo’s Blue Hole is one of the best places in Malta for scuba diving and on Comino, it’s all about the spectacularly clear waters of the Blue Lagoon. Boat tours run regularly from Malta.

Step back in time

When it comes to history, Malta is right up there with the best of Europe. Visit Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, an ancient underground burial site that stretches for 500 square metres. Thought to be over 6,000 years old, the site is one of the oldest signs of civilisation on the island.

More prehistoric marvels await at Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra, two megalithic temples with impressive sea views of the Med off Malta’s southwest coast.

Tucked away along the island’s rugged coastline, Malta’s best beaches aren’t always easy to find – especially if you’re looking for a sandy spot to lay your towel.

Għajn Tuffieħa

Cliffs and clay slopes lead down to the untouched red sands and clear waters of Għajn Tuffieħa (Apple’s Eye). You’ll find sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and a small snack kiosk at this popular Blue Flag beach.

Ramla l-Ħamra

Another Blue Flag beauty, Ramla l-Ħamra is an undeveloped stretch of deep red sand on Gozo. A great choice for families, the water is safe and shallow, and there’s a seasonal lifeguard on duty.

Daħlet Qorrot

This small inlet on Gozo’s north coast has a pebbly beach and super-clear water perfect for swimming and snorkelling. It’s often quiet here because there’s less room for sunbathing, but the glassy water more than makes up for it.

Golden Bay

This Blue Flag stretch is popular with locals and tourists because of its fine sand and shallow water. Close to Għajn Tuffieħa on Malta, it is family friendly with loads of watersports, such as jet-skis, parasailing and fly-boarding.

Mellieħa Bay

Known locally as Għadira Bay, this is arguably the most popular beach in Malta. A long sweep of sand with lots to do, boat hire, snorkelling and scuba dive trips, and a variety of watersports are available.

Malta has pleasant weather most of the year, with hot summers and mild winters. Visit Malta either side of the peak summer season and you have a good chance of finding sunny days and temperatures in the 20s. Both May and September have great weather and lower prices.

Prices can rise during events. As well as Easter and Christmas, keep an eye out for Karnival ta' Malta, which lights up the six days before Lent with colourful floats and costumes and the Malta International Fireworks Festival, which ends in April.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

The low season runs from November to February and is a good time for cheap holidays. In exchange for less crowded sights and beaches, there is a risk of wind and rain, but it’s still worth taking your sunglasses. November has the warmest weather, with average temperatures of 17C, but it’s also the wettest month of the year. For the rest of winter, expect averages of 14C.

When should I go for the best weather?

For almost guaranteed sun, plan your Malta holiday in July or August, when temperatures can reach 30C and above. While the weather’s great, crowds mean beach space is at a premium and holiday prices are high. If you’re keen on a summer holiday in Malta, be sure to search and compare deals well in advance.