Drenched in Mediterranean sunshine almost year-round and steeped in the legacy of ancient civilisations, the balmy Maltese Islands (Malta, Gozo and Comino) appeal to all types of travellers. Those who love culture and history should choose the elegant capital of Valletta as a base, where magnificent baroque palaces, beautiful churches and fascinating museums await discovery. For visitors seeking old-world ambiance and pastoral charm, a few nights in Mdina will delight, with the magic of a medieval walled hilltop town completely untouched by modernity and surrounded by Malta’s picturesque countryside. If instead a trendy tourist scene and sunbathing on the beach is the goal, then Sliema near Valletta is the place to find a resort hotel or contemporary accommodations. How about a classic beach vacation with a relaxing island vibe?
Plan to spend most (or all) of the holiday in Mellieha, Malta’s sweeping stretches of sand, or on the island of Gozo, where quaint villages highlight the bucolic landscape and beautiful coastline. To enjoy a deserted island getaway, take a ferry from Gozo to the island of Comino, famous for the crystal clear Blue Lagoon that dazzles many tourists. where quaint villages highlight the rural landscape and beautiful coastline. To enjoy a deserted island getaway, take a ferry from Gozo to the island of Comino, famous for the crystal clear Blue Lagoon that dazzles many tourists. where quaint villages highlight the rural landscape and beautiful coastline. To enjoy a deserted island getaway, take a ferry from Gozo to the island of Comino, famous for the crystal clear Blue Lagoon that dazzles many tourists.
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Where to Stay for Sightseeing
Street in Valletta
Malta’s most interesting and historic city is Valletta , and the best place to stay in Valletta is within the city’s ancient ramparts. The walled city center of Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great choice of accommodation here is La Falconeria. This stylish, modern hotel is within walking distance of St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master’s Palace, the Museum of Archeology and other top city attractions. The hotel offers standard rooms overlooking a quiet courtyard and deluxe rooms with a balcony or terrace. Also in Valletta’s walled city centre, the Osborne Hotel is well placed for exploring the historic sites. The hotel offers modern rooms (deluxe rooms have a sea view), a traditional restaurant, a sun terrace and a small swimming pool.
Outside the city gates of the fortified city of Valletta, the Excelsior Grand Hotel is a five-minute walk from the historic sites of the city centre. The hotel takes advantage of its location at the Marsamxett Harbor with a beautiful sundeck, a beautiful outdoor pool and a small private beach. This large, modern hotel offers a wide range of accommodations from standard rooms to deluxe suites with harbor views.
For a truly magical experience, spend the night in the medieval walled city of Mdina. After all the day-tripping tourists have left the city, a pastoral tranquility imbues the twilight with enchanting tranquility and gives visitors the feeling of being transported back in time. The Xara Palace is a Relais & Chateaux property yet it is relatively affordable for this class of hotel. At this location within the city’s ancient ramparts, visitors can easily see the many historic sites of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as Mdina’s neighboring city of Rabat.
In the peaceful rural village of Zebbug , The De Rohan B&B is a truly special place for an authentic Maltese experience. The hotel has beautifully decorated, spacious rooms and a small swimming pool. The town offers many historical sites and is within close proximity by car or bus to Mdina, the UNESCO World Heritage listed medieval town, and Siggiewi, a traditional Maltese village with an impressive baroque church and notable religious and cultural festivals throughout the year. whole year.
Where to stay near the beach
The closest beach resort to Valletta is located in the St. George’s Bay in the Saint Julian’s district . Located about a mile from Saint Julian’s city center, the Radisson Blu Resort is one of the best beachfront hotels in the area. This modern five-star hotel offers stunning sea views; a poolside sundeck with a lagoon-style pool; and a private sandy beach.
Overlooking the Bay of St. George, the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort pampers guests in a seaside paradise with outdoor activities and relaxation. A short walk from the sandy St. George’s Bay Beach , the hotel has several restaurants; five swimming pools, including a children’s pool; a private beach with a safe swimming area and beach volleyball court; diving and water sports centers; a jetty; and yacht charter services.
One of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Malta is Golden Bay . In the upscale price range, the Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands is a five-star hotel just steps from the beautiful beach of Golden Bay, where sunbathers lounge under colorful umbrellas while listening to the gentle waves. The resort is also within walking distance of Il Majjistral National Park , a wonderful place for hiking and guided nature walks.
The pleasant seaside town of Marsalforn on the island of Gozo boasts a lively waterfront lined with restaurants and shops, a tiny beach and scenic harbor views. In this relaxed resort town, the Calypso Hotel is a great choice, with modern rooms and a swimming pool. Nearby (a 10 minute drive or 30 minute bus ride from Marsalforn) is the best beach on the island of Gozo, Ir-Ramla il-Hamra Beach . It is ideal for sunbathing and swimming, thanks to its sheltered location, gentle waves and an extensive coastline (the largest on the island) with fine reddish sand. Visitors will also appreciate the snack bar, public restrooms, showers, and umbrella and lounge chair rentals.
The largely uninhabited island of Cominooffers the dreamy appeal of a deserted island. Take a boat to the island of Gozo and spend a few nights in your own private paradise at the Comino Hotel (the island’s only hotel) overlooking the turquoise bay of San Niklaw. Here visitors enjoy the ultimate peace and tranquility as they discover the unspoilt landscape of the small island, with its pristine sandy beaches, secluded coves, fertile valleys and dramatic cliffs. Staying at the Comino Hotel also offers the advantage of avoiding the hordes of day-trippers who tour (by ferry or tour boat) the island’s famous Blue Lagoon daily, from approximately 10am to 4pm. In the early morning or late afternoon, visitors can enjoy the enchanting tranquility of the Blue Lagoon and its crystal clear waters.
Where to stay for luxury
In the heart of Valletta, opposite the Church of the Carmelites, Casa Ellul offers luxurious accommodation in an elegant neoclassical palazzo. This small boutique hotel has just eight suites (which are booked months in advance) – all beautifully decorated and with great views of the courtyard or the city. A stone’s throw away is the magnificent Manoel Theatre , one of the oldest theaters in Europe, as well as many excellent restaurants.
Another luxury hotel in historic Valletta near the Manoel Theater is the De Vilhena Boutique Hotel, an elegant hotel in a recently renovated building with modern rooms with marble bathrooms.
At the lower end of the luxury category, Palazzo Consiglia occupies a traditional baroque-style Maltese mansion in historic Valletta, with a lavish marble-floored entrance and atmospheric courtyard. The rooms feature authentic antique furniture and modern bathrooms. For a real pampering, take advantage of the hotel’s wellness spa or head up to the roof terrace with spectacular views and a small leisure area, including a mini pool.
In Floriana Hotel Phenicia is a recently renovated property, set in a lively garden with swimming pools, and is located behind (within walking distance) the old ramparts around the center of Valletta. The hotel’s cheerful, modern rooms overlook Valletta’s historic buildings and the Grand Harbour. The hotel has a casual café restaurant and an upscale restaurant that serves gourmet meals on a terrace or in the more formal dining room.
Sliema is the place to stay for those interested in taking harbor cruises, boat trips and day trips from Valletta to the island of Gozo or to the Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino. In the heart of this vibrant tourist area, The Palace is a five-star hotel with a contemporary, cosmopolitan feel. On site you will find a trendy rooftop cafe and restaurant, as well as the pool area with breathtaking panoramic views.
Within the medieval walls of Mdina , The Xara Palace is a prestigious Relais & Chateaux property that offers a luxurious overnight stay, complete with a gourmet restaurant and lavishly decorated rooms. The hotel is a stone’s throw from the historic sites listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For those visiting the Island of Gozo , The Hotel Ta’ Cenc offers an oasis of charm and luxury in a stunning hilltop location. Surrounded by lush gardens full of fragrant blossoms, this 5-star hotel features a beautiful swimming pool, a gourmet restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine and beautiful countryside views.
Where to stay for the best value
In the heart of the ancient walled city of Valletta , the Castille Hotel occupies a renovated 16th-century mansion. This elegant architectural gem has been updated with a brightly colored facade, modern rooms and a rooftop breakfast area with exceptional harbor views. The location in Castille Square is fantastic as it is a few blocks from St. John’s Co-Cathedral and just steps away from the Upper Barrakka Gardens which offer sensational panoramic vistas of Valletta’s Grand Harbour. Also in the historic center of Valletta, the Grand Harbor Hotel is a comfortable mid-range hotel with exceptional views of the city and harbor, especially from the rooftop terrace.
A resort hotel in the tourist area of St. Julian’s district The Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay is located near Valletta and features a spa, hair salon, water sports center, charter yacht facilities and a diving school. The property offers eight different restaurants and six pools, including two adults-only pools and a shallow pool for the little ones.
On the idyllic island of Gozo , the Cornucopia Hotel in Xaghra offers plenty of charm and spacious rooms for the price. The small country village of Xaghra has a typical town square with a 19th century church and outdoor cafes. The main tourist attraction in Xaghra is the UNESCO-listed Ggantija Temples , a remarkably well-preserved archaeological site dating from about 3600 BC to 3200 BC and said to predate other ancient heritage sites, including the pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge in England.
Where to stay on a budget
Sliema
In the historic center of Valletta The 2-star British Hotel overlooks the Grand Harbor and has small but comfortable rooms, a restaurant with panoramic views and a sunny roof terrace.
A short ferry ride from Valletta across Marsamxett Harbour, Sliema is a tourist area with an expansive waterfront promenade, many modern high-rise hotels and a wide variety of restaurants. The Victoria Hotel is less than a mile from the center from Sliema and offers trendy contemporary accommodation at a great price. The four-star hotel features a rooftop terrace, swimming pool, gym and spa.
In the seaside town of Birżebbuga, Water’s Edge Hotel is a beachfront property with a restaurant and free parking. The town is appreciated for its picturesque bay and sandy beach, as well as the choice of shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Visitors can take a short drive to Ghar Dalam , a fascinating Neolithic archaeological site with evidence of Malta’s earliest inhabitants.
On the Island of Gozo , within the historic walled city of Victoria , the Gallerija House offers affordable accommodation in a grand old stone building. The hotel has a charming decor and an attractive location in an old medieval street. Located in the picturesque village of Xlendi on the island of Gozo, the San Andrea Hotel offers quaint rooms, friendly staff and an attractive seafront location, just a few steps from a pretty waterfront promenade.
Where to stay for families
Overlooking the shimmering azure waters of Saint George’s Bay and Saint Julian’s Bay, Saint Julian’s district is a good choice for families with children due to its proximity (approximately 10 miles away) to the Splash & Fun Water Park in Bahar Ic Caghaq (near Naxxar) and the National Aquarium of Malta in Saint Paul’s Bay. The Hilton Malta has been carefully designed for families with children. It is located in a spectacular setting by the marina in Portomaso in the Saint Julian’s district. This high-end hotel offers babysitting services, childcare, a restaurant with a children’s menu, a games room, a playground and a swimming pool with four pools plus a children’s splash pad.
In the town of Qawra The dB San Antonio Hotel + Spa is located about a 30-minute drive north of Valletta, within walking distance of a sandy beach and has three outdoor pools overlooking St. Paul’s Bay. This modern Moorish-style resort resort is ideal for families as all-inclusive accommodations include 3 buffet meals per day. The hotel has special rooms for families, a nursery, a children’s club playroom and a children’s pool with a pirate ship. Kids will also have fun at the nearby National Aquarium , a 10-minute drive away in the town of Triq it-Trunciera.
On the island of Gozo , the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz is a large, luxury resort-style hotel with a fantastic swimming pool and outdoor area for sunbathing. The spacious, modern rooms have a balcony overlooking the rural landscape of San Lawrenz.
mellieha , on the island of Malta, is a popular seaside resort that attracts many families for its kid-friendly attractions. The sheltered sandy beach on Mellieha Bay , the largest beach in Malta, is perfect for children as it has calm, gentle waters that are safe for swimming. A ten minute drive from Mellieha Bay is the Popeye Village Malta, the film set for the 1970s movie Popeye. Kids love a visit to Popeye Village where they can meet their favorite characters and see the highlights of the Popeye Comics Museum. The dB Seabank Resort + Spa is located a few steps from Mellieha Bay beach and within walking distance of the ferry to the island of Gozo. The Ramla Bay Resort in Marfa (near Mellieha) is a 4-star beachfront hotel with a private sandy beach and a saltwater pool. Located on the northernmost coast of Malta, this hotel overlooks the island of Gozo with panoramic views of the unspoilt countryside and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. The beaches of Armier Bay, Paradise Bay and Mellieha Bay are all a short drive away.
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