Why family vacations in Malta are next summer’s big adventure

Family vacations to Malta are once in a lifetime experiences. One of Europe’s most historic – and sunniest – countries, it’s an amazing adventure for kids.

Playing in the Mediterranean, Golden Bay, Malta

Malta is a stunning island country, surrounded by the Mediterranean. It enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, and if that doesn’t convince you to visit; family vacations here also come with over 7,000 years of history.

View of the Maltese capital, Valletta, at sunset

Look forward to World Heritage sites and wonderful adventures

The Maltese archipelago is small enough to explore easily. Yet it also contains three UNESCO World Heritage sites, one of which is the historic capital of Valletta, where you can brush up against the Knights of St. John, enthralling medieval drama and even paintings by Caravaggio. The artist once lived in the city and left behind a masterpiece in its magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral.

In between the art and history, Malta is always up for adventure. Year after year it has been named the world’s second best diving destination and kids as young as 10 can start learning scuba basics on vacation. There are also endless exciting ways to go exploring from Segway or quad bike tours to self-drive electric cars and jeep safaris. So don’t worry about your teenagers having the time of their lives, that’s guaranteed in Malta.

Natural stone arch overlooking Ramla Bay, Malta

The stunning coast is a big part of family vacations in Malta

Variety is woven into Malta’s coastline, so you’ll find family beaches like Mellieha Bay in striking contrast to pretty little coves. There are also beaches with natural swimming like St. Peter’s Pool, as well as shores known for spectacular views of Comino and Gozo.

Ready to explore Malta in a bit more depth? Good, because we love talking about this dream of a family vacation destination.

Kayaking on the Blue Lagoon, Comino, Malta

Where to go on family vacations in Malta

Wherever you are in Malta, you’re never far from the coast, which makes it a perfect destination for mixing up city adventures with days by the sea. The three very different islands invite you to go hopping or stay awhile. And both Gozo and Comino are only short ferry journeys from Malta, although Comino can also be easily reached from Gozo.

Gozo: for authentic family vacations in Malta

The second largest of the Maltese islands, Gozo is incredibly welcoming to families while still remaining authentic and charming. It’s here you’ll find one of Malta’s most spectacular sites, the Megalithic Temples which predate the Pyramids at Giza and are in fact the world’s oldest freestanding structures.

That monumental piece of history aside, Gozo offers some sandy beaches, pretty villages, sensational walking trails and colorful summer festas. If you’re keen on staying in a traditional farmhouse, Gozo also has a wide variety of sustainable, self-catering properties and many come with swimming pools.

Comino: the island escape you dream about

The island of Comino will almost certainly be one of your family vacation highlights. Only a short ferry crossing from Malta or Gozo, it’s home to the legendary Blue Lagoon. And although it only has a few modest stretches of sand, such as San Niklaw and Santa Marija Bay, there are secret coves around the Lagoon which offer plenty of opportunity to swim and snorkel.

Families who like to walk will also love the hiking trails around Comino for their incredible views, easy terrain and wildlife. Keen eyed kids should keep a look out for Moorish Gecko and Maltese Wall Lizards, mostly spotted basking in the sun.

Sailing on an historic Dghajsa boat, Valletta Grand Harbour, Malta

Fun for kids on family vacations in Malta

As we said, Malta is packed with family activities and promises to highly entertain kids of all ages – even tricky to please teenagers. The downloadable Malta Family Trail is an excellent guide to everything you can see and do on vacation. Here are a few of its highlights:

• Esplora Interactive Science Centre in Kalkara makes an exciting and educational day out for the whole family.
• Older kids will like Valletta’s Knights of St John history. However, younger ones are likely to enjoy these Maltese legends even more at the Playmobile Funpark in beachy Birżebbuġa.
• Dreams of Horses on Gozo offers families wonderful experiences like walking ponies in the countryside or horse-drawn carriage rides around the island’s lovely villages.
• If you’re not a guided tour type of family you want Rolling Geeks. Their self-drive electric cars with programmed GPS travel around Malta’s Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua). It’s a perfect mix of freedom and all the learning of a conventional tour.
• Kids of all ages love a day out at Popeye Village on the north west coast of Malta. Originally built as a film set for 1980 musical ‘Popeye’ it’s now a fun theme park. Here families can enjoy everything from a mini-golf course and Popeye Comic Museum to an inflatable waterpark and play pools.
• Snorkeling and kid-friendly water sports are available on many of Malta’s beaches. Or if kids aged 10 and over want to try scuba, there are also several excellent PADI accredited dive centres here too.
• Visit Ta’Qali crafts village in central Malta and watch the master glassblowers of Mdina Glass in action.
• Teenagers will enjoy exciting Segway tours of Valletta, Mdina and various other areas of Malta.
• Adventurous families can try everything from sea kayaking and rock climbing to abseiling and jet skiing on both Malta and Gozo.

Self-guided family Segway tours, Xwejni, Gozo

Grown up fun for older kids and parents

Families with older kids can also look forward to plenty of more grown-up fun too.

If the Maltese Islands seem familiar to children, it may be because they have served as location for countless blockbusters. Family favorites like Gladiator, Popeye, The Count of Monte Cristo and, more recently, Jurassic World Dominion, were all filmed in Malta. Although teenagers might know the city of Mdina best from HBO’s Game of Thrones, in which it doubled as King’s Landing.

For a taste of real history, take a sail on a ‘dgħajsa’. This typical Maltese gondola shaped boat was once widely used in the Grand Harbour to ferry sailors and seamen. Today families can enjoy the same authentic experience on the crossing from Valletta to Birgu.

The islands are also world famous for fabulous food which you can try on the hoof in the form of flaky and delicious Pastizzi or Maltese kannoli. However, don’t miss out on great restaurants serving up fresh fish and rich, hearty Maltese specialities like Bragioli and Stuffat Tal-Qarnit.

Alternatively explore the country’s agriculture heritage with older kids on curated tours of olive oil estates and island wineries. If you’re more hands-on you can even learn how to make Malta’s famous bread and cheese or discover secret recipes which celebrate the country’s farm to fork traditions.

A tour of Valletta is another fun experience to share with older kids. The incredible capital of Malta sits on a peninsula that’s just over half-a-mile long by a third-of-a-mile wide, yet it has over 320 historical sites. Described as ‘one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world’, it’s amazingly easy to explore on foot. And you can go it alone or take advantage of one of the very good local tours.

Start planning your family vacation in Malta with Visit Malta. Not only will you find detailed information about each of the islands, as well as holiday inspiration, you can also browse and book the best places to stay.