Last updated: September 2026
Malta holidays deliver one of the most remarkably compact yet historically rich travel experiences available anywhere in the Mediterranean. This tiny archipelago — three inhabited islands covering just 316 square kilometres in total — has been continuously occupied for over 7,000 years, and the evidence of every era is visible in extraordinary density: Neolithic temples older than Stonehenge, a Phoenician trading port, Roman ruins, a medieval walled capital of staggering baroque splendour, and the scars and memorials of one of the most heavily bombed campaigns of the Second World War. All of this comes with a warm climate, English as an official language and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean.
Malta holidays suit an exceptional range of UK travellers — history lovers, divers, beach seekers, city breakers and those wanting a relaxed winter sun escape all find something deeply rewarding here. This page covers the best of what Malta has to offer, from the UNESCO-listed streets of Valletta to the wild red-sand beaches of Gozo and the legendary Blue Lagoon of Comino.
Malta holidays are among the most practical for UK travellers anywhere in the Mediterranean. English is an official language — a legacy of over 150 years of British rule — which means communication is never an issue, signage is bilingual, and the island has a long-established tradition of welcoming British visitors with genuine warmth. The currency is the Euro, the standard of accommodation across all price points is high, and direct flights operate from airports throughout the UK with year-round frequency.
The climate makes Malta holidays attractive across an unusually long season. Summers are hot and reliably sunny, spring and autumn are warm and ideal for sightseeing and walking, and winter Malta holidays bring mild temperatures and blue skies that are a rare luxury in northern Europe from December to February. The island also has an extraordinary density of things to do: even a one-week Malta holiday barely scratches the surface of the cultural, historical and natural riches on offer across Malta, Gozo and Comino. Explore Valletta, the baroque capital, or venture north to Mellieha for Malta’s finest sandy beach.
St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is one of the most extraordinary baroque interiors in the world. Built between 1572 and 1577 by the Knights of St John as their conventual church, it contains an interior of almost overwhelming richness — the nave floor paved entirely with 374 ornate marble tomb slabs of deceased knights, the nave walls covered in gilded carved limestone, and the ceiling painted with scenes from the life of St John the Baptist. The Oratory houses two exceptional paintings by Caravaggio, including the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist — the largest painting Caravaggio ever made and the only one he signed. This is, without doubt, one of the great artistic destinations of any Malta holiday.
Valletta itself is the smallest capital city in the European Union by area and one of the most concentrated collections of historic architecture in the world. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, it was chosen as European Capital of Culture in 2018. The Upper Barrakka Gardens offer one of the finest harbour views in the Mediterranean, and the daily cannon salute at noon from the Saluting Battery below is a ritual that speaks directly to the island’s extraordinary military history.
The Grand Harbour of Malta is one of the finest natural harbours in the world and was the stage for some of the most significant naval engagements in European history — including the Great Siege of 1565, when a small force of Knights and Maltese defenders held the island against the Ottoman Empire, and the Second World War siege that earned Malta the George Cross. Taking a harbour cruise or a traditional dgħajsa water taxi across the harbour to the Three Cities — Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua — is one of the most memorable experiences on any Malta holiday.
The Three Cities, occupying a fortified peninsula opposite Valletta, are older than the capital and contain some of the most authentic and least-touristy urban fabric in Malta. Vittoriosa in particular has a beautiful waterfront marina, the original auberge of the Knights, and a compelling atmosphere of lived-in historical depth that many visitors prefer to the busier main capital.
Mdina, the ancient walled hilltop capital of Malta, is called the Silent City for good reason — vehicles are banned from most of its streets, and within the honey-coloured limestone walls the medieval atmosphere is almost perfectly preserved. Founded by the Phoenicians and expanded by the Arabs, Normans and Knights of St John, Mdina served as Malta’s capital before the Knights moved the seat of power to Valletta in the 16th century. The cathedral, the palaces, the narrow street plan and the cliff-edge views across the island make Mdina an unmissable highlight of any Malta holiday.
The adjacent town of Rabat, just outside the walls, is home to the catacombs of St Paul and St Agatha — an extensive network of early Christian underground burial chambers dating to the 3rd and 4th centuries AD — and is equally rich in historical depth. Mdina and Rabat together make for a superb half-day excursion from any base on the island.
Malta’s largest and most family-friendly sandy beach, Mellieha Bay lies in the far north of the island and is the most classically Mediterranean-feeling stretch of sand in the entire archipelago. The bay is wide, sheltered and shallow — perfect for families with young children — and the surrounding area includes the charming hilltop village of Mellieha, Popeye Village (the original film set, now a family attraction), and easy access to the Gozo ferry at Cirkewwa. A Mellieha holiday is among the most popular choices for families on Malta holidays.
The Blue Lagoon, on the tiny island of Comino between Malta and Gozo, is one of the most photographed spots in the entire Mediterranean. The shallow bay has water of an extraordinary clear turquoise colour — a result of the white sandy seabed and the exceptional clarity of Maltese waters — and on a calm day it is genuinely as beautiful as anything the Caribbean can offer. Day trips run regularly from the main Malta ferry terminals, and arriving early in the morning before the day-tripping crowds arrive is essential for enjoying the Blue Lagoon at its most magical.
Comino is almost entirely uninhabited — there is one small hotel, one police station and one chapel — and the island’s walking trails through low scrub and clifftops offer a complete escape from the busier parts of Malta. The Blue Lagoon alone makes it worth including Comino in any Malta holiday itinerary.
On the northwest coast of Malta, Golden Bay and the adjacent Ghajn Tuffieha Bay are two of the most beautiful sandy beaches in the archipelago. The cliffs and headlands around both bays are particularly dramatic, and Ghajn Tuffieha in particular — accessible only by a steep flight of steps — has maintained a more rustic and uncrowded character than some of the more easily accessible beaches. Both are excellent swimming beaches with water sports facilities available in season.
Gozo is Malta’s quieter, greener and by many accounts more beautiful sister island, reached by a short ferry crossing from Cirkewwa in the north of Malta. The island’s landscape is hillier and more rural than the main island, its villages more traditional, and its pace of life distinctly more relaxed. Malta holidays that include at least one or two nights on Gozo offer a significantly different perspective on the archipelago.
The Ggantija Temples on Gozo — dating to approximately 3600 BC — are among the oldest free-standing stone structures in the world, older than both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Ramla Bay, Gozo’s main sandy beach, has distinctive red-tinged sand and excellent swimming, while Victoria (Rabat), the island’s hilltop capital, has a characterful citadel with panoramic views across the island. Explore Gozo thoroughly on a Gozo holiday — it richly rewards more than a single day visit.
Malta is one of the premier diving destinations in Europe, and Malta holidays for divers offer a genuinely exceptional underwater experience. The exceptional water clarity — visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres — combined with a mild year-round water temperature, numerous wrecks (including the famous Um El Faroud and the Tug 2) and a dramatic coastal topography of caves, arches and tunnels gives Malta a diving offer that competes with the best in the world.
The waters around Gozo in particular, and the dive sites around the Inland Sea at Dwejra, are rated among the top ten dive sites in Europe by the diving community. Numerous PADI-certified dive schools operate on Malta and Gozo throughout the year, making Malta holidays an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced divers. Snorkelling, sea kayaking, windsurfing and boat hire are all widely available for those who prefer to stay at the surface. Explore the waters around Sliema and St Julian’s for the widest range of water sports operators.
Malta International Airport (MLA) is one of the best-connected airports in the Mediterranean, with direct scheduled and charter flights from airports throughout the UK operated by Air Malta, Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and Jet2. Flight times from London are approximately three hours, and from northern UK airports approximately three and a half hours. Malta holidays are accessible year-round, with the full range of carriers operating across all seasons.
Malta’s compact size — it takes less than an hour to drive from one end to the other — means that the choice of resort base matters less than on larger islands. Car hire is widely available and recommended for exploring beyond the main tourist areas. The island’s bus network is comprehensive and inexpensive, covering most of the main attractions and resorts from Valletta’s central terminus. Gozo is reached by the Malta-Gozo ferry from Cirkewwa — the crossing takes approximately 25 minutes.
| Capital | Valletta (UNESCO World Heritage Site) |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Language | Maltese and English (both official) |
| Time Zone | CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2 in summer) |
| Best Time to Visit | April to June, September to November; winter for mild sun |
| Flight Time from UK | Approx. 3 hours (London direct) |
| Main Airport | Malta International Airport (MLA) |
| Visa Requirements | No visa required for UK passport holders |
| UNESCO Sites | Valletta, Ggantija Temples, Hal Saflieni Hypogeum |
| Best For | History, culture, diving, beaches, winter sun, families |
Look for ABTA membership, ATOL protection or ABTOT cover — these schemes protect your money if an operator ceases trading before or during your holiday. For a plain-English guide to what each scheme covers, read our holiday protection guide.
For last-minute Malta holiday deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Malta holidays work well across a remarkably long season. April to June and September to November are the ideal months for sightseeing and beach visits — warm temperatures, comfortable conditions for walking and exploring, and fewer crowds than peak summer. July and August are very hot and busy, particularly around the Blue Lagoon and the main beaches, but the long summer evenings and the lively festival calendar make peak season vibrant and entertaining.
Winter Malta holidays from December to March offer something genuinely rare — mild temperatures, blue skies and the opportunity to explore the island’s extraordinary historical sites without crowds. The sea is too cool for most swimmers in winter, but for culture lovers and those escaping the northern European grey, winter is an excellent time for a Malta holiday.
UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Malta. The country is a full member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, and UK citizens may visit visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Malta’s official languages include English, so there are no language barriers for UK travellers.
Ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity beyond the return date of your Malta holiday. Post-Brexit, some UK travellers may be subject to additional passport checks at the border. Your travel agent will provide the latest guidance on entry requirements when booking.
Malta is one of the best Mediterranean destinations for family holidays. The combination of safe, warm and shallow beaches (particularly at Mellieha Bay), English as an official language, child-friendly attractions including Popeye Village and the Malta Aquarium, and a culture of genuine warmth towards children makes Malta holidays an excellent choice for families with children of all ages.
The island is compact and easy to navigate, distances are short, and the standard of family-friendly accommodation is high across all price points. Gozo adds an extra dimension to family Malta holidays — quieter beaches, more space and a distinctive rural character that makes for an excellent contrast with the busier resorts on the main island.
A minimum of five to seven days is recommended for a Malta holiday that covers the main highlights — Valletta, Mdina, the Blue Lagoon, at least one beach base and a day trip to Gozo. A week allows for a genuinely comprehensive Malta holiday: two days in and around Valletta, a day each for Mdina and Gozo, two beach days and one day for the Blue Lagoon and Comino.
Two weeks in Malta is enough to explore the island thoroughly, including diving, walking the quieter coastal paths, visiting the smaller temples and museums, and spending several nights on Gozo. Many UK visitors return to Malta for a second or third time — the island’s depth of historical and cultural interest means there is always more to discover on subsequent Malta holidays.
If you book a flight-inclusive Malta package through a UK ATOL-licensed tour operator, your money is fully protected if the company fails before or during your trip. Our holiday protection guide explains ATOL, ABTA and Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Search4Sun works with many ATOL-protected UK tour operators — always check the individual operator’s credentials before booking.
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