Malta is worth a visit for its rich blend of history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. Visitors can explore ancient megalithic temples, stroll through the baroque streets of Valletta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and enjoy the island’s crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, perfect for swimming, diving, and boat trips. It’s lively festivals, diverse cuisine, and unique mix of cultures, influenced by European and Middle Eastern traditions, create a memorable experience. Malta’s sunny weather and beautiful beaches, such as the famous Blue Lagoon, make it an ideal getaway for both relaxation and exploration.
Where to stay in Malta
Here are three of the best areas to stay in Malta with kids:
Mellieha: Mellieha is home to Mellieha Bay (Ghadira Bay), the largest and most child-friendly beach in Malta. Its shallow waters are perfect for younger children, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it ideal for family vacations. Mellieha offers several family-friendly resorts with pools, kids’ clubs, and entertainment. Nearby attractions include: Popeye Village (a fun park based on the 1980 Popeye movie set) and Mellieha Adventure Park (a place for active play).
Bugibba & Qawra (St. Paul’s Bay): These neighboring areas offer a combination of seaside fun and attractions like the Malta National Aquarium. The promenade is great for family strolls, and the region has a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. Family-oriented hotels and apartment rentals are plentiful, with many offering pools and entertainment for kids. Nearby attractions include: Malta National Aquarium and Bugibba Water Park (a splash pad playground open during the summer).
St. Julian’s (Spinola Bay & St. George’s Bay): St. Julian’s is lively, with plenty of family-friendly restaurants and hotels. The small, sandy beach at St. George’s Bay is great for kids, and the area offers numerous indoor and outdoor activities. These areas combine beach fun with convenient access to family-friendly attractions and amenities. Numerous family-friendly resorts with kids’ clubs, pools, and entertainment options. Nearby attractions include: Playmobil FunPark (an interactive play setting) and cinemas and bowling alleys.
We opted to stay in St. Julians because we wanted to stay at the Hyatt Regency Malta for the great rewards redemption deal we obtained. We were overall pleased with the property!
What to do in Malta
Malta is a fun destination for little kids due to its family-friendly attractions and activities. The island has beautiful, shallow beaches with calm waters like Mellieħa Bay, perfect for young swimmers. There are also interactive parks like Popeye Village, a film set-turned-theme park, offering cartoon-themed fun, live shows, and boat rides. Kids can explore ancient history in child-friendly ways at sites like the Mdina Dungeons or enjoy nature and animal encounters at the Malta National Aquarium or Wildlife Park. Malta’s small size makes it easy to travel between these attractions, ensuring less time on the road and more time for fun!
Our favorite activities that we did included:
Malta National Aquarium: This is a nice aquarium, not too big, but pleasant for kids and adults! There is a cafe/restaurant near the entrance, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed the coffee and pastries.
Playground next to the Aquarium: The playground is right next to the aquarium, and perfect for the kids to end the aquarium experience. They ran around, climbed the structures, and exerted all the energy!
Mediterraneo Marine Park: This is a small scale version of “Sea World”. Because it is so much fewer people, they are able to organize each day to a specific schedule so that the visitors are able to see each exhibit. For example, it begins with a reptile education experience, where the kids can pet different snakes and lizards. Next is the parrot show, followed by the sea lion performance, etc. We paid a little extra so that the kids could pet dolphins at the end of the day as well. In between the performances, there was a playground for the kids to run around and a cafe (which I personally don’t recommend – try to bring your own snacks). All in all, as small and low key this space was, it was ideal for my 5-year-old and 3-year-old.
Valetta: Valetta is a beautiful city with streets full of shops, restaurants, and colorful doors. I loved browsing everything it had to offer!
Upper Barrakka Gardens: This is the more beautiful gardens, of the two, with nice views, fountains, and space for the kids to run. I loved spending time on a bench here while the kids “bug hunted”.
Lower Barrakka Gardens: This is also worth a visit if you are in the area, with a nice view of the city.
Mdina Old City: I am a sucker for old towns. I loved the architecture, colorful doors, and the old town vibe here. We only spent a morning here, and although it was enjoy for my husband/kids, I would have liked to peruse around a bit more.
I loved the blend of browsing beautiful architecture, children-oriented activities, and finding open spaces in the Gardens for the kids to run around and the adults could enjoy the views. We opted to not take a boat ride or do much water-oriented activities during this trip, but there are numerous options for those activities as well! Additonally, next time I want to add visiting Popeyes Village and the indoor play place for the kids! We could have easily done 1 or 2 more days to our trip to fit everything in, while leisurely enjoying each activity.
Where to eat in Malta
There is quite a bit of diversity in the cuisine in Malta. Here are a few family friendly spots we visited and enjoyed.
I enjoyed Malta as a quick trip from Amsterdam. If I had to fly from a further distance, I would likely opt to add it as a side trip to nearby Sicily, Italy (because I enjoyed Sicily more, although I think Malta is worth a visit). For my full post on Sicily tips, visit here.
