When my brother first told me that he was moving to Malta, I had to Google where in the world Malta was located. Well, having visited him this summer, I am now here to tell you about all the fun things to do in Malta with kids and share our 7 day Malta itinerary with you. Oh and by the way, this archipelago is situated in Southern Europe and consists of three inhabited islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino. The island of Mata is situated in the Mediterranean Sea directly south of Italy and north of Libya. Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean made it a sought-after territory for numerous civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and the British. Which may be a reason why Malta has its own unique language, Maltese. It is said to be the only Semitic language written in the Latin script and contains influences from Arabic, Italian and English. Most people we interacted with spoke English which made it easy for us to learn about their customs and traditions. If you watch movies like Gladiator, Troy and Game of Thrones, then you’ve most likely seen a bit of Malta because this country is the backdrop for many movies and is often the dupe for Italy like Toronto is for NYC and Chicago!
Travelling from Toronto to Malta
As I type this, there’s no direct flights to Malta from Toronto but there are near daily flights with various connections. Our family travelled to Malta in August 2024 and we had a layover in Zurich on the way to Malta and a layover in Frankfurt on our way back. We booked our Air Canada flights using our Aeroplan points (361,600 pts + CAD2544.28 vs. $7k if we didn’t use points) and had connections on Lufthansa and Helvetic Airways (which ended up being Swiss Air).
Our Air Canada flight from Toronto Pearson to Zurich Airport was relatively calm and my only regret was that we didn’t pay to choose our seats because we ended up in the middle section with all four of sitting next to each. I much prefer the window seat because the kids (and I) enjoy leaning on the window to fall asleep. But I opted not to pay for that service so Air Canada did what they promise – kept the family together!
I thought it would be a grand idea to leverage an overnight layover and so we did end up spending a full day roaming around Zurich and even stayed in a HomeExchange apartment before catching our Helvetic Airways/Swiss Air flight from Zurich to Malta the next morning. I hope to share more about our Zurich layover one day soon! The next day as we checked in for our first ever Helvetic flight, we soon realized that was operated by Swiss Airways. The seat configurations was 2 -3 and the flight was empty enough that we all spread out. Not only do they serve some delicious chocolate onboard but we were each also given complimentary bottles of water (which went in individual compartments at the back of the seat in front of us-see water bottle picture above!).
Despite having two layovers and a delay in Montreal, the return journey (20 hours door to door) was much shorter than our travels to Malta because we opted for a one hour layover in Frankfurt and two hour layover in Montreal. Catching an early morning Lufthansa flight from Malta meant that we caught sunrise on board. Luckily the airport lounge in Malta was open early because none of the lounges we could access were in the terminal we were at during our Frankfurt and Montreal layovers. From Frankfurt we were on an Air Canada flight and enjoyed window seats this time around from Malta all the way to Toronto! The kids are always happy when they’re onboard Air Canada because of the built-in seat TVs!
Things to do in Malta with Tweens
Go Snorkeling in Malta
If your kids are water babies like mine, they will absolutely love spending time in the Maltese waters. Akira and Apollo insisted on snorkeling nearly every day of our vacation and luckily, it was easy to do so. You can pop into a local Decathlon store and purchase your snorkel gear if you don’t have your own and this is the best option because the kids can get in the water whenever you want.
The sea is never far away and most locals swim from May to October but divers go into winter as well.
Our homebase for this trip was Sliema where the rocky coast attracts many a crowd. We would hang by the big rocks and monitor the tides- walk the flat rocks during low tide because it’s really cool but swim between low and high tide so you can snorkel and enjoy the roman baths. Just remember that it’s very rocky and you’ll need water shoes or flippers.
We also snorkeled in Ghar Lapsi, Ramla Beach and Xlendi on Gozo (where the kids spotted an Octopus) and during our boat trip around Crystal Lagoon.
Ghar Lapsi can be a wonderful day trip because you can visit the Blue Grotto and then go swimming in the Ghar Lapsi Bay. If you’re at Ghar Lapsi be sure to pop into Carmen’s restaurant because they serve up some delicious Ftira.
Wander Around Valletta
Malta’s capital, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was one of the first planned cities in Europe. We actually went here on two occasions and there’s definitely a fun vibe here and lots of day time and evening happy hour offers. From Sliema you can either take an UBER/Bolt or the ferry over -both are cool options. If you’re planning to take the Valletta ferry, know that tickets can be purchased on arrival easily and there’s a.c onboard.
I’d recommend starting your day at St. John’s Co Cathedral – buy your tickets ahead of your visit and ensure you’re standing in the correct line. Ticket holders are allowed to walk through the very right entrance so be sure to ask a security person if you’re in the correct line. We saw an hour long line for people looking to purchase tickets when it was easily done online. The reason we visited Valletta on two occasions is because during our first visit (a Sunday), this Cathedral was closed and Chris wasn’t ablet to see Caravaggio’s work. The Cathedral is absolutely stunning and the ornate decorations, tombstones and history may not appeal to all kids but we dragged our two here because kids under 12 are free to enter and they did marvel at all the gold in the end! Grab the free headsets for your self-guided tour around the space because the audio guide is filled with interesting details.
We also took a pay what you can Valletta Walking Tour with Ben and learned a tonne of local history. This was a great tour because it provided us with insight into some of the buildings and we also received tips on other places to visit. History fans will also want to visit Fort St. Elmo and the National War Museum because even the kids were really into this attraction which takes you through Malta’s past battles. Heritage Malta is the website we used to purchase most tickets but you can easily buy tickets on arrival as well. If you plan ahead (we were very go with the flow), there are some family and group passes that might be cheaper in the long run.
We stopped in at multiple places to cool down and escape the heat. Valletta is filled with cafes, restaurants and bars (many with servers yelling happy hour deals at you) so you’ll have a hard time choosing where to sit down at.
Craft beer lovers MUST swing by Wild Honey and be sure to check out their artwork!
We also had a fantastic meal at Nenu the Baker (I’ll share more about this in the food section below) and some nibbles at Gugar Hangout and Bar where we saw local musicians congregate for an evening session. We also wandered into the Valetta Food Market but we were rushing for our walking tour and didn’t stop to try any of the places.
Step into a Cartoon World at Popeye Village
Even if your kids haven’t seen the original Popeye movies, I highly recommend visiting Popeye Village in Malta. We only gave ourselves 3 hours here but know that if it were just the kids and I, we would have easily spent the entire day lounging around. The original 1980s movie set has been converted into a theme park of sorts with a variety of activities (mini golf, checkers, pools, make your own movie -all included with the entry fee) and even has a mini inflatable waterpark (which they officially call an “assault course”).
I was told that the authentic wooden village was built from tree trunk logs from Holland and Canadian wood! We started our day wandering around the movie sets (be sure to swing by the cinema for free popcorn and the gift shop for a free postcard) before venturing towards the water. The free sunbeds are hard to nab but keep an eye out and you may luck out! or bring a bag to store your belongings in and tuck it somewhere within view. We also spent some time playing mini golf and wish we had time to swim in the pool but we wanted to spend most of time at the inflatable waterpark area, which is exactly what we did! We packed light but brought water bottles, water shoes and towels with us.
We didn’t have much time to sit and appreciate the live actors roaming around or take the water aerobics class – all things you can do if you’re not rushing to catch a ferry to Gozo! They also have a winery and couple restaurants onsite if you didn’t bring your own snacks. If you’re not renting a car, there are buses from Valletta and other major towns to Mellieħa (you will have to walk to the Village though). We chose to drive and free parking was available on-site.
I want to point out that we visited during the high season when everything was open. If you’re visiting in the winter season, many things we experienced aren’t on offer.
Partake in Festas
I kept hearing about Festas when I was looking for things to do in Malta and came to learn that Festas are celebrations honouring various saints. A typical Maltese Festa lasts three or more days and usually has religious processions, band marches, community gatherings and fireworks. There are nearly 100 Festas during the season because each Parish has a celebration for their patron Saint and there are inside and outside festivities.
During our visit we bumped into a few Festas in Sliema but it wasn’t easy to find out timings and such. Luckily this Malta Facebook group and chatting to locals was helpful in trying to gather some info and that’s how we knew to roam around one evening. The kids got cranky waiting for the procession to start at the Church (and despite being Catholic, it was intimidating to randomly walk into the Church when I saw people dressed in robes walking in for the indoor portion) so we dropped them back to my brother’s place and then ventured towards the waterfront where we saw the procession and the fireworks. Maltese folks definitely love their fireworks!!! Be careful though because we saw two fires caused by the fireworks (luckily the firemen were on guard from what we could see from afar). This website has more details on Festas if you’re curious!
Navigate Malta’s Stunning Coastline
You can’t come to Malta and not get on the water – it’s simply impossible! We were basically fish during our Malta vacation because the crystal waters are so welcoming (yes despite the rocky floors). There are many boating companies offering various day trips and given our group size of 4 adults and 2 kids, we found it reasonable to get a private charter for the day. We chose Marcellabella Charters as they were the most reasonably priced at 400 Euros for a 7 hour day. The benefit was that we could stop and go as we pleased and was able to avoid over-crowding at certain places.
We brought our own snacks but the boat company provided beer, pop (I brought my own Kinnie spritz though), water and wine. During our trip we swung by Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Camino and even swung by Gozo for lunch. To be honest, we had chatted with the owners but weren’t really sure what the day’s plan was or what the boat would look like prior to arriving at the boat. The couple who own this boat are lovely but they are chain smokers so it was a bit of a challenge for us to be honest. I never thought to confirm about a no smoking policy, but given that we’re in Europe, I really should have!!! The boat had a bathroom on board and a room below deck for us to change but it wasn’t a fancy boat by any means. This company also needed us to come to Xemxja (near St. Paul’s Bay) while there were some boating companies closer to Sliema that we could have taken. This Malta private boat experience is one of our favourite days of our vacation but it was no-frills and budget friendly. If you want something fancier check out this private boat company (I was leaning towards them but decided to save the extra money for more activities). If you have people who get seasick, I will mention that Apollo got queasy and took a nap at one point. He was totally fine when he jumped into the water but the waters can be choppy as you’re in the sea as you whiz around.
Chocoholics and Ocean Enthusiasts Explore The Perfect St. Paul’s Bay Combo
St. Paul’s Bay is located in the northern region of Malta and is a cute beach town to spend a few hours at. There are plenty of public busses that will bring you to St. Paul’s Bay but we opted for a Bolt from Sliema. The kids spent about an hour at the Malta National Aquarium playing with the various interactive exhibits and inquisitively looking at the various sea creatures. The Malta National Aquarium is spread over 20,000 square meters and their main aim is to be the leading entity for preservation of marine life. I found the submarine simulator to be a very cool experience but the kids found the variety of sharks and reptiles to be the coolest.
Tip – Buy your tickets online because it’s cheaper than in person.
Right outside the aquarium is a waterfront playground with a bar serving drinks and ice cream. Akira and Apollo ended up fighting here and Akira had an unrelated bloody nose so we took some time to sit down and tend to her nosebleed with the ice and ice cream from the bar.
A short 15 minute walk along the promenade from the Aquarium brought us to Nine Lives Beach Club where we ordered some cocktails and enjoyed the sunset.
From there we walked about 10 minutes and landed in the middle of a bustling square in Buggiba. It was charming to see older local folk sitting around and catching up with friends, young kids running around playing and some folks dressed fancily for dinner. We took a look at some of the shops there and spend most of our time at the Malta Chocolate Factory. We bought a few gifts here and even got to sample a few chocolates. They offer some fun classes here and I regretted not booking the family of monsters chocolate class as a Malta activity for the tweens. I think spending a night or two at a nearby hotel would be great during your week long Malta trip. Ibis Styles is a budget friendly Malta hotel that’s right by the action but the db San Antonio Hotel and Spa is where I’d stay for a bit of a splurge. It has all inclusive options and family room configurations in addition to the spa and multiple pools.
Step Back in Time and Explore Malta’s Timeless Duo
Rabat and Mdina can be explored together as they’re within walking distance to each other and even though we only spent a few hours between these two, I would highly recommend spending a night or two in this area. These two ancient cities are magical and well maintained – it’s every Instagrammer’s dream with stoned pathways and colourful doors. If you’re into architecture you MUST wander around. If I were to return, I’d stay a night or two at Xela Palace, a Relais Chateaux property. I also think it would be cool to have our private castle like experience by staying at this apartment in Mdina.
We started our late afternoon at St Paul’s Catacombs in Rabat. Upon arrival I wasn’t even sure what we’d see but it was a beautiful history lesson that had the kids curious too. This is a solemn space as it is an underground network of early Christian burial sites dating back to 4th century AD. We wandered around on our own but it would be great to have an official guided tour of the labyrinth and tunnels so you could learn more about the burial grounds and places of worship during Roman rule when Christians were forbidden to practice their faith openly. Some even say that St Paul and his apostles preached here while they were alive.
After that we made our way by foot to the fortified city of Mdina and grabbed Pastizzi along the way. We mostly roamed around aimlessly here but did stop for a drink and piece of cake at the popular Fontanella Tea Garden. The views from their garden were spectacular but I wasn’t overly enamoured by the cake (what most people visit for) to be honest. I did see a bunch of cool looking cafes, bars and restaurants that made me think the nightlife scene here must be my kinda vibe.
Escape the Heat at Esplora Malta
Our kids enjoy visiting Science Centres and it’s a guaranteed way to keep them entertained so we knew we had to pop by Esplora Interactive Science Centre Malta. Give yourself at least two hours to play with the hands-on exhibits which are housed in buildings and interconnected outdoor spaces (there was even a life sized mechanical dinosaur). There are rooms dedicated to movement, vision and so much more.
We sadly missed the opportunity to experience their Planetarium (because we got there later than anticipated) but it certainly looks like a worthy add-on. My tip is to take a look at the Planetarium schedule to ensure you visit during an age-appropriate show as they have ones for pre-schoolers all the way to teenagers.
Defy Gravity at Gravity Malta
Chris and my brother were working one day so the rest of us decided to venture towards Gravity Malta. I first heard about Gravity Malta when we went to a Welbee’s supermarket and the checkout person handed us some coupons to Gravity Malta – depending on how much you spend, you get some buy 1 get 1 free attraction perks when you grocery shop here in Malta!!
Your visit to Gravity Malta is timed and there’s rock climbing, trampoline park and high ropes sections – all depending on the type of tickets you purchase. This family friendly Malta activity is located at the Shoreline Mall, which meant that we popped into some stores and had some snacks before heading back to my brother’s place in Sliema. With the intense August heat, this was definitely an easy way to stay cool in Malta.
Ride into the Blue Grotto
Initially I thought we wouldn’t get to the Blue Grotto but my brother came up with a game plan for our last day in Malta. We had rented cars for our overnight trip to Gozo so we drove ourselves to the Blue Grotto dock and ticket booth (parking wasn’t the easiest though). The only way to experience the Blue Grotto is via boat because there’s no swimming allowed in these sea caverns on the south east coast of Malta. Tickets were 10 Euros per adults and 5 Euros for kids but you can also get your own boat if you didn’t want to share with others.
They provide life vests for all and you’re on the boat for the entire journey and if you’re lucky, you’ll have a great guide like we did. The boat tour was only 20 minutes but during that time we went into multiple caves and got to see the cool blue hues and natural arches. We swam and snorkeled at Ghar Lapsi the same day we visited the Blue Grotto but you could also do the Blue Grotto the same day you plan to visit Rabat and Mdina. Also, keep in mind that there were some very cool non-assuming looking cafes and bars right by the dock – nice place to hang out and chill. The Dingli Cliffs, Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park are nearby too.
Spend a Night or Two on Gozo
We spent a full 24 hours on Gozo and I would recommend another night for good measure. I really should do a detailed article on Gozo but for now, let me give you the quick take. We took a ferry (after our morning at Popeye’s Village) and you don’t pay anything on the way to Gozo but you do have to pay on the return. You pray that you get onboard (it was relatively busy during our August visit) because there’s no pre-buying tickets and once you’re waved in, you breathe a sigh of relief.
On board, the journey is quick and reminded me of the ferry from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland – our vehicles were parked and we were upstairs enjoying the views. We brought some snacks on board with us but everyone was craving a cold drink so we bought some from the ferry store. This is a short 20 minute ride so don’t be surprised if you spend half of it waiting to purchase your goods on board.
There are many things to do on Gozo and our favourite part was swimming at Ramla Beach, the only red sandy beach we found during our Malta travels. It was here that the kids saw the octopus when they were snorkeling! I know I said this beach was sandy, but you still need water shoes or flippers!
You must also drive by the Xwejni Salt Pans by Leli tal-Melh, especially if you’re visiting between May and September when it’s harvest season. We lucked out because the family was harvesting during our visit and I was able to reach out to them prior to our arrival to ensure that it was okay to stop by and have a chat about how the family has continued to preserve the tradition passed on for generations. Even if you’re driving around randomly be sure to stop and ask the folks if they’re selling any of their salts. We purchased some as gifts and for ourselves as well. What makes Gozo sea salt special? It’s completely unrefined, rich in trace minerals like magnesium and calcium, giving it a delicate yet complex flavor. Tasting it at the source was – SO COOL!!!
When in Gozo, it’s worth wandering around and taking in the sights. We didn’t have time for a Jeep ride around the island but we did pop into Ta’ Kola Windmill where we learned about the traditional windmill dating back to the 1700s. There were exhibits of the grist mill and living quarters and we got a better understanding of the culinary history of Malta.
I was hoping we’d have time to visit the village of Nadur because it’s supposed to be a great spot to learn about authentic Gozitan culture and it’s close by to Tal-Mixta Cave, but we didn’t have time. We did have time to pop into Lord Chambray for some craft beer and there was a supermarket nearby selling Gozitan cheese which was fabulous. Maltese cheeselets, also known as ġbejna, are small, round cheeses made from sheep or goat milk (so good when you can find it fresh). We also had one of the best Maltese meals at Tal Furnar (more on that in the food section below).
We also managed to spend some time at Xlendi Bay and highly recommend a few hours here so you can swim and snorkel before enjoying one of the sundrenched patio restaurants nearby.
Like I said, you need more than 24 hours on Gozo!! We stayed at the Segond Hotel which was spacious and had a great breakfast but the rooftop pool they mentioned was a tiny lounge-style “tub” where you couldn’t really swim and they were short staffed during our visit so the hotel’s restaurant was closed for dinner and lunch. That said I, really appreciated that our room had two king sized beds and a small balcony overlooking their indoor courtyard. Also the buffet breakfast that was included in the room cost was quite the spread, featuring local ingredients and recipes.
Maybe Avoid Marsaxlokk Market
Sunday at Marsaxlokk Market is mentioned on many “things to do in Malta” lists but to be honest, if you have kids and no one likes the smell of raw fish-you should probably avoid it. We knew we didn’t want to wake up early to see the fishermen come in (it would be very cool to witness that- I agree), so we swung by here mid morning and walked through the stalls to realize that most of the souvenir and food items were pricier than what we’d seen at the High Street stores in Sliema. For me, if there’s one thing you’re going to omit off your Malta list, this would be it.
Where to Eat in Malta
One day I hope to write a detailed article on places we ate during our week long Malta family vacation but I know that might take me ages to compile. So here’s a quick overview of the places we ate at and some popular Maltese food items that you should try as you run around checking things off your things to do in Malta list.
Michelin Starred Bahia : Located in the Corinthia Palace Hotel, this one star Michelin restaurant is the most accommodating Michelin starred restaurant I’ve experienced. They offer a variety of tasting menus as well as a la carte options. We chose the 8 course menu which took us on a culinary journey through Malta and Gozo. They offer educational notes with each menu item so we were able to connect what was on our plate to a local village. They also offer a 5 course tasting menu for kids and they have full tasting menus for vegans and pescatarians, in addition to the a la carte options.
Places to Eat in Sliema
Il Gabbana : This family run seaside restaurant is located outdoors on the promenade in Sliema. I thought I’d be boiling dining outdoors on our first night in Malta but luckily the sun had set and they had fans to help circulate the air. This cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner which makes it popular with families. They even had a Mickey Mouse Pizza that Akira insisted on trying (just know that they put hot dogs on pizza here). The pasta and pizza was quite good but their key lime pie martini was the star!
Marrobbio Sliema Pizzeria Trattoria : Three friends got together and opened a pizzeria that serves some delicious Italian pizzas. The kids regretted not joining us for dinner when we dined here because the pizza was fantastic and you can watch them prep them if you choose the right table. I loved the fresh ingredients especially the copious amounts of cheese they serve!
La Vida : This Spanish restaurant serves up some delicious tapas at reasonable prices. We ordered a variety of dishes here and they were generous enough to offer us a free round of liqueurs for the adults. If you’re looking for a chill but fun night, this intimate Sliema restaurant is for you!
Ta’ Kolina : Our last meal in Malta was at this Maltese restaurant in Sliema. The family run restaurant is housed in one of Sliema’s oldest buildings and it was cool to dine in a townhouse! We used this opportunity to try all the Maltese dishes we missed on our list of things to eat in Malta but the kids were happy with Calamari and chicken nuggets!
Places to Eat in Valetta
McDonald’s Malta : I know you’re shocked. Why am I mentioning this chain? Well, because the kids deserved a reward after the long walking tour in Valletta and they went here. I was shocked to discover that the happy meal options include milkshakes and salads in addition to the usual offerings found in Canada.
Places to Eat in Gozo
Tal Furnar : We absolutelly loved our dining experience at this Maltese restaurant. It felt like a place that the Michelin folk need to visit! The owner was around offering drinks to everyone (we were exhausted and politely declined). We truly enjoyed every menu item and even the kids dug into their pasta. They have a 100 year old stone oven which enables them to make traditional Gozitan dishes and they use ingredients from their farm.
Burgers Ink : During our boat trip Sammy’s was closed for lunch so we ended up at this burger joint which was shockingly good and had options for vegetarians as well.
Keep trying Pastizzi everywhere you go because they’re delicious and very budget friendly!
7 Day Malta Itinerary
Day 1- Sliema, Ghar Lapsi and Blue Grotto
Day 2- Valetta
Day 3-Mdina and Rabat
Day 4-Popeye’s Village and head to Gozo
Day 5-Gozo
Day 6-Comino and Blue Lagoon Boat trip or St Paul’s Bay (Aquarium. Chocolate Factory)
Day 7-Esplora, Shoreline mall
Expenses : We were a group of 4 adults and 2 kids and spent about CAD3700. This includes gas, 3 day car rental, all our meals (including groceries but not the Michelin Bahia ), Ubers, attraction passes and 1 night’s hotel on Gozo. We did save a lot by having free accommodations in Sliema so that’s something to factor in.
Tips for Visiting Malta
- Be prepared for all types of weather. It was quite hot during our August visit so we spent a lot of time partaking in water activities. Bring sunscreen, hats and reusable water bottles.
- Bring water shoes because every body of water we entered had a rocky start.
- We used credit cards in most places but as expected, AMEX wasn’t welcomed at many spots.
- Join Malta Facebook groups to chat with locals -especially to find out about when the Festas are. There’s no website and it’s all through word of mouth.
- When looking for restaurant, peer inside random buildings! The picture above is an example of a Church from the outside that was a sit down restaurant on the inside!
- The currency is Euros and it can get pricey but we found things on part with Canada for the most part. You can certainly do Malta on a tight budget, if you wish to do so!
- Compare pricing between Uber and Bolt for every ride, each time we looked there was a significant gap between them.
- If you’re looking for e-sims that work well in Malta, the usual AirAlo (code Yashy5624 will give you $3) and Sally (code Yashy9573 will give you $3 off) are decent but we found GlobalYo’s Europe Explorer to be the cheapest option for us. Please note that the codes I included are affiliate codes that will give you a credit if it’s the first time you’re using them ( I too will receive a credit).
