Malta stands out as a destination for a unique family holiday combining culture with relaxation.
This beautiful island nation lies in the Mediterranean Sea, nestled between Sicily and North Africa, showcasing a rich history and stunning coastline.
Before our trip in April 2023, I knew little about Malta beyond its reputation for package holidays from the 80s. Our visit unveiled charming, biscuit-colored towns brimming with forts, churches, and striking architecture.
We delighted in exploring the turquoise waters of the Grand Harbour, witnessing gun salutes in Valletta, and discovering upscale dining in the Three Cities. Family-friendly activities were abundant, affordable, and easily accessible, thanks to Malta’s petite size!
We spent our days alternating between lounging by the fantastic pool at The Westin Dragonara Resort and unraveling Malta’s historical layers. Evenings brought us to many casual yet trendy restaurants with child-friendly menus and activities, including trendy spots on the Birgu Waterfront. The spring weather was perfect—mostly sunny and in the low 20s.
In essence, Malta is ideal for families with young children. Now, let’s dive into all the wonderful experiences we uncovered.
Disclosure: Our stay at The Westin was generously hosted, along with some activities described here, courtesy of the Traverse Keyframe Conference. The rest of our expenses were self-funded.
Best Places to Visit in Malta
- Photogenic streets of Valletta
- Taxi Boat to Three Cities
Valletta
Valletta, Malta’s capital city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with biscuit-hued churches and fortresses, accented by vibrant shutters, doors, and balconies. With 320 monuments contained within just 55 hectares, Valletta boasts one of the most concentrated historical areas in the world. Surrounded by the sparkling blue of natural harbors, it’s no surprise that this city ranks among Europe’s most picturesque capitals.
You won’t want to miss these highlights in Valletta:
- Explore the Lower and Upper Barrakka Gardens
- View from Upper Barrakka Gardens
Valletta is home to two must-visit gardens offering breathtaking views of the Grand Harbour—the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens. These are lovely spots to enjoy a snack. If you schedule your visit to the Upper Barrakka Gardens around noon or 4 PM, you can catch the cannons fired from the Saluting Battery.
The cannon salute is free to view from the garden, but it can get crowded. To ensure a great view, consider booking a tour of the Saluting Battery for a closer look and informative guided tour of the oldest operational saluting battery in the world.
Wander through Valletta’s most photogenic streets
Traditional wooden balconies in Valletta, Malta
Valletta invites you to stroll aimlessly. For photography enthusiasts, St. Paul Street and Old Mint Street provide some of the best scenes.
Take a traditional taxi boat to the Three Cities for just 2 Euro per person.
More on this below, but if you’re near the Upper Barrakka Gardens, be on the lookout for a lift leading down to the Valletta Waterfront (only 1 Euro per person) which will take you to the taxi boats for the Three Cities—definitely worth the ride.
Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral
Situated in the heart of Valletta is the remarkable St. John’s Co-Cathedral, constructed by the Knights of Malta in the 1500s. This iconic cathedral represents one of Europe’s finest examples of baroque architecture. Inside, you’ll find priceless artworks, including two masterpieces by Caravaggio.
Consider booking tickets online in advance to reduce wait times.
Explore Fort St. Elmo
It’s hard to miss Fort St. Elmo, Malta’s star fort. Constructed by the Knights in 1552, it has served to protect the Grand Harbour and played a pivotal role in Malta’s history. Inside, you’ll discover the resting place of knights who fought in the Great Siege, along with the National War Museum housing the George Cross, aircraft remnants, weapons, and a range of military vehicles.
Marsaxlokk
Colourful fishing boats in Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is a traditional fishing harbor located on Malta’s southeast coast, renowned for its colorful boats and lively Sunday fish market. It’s an excellent spot for indulging in seafood for lunch. You can even take a boat from here to the renowned swimming destination, St. Peter’s Pool, located just around the headland.
Not far from this area is the PlayMobil FunPark, perfect for younger children. More details on that below.
Mdina
Mdina is known as Malta’s Silent City
Mdina, an ancient walled city in Malta’s center, was once the island’s capital and is worth a few hours of your time.
Its history spans over 4,000 years, founded by Phoenicians and conquered by the Normans, only to be largely abandoned by the Knights of St. John when they moved the capital to Vittoriosa (one of the Three Cities by the Grand Harbour).
This transition led to Mdina being known as the Silent City, and with fewer than 300 residents today, it feels as if time has stood still for over a millennium.
Many claim Mdina resembles King’s Landing from Game of Thrones, and indeed, various scenes were filmed here, including at the impressive Mdina Gate.
Tip: Sweeten your sightseeing with a treat from Fontanella Tea Garden, known for its delectable cakes and stunning countryside views.
Don’t forget to visit Crystal Palace, Malta’s celebrated ‘Pastizzeria’, located in Rabat, just outside Mdina Gate.
Three Cities
Traditional taxi boats in Malta are known as Dghajsa
Taking a traditional taxi boat (Dghajsa) from Valletta’s waterfront to the historic Three Cities stands as my absolute favorite experience in Malta. (I even captured it in a reel.)
This quick and inexpensive trip yields stunning views of Valletta while offering a chance to witness the historic towns of Birgu, Senglea, and Cospicua, collectively referred to as the Three Cities.
As the oldest part of Malta following Mdina, exploring these streets feels like stepping back in time. We particularly enjoyed peaceful Senglea (where we actually stayed for a couple of nights in an Airbnb) and dining along the fashionable Birgu Waterfront, admiring yachts in the Grand Harbour Marina (Below Deck fans might recognize this area!).
Our favorite meals were at Cargo on Birgu Waterfront and Novita in Senglea, where both the cuisine and atmosphere excelled.
Pastel-coloured streets of Senglea
Dining on the waterfront in Senglea
If you have little ones, consider riding the road train that tours the Three Cities, called Happy Train Vittoriosa, departing from Birgu near the water taxis from Valletta.
The beauty of Dghajsa boats lies in their affordability compared to gondolas found in Venice. A ride from Valletta to the Three Cities costs just 2 Euros per person. It’s common to share rides, and the taxi only departs when enough seats are filled, adding an element of fun as passengers embark and disembark. Alternatively, you can opt for a 30-minute harbour tour for just €8.
Taxi boats heading to the Three Cities
The lift from the Upper Barrakka Gardens
If traditional taxi boats aren’t your style, fear not. A regular ferry service from Valletta to Senglea is available for €1.50 per person.
When departing from central Valletta, the best way to access these boats is by using the lift down from the Upper Barrakka Gardens. Click here for directions to Lascaris Water Taxi Station in Valletta.
Gozo
View of Gozo as you arrive by ferry
Another gem in Malta is the island of Gozo, where life unfolds at a gentler pace. Must-see attractions include the Cittadella of Gozo in Victoria and the inland sea, a natural saltwater lagoon and diving site on Gozo’s west coast.
Gozo’s inland sea
Best Things to Do with Kids in Malta
Part of the outdoor play area at Esplora
Playmobil FunPark
My 4-year-old thoroughly enjoyed a couple of hours here on an overcast morning. The PlayMobil FunPark features a spacious, clean indoor play center filled with various themed PlayMobil toys. Outdoors, there’s a pirate-themed adventure playground and lifesize PlayMobil models for children to engage with.
We appreciated that it wasn’t overly large or crowded (in April), with entry fees set at €5 for kids and €3 for adults, making it affordable (not including our expenditures in the gift shop!).
As noted earlier, the PlayMobil FunPark can easily be combined with a visit to Marsaxlokk and St. Peter’s Pool.
Esplora
Another wonderful activity for kids in Malta is visiting Esplora, an interactive science center featuring multiple educational galleries (with English signage), a planetarium, and enjoyable outdoor play areas with views of the harbor. Like the PlayMobil FunPark, we found it well-managed, not overcrowded, and very wallet-friendly at €6 for adults and €4 for children.
Esplora is conveniently located in Kalkara, near the Three Cities, making it easy to combine with taxi boat trips mentioned earlier. Be aware that it’s closed on Mondays and operates only until 3 PM from Tuesday to Friday.
Grand Harbour Boat Tour
We relished a 90-minute Grand Harbour Tour with I See Malta (departing from Sliema), which was perfect for our curious 4-year-old. He enjoyed the insights about forts, ships, and naval history.
This tour also includes a stop at Kalkara for Esplora, allowing you to combine your cruise with a visit to the science center.
Popeye Village
Located in the northern part of Malta, near the family-favorite Mellieha Beach Bay, you’ll find Popeye Village.
This former filming location for the Popeye movie in the 1980s has transformed into a whimsical amusement park featuring a splash pool, inflatable course, mini-golf, and soft play area.
While this is one of Malta’s most sought-after attractions, be advised that some areas of the film set are currently closed due to storm damage. Check the Popeye Village website for updates.
Comino Island / Blue Lagoon Day Trip
The most famed excursion in Malta involves a boat trip to Comino Island and its stunningly clear waters of the Blue Lagoon. This popular experience attracts numerous tour operators offering various itineraries, so take the time to search for the right one to suit your needs.
This family-run boat tour comes highly recommended.
Additionally, this tour, departing from Bugibba, includes three hours of exploration in Gozo.
If your children are over 12 years old, this catamaran trip that visits 2–3 bays with an optional barbecue lunch looks ideal.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t favorable for us to embark on such tours in April, sparking a desire to return to Malta!
Top Tips for Getting Around Malta
If you’re not in a hurry, Malta’s hop-on-hop-off buses connect major sites and are free for children under 5. We opted for Uber and Bolt for our week’s transportation. These services are affordable and readily available across the island. A little bonus for families is that many Bolt cars provide booster seats for free.
Since we were unaware of the complimentary booster seats available in Bolt taxis, we brought our trusty Bubble Bum inflatable booster seat. It’s ideal for children aged 4 and up and can be compacted to fit in carry-on luggage. If you plan to rent a car, consider purchasing one to avoid high rental costs for a booster seat.
Where to Stay with Kids in Malta
During our five-night stay, we chose The Westin Dragonara Bay Resort and were impressed with our experience.
This resort offers a unique feature among Malta’s five-star hotels: a year-round outdoor heated pool. This amenity is vital for families visiting during off-peak times; even on cooler, cloudy days in April, our son delighted in hours of pool fun.
In addition to the pool, we appreciated the spacious room size at The Westin Dragonara Bay Resort. Staying in a Tower Room provided us with two queen beds and an incredible terrace boasting wraparound views of the resort and ocean. If you’d like to request this room, it’s room 777. According to our 4-year-old, it was the highlight of our Malta adventure. When asked, he named “Room 777” as his favorite memory!
Dining at the hotel was also a pleasure. We tried the ORVM Lounge & Piano Bar, which offered a chic but relaxed vibe. The food was top-notch, and the staff were exceptionally kind to the children, featuring dishes from the dedicated ‘Eat Well Menu For Kids’ that are both nutritious and delicious. One of his favorite dishes, Penne Beef Bolognese, was priced at €8.50—excellent value for a five-star establishment.
While I usually prefer à la carte breakfasts, I found the breakfast buffet at the Westin Malta to be fantastic. With a broad selection, I repeatedly returned for their prepared eggs benedict and fluffy lemon muffins. I also appreciated the various dining areas in the Terrace Restaurant, allowing us the option to enjoy breakfast beside the pool or in a more laid-back café setting.
Other family-friendly amenities include an indoor pool, kids club, and playground. We used the latter during our hectic sightseeing week, providing a great outlet for kids before dinner.
As for location, we found the Westin Malta an excellent base for exploring all the beautiful spots I’ve mentioned. Situated in St. Julian’s, I didn’t find it to be the most charming area of the island due to its nightlife focus, yet it was convenient to have restaurants within walking distance when we wanted to avoid a taxi ride to Valletta. One restaurant we particularly enjoyed, Gozitan, specializing in Maltese cuisine, was just a four-minute walk away, which I visited twice due to their wonderful food and hospitality.
I hope this guide provides a wealth of ideas for your family trip to Malta. Feel free to leave questions in the comments.
