Malta works well with children if you get two things right. Pick somewhere with space and a pool, and somewhere you do not have to walk far in the heat. The rest looks after itself, because the islands are small and nobody minds children being out late.
What to look for
A pool on site
Between June and September the sea is warm but the walk to it isn’t. With a pool at the property the afternoon is easy. Without one it is a battle.
It also solves the middle of the day in July and August, when going out is a poor idea anyway.
Planning a family tripCompare places to stay
Mellieħa, Golden Bay and Buġibba
Most swimming in Malta is off rock. If sand matters to your children, look north rather than at Sliema.
These three put you within reach of the sandy bays and the boats to Comino. They carry most of the family hotels.
Find a sandy bay
Apartments beat hotel rooms
Self-catering sorts out breakfast, naps and the fact that Maltese dinner starts late. Somewhere with a kitchen and a separate bedroom is worth more than a smarter hotel room.
It also lets you eat in on the evenings when everyone has had enough sun.
Eating out with children
Stay somewhere flat
Valletta, the Three Cities and Mellieħa are all built on hills with steps. Lovely to look at and hard work with a pushchair.
Sliema and Buġibba are flat, with long promenades you can walk end to end. Staying flat matters more than staying central.
Compare the areas
The full checklist
What to prioritise
- A pool matters more than you think
- Between June and September the sea is warm but the walk to it is not. With a pool on site the afternoon is easy. Without one it is a battle.
- Sandy beach within reach
- Most Maltese swimming is off rock. If sand matters, look at Mellieħa, Golden Bay or Buġibba rather than Sliema.
- Apartments over hotel rooms
- Self-catering solves breakfast, naps and the fact that Maltese dinner starts late.
- Flat ground
- Valletta, the Three Cities and Mellieħa are all built on hills with steps. Lovely, and hard work with a pushchair.
- Away from Paceville
- Obvious, but St Julian’s listings do not always make clear how close they are.
Find flights and hotels
Compares fares and rooms across the airlines and booking sites, and shows what each one is charging.
We earn a commission on bookings made here, at no extra cost to you. How we are paid.