Over 300 days of sunshine a year, English spoken across the islands, and a flight time of around 3 hours – barely enough to finish a film – Malta holidays make escaping the UK feel wonderfully easy.
From family adventures to couples' escapes and group getaways, there's a Malta holiday to suit whoever you're travelling with – and with nothing more than an hour apart, you can hit the beach, sightsee and eat out all in one day.
- Short flight from the UK – At around 3 hours, you can fly out in the morning and be on the beach by lunch.
- English spoken everywhere – Menus, signs and directions are all easy to follow.
- Reliable year-round sunshine – Around 300 days of sunshine a year make Malta one of Europe's most dependable short-haul destinations, even outside peak summer.
- Compact and easy to explore – The main island is just 17 miles long, so beaches, cities and viewpoints are all under an hour away. Plus, no long transfers!
- Three islands, three vibes – Malta for culture and nightlife, Gozo for a slower, greener pace, Comino for the Blue Lagoon.
Malta holiday types
Malta All Inclusive holidays
Malta All Inclusive holidays work well if you want predictable costs and minimal planning – book once and your meals, drinks and entertainment are sorted before you fly. They suit families watching the budget, groups who'd rather not split bills, and couples after an easy week in the sun.
Best for: Couples, families and groups who want everything organised in one booking.
Top areas: St Paul's Bay, Qawra, Mellieħa
What it looks like: Resort-style hotels with large pools, buffet and à la carte dining, on-site entertainment and easy access to the sea. Many Malta All Inclusive holidays are located right on the waterfront, with optional excursions available if you want to explore beyond the hotel.
Malta family holidays
Best for: Families with young children, multigenerational groups and first-time visitors.
Top areas: Mellieħa Bay, St Paul's Bay, Sliema
What it looks like: Think shallow sandy beaches, kids' clubs at larger hotels, boat trips to Comino and relaxed evenings in family-friendly restaurants. Everything is close by, so there's minimal travel between activities.
Malta couples' holidays
Best for: Couples seeking a mix of relaxation, culture and good food.
Top areas: Valletta, Sliema, Gozo
What it looks like: Boutique hotels, sunset harbour walks, rooftop bars, spa experiences and quiet coves for swimming.
Cheap last-minute Malta holidays
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers, spontaneous bookers and flexible holidaymakers.
Top areas: Qawra, Buġibba, Sliema
What it looks like: Great-value 3- and 4-star hotels, coastal promenades, local cafés and easy bus links to beaches and towns.
Malta city-break and cultural holidays
Best for: Culture lovers, history enthusiasts and weekend travellers.
Top areas: Valletta, Sliema, St Julian's
What it looks like: UNESCO-listed streets, Baroque architecture, museums, harbour views and thriving café culture. Everything is walkable or just a short ferry ride away.
Malta winter sun holidays
Best for: Couples, seasoned holidaymakers and anyone looking to escape the UK winter.
Top areas: Valletta, Sliema, Gozo
What it looks like: Comfortable daytime temperatures, quieter streets, open-air dining and relaxed sightseeing.
Where to stay in Malta
St Julian's
Best for: Couples, groups and nightlife seekers
Atmosphere: Lively, modern and energetic
Holiday style: A nightlife-led city break with dining, entertainment and late-night evenings centred around Paceville.
Hotels: High-rise resorts, rooftop hotels and stylish modern stays.
Sliema
Best for: Couples, first-time visitors and city-breakers
Atmosphere: Cosmopolitan and relaxed
Holiday style: An easy-going seaside city break with shopping, dining and convenient ferry links.
Hotels: Seafront hotels, boutique stays and apartments.
Buġibba & St Paul's Bay
Best for: Families, budget travellers and last-minute Malta escapes
Atmosphere: Casual and friendly
Holiday style: A value-focused resort break with relaxed days, boat trips, coastal walks and easy sightseeing.
Hotels: All Inclusive resorts, affordable hotels and apartments.
Mellieħa
Best for: Families and relaxed holidaymakers
Atmosphere: Peaceful and scenic
Holiday style: A classic beach-focused break with resort comforts and unhurried days.
Hotels: Beach resorts, family hotels and larger All Inclusive properties.
Valletta
Best for: Culture lovers and couples
Atmosphere: Historic and elegant
Holiday style: A cultural city break packed with sightseeing, dining and impressive architecture.
Hotels: Boutique and luxury heritage hotels, plus converted townhouses.
Gozo
Best for: Couples and slower-paced travellers
Atmosphere: Quiet and rural
Holiday style: An escapist island break focused on nature, walking and relaxation.
Hotels: Traditional farmhouses, boutique hotels and small resorts.
Best Malta holidays by type
All Inclusive holidays in Malta
Everything sorted in one booking, with costs predictable from the off. Compare the full All Inclusive holidays range.
Family holidays in Malta
Short flights and easy days out make Malta a low-stress family pick. Browse more family holidays.
Couples' holidays in Malta
Sunshine, culture and good food, with boutique stays and quiet coves for two.
Cheap and last-minute Malta holidays
Strong value year-round and good for late deals. See cheap holidays for the latest prices.
Malta winter sun holidays
Mild temperatures and open-air dining when the UK turns grey. Explore more winter sun holidays.
Malta and Gozo holidays
Two islands in one trip – Malta's lively waterfronts plus Gozo's slower, scenic pace.
Malta vs other Mediterranean destinations
If Spain and Greece win points for sunshine but lose a few for travel time, Malta strikes a happy middle ground. Beaches, historic cities, waterfront restaurants and even a second island are all within easy reach – and unlike much of Spain, Greece or Turkey, English is widely spoken, so there's no language barrier to navigate.
It's also one of the Mediterranean's strongest winter-sun contenders, staying warmer when many resorts start winding down. And while Turkey and Cyprus are known for beach breaks, Malta adds a bigger helping of culture, with UNESCO-listed Valletta, ancient temples and enough history to make every stroll feel like sightseeing.
Holidays to Malta and Gozo
Why settle for one island when you can have two? Holidays to Malta and Gozo combine Malta's historic cities, lively waterfronts and popular resorts with Gozo's quieter villages and rugged coastline.
Just a 25-minute ferry ride from Ċirkewwa, Gozo is easy to visit as a day trip. It's particularly popular with couples, walkers, divers and anyone looking to balance sightseeing and sunshine with a little extra space to switch off.
Best time to visit Malta
- June to August – Hot, sunny and at its busiest, with peak-season prices and lively resorts.
- April to May – Warm weather, fewer crowds and excellent conditions for exploring.
- September to October – Warm seas, plenty of sunshine and often better value than summer.
- November to March – Mild temperatures, typically around 15–18°C.
Travelling as a family? July and August fall in the UK school holidays, so book early for the best choice and expect to pay more than term-time.
