Malta is a small yet very interesting island in the Mediterranean Sea, making it ideal for a family holiday. In particular, the country’s climate features dry, hot summers and mild winters. Because Malta is compact, it’s easy to visit many attractions in a short time. You can also read about another family’s experience of traveling around the island for 4 days: “Malta with Kids: What to See in 4 Days on the Island”.
In this article, “Traveling to Malta with Kids,” Indrė shares her tips and recommendations for where to stay, what to see, and when to plan your holiday in Malta.
Traveling to Malta with kids – when to travel?
Firstly, Malta is an island country in the Mediterranean Sea, which means it has a typical Mediterranean climate. Accordingly, you can expect hot summers and warm, humid winters. If you are planning to travel to Malta with kids, here are a few things to know about the weather and the best times to visit.
- Summer (June – August): Malta is very hot and dry during this period. This season is perfect for swimming and enjoying the sun.
- Autumn (September – November): September is one of the best months to visit Malta with kids, since the water is still warm but the air is not as hot as in summer. In November, you might experience more rain.
- Winter (December – February): During the winter months, it can be a bit wetter, but it is still warm compared to most other European countries. At this time, there are fewer tourists, making it a peaceful period for a family trip.
- Spring (March – May): Spring months can be some of the best for traveling with children. The weather is warm but not too hot, and there’s less chance of rain than in the autumn.
In summary, if you’re planning a trip with kids, autumn and spring may be the best choices due to pleasant weather and fewer tourists. Summer can be too hot, especially for small children, but if your family loves the sun and sea, it can be a great time as well. However, if you want to avoid crowds, winter is a solid choice, even though it might be a bit wetter.
Where to stay in Malta?
During our trip to Malta, we stayed for 11 nights. Initially, we spent five nights in Mellieha—a small tourist town close to the beaches. However, next time I would choose St. Paul’s Bay, since you’ll find an aquarium there, and the nearby beaches are perfect for families. Moreover, from this location, it’s easy to reach other islands.
In Mellieha, we stayed at the Solana Hotels and Spa, where we chose a room with a kitchenette. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor rooftop pools, so we could enjoy beautiful panoramic views.
Afterwards, we spent five nights on Gozo island, and on the last night, we stayed in Birgu to be closer to Valletta and the airport.
How to get around Malta?
During this trip, we discovered the Bolt service. In fact, the prices were very reasonable, and the cars were new and high quality, completely unlike our usual taxis. Because the island is small, traveling this way proved extremely convenient.
Of course, you can also rent a car. However, you should know that driving in Malta is on the left side of the road.
Top activities in Malta with kids
Theme parks and other attractions
- Popeye Village: This is the film set where the 1980 movie “Popeye” was shot. Now, it’s a themed amusement park where you can watch live shows, visit houses, and enjoy beautiful sea views.
- Malta National Aquarium: This modern aquarium features many aquatic animals. There are children’s playgrounds and educational programs. Make sure to buy tickets online.
- Playmobil FunPark: This amusement park is for kids who want to play with Playmobil figures and join creative activities.
- Splash & Fun Water Park: As Malta’s largest water park, it offers various attractions and pools for both adults and children.
- Birdpark Malta: This is the only bird park in Malta, where you can see many species of birds, reptiles, and other animals.
- Mediterraneo Marine Park: This marine animal park offers dolphin and sea lion shows, as well as many other sea creatures.
- Boat Trips: You can rent a boat or yacht and sail the Mediterranean, visit Gozo island, or explore the Blue Lagoon.
- Hop-On Hop-Off panoramic bus tour.
Our family’s TOP 5 activities with kids in Malta
- Pools everywhere: Whether in hotels or apartments, pools are always available. Of course, the Splash water park is a great choice for a hot day. The kids loved various water attractions.
- Mdina: The old capital. The kids enjoyed strolling through the old town and shopping for souvenirs. You can also book a guided tour.
- Riviera Beach: This is an ideal spot for swimming and enjoying the sun.
- Inner Sea: Here, you can take a boat ride and visit various caves.
- Salt pans on Gozo island: You can buy natural salt here.
Additionally, besides these attractions, Malta offers many nature trails perfect for family walks, as well as a variety of beautiful beaches where you can relax and enjoy the sun.
In conclusion, Malta is an excellent destination for families with children. Even though it is a small island country, it offers a wide range of family-friendly activities.
