15 best resorts in Malta – which one to choose for recreation, photo, description, reviews, map
This island nation is loved by tourists from many countries. No wonder: here is the cleanest Mediterranean Sea, a pleasant climate. The holiday season lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October. But some guests like to spend Christmas holidays in Malta. The richest history of the island state is interesting for those who are looking for not only hot sun and warm sea on vacation. The fortifications and temples built by the Knights of St. John in the 16th and 17th centuries have survived. The resorts of Malta are the perfect place to combine a lazy beach holiday and the study of human history.
Valletta
The city got its name in honor of the master of the Order of Malta, an aristocrat from France, Jean de Valette. In the middle of the 16th century, the garrison repulsed the attack of the Turks. At that time, the master was already about 70 years old. Valette assessed the losses of his soldiers and decided to build fortifications to minimize the number of wounded and killed. The mountainous terrain made it possible to build an impregnable fortress. And today tourists can admire the buildings of the late 16th century.
Fate spared Valletta: in the 18th century, the fortress was captured first by the Bonapartist and then by the English troops, but the buildings remained intact. Unfortunately, the buildings of Valletta were significantly destroyed by the bombing of World War II. But later part was reconstructed. It is difficult to find lush vegetation in Valletta: the Upper and Lower Man-Made Gardens are an exception.
Here shady alleys are broken, flowers are planted. And the natural vegetation of the city is rare dead wood and sun-scorched grass. The coastline is rocky, heavily indented, and the depth increases instantly. In order to enter the water, you have to go down the stairs. The locals do just that, and the guests of the city leave for other beaches.
But for tourists who love history, the rest here will be filled with impressions. In the city you can see:
It is pleasant to relax here throughout the year. The breezes constantly blowing in the summer refresh the air, so the heat is not felt here. And the winter is mild, with a large number of sunny days. Rains are quite rare.
Melliha
The settlement, located on the territory of modern Mellikha, was known during the time of the Byzantine Empire. But after the capture of the island by Arab troops, it was destroyed. The people who lived on the coast suffered constantly from the attacks of pirates. The villagers breathed a sigh of relief only after the Order of Malta took custody of the settlement. It was the knights who built the temple of the Virgin Mary, where today you can see a unique fresco of the 13th century.
It is believed that the face of the maiden helped protect the city. In memory of the heroic defense, from August 30 to September 8, a festival in honor of the Virgin Mary is held. Mellieha is the most popular beach for tourists. This is the northernmost (after Chirkeva) strip of the coast of the island. There are always many guests who prefer passive recreation. Mellieha Bay beckons with fine yellow sand, warm water and shallow, gradually increasing depth.
Families with children feel comfortable here. The town has a large beach and a playground. Older children will be interested in a trip to the Adira nature reserve with exotic birds and the Mistral National Park. Local soils are the most fertile on the island. Fruits and vegetables are always in abundance in the city market. The coast is known for the fact that all conditions for water sports are created here. Surfers catch waves in special zones. It is easy to hire a yacht to sail along the coast.
Slim
This town is just a 5 minute ferry ride from Valletta. This remoteness attracts tourists who prefer to rest near the points of arrival. Sliema is an unusual place. Its coastline is lined with hotels that don't mix well with each other. And if you go deeper, you will see a cozy center with narrow streets and houses made of yellowish sandstone. In the evening, all this splendor is illuminated by lanterns.
At first glance, Sliema is a poorly adapted place for swimming. The coast is a slab of limestone, going inland. But it is rather flat, and in some places baths have been cut down. Such containers are protected from sea waves: you can swim even in a storm. And for the convenience of vacationers, steps were carved into the limestone.
There is a promenade along the coast. It is always crowded here: locals and vacationers walk or take health jogs. If you are not too lazy, you can visit the coastal restaurant in the medieval fortress of Fortizza. And right behind the restaurant, a paradise for diving enthusiasts begins: the limestone coast becomes steep. This place was chosen by divers.
Everyone will be interested in Sliema:
Resort shopping lovers will also appreciate the resort: the largest shopping center in the town is located here.
Gzira
A feature of Gzira is the nearby island of Manoel. The town is connected with it by a bridge, 20 m long. Some tourists have fun swimming across the narrow strait in boats. Gzira means island. First, the knights set up a quarantine zone on it. Ships that arrived from afar defended here. Then, on the islet, the Grand Master of the order, Antonio Manoel de Vilen, built a fortress.
The fort was supposed to protect Valletta. And since then the island became known as Manoel. The coast is rocky (as almost everywhere in Malta), but the city beach is sandy. True, there are always a lot of people here. But small coves made of limestone are quiet and deserted. And to enter the water, steps were cut in the stone.
But the sea and the sun are a small part of what Gzira is interesting for:
- The Royal Yacht Club is located in Manoel Fortress. You can hire a boat to sail along the coast.
- Monuments of culture and architecture: the Cathedral of Our Lady of Carmel and the Cathedral of Christ the Redeemer.
- Cafes, bars and restaurants. It is worth trying fish and seafood dishes here. Lamuka fish and pasta with octopus ink sauce are unusual.
There are many shops in Gzira where they sell products of local artisans. In memory of the hospitable town, you can bring carpets, products made of copper, glass, and ceramics.
Birzebbudža
The name can be translated as the country of olives. This town offers a pleasant and inexpensive holiday. The population is 8000-9000 people. But residents of other regions of the island come here to get hired in the port or cargo terminal. Birzebudja has many cafes and restaurants that offer simple but delicious food. Here, dishes of fish or seafood, vegetables and fruits are excellently cooked. Hotels are quite affordable, if you wish, you can rent apartments.
Tourists are attracted by the artificial sandy beach of Prettu Bay. During the construction of the port, a lot of white sand was raised from the bottom. It was poured on a limestone sole. The beach administration offers rental of umbrellas and sunbeds. The depth on the coast increases gradually, so tourists with kids come here. But even guests who prefer a secluded holiday will find areas of the coast to their liking.
Not far from Birzebudji are the wonderful rocky coves of Peters Pool and Delimara Bay. They can be reached by car or on foot.
An overview of the sights will help diversify passive recreation:
- Remains of a settlement (and possibly a temple) from the Bronze Age. The place is called Borj in Nadur.
- Pirate cave Ar Hasan. Here in the 12th century the Saracen Hassan hid the loot.
- Darkness cave. Remains of an ancient human settlement have been found here. The age of the finds is 5000 BC.
There are many caves in the vicinity, in which the skeletons of prehistoric mainland animals were found. After the narrow bridge connecting the island with the mainland collapsed, large animals died out due to lack of drinking water.
Marsascala
Despite the fact that Marsascala is located only 8 km from Valletta and is very popular among tourists, getting here is problematic. The town is connected with the capital by a single bus route and a taxi. But it is recommended to negotiate the price in advance: then it can increase several times.
You can rent a car: this will allow you to visit remote corners in the vicinity. But the roads around are disgusting: terrible coverage and lack of road signs. In this case, the navigator will be useful. And in Marsaskala itself, public transport runs regularly on 9-10 routes (quite a lot, given the small area of u200bu200bthe town). You can choose hotels for every taste and budget: here comfortably wealthy guests and tourists with a limited budget. And the restaurants are diverse: from fashionable to inexpensive.
Marsaskala is famous for the best rocky beach on the island – St. Thomas Bay. There are always a lot of people here. And in the vicinity of the town there are many cozy deserted coves. The swimming season lasts from May to the end of October. But even in winter it is warm on the coast: the air temperature does not fall below +14 degrees Celsius.
Fans of historical and architectural monuments will not be disappointed. There are quite interesting objects in Marsaskala:
Marsaskala has several medieval chapels and temples.
st julians
This place is the most popular on the island. Here is the largest number of luxury hotels, casinos, bars and restaurants. Students and schoolchildren come to St. Julians to receive a European education. It is crowded here all year round (with the exception of the Christmas holidays). The swimming season opens in May and ends in October. The high season is from July to September. Fans of relaxation by the sea come to St. Julian's already in June.
It is already hot here, and the prices are not very high yet. True, and the water is far from ideal. But you can still swim. In the high season, the central beach of St. George is crowded. Here, not only relax by the water, but also engage in water sports. There are no problems with instructors: you can take lessons in surfing, diving, kiting. And at night, clubs and bars open their doors. Tourists never get bored.
In September, the tourist flow becomes less intense: the air temperature drops, sometimes it rains. But the water is still warm, you can swim. But the prices for services are falling. At this time, those who love comfort, but avoid the fuss, prefer to relax in St. Julian's. Winter in St. Julians is unpleasant: damp and windy. There is no central heating in the houses, so it can be difficult to keep warm. But guests from the UK are happy to spend Christmas here.
Paceville
Paceville is an independent resort and at the same time part of St. Julian's. Several quarters were chosen by young people. Here is the most budgetary vacation on the island: hostels, cheap hotels, bars, cafes. Wealthy and family tourists do not come here. During the day in Paceville it is deserted and boring, but with the onset of dusk everything comes to life. Tourists leave the rooms, schoolchildren and students rush to discos.
And the fun continues until the morning: after all, Paceville is a place for young people. The beach here is decent: with loose sand. It is municipal, so admission is free. Paceville offers a getaway for young lovers on a tight budget. There is hardly a respectable restaurant or hotel here, but there are many budget bars and clubs. And the well-known in Europe Axis disco will give you an unforgettable experience.
St. Paul's Bay
The second name of St. Paul's Bay is St. Paul's Bay. And the resort area consists of 3 villages: Bugibba, Kavra and Shemshiya. It's quieter here than in Sliema or St. Julian's. Prices are lower, but there is less entertainment. You can swim here, but you should enter the water along specially made paths. In some places steps have been carved into the limestone.
Locals enter the water almost everywhere, but tourists are advised to be careful. Sandy beaches are located 6 km from Bugibba. The embankment of St. Paul's Bay is very picturesque. There is an excellent promenade here: locals and tourists make walks and runs along it. In the evening, bars, clubs and discos begin to work.
The price tag for services is quite low: everyone can afford budget entertainment. St. Paul's Bay is a place where you can do active sports. Here they ride on yachts and catamarans, water skiing. Rich flora and fauna provide interesting diving. Salt baths have been preserved not far from Aura. Tourists come here to swim in brine.
You can diversify your beach holiday by visiting:
St. Paul's Bay sells amazing 8-sided lace and crosses.
Msida
This settlement is a fishing village. Once upon a time, people lived here, extracting seafood. But today it is the largest port of the island. There are a variety of yachts in the local harbor. Walking along the promenade is an exciting activity for those who are passionate about water sports. There are no places for swimming in Msida, and the choice of hotels and restaurants is limited. But the University of Malta is located here, where students from all over the world study. The city is considered to be the cultural capital of the island.
Tourists come to see the historical center of Msida. It is lined with 18th century buildings. Notable is the island's largest washing machine. This is a laundry, built by order of a German-born St. John. The building with a vaulted roof is well preserved, but now it is used by fishermen to store gear. Interesting chapels carved into the limestone, and the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk can hardly be called a resort place, although there are several hotels here. Young people settle in them, preferring to relax in the nearby St. Peter's Bay. The bay has the purest water, amazing vegetation and wildlife at the bottom. It attracts divers. And from sheer cliffs, brave travelers jump straight into the sea. The rest of the tourists come to Marsaxlokk because of the amazing fish market.
The first inhabitants of the village were engaged in fishing and seafood. Today, their descendants continue the work of their fathers. The world of Marsaxlokk has remained the same: low houses made of yellow limestone stand close to each other. Just a few meters separate them from the sea: there are never strong waves here. And the harbor is filled with fishing boats. Many of them have a special decoration: the eyes of Osiris. These attributes help to return home in any weather.
Previously, the fish market worked only on Sundays: from early morning until noon, when the scorching sun threatened to destroy the entire catch. Today (albeit on a smaller scale) the market is open every day. It has already ceased to be specialized: they sell shoes, clothes, lace, ceramics, and copper products. But in the afternoon the square is still empty. Marsaxlokk has an abundance of fish restaurants. Here, dishes are perfectly prepared from freshly caught shellfish, octopus, and fish. Wash down culinary delights with local wine.
Gozo Island
The island of Gozo is completely different from Malta. You should come here to see historical and natural sites concentrated in a small area. You can spend several busy days in Gozo. There are enough places for swimming: from traditional stone ones with paved paths to enter the water or steps cut in limestone to sandy ones in Ramla Bay. The coast of Gozo is heavily indented: there are picturesque grottoes.
Some of them can be viewed from land, and the rest – from the sea. For this it is better to rent a yacht. Surprisingly, such a tiny island has its own Inland Sea. This is the name of a small bay, fenced off from the Mediterranean Sea by a rocky coast and connected to the outer sea by a cave. Gozo has a wide range of activities: rental of catamarans, boats, jet skis, scuba diving. And from exotic entertainment – swimming in salt baths. These are small containers left over from ancient saltworks.
Zurrik
Zurrik can hardly be called a developed resort town: local residents fear that an increase in tourist flow will adversely affect historical sites. And there are enough of them. In Zurrik lived the last years of the artist Preti. Paintings are found in the temples and galleries of the island. Zurrik's most famous site is the Blue Grotto. It is easily accessible from Weed iz Zurrit cove.
In the Blue Grotto in the 16th century, pirates hid ships from the royal authorities. Today it is a most beautiful place where you can see the bottom strewn with white sand through the turquoise water. And the underwater rocks are overgrown with corals. You can spend several hours here. Not far from the Blue Grotto is Filfla Island. It has absolutely sheer rocky shores and a flat surface.
Zurrik itself has an abundance of interesting historical sites:
- The entire center is built up with houses of the 15th-17th centuries. The buildings are in excellent condition.
- Temples and chapels are found literally at every step.
- The tombs of the ancient Phoenicians and the fortress tower built by the Romans.
- The settlement of Hal Millieri. Historians appreciate its 14th century chapels with unique frescoes.
- Cathedral of Zurrik. Services are still being held there.
Archaeological excavations are underway near the town. You can visit them and look at what scientists have discovered.
Bormla
The successful geopolitical position of the town was used by the Knights of Malta: they built a strong fortification – a double fort. And the Grand Harbor is an ideal place for parking and repairing ships. The British began to actively use it at the end of the 18th century. Today Bormla is a quiet working town. The main population is sailors and dock workers. But tourists do not forget Bormla: people from other cities in Malta come here to see the unique shipyard.
Today it is being converted to serve modern yachts. Athletes from all over the world come to the convenient port of Bormla. Cultural sites that are willingly visited by guests of the island: the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the fortifications of Margherita and Firenzuola. In December, a large-scale celebration of the patronal feast takes place. This is a very beautiful sight.
Comino Island
Rest here is suitable for those tourists who prefer a calm and measured life. There is one 4 * hotel on Comino, and the entire population is about 10 people. But there is excellent fishing, diving, hiking and cycling. And there are a lot of historical and natural objects on Comino. Here are caves, grottoes, the chapel of St. Mary, the remains of fortifications built by the Johnites in the 16-17th centuries, the shallow bay of St. Mary with clean sand, the famous Blue Lagoon, the crystal water of which seems sky blue. And how not to explore the cave where the hermit Saint Korrot once lived. And just 100 meters by sea is the islet of Cominotto. You can get to the picturesque, cleanest, uninhabited Cominotto on a pleasure boat. Some daredevils overcome these 100 m by swimming.