- London Gatwick
- Posted: 23/10/2025
Best Family Holiday Destinations in Malta – A Family Guide 2025
Nina B
Best Family Holiday Destinations in Malta – A Family Guide 2025
Tucked in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island nation that packs a punch when it comes to history, culture, beaches and family-friendly fun. With its compact size, rich heritage, and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a brilliant destination for families looking for sun, sea and a touch of adventure all within a short flight from the UK. Here’s our handy guide to the best family holiday destinations in Malta.
You can also read our guide to the best family hotels in Malta here.
Quick & Easy Flights from the UK
Malta is exceptionally accessible from the UK, with direct flights available from most major airports including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol and Leeds.
- Flight time: Approximately 3 to 3.5 hours
- Airlines flying direct: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, British Airways, Air Malta
- Prices: Return fares often start at £50–£150, especially if booked early
The island’s only airport – Malta International Airport (MLA) is just 20–30 minutes’ drive from most major resorts, including Sliema, Valletta, St. Julian’s and Bugibba.
Highlights of the Island
Though small in size (just 27 km long!), Malta offers a surprisingly diverse range of activities. Some island highlights include:
- Beautiful Beaches: Golden Bay, Mellieħa Bay and Paradise Bay are family favourites with shallow, clear waters ideal for paddling and sandcastle building.
- Comino & the Blue Lagoon: A boat trip to the stunning turquoise waters of Comino is a must.
- Gozo: Malta’s sister island offers a more rural experience, excellent for hiking, cycling or hiring a quad bike for the day.
- Popeye Village: Originally built as a film set, now transformed into a quirky amusement park a big hit with younger children and often a spot known for its snorkelling. You can find a tour with so many local operators or lots of the local shops sell snorkels if you want to purchase your own.
Best Family Holiday Destinations in Malta: Valletta
Malta’s capital city, Valletta, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and feels like walking through an open-air museum.
Why Visit Valletta?
- History on every corner: Built by the Knights of St. John, Valletta is full of baroque architecture, narrow stone streets and historic churches.
- Top attractions:
- St John’s Co-Cathedral – home to Caravaggio’s masterpiece The Beheading of Saint John.
- Upper Barrakka Gardens – offering stunning harbour views and daily cannon fire from the Saluting Battery.
- The Grandmaster’s Palace – ideal for older kids interested in knights and armour.
- Kid-friendly perks:
- Easy walking distances and flat areas with pushchair access
- Cafés with outdoor seating and space to roam – it was extremely hot when we visited so we welcomed being able to have regular drink stops. There were also many ice-cream parlours across Malta all reasonable and delicious.
- We loved the land train for 5 euros we had a 20 minute tour round the beautiful streets of Valletta. The kids loved this.
- We also took a Gondola ride around the bay which was stunning. Beware though the land train told us it was 2 Euros per person it is 10 Euros per person for a round trip we really enjoyed this and I would say it is worth it. The Gondola pickup area is below the something gardens. Cash only on the Gondolas.
Valletta also has a lovely ferry connection to Sliema and Three Cities, making day trips easy and scenic.
Best Family Holiday Destinations in Malta: Mdina
Perched on a hilltop in central Malta, Mdina is an enchanting, walled medieval city that feels like stepping back in time.
Why Families Love Mdina:
- Atmosphere: Known as “The Silent City”, it’s car-free (except for residents), making it safe for kids to explore.
- Fun for all ages:
- Wander through narrow alleys filled with charming doorways, secret courtyards and panoramic viewpoints
- Visit the Mdina Dungeons or The Knights of Malta Museum for light-hearted, spooky fun
- Don’t miss a treat at Fontanella Tea Garden – famous for its cakes and rooftop views
The whole city can be explored in just a few hours, making it a perfect half-day outing with kids.
Why Malta is Great for Families
Malta is incredibly family-friendly, and here’s why:
- English is an official language, making it easy to get around, read menus and ask for help.
- Short travel times: Nowhere on the island is more than an hour away, meaning less time in cars and more time having fun.
- Safe and welcoming: Malta has a low crime rate, and locals are known for their hospitality especially towards children. We felt really safe the whole time we were in Malta.
- We found Malta to be very reasonable food and taxis were slightly cheaper than at home.
- Tons of kid-friendly attractions:
- Splash & Fun Water Park
- Malta National Aquarium
- Playmobil FunPark
- Bugibba Water Park (free entry in summer)
Restaurants across the island generally offer children’s menus and are relaxed about young guests high chairs are widely available, and no one bats an eye at a bit of noise.
Best Family Holiday Destinations | Malta: Final Thoughts…
Whether you’re chasing the sun, keen to explore centuries-old cities, or looking for splash parks and seaside play, Malta delivers in spades for families. With easy flights from the UK, short travel distances, warm Mediterranean weather and a blend of culture, beach life and entertainment, Malta is a stress-free choice for a brilliant family holiday.
Ready to look for your next Malta holiday hit the buttons below to start your search.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. We only promote things we genuinely love – Nina
Written by: Nina B
Hello! I’m Nina a travel loving, deal hunter and mum to one amazing little girl, who also loves a holiday just as much as me! We are always planning our next adventure and my bucket list of travel destinations is long! I’m here to share the best tips and deals for getaways from Gatwick Airport. Whether you are after some sunshine, city breaks, or budget friendly family holidays, I’ll be doing the digging so you don’t have to. I am so excited to be joining The Travel Mum team and to help other families other families plan amazing trips without breaking the bank.
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£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.
Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.
The links I share are affiliate links
#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
Mar 13
£266pp is a fab package holiday price for the Easter holidays. There’s a heated indoor pool for the kids to splash in, and the cooler weather makes it a great time to explore this gorgeous island.
Comment EASTER and I’ll send you the link for the hotel. Alternatively check out my linktree as it’s currently on there.
The links I share are affiliate links
#thetravelmum #familytravel #eastertravel #cheaptravel
Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.
We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.
Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!
Expect things like:
🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches
We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.
June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.
July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.
So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!
#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
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Ksamil is a town on the Albanian Riviera and has had some very mixed reviews over the years, and I think a lot of that comes down to when you visit.
We absolutely loved our trip. It was incredibly affordable too - we paid £190 for six nights in an apartment that slept five! (This was in 2023) I’ve written a full blog post about the trip over on the website, where I’ve shared some great-value accommodation options and tips if you’re thinking about booking something similar.
Comment BLOG and I’ll send you the link along with some cheap flights and info on how to get there!
Expect things like:
🍻 £1.50 pints
🦐 Seafood dishes for under £10
☀️ Beautiful, crystal-clear beaches
We visited in May, when there were very few other people around. The town was just starting to open up for the season, the weather was lovely, and it felt relaxed and easy to enjoy.
June also seems like a great time to visit – a few more things open, but still without the peak summer crowds.
July and August appear to be a very different experience. The town is quite small, and it struggles to cope with the number of visitors in peak season. It can feel very crowded, and prices - particularly for things like sun loungers - can become very steep because of the demand.
So if Ksamil is on your list, timing really is everything!
#albanianriviera #familytravels #thetravelmum
Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you!
If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.
The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow.
We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!
The links we share are affiliate links.
#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals
Mar 9
Looking for a great value family friendly holiday? Look no further 🫡 We are a group of mums who spend our time hunting out the best deals and sharing them with you!
If you want more information on these holidays, comment “DEALS” and I’ll send you the links with more info. We aren’t travel agents, just a group of mums hunting for great family deals and sending you the best ones. You will book as normal on the providers website.
The La Palma deal is flying from Manchester.
The Tenerife deal is from Leeds.
The Marrakech deal is from Glasgow.
We have pages for each airport over on our website ❤️
I’ll post the best deals we find each day like this all week - are you looking for anything specific?! Let us know!
The links we share are affiliate links.
#thetravelmum #familyholiday #traveldeals
Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island.
I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️
The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers.
#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel
Mar 5
Flights alone can cost this, but you’re getting flights with luggage, transfers and ELEVEN nights at this lovely hotel! Menorca is amazing, so many great places to explore. I’d recommend hiring a car and exploring the island.
I’ve got the link in my linktree or comment MENORCA and I’ll send you the link plus a blog post I wrote from our latest trip to the island ❤️
The links we share are affiliate links. We source our own deals from lots of different holiday providers.
#thetravelmum #cheapholidays #menorca #familytravel
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