- London Gatwick
- Posted: 23/10/2025
Best Family Holiday Destinations in Malta – A Family Guide 2026
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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