Day one:
On arrival collect a hire car from the airport and drive to a hotel in the Bugibba area – this is where most of the three and four-star hotels are located. In the early evening join the locals in their stroll along the promenade, through the pedestrianised centre and along the web of streets that house hordes of souvenir shops. Take a rest in Bay Square where there is a host of outdoor cafés and bars.
Day two:
Drive into the capital in time for the 11am performance of either In Guardia! or Alarme! These colourful re-enactments of historical military parades alternate every Sunday throughout the year at 11am at Fort St Elmo in Valletta. With cannon shots and lots of action, Tom and Emily will love it. The parades last one hour each.
After lunch head for Bahar ic-Caghaq, in between Bugibba and Sliema and the location of three entertainment parks. The Mediterraneo Marine Park features dolphins and sea lions, a reptilarium and much more. Two sea lions shows and two dolphin shows are held daily. Private swimming sessions with the dolphins may be booked in advance, although children must be at least eight years old.
Next door is The Splash and Fun Park. It has four water chutes and a swimming pool. Then there is the children’s play park, which features model dinosaurs, a bouncy castle, a roller coaster and bumper cars.
Day three:
Join Captain Morgan Cruises on a Harbour Cruise around the two natural harbours on either side of Valletta – Marsamxett Harbour and the Grand Harbour.
Cruises leave from the Sliema Ferries Port. The first cruise sets off around 10am and the last one departs at 2.45pm. Cruises last approximately 90 minutes.
The on-board commentary tells the history of Valletta and the Three Cities. Captain Morgan also offers Underwater Safaris in boats with an observatory beneath the surface.
After disembarking head north to Anchor Bay and visit Popeye Village – the original film set of the 1980 film Popeye starring Robin Williams. The family can tour the film set in the company of Popeye and Olive and also see the animation team perform four shows throughout the day. The children can also enjoy the rides at the Children’s World Fun Park.
To cool off on the way home, stop off at Ghadira Bay. This sandy beach in Mellieha is, like the other beaches in northern Malta, safe and clean with little or no current. Ghadira Bay is particularly well suited for young children as a large part of the sea is shallow. Paddleboats, canoes and jet skis can be hired. During the summer, lifeguards man all the main beaches in Malta.
Day four:
Drive to Mdina, stopping off en route at the Ta ‘Qali Crafts Village near the town. Watch craftsmen demonstrate the fine art of making Maltese filigree.
Afterwards Dad and Tom – children must be eight years old or above – can have a go at Go Karting at Ta’ Qali Raceway.
For lunch head into the centre of Mdina before exploring the narrow winding alleys and historic squares. If the children are brave enough they may enjoy the Mdina Dungeons. Located just inside the city’s main gate, in the original dungeons underneath Vilhena Palace, scenes of torture from the Roman era to the occupation of the islands by the French are shown.
Day five:
Drive to the southern village of Zurrieq enjoying the coastal scenery on arrival. Join a 10-minute round-trip boat excursion to the Blue Grotto. The water in this huge domed cave has a lovely azure colour.
After lunch in Zurrieq, head to St Julian’s and enjoy a film in the IMAX cinema – one of the largest screens in Europe.
Day six:
Return to Sliema Ferries Port and take the Captain Morgan Round Malta Cruise. Passing by Valletta, the cruise heads south around the island and past the imposing Dingli Cliffs, Mellieha Bay, St Paul’s Island and onto Salina Bay and St Julian’s Bay. Lunch is served on board in the Blue Lagoon off the island of Comino. Time is allowed for sunbathing and swimming or passengers may go ashore to explore.
This will take up the whole day, leaving the children, and parents, exhausted. An early night is called for before the trip home the next day.
Getting around
By car
Car hire rates in Malta are the cheapest in Europe starting from as little as £10 per day. As well as many local rental firms, international companies include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz.
Rules of the road
Driving is on the left.
The speed limit is 40mph on highways and 23mph in urban areas.
Road signs are in English.
British driving licences are acceptable.
Drivers must be 18 years old to hire a car, although some rental firms insist on drivers being over 25 years old.
Petrol stations are open from 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. They are closed on Sundays although self-service pumps are available. Credit cards are not accepted at petrol stations – cash only. Petrol costs around 58p per litre.
By public transport
Public transport in the Maltese islands is reliable and relatively cheap. The main bus terminal in Malta is located outside the City Gate in Valletta. Buses operate from 5.30am everyday until 10pm on weekdays and 11pm at the weekends. In Gozo buses are less frequent.
Fares start at just 23p, and weekly passes can be purchased for around £8.50.
By ferry
A ferry departs Sliema every hour from 8am to 5pm, seven days a week, cruising across Marsamxett Harbour and into Valletta. Restrictions apply on Sundays and public holidays
By taxi
Taxis from Malta Airport operate a Fixed Fares system with a tariff for each of the island’s 11 zones.
Island hopping
Gozo Channel Company operates regular passenger and car ferry services between Malta and Gozo. The journey takes 25 minutes and runs every 45 minutes daily. The one-way journey costs around £2.70 for a foot passenger and almost £9 for a car and driver. There is no need to pre-book the ferry and return tickets are purchased from Gozo. Helicopters also operate from Malta airport to Gozo. The trip takes 15 minutes and can be booked via Air Malta.
Did you know?
The Maltese Islands boast the oldest free-standing temple in the world, pre-dating the pyramids by a thousand years.