1 year vacation in Malta

Those who know me know that I didn't spend a year on vacation in Malta. Who takes a year-long vacation in Malta =) I spent a year on vacation in Gozo, of course. 😜 Malta, the larger sister island of Gozo, also has an incredible amount to offer. Malta is ideal for day trips or weekend getaways, which we do far too often. I love life in Gozo, but sometimes you need more action, so then it's off to Malta by ferry.

Therefore, I'd like to introduce some of my favorite excursions in Malta here. If you are planning a vacation in Malta, be sure to include the following excursions to make your trip unforgettable:

Popeye Village Malta

Popeye Village in Malta is an absolute eye-catcher and a must-see for anyone who wants to follow in the footsteps of a sailor! This colorful and lively film set, built for the 1980 Popeye movie, lies like a hidden gem in the picturesque bay of Anchor Bay. So, when you're on vacation in Malta, you should definitely plan a detour here.

With its brightly colored wooden houses clinging boldly to the rocky coast, you're immediately transported into the world of Popeye, Olive, and Bluto. It's like diving into another time and world. There's something to discover everywhere, from the small, lovingly designed houses to the props and decorations that bring the scenery to life.

For me, the visit to Popeye Village was not just a trip into film history, but also a fascinating journey into an imaginative and playful world. I've been here a few times now, and it's a perfect place for families, but also for us parents and adults to relive our childhood memories. You can stroll through the village, participate in activities, or simply enjoy the breathtaking view of the bay.

And the best part? There's a pool area with a water playground for the kids, which is included in the price. We often spend most of our time there. Especially in the summer, when it's really hot, the pools provide the necessary cooling. By the way, there are adult pools there too.

By the way, there's a good restaurant with an air-conditioned indoor playground right by the parking lot. Popeye Village in Malta is truly an unforgettable experience – a colorful, lively, and cheerful world that seems to have sprung right out of a comic book.

Malta National Aquarium

It's basically the SEA LIFE Malta, but it's called the Malta National Aquarium. Since we have a yearly pass, we've been here countless times. In a total of 51 aquariums, you'll find marine animals, fish, sharks, and much more, mainly from the Mediterranean region. But there are also some terrariums with reptiles, spiders, and snakes from all over the world.

The Malta National Aquarium is not only an ideal bad-weather activity for Malta but also highlights the problems our marine life faces in a fun and exciting way. First and foremost, of course, is plastic waste. For us, it's always a good opportunity to give the kids a tip or two and raise awareness about the issues of our time.

In front of the aquarium building, there is a large adventure playground, and last but not least, the LA NAVE Bistro is a very delicious and recommendable restaurant located right next to the entrance of the aquarium. My recommendation: mushroom risotto with pine nuts and chicken. AWESOME!

Valletta – The Capital

First of all, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage site. That in itself is great. If you've already been to Valletta, you know why. Valletta is one of the best-preserved fortified cities in Europe. But what's even more important: Valletta is great for shopping. 😉 We love coming here.

There are numerous great shops along several shopping streets that meander through the city center. In between, there are beautiful and charming restaurants and cafes. The city is partly known for the mix of traditional Maltese restaurants, offering dishes like Lampuki Pie (Mahi Mahi) and Pastizzi, as well as modern cafes serving international cuisine.

If you're in Malta, you should definitely stop by Valletta. Valletta is quite different from other capitals. By the way, you can also take the Fast Ferry to Gozo from here. In 45 minutes, you'll be directly in Mgarr, the port of Gozo. It doesn't get any faster than this.

St. Julian's and Sliema – Shopping in Malta

The two shopping meccas, however, are St. Julian's and Sliema. Sliema is located northwest of Valletta. It also has great shops and a nice promenade. From there, you can also get to Valletta by boat in 5 minutes. Although we usually skip that. Because in Sliema there is the „The Point Shopping Mall„From A to Z, meaning from Adidas to Tommy Hilfiger, there are 85 stores for which you can easily plan half a day.

In between, there are also good restaurants and cafés, especially on the main square in front of the shopping mall.

Continuing further northwest of Sliema, you'll find St. Julian's, or San Ġiljan as it's written in the local language. If you prefer luxury, this is the perfect spot for you. There are cool jewelers here that carry almost all Swiss watch brands, as well as brand stores for Rolex, Boss, and all the others. You'll also find many fantastic 5-star hotels and casinos here. But more on the hotels in the next section.

The Bay Street Shopping Complex is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Malta. It was opened in 2000 and well, it's a shopping mall with numerous stores across multiple floors. But beyond that, the complex also offers cinemas, hotels, several rooftop pools with restaurants, and numerous pubs and clubs. Bay Street is a street in the Paceville area of St. Julian's. On weekends, and in the summer also every evening, there are parties and events here. Not for families, but if you're traveling alone or with a few buddies... that's the place to be.

Last but not least, the Mercury Towers Malta opened in November 2023. With a Dubai look, this district is nestled in a tight space in the center of St. Julian's. It's so compact that an existing building was even integrated into the construction.

In the Mercury Towers Malta, you'll find more restaurants, cafes, and many shops. If you're in St. Julian's, be sure to stop by here. However, it's not worth a special trip just for that. Unless you're really into architecture. Then this district has a few nice details hidden away to discover.

My birthday in Malta

You won't be able to celebrate your birthday in Malta, but maybe you'll find another occasion. We had a wonderful weekend in St. Julian. Therefore, I simply have to include this, and it's also a hotel recommendation for Malta at the same time.

In mid-October, we stayed at the Hilton Malta Resort for a weekend. The „French Capital Hilton“ has put up a beautiful establishment here with 413 spacious rooms. A great view of the Mediterranean Sea is included. What I like about hotels like these is that you can order absolutely anything. ANYTHING! So, that very evening, I ordered a delicious rum punch with my favorite Barbados rum. And they even had it! Thanks, Paris. 🙏

The Hilton has a beautiful pool area with a beach, making it ideal for a family vacation in Malta. Although it was mid-October, the temperatures were still pleasant. Therefore, we spent a whole day there at the beach and pool. Unfortunately, the hotel does not have direct sea access, but this is compensated for by its own „artificial“ beach with real sand. Plus, you always have service around you and can order whatever you like. I like that!

Both the breakfast buffet and the dinner buffet leave nothing to be desired. There was even a separate children's buffet, at their eye level. If something is missing there, you can of course order it again. 😁

Since the Hilton is located directly in the Portomaso district of St. Julian's, you're right in the city. That's great, and we also went shopping for a day, of course. By the way, I can recommend the restaurant „The Avenue„They have over 4000 reviews on Google, and the food there is just as good. Super delicious and a nice ambiance, right next to the Hilton.

Malta Dolphin Tour with EcoMarine

Wow, that was a super exciting tour. We spent a total of eight hours on a catamaran along the coast of Malta and watched dolphins. We went out with an Italian research team that has been observing dolphins there for several years. It was more of an educational trip because we learned a lot about dolphins and were able to learn, for example, that the dorsal fin is equivalent to a fingerprint.

Accordingly, all dolphins could be found somewhere in the team's catalog, and so we immediately knew the dolphin's name, when it was born, etc. This was not only exciting for me, but especially for the kids. We were able to observe more than 20 dolphins in total over several hours.

Afterwards, there was delicious food on the boat, and we were able to snorkel a bit more. If you want to see dolphins in Malta, keep an eye out for such tours. Of course, there's no guarantee that dolphins will always be visible. However, most research teams go near the fish and tuna farms, where dolphins usually gather.

Christmas in Malta

Christmas is just around the corner, as I'm writing this article on December 19th. However, that's not the only reason for this section. If there's one country in the world that celebrates Christmas, it's Malta and Gozo. So, if you're planning a winter vacation in Malta, you should definitely do it around Christmas. I haven't seen any other country decorated so lovingly and lavishly. There are highlights like Fairyland Santa's City in Valletta and the large Christmas market right by the fountain.

A vacation in Malta is also suitable for families. In addition to the many amusement rides in Valletta, including a cable car, carousel, Ferris wheel, and many other attractions, there are numerous Christmas markets throughout the country. They all feel like they're made for kids, as there are usually bouncy castles, ice skating rinks, and craft and drawing tables.

Furthermore, many parades take place. This is somewhat reminiscent of carnival, but the atmosphere is a bit more cheerful. Those who love fireworks will also get their money's worth around Christmas time. There are usually larger and smaller fireworks displays in the evening. Everywhere! Just as it should be for Malta.

Conclusion

The year-end review will soon be available on my blog, Wandernotizen. Our time and our numerous excursions in Malta will be featured prominently. The island has so much to offer that many highlights are naturally missing. But I hope you've gotten a small overview and I also hope I've made you a little curious about Malta.

Malta has both, with busier areas like St. Julian's and Valletta, as well as the green and quiet south of the island. Here and there I will continue to edit this article to make the list of excursions more „complete.“ Then your vacation in Malta or Gozo nothing more in the way.

Drop me a comment and let me know if you've ever been to Malta. Do you like the island, and do you have any tips for us on what we absolutely have to see here?

Vacation in Malta Photo Gallery