Malta is home to the amazing Popeye Village, a former movie set that’s now a theme park (Getty/iStock)
When it comes to a family vacation in the Mediterranean, the possibilities can feel endless.
To take the toil out of the research, we’ve pinpointed a jewel of a destination that your kids are guaranteed to thank you for: Malta.
It’s made up of three islands – Malta, Gozo and Comino — and is packed with hassle-free fun and intrigue for children of all ages, as well as parents.
Malta is home to a surprisingly vibrant portfolio of theme parks, including one originally built as the colorful set for a 1980s Robin Williams movie.
Safe and shallow beaches? They’re a specialty — and families can even choose from a variety of sand colors.
The island’s forts, meanwhile, help turn Malta into a giant adventure playground, and the museums will fire up kids’ imaginations and creativity, thanks to interactive exhibits and presentations that will seem out of this world, quite literally.
We also highlight cycling and hiking spots that come with peace and quiet, as well as spectacular views, along with hotels that are family-friendly from top to bottom.
1. Theme parks and splash attractions
Popeye Village, a former movie set, is one of Malta’s most distinctive attractions (Getty/iStock)
Malta is home to a surprisingly varied and charming array of theme parks that kids will love, including the colorful Popeye Village set in Anchor Bay, near Mellieħa on the northwest coast. It was built as the hamlet of Sweethaven for the 1980 musical comedy Popeye, starring Robin Williams, but now the unique attraction incorporates character meet-and-greets, mini golf, water trampolines, boat rides and a Popeye Comic Museum (and, as a bonus, it doubles as a beach stop).
The fun continues on the northeast coast at the Splash & Fun Water Park near Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, which boasts a wave pool with artificial waves, tunnels, spray jets, waterslides and a huge lazy river. Plus, there are plenty of loungers and shaded areas.
Further south, in Ħal Far, under-10s in particular will love Playmobil FunPark Malta, which has indoor and outdoor zones themed around the Playmobil universe, from a pirate world complete with a climbable ship, to fairytale and police station sets.
Malta National Aquarium, near Buġibba’s seafront promenade, is a good all-weather option, with walk-through tunnels and touch pools guaranteed to keep children engaged.
Read more: Malta’s coastline is one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular — here’s why
2. Safe, shallow beaches and family-friendly coves
Ramla Bay on Gozo is a great beach-day option for families (Getty/iStock)
Hassle-free family-friendly beach days are Malta’s specialty — it’s heaven for paddling and sandcastle building, with numerous strips of sand boasting gently sloping waters and flour-soft sand.
One of the standouts is Mellieħa Bay (also known as Għadira Bay) in the northwest, which has a huge swathe of sand that slopes gradually into warm shallow water. Plus, there are sunbeds to relax on, umbrellas for shielding delicate skin from the sun, and plenty of activities on offer for older members of the brood, from kite-surfing to parasailing boats.
Golden Bay, on the opposite coastline, with its sweep of honey-hued sand, gin-clear waters and sprinkling of handy facilities —such as cafes and toilets — is another treat for parents with kids in tow.
Clear, calm water can also be found at St Peter’s Pool, near Marsaxlokk. The flat rocks are great for picnics and confident swimmers will love splashing about here.
On the sibling island of Gozo, Ramla Bay is a surefire winner for families; it beckons with eye-catching red-gold sand and welcoming shallow waters. Plus, there are sunshades and loungers for hire, and an ice-cream seller and a café serving pasta, pizza and burgers to keep hunger pangs at bay.
Read more: Why Malta is one of Europe’s greatest open-air history museums
3. Forts, castles and knights’ adventures
Malta has lots of historical sites that are fun for kids to explore, such as Fort St. Angelo in Vittoriosa (Getty/iStock)
The bastions, ramparts and lookout towers of Malta make it a real-life playground for young visitors, with one of the most interesting and explorable fortifications — star-shaped Fort St Elmo — overlooking the harbor of the capital, Unesco Heritage site Valletta.
It takes 1.5-2 hours to walk around, with old cannons to investigate, panoramic views to soak in and, in the National War Museum, easily digestible exhibits that tell the story of the island’s military past, from the prehistoric period to the Second World War.
Across the harbor in Vittoriosa — also known as Birgu — Fort St Angelo has stroller-accessible spaces, engaging 15-20-minute documentaries playing on loop, and interactive exhibits that bring the island’s maritime history to life. There are also high walls that can be safely explored.
The island’s old capital, Mdina, also has family appeal, not least because it’s car-free, which means children can safely wander its ancient, mysterious streets. Take a stroll around its encircling walls, for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the lost-in-time interior.
Cittadella on Gozo is another fortified wonder that will delight kids, and it’s compact enough to be absorbed between mealtimes.
Read more: 10 best hotels in Malta, from Valletta to St Julian’s
4. Caves, tunnels and underground adventures
The Blue Grotto is one of Malta’s most enchanting coastal spots (Getty/iStock)
Duck out of the heat for adventures in Malta’s mesmerizing caves and tunnels.
One of the most spellbinding — and accessible — options is the Blue Grotto on the south coast. In this series of six dramatic limestone sea caves that you can visit on short boat trips from Wied iż-Żurrieq, the water seems to “glow” blue.
On land, subterranean intrigue awaits older children deep beneath the capital, Valletta, in the Lascaris War Rooms. They lie 150 feet below the Upper Barrakka Gardens, and served as the ultra-secret British headquarters during the Second World War. Today, this history comes alive for visitors through interactive exhibits, operations rooms, historic telephones and waxwork figures.
Across the harbor beneath Vittoriosa’s historic streets is another fascinating underground complex —a mile-long tunnel network that sheltered families for weeks at a time during the war. You don’t need much time to take them in, so visits can easily be squeezed into a busy itinerary. On show are preserved oil lamps, tools and gas masks, and even a “birth room” for expectant mothers.
Delve back even further in time at the Għar Dalam Cave in Birżebbuġa, where well-lit walkways lead visitors through a cavern where bones from now-extinct animals dating back 160,000 years have been found. Many of them are on display at the site’s museum, including those from dwarf elephants and dwarf hippopotami.
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5. Museums kids will enjoy
With its glass-and-steel planetarium, the Esplora Interactive Science Centre by the Grand Harbour has the vibe of a Bond villain’s lair (Getty/iStock)
Malta has several museums designed with kids in mind that are fun and hands-on. Plus, they offer a change of pace from beach days and, in the height of summer, a place to cool off and reset.
The flagship attraction is the Esplora Interactive Science Centre by the Grand Harbour. Set in a former naval hospital with a giant glass-and-steel planetarium dome jutting out of the historic façade, it has the air of a Bond villain’s lair.
Inside, in the 52-seat theater, kids can watch in wonder as stars, planets and galaxies are beamed onto a 35-foot, 4K screen, and then explore over 200 indoor and outdoor exhibits, including over a dozen related to the cosmos.
The Malta Aviation Museum, on the site of the former UK Royal Air Force airfield in Ta’ Qali, is another engaging attraction for children thanks to its accessible exhibits. Here, kids can climb into the cockpits of a 1970s airliner and get up close to Second World War planes such as the Spitfire and Hurricane.
Also not to be missed are the National Museum of Archaeology, where thousands of years of Maltese history can be soaked up in an hour or so, and the Toy Museum, which houses a huge collection of model toys, from Matchbox cars to train sets. They’re both minutes apart from each other in the heart of Valletta.
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6. Top outdoor activities for more energetic families
There are plenty of opportunities for easy walks in Malta that come with great views (Getty/iStock)
For families that enjoy outdoor activities, Malta is a haven, on land and at sea, with memorable boat trips and walks that come with ever-present gorgeous vistas.
One of the most pleasurable sea excursions is from the main island to Comino or Gozo with an operator such as Mermaid Cruises or Luzzu Cruises. There are full and half-day options and the itineraries include sea-cave diversions and invigorating swim stops.
The coastline’s magical caves can also be discovered by kayak for those with older children, while on land, there are relatively gradient-free coastal pathways to release pent-up energy. The walks around the Dingli Cliffs and the Gozo coastline are standouts in this regard.
For cycle rides, the entire archipelago is your oyster, but Gozo, which is laced with quiet country roads and stunning snack-stop panoramas, is particularly suited to pedal-powered expeditions.
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7. Great places to stay
AX Odycy Hotel is one of Malta’s standout family friendly hotels. Pictured is the property’s waterpark (AX ODYCY Hotel)
Effortless
Db Seabank Resort + Spa (rooms from $220), opposite Mellieħa Bay, is a great option for families with younger children — it’s all-inclusive, the layout is easy to navigate, and there are pools that feature shallow areas and splash zones. In addition, the family rooms are spacious and the beach is within easy reach.
Energetic
AX Odycy Hotel (rooms from $200), in St Paul’s Bay, is a wonder-world for children. It has its own water park with slides and multiple pools (including a paddle pool), plus a dedicated kids’ club, where supervisors keep children engaged with arts and crafts and games.
Elevated
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Golden Sands (rooms from $250), above Golden Bay, one of Malta’s signature strips of sand, has an upscale feel that’s paired with family friendly facilities, including a dedicated children’s pool and larger-than-average rooms.
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