When most households consider touring by means of Europe, the same old suspects pop up: Italy with its pasta, Spain with its seashores, or France with its castles. However tucked away in the midst of the Mediterranean is a small island that always will get left out — Malta. And actually? That’s a mistake.
Malta is perhaps tiny, nevertheless it’s filled with every part households dream of on trip: secure streets, pleasant individuals, sunshine nearly year-round, and a mixture of historical past and journey that children truly take pleasure in. This isn’t a kind of locations the place you spend the entire journey stressing about logistics. Right here, every part simply feels easy — even with youngsters in tow.
Straightforward to Attain, Straightforward to Love
One in all Malta’s secret superpowers is simply how straightforward it’s to get to and get round when you arrive. The island is a fast flight from most European hubs, which implies no marathon journey days with cranky youngsters and carry-ons full of snacks.
And when you land? All the things is closed. You’ll be able to drive throughout the entire island in below an hour, which is a father or mother’s dream. No lengthy automotive rides the place your youngsters hit their forty seventh “are we there but?” in below ten minutes.
The language is one other win. English is broadly spoken, so there’s no guessing recreation when ordering lunch or attempting to determine instructions. It’s journey with out the stress, precisely what households want.
Household Adventures by the Sea
Let’s be sincere: youngsters and water are a match made in heaven. Malta delivers on this in a giant means. The seashores right here aren’t simply fairly, they’re family-friendly. Mellieħa Bay, for instance, has shallow water excellent for toddlers who wish to splash round with out giving dad and mom coronary heart palpitations. Golden Bay is one other gem the place greater youngsters can construct fortresses within the sand whereas dad and mom sneak in a fast nap.
After which there’s the Blue Lagoon. This spot seems to be prefer it’s been photoshopped, turquoise water so clear you’ll be able to see fish swimming beneath you. Boat journeys to the lagoon are tremendous in style, however if you happen to’ve obtained little ones, go early within the day when it’s quieter. Pack snacks, sunscreen, and also you’ve obtained your self the type of household day that ends with everybody fortunately exhausted.
Right here’s the reality: a few of the finest seashores and coves aren’t proper within the vacationer zones. That’s why having your personal automotive makes an enormous distinction. You’ll be able to load up the trunk with towels, buckets, and means too many inflatable floaties, then head off to a quiet stretch of sand the place your loved ones has room to breathe.
Historical past Comes Alive (and Children Truly Like It)
Touring with youngsters often means putting that steadiness between “academic” and “enjoyable.” Malta nails this.
Take Mdina, the island’s previous capital, additionally known as the Silent Metropolis. Strolling by means of its slender streets appears like stepping onto a film set; in actual fact, it was one (Sport of Thrones followers will acknowledge it). Children can wander safely whereas dad and mom geek out over the historical past.
Then there are the megalithic temples, some older than the pyramids of Egypt. Even youngsters who often roll their eyes at historical past class get wide-eyed once they hear they’re standing in a spot that’s over 5,000 years previous.
And Valletta, the island’s present capital, brings the drama with its large stone forts and tales of knights and pirates. It’s the type of place the place you’ll be able to flip sightseeing right into a scavenger hunt: “Who can spot the dragon carving first?” It retains the children entertained and sneaks in slightly historical past lesson alongside the best way.
Regardless of all that allure, Valletta nonetheless feels underrated in comparison with different European capitals — which is definitely a blessing for households. You get the tradition, the historical past, and the sweetness, however with out the large crowds that often make exploring with youngsters a problem.
Meals the Entire Household Can Take pleasure in
For those who’ve ever traveled with youngsters, you understand meals can both make or break a visit. The excellent news? Malta is a straightforward win on the dinner desk.
Mediterranean classics like pizza, pasta, and contemporary bread are in all places, easy, acquainted, and liked by youngsters. For fogeys, there’s contemporary seafood, farm-to-table veggies, and a few conventional Maltese specialties which can be value attempting. Don’t miss pastizzi, a flaky pastry full of cheese or peas, or ftira, Malta’s model of a hearty sandwich. They’re low-cost, tasty, and ideal for a grab-and-go snack between adventures.
And right here’s the bonus: Maltese eating places are usually relaxed and welcoming to households. No soiled seems to be in case your toddler drops half their pasta on the ground. As a substitute, you’ll usually discover locals smiling and chatting together with your youngsters.
Getting Round With out Stress
Now, let’s speak about one of many trickiest elements of household journey: transportation. Malta’s public buses are respectable, however once you’ve obtained youngsters in tow, strollers, snack luggage, and perhaps a meltdown brewing… ready for a bus within the warmth isn’t precisely the dream.
That’s why renting a automotive is the very best transfer for households. The island is small, the roads are simple, and with your personal automotive, you’re free to discover at your personal tempo. Need to go away the seashore early as a result of somebody obtained an excessive amount of solar? No downside. Must cease for snacks or a nap? You’re in management.
It’s not simply comfort, it’s sanity. Having your personal set of wheels means you’ll be able to uncover hidden seashores, charming villages, and historic websites that buses don’t attain. That freedom is what transforms a very good journey into an amazing one.
Suggestions for Stress-Free Household Journey in Malta
To make your journey even smoother, listed here are a couple of fast ideas:
- Greatest Time to Go to: Spring (April–June) or fall (September–October) are excellent — fewer crowds, delicate climate, and higher costs.
- Pack Good: Carry sunhats, reef-safe sunscreen, and water sneakers for the rocky seashores.
- Keep Household-Pleasant: Many resorts and lodges cater to households with swimming pools, youngsters’ golf equipment, and babysitting choices.
- Maintain Flexibility: Plan one “massive” exercise every day (like a ship journey or historic web site) and go away the remaining open for downtime. Children journey higher once they’re not rushed.
Malta as Your Household’s Subsequent Journey
Touring with youngsters doesn’t need to be hectic. In Malta, every part simply clicks into place. The island is secure, manageable, and filled with experiences that delight each dad and mom and youngsters.
From constructing sandcastles in Mellieħa Bay to wandering the streets of Mdina, from savoring contemporary pastries to discovering temples older than the pyramids, Malta provides households an opportunity to create the type of reminiscences that final lengthy after the suitcases are unpacked.
And perhaps that’s the most important motive Malta is the right European household vacation spot: it enables you to decelerate, join, and truly take pleasure in one another. Isn’t that what household journey is meant to be all about?
So subsequent time you’re planning a visit, don’t simply observe the group. Put Malta on your loved ones’s bucket checklist. Pack the swimsuits, seize the snacks, and prepare for an journey the place day by day brings one thing new.
As a result of generally the smallest locations make the most important reminiscences.
Final Up to date on September 22, 2025