| Even though the Maltese islands are relatively small, | | | | even though they are really and truly located in the |
| staying in the right town or part of the island is | | | | centre of the island. Yet, their physical central presence |
| important. Below is an overview of the main areas | | | | does not mean that they are 'centrally located' to the |
| which will help you decide where to stay. | | | | island's hub and activity from a visitor point of view. |
| CENTRAL MALTA | | | | Attard |
| These parts of Malta offers the largest selection of | | | | Attard is well known for being the home of the |
| dining and entertainment on the island. Most of the 5 | | | | President's Palace. It is a mostly residential area, which |
| star hotels are also located in St. Julians and Sliema. | | | | makes it a relatively peaceful place. It is situated |
| These are all-year-round locations and highly | | | | between Mdina and Valletta and public transport is |
| recommended in all seasons. | | | | easy. San Anton Gardens surround the President's |
| St Julians | | | | Palace and are open to visitors. During the summer |
| This was once a quiet fishing village that has been | | | | months you will often find performances being held |
| transformed into a hub of activity filled with restaurants | | | | there. |
| of all types. It is within walking distance to Paceville | | | | Mdina |
| where all the nightlife is based, it is a high-density tourist | | | | Mdina is the old capital of Malta. It is a medieval town, |
| area, which offers the largest selection of dining and | | | | with narrow quiet streets, situated in the centre of the |
| entertainment on the island. Similar to Sliema this is a | | | | island. It is also known as the "Silent City" and |
| favourite location for stays in both winter and summer | | | | commands a magnificent view of the Island. Today, no |
| months. Most of the 5 star hotels are also located in | | | | cars (other than those of a limited number of |
| St. Julians. Renting a car is not necessary if staying in | | | | residents) are allowed in Mdina and there is a calming |
| this area. | | | | atmosphere as one walks along its narrow streets |
| Sliema | | | | and ways. The city displays an unusual mix of Norman |
| Sliema is the heart of shopping in Malta. It is a mixture | | | | and Baroque architecture, including several palaces, |
| of residential and commercial properties. There is a | | | | most of which serve as private homes. The Cathedral |
| great walking promenade that runs for several | | | | is worth visiting and is fronted by a large square. Public |
| kilometres, that takes you all the way from Gzira to St | | | | transport is easily accessible but hiring a car is also |
| Julians. It is central to most places and is easy to get | | | | recommended. |
| to with public transport. There is movement in both | | | | Gozo |
| winter and summer months and one does not need to | | | | Malta's sister island is Gozo and just 25 minutes away |
| rent a car to get by. | | | | by ferry. This island is significantly calmer, less |
| Valletta | | | | populated and more tranquil than the main island of |
| Built at the time of the Knights, the Capital City Valletta | | | | Malta. If you have the time, 2 days in Gozo is worth |
| has plenty of historical value, and is a World Heritage | | | | the trip. We highly recommend that you rent a car in |
| City. It is famous for it's St John's Co-Cathedral where | | | | Gozo as public transport can be a lengthy wait and will |
| the Knights of Malta were buried. The City is not as | | | | give you access to explore & enjoy the island |
| busy at night as other capital cities but things are | | | | and what it has to offer. Staying in any of the villages |
| changing slowly. Infact, not many hotels are located in | | | | listed below would make no tangible difference to your |
| Valletta as it's mainly busy due to offices and shops | | | | stay and accessibility. |
| before 7pm. Most of the museums are found here | | | | Marsalforn (Gozo) |
| and it is full of cafes. Valletta is only 15 minutes drive | | | | The tiny fishing village of Marsalforn on the north coast |
| from Sliema and St. Julians and it's the main hub for all | | | | of Gozo has become the island's most popular |
| public transport, hence staying in a hotel in any of the 2 | | | | summer resort. It offers various spots for swimming |
| listed towns should be fine if you want to be centrally | | | | and water sports, and is well supplied with restaurants, |
| located. | | | | bars and accommodation establishments. Renting a |
| THE NORTH OF MALTA | | | | car in Gozo is recommended. |
| This refers to the northern tip of the island and includes | | | | Mgarr (Gozo) |
| a number of hotels in the village of Mellieha but also on | | | | Mgarr overlooks Mgarr Harbpour which hosts the |
| the outskirts of this village. Mellieha is primarily busy in | | | | berth for the Malta-Gozo ferry. The harbour is also |
| Summer yet is also ideal in winter for those that want | | | | dominated by a neo-gothic monument, the Lourdes |
| to be completely detached and enjoy a tranquil break | | | | Church, built in 1888. Mgarr harbour is a quaint fishing |
| and escape. Qawra and Buggibba are mostly popular | | | | port and also hosts a number of pontoons for private |
| in summer when busy with locals and tourists alike. | | | | yachts. Located within the harbour at the water's edge |
| These towns are all in close proximity and hence | | | | are also a number of bars and restaurants. There is |
| staying in any should provide you with relatively the | | | | one hotel, overlooking the harbour and conveniently |
| same accessibility and location factors. | | | | located at the top of the hill just 10 minutes walk from |
| Mellieha | | | | the harbour. |
| Mellieha is to the North of the Island and offers the | | | | Sannat (Gozo) |
| largest beach on Malta. It is a very popular area during | | | | Sannat is well known for it's carved stone balconies |
| summer. It is worth renting a car if you are planning to | | | | that are all handcrafted. It is an agricultural village that is |
| stay there as it is about 45 minutes by car from St | | | | also famous for it's traditional lace making. It is not far |
| Julians & Valletta. | | | | from the cliffs of Ta Cenc that makes a wonderful |
| Qawra | | | | walking area. Renting a car in Gozo is recommended. |
| Most of the large & low price hotels are situated | | | | Xaghra (Gozo) |
| in Qawra. It is very busy, and is mostly populated by | | | | This village, one of the largest on the island, is built on a |
| tourists however it is quieter that it's neighbouring | | | | hill. The famous beach of Ramla Hamra with it's red |
| Bugibba. It is within walking distance of Bugibba where | | | | sand, is within its vicinity and must be made a part of |
| you can find a number of bars and restaurants. It | | | | your trip. Ggantija temples are also on the outskirts of |
| offers various types of accommodation that are within | | | | the village. They are one of the Oldest Prehistoric |
| walking distance from the various beach lidos. It is | | | | Temples in the World. For a small fee you can actually |
| relatively quiet & detached in winter. | | | | walk around and in the Temple. Renting a car in Gozo |
| Bugibba | | | | is recommended. |
| Buggibba is one of Malta's largest seaside resort | | | | Xlendi (Gozo) |
| towns. The coastline promenade stretches from Salina | | | | Xlendi is a small fishing port that is a great spot for |
| Bay to St Paul's Bay taking in some of the Islands' | | | | seafood restaurants. There is a small pebble beach |
| best open sea views and a vista over to St Paul's | | | | where one can swim and snorkel. There is a good |
| Island. The shore is rocky, but that has not prevented | | | | walk across the rocks where one can look down on |
| the resorts' appeal. The flat rocks provide places for | | | | the village. Driving down to Xlendi you can stop and |
| sun bathing and there are access points every so | | | | have a look at the old washing waterhole that is still in |
| often for swimmers. The water is deep, but generally | | | | use today. It is a peaceful area, although the main |
| clean, clear and safe for bathing. Very busy and full of | | | | Gozitan nightclub is situated half way up the hill. Renting |
| tourists in summer... Very large variety of restaurants, | | | | a car in Gozo is recommended. |
| bars and cafes. | | | | Victoria (Gozo) |
| Salina | | | | As the Capital City of Gozo, is the heart of shopping in |
| Salina Bay takes its name from the salt pans cut in the | | | | Gozo with a number of cafes worth trying out. The |
| inner segment of this sea inlet. The water on both | | | | Citadel in Victoria is surrounded by huge bastions built |
| verges of the bay is not deep but is quite suitable for | | | | to protect the city. It is filled with narrow winding |
| swimming off the rocks. One ideally rents a car if | | | | streets that have many local shops. You can sample |
| staying at a hotel in this area. | | | | some of the local produce as well as make purchases |
| MALTA VILLAGE CORE | | | | to take home with you. Renting a car in Gozo is |
| We have defined these two towns as Village Core | | | | recommended. |