Holidays with children in Malta. Holidays with children in Malta Malta resorts for holidays with children

This is not the most popular place for families with children, but this summer we were lucky enough to visit Malta. Which I'm very happy about.

Usually schoolchildren are sent here to learn English, but there is also something to do with kids in Malta.

The sea is very beautiful, Mediterranean. But the shores are mostly stone. This is completely inconvenient for bathing children. But it is a joy to the eye and my daughter enjoyed soaking her feet in the puddles on the stones.

There are also almost sandy beaches in Malta. The sand on them, however, is usually large. But here the entry into the sea is good, and you can play calmly on the shore. This is a beach in St. Julian's, St. George's Bay. Here you can even play with molds, but unfortunately you won’t get cakes.

Children's playgrounds are rather rare. But if you manage to find a park, then there will be a playground there. A cozy park along the promenade in Sliema.

In Pembroke we found a small park with unusual swing- for babies.

Not far from Valletta, the capital of the island, there is a large amusement park. And you can take a ferry ride all the way to Valletta - many children will be delighted with such a boat trip. And at the same time you can admire the most beautiful view of this city.

Summer in Malta is hot. But there are also rains, and the constantly blowing light breeze from the sea will make walking even more enjoyable. But we can’t forget about Panama! It’s also worth cooling off with ice cream from time to time – in tourist areas there are restaurants and shops at every turn.

Older children will already be able to appreciate the beauty of nature and architecture. And here it’s just a masterpiece upon a masterpiece - Malta is very beautiful and unusual.

The islands offer plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including children, who often get bored after visiting the historical sites.

As for crafts, there are two main villages on the islands, one in Gozo and one in Malta. Tourists can watch artisans weave lace, make silver filigree, pottery, textiles, knitting, basket weaving, and watch making. It is also very entertaining to watch glassblowers; tourists are invited to look from behind a glass barrier at how craftsmen make unique Maltese glass by hand.

In addition to beaches and swimming pools, there is also a marine park and a water park where various fun activities on the water await you. And be sure to take the kids to Sweethaven Village, the set of the 1980 musical film Popeye.

Marine Park Mediterraneo

Experience the magical power of the sea and its amazing sea creatures up close - interacting with dolphins, sea lions and other animals at the Mediterranean Marine Park, open all year round.

Ever dreamed of swimming with a dolphin? Kiss a sea lion? Hold a parrot in your hands, pet a snake or iguana? In the Mediterraneo Marine Park, the dreams of tourists and locals come true, thanks to the concept of communicating briefly with the lovely inhabitants of the local complex.

The park, bustling with colorful activities, is managed to the highest professional standards and offers the perfect day out for families and groups alike, offering a variety of activities to choose from, a dedicated children's area, and well-equipped restaurant/cafeteria. Visitors can choose between several shows, an interactive journey, or even an unforgettable swim with the park's resident dolphins.

April-September from 10 to 17:30, October-December from 10 to 16:30
Closed: October-December on Mondays
Admission:
Adults 6.50 Maltese lira; children (4-10 years old) 5 Maltese lira

Playmobil Amusement Park

This is the second largest factory in the world producing toys from this universally beloved brand, and the only operating production facility of its kind where you can see with your own eyes how these toys are made. After a tour of most of the production areas, you can go have fun at the Playmobil amusement park and have a snack in the cafeteria.
Bus number 13, departing from Valletta, will take you almost to the Playmobil amusement park.
Opening hours:
Winter: October to June
7 days a week from 10:00 to 18:00
Summer: July to September
Monday – Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00
Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00

Waterpark Splash & Fan

Splash & Fun Water Park at White Rocks has a large swimming pool and a seaside terrace for adults. Another pool is equipped with chutes and slides, as well as a dinosaur park for the delight of children.
Other amenities such as a snack bar and ample parking are available for those who wish to spend a day at the Splash & Fan water park.
Opening hours:
Open seven days a week from 9am until late

Sweethaven Village
Anchor Bay, Mellieha

It was here that the musical about Papaya, the much-loved sailor, was filmed in 1980. The wooden planks from which the village was built were imported from Canada, and the tree trunks were transported overland from Holland to make the scenery look as real as possible. The price includes entry to the set, a 15-minute boat ride, 20 minutes of the set's history in the cinema, and animated entertainment shows every hour. There is also an amusement park with rides and games for children, a bar and restaurant, and a souvenir shop.
Opening hours and entrance fee:
Summer package
From June to September:

Adults: 4.50 Maltese lira
Children: 3.50 Maltese lira

Typically the summer package includes:

• — Entrance to the set
• – Boat trip (15 minutes around the Bay)
• — Use of the paddling pool
• — Use of shelters and umbrellas
• — Use of the swimming pool
• — Four free laps on the attraction for each child
• — Free wine tasting
• — Free postcard

Winter package
October to May: except December
Regular entry price:
Adults: 3.50 Maltese lira
Children: 2.50 Maltese lira

Typically the winter package includes:

• — Entrance to the set
• – 4 sessions of animated entertainment shows
• — Cinema (15 minutes of history of the film set)
• — Two free laps on the attraction for each child
• — Demonstration of the work of a silversmith
• — Demonstration of the work of a glass blower
• — Entrance to Santa's Toy Town
• — Free wine tasting
• — Free postcard

The Popeye movie set is open all year round.
Opening hours:
June – September: 9:30 – 19.00
October, March – May: 9:30 – 17.30
November, January, February: 9:30 – 16:30
In December, open from December 1st to December 20th: 9:30 – 16:30
Sundays, public holidays and from December 21 to January 7: 9:30-20:00
In December entrance fee: Adults: 3.00 Maltese lira, children: 2.50 Maltese lira
Admission to the amusement park is free (tokens can be purchased for rides)
Amusement park opening hours:
November, January-April: Saturdays and Sundays only: 9:30-18:30
May-October:
every day from 9:30-17:30

LWS Zoo

Zinzell Street
Marsascala ZBR 11 (Marsascala ZBR 11)
You can spend a very educational and entertaining day at the LWS Zoo. In this zoo, the animals are very well cared for and their environment is not just a cage. Rabbits roam freely in their territory, as do mountain goats. Emus, deer, llamas and monkeys are just a few of the animals that can be seen here. There is also a train that follows a winding path through beautiful gardens around the entire park. In the center of the zoo is the Grand Prix karting track. In addition, the zoo has a stable with horses and ponies that children can ride. All conditions and facilities in the zoo have been specially designed so that everything is easily accessible and convenient to use for people with disabilities.

Opening hours and entrance fee:
The zoo is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon (visiting only). On Sundays, the zoo is open all day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with train rides and go-kart rentals available.
Admission:
Adults 1.25 Maltese lira
Children 1 Maltese lira

Ta" Ali Crafts Center

A former World War II military airfield has been transformed into a center for local crafts. This is an ideal place to buy ceramics, jewelry, and knitted and pottery items, and see glassblowers blow glass and watch other artisans at work. Here you can buy a completely unique and original item. Inside the craft center is an aviation museum with airplanes on display.

Village of crafts "Ta" Dbigi

Local crafts such as lace making, hand-knitted cotton or wool sweaters, and glass blown by glass are sold at the Ta' Dbigi Crafts Village

Art galleries

The Maltese Islands, with their vibrant colors and rugged landscapes, have long inspired artists, photographers and sculptors, both local and foreign. In addition to the luxurious heritage left by the artists commissioned by the Knights of St. John, Malta has many magnificent works by contemporary artists.

The Creativity Center at St James's Ravelin in Valletta displays their work. Other places in the capital that regularly host exhibitions of art, sculpture and ceramics are National Museum Fine Arts, and the National Museum of Archaeology. If you would like to learn more about local artists, staff at both the Ravelin Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts will be happy to help.

Cultural attractions

With a history dating back 7,000 years, cultural attractions abound - megalithic temples (including Ggantija, the oldest free-standing temple in the world), important sites associated with the Knights of St. John, World War II sites, and costume performances - all this is a must visit.

Cities such as Valletta, Mdina, Rabat and the Three Cities contain cultural treasures and attractions that can only be seen in the Maltese Islands.

Gozo 360

Gozo 360° is a 25 minute show that uses over 1000 color images to give an accurate and detailed picture of the past and present.

Location: Citadel Theatre, Castle Hill,
Victoria, Gozo
Visiting hours: Monday-Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Prices: adults: 1.75 Maltese liras / children: 0.85 Maltese liras

The Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St. John

The Great Siege of Malta and the Knights of St. John take viewers back to the 12th century, when pilgrims made the pilgrimage from Jaffa to Jerusalem in the Holy Land. Viewers will have the opportunity to survive the attack of the Bedouins and Saracens, meet the knights during the Crusades, and travel with them to Acre, Cyprus, Rhodes and Malta.

The Grand Master La Valette will be represented here, as will Suleiman the Magnificent in his royal tent. Travel in the hold of one of the largest galleons of the Turkish Armada, sailing to Malta.

Viewers will also have the unique opportunity to take a boat trip to the site of the Battle of Lepanto; walk the streets of Valletta - at that time the newest fortified city in Europe, and finally leave Malta with the knights, under the piercing gaze of Napoleon Bonoparte.

Location: The Cafe Premier Complex, Republic Street, Valletta, Malta
Visiting hours: daily, 10am to 4pm, closed on Christmas Day
Price: adults: 3.50 MTL / children 2.75 MTL

Knights Hospitaller

The Knights Hospitaller is a unique exhibition attraction dedicated to the history and work of the Knights of St John, specifically their role as a hospitalist order of chivalry during the medieval period on the islands.

Under the “Sacra Infermeria” – as the Holy Hospital was called in those days, and on the very site where the historical infirmary was located, tourists will be able to discover the noble world of the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta.

Thanks to video effects, viewers will be able to travel back in time, following among the sights and sounds of the era. Relive the Crusades, the Great Siege of 1565, the construction of a glorious hospital, the development of surgery, the birth of modern healthcare and medicine, as well as the devastating effects of the plague, traveling through the brilliant 700-year history of the Knights of St. John.

Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, Malta
Visiting hours: daily, from 9.30 am – 4.30 pm (entry closes at 3.30 pm)
Prices: adults: 1.85 Maltese liras / children: 0.90 Maltese liras

Knights of Malta

Set in the powder magazines of Mdina, The Knights of Malta is a series of live paintings and audio-visual shows depicting the history of the Order during the Crusades, with Gerard the Blessed, the founding of the Hospital, the arrival of the Knights in Malta, and how they liberated the island from enemies, went down in history during their reign, and were eventually expelled in 1798.

This cutting-edge project reveals the entire history of the Order in spectacular three-dimensional form using special technological effects.
Casa Magazzini in Mdina, built by the knights to store military equipment, provides a suitable setting for living pictures of these pious but warlike knights.

Location: Casa Magazzini 14/19, Magazines Street, Mdina, Malta
Visiting hours: Monday-Friday from 10:30 to 16 hours
Price: adults: 2.25 Maltese lira / children: 1.00 Maltese lira

Lascaris Military Headquarters

In the early days of the Second World War, a number of 17th-century tunnels were converted into a complex of rooms for re-enactments of military action. Recently restored, the Lascaris headquarters depict significant events during the Battle of Malta (1940-43), using maps, models, and overhead frames.

Location: Lascaris Ditch, Valletta, Malta
Visiting hours:
Price: adults: 1.75 Maltese liras / children: 0.85 Maltese liras

Stone Museum

The Stone Museum is a unique journey back 20,000,000 years, starting with the birth of the Maltese archipelago. It begins with a multilingual audiovisual performance in our state-of-the-art new auditorium, accompanied by music and sound effects along with commentary. Discover how stones were used to create shelters and burials, for worship and protection. Explore lifelike diaramas, see up close how rocks were hewn and shaped, ancient fossilized seabeds, 2,400-year-old Carthaginian tombs, a 30-foot waterfall, a number of authentic artifacts, and interesting curiosities such as a colorful 1937 Dodge truck.
Wander through typical Maltese architecture and watch master craftsmen carve masterpieces from honey-colored limestone, or you can put your hand to the work and, under the guidance of one of our artisans, carve a limestone souvenir for yourself.
And finally, relax in the shade of a lemon grove, where peacocks roam freely, or in a comfortable and modern tourist center, which has a cafeteria, and a gift shop that sells authentic souvenirs.
An attraction that has no equal in Europe, where the past meets the future, and nature meets man.

• — Available in 12 languages
• — Free parking
• — Entry for wheelchairs

Location: Mons. Miquil Azzopardi Street(Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi Str.)
Siggiewi
Malta
Open: Monday – Friday: 9.00 – 15.00
Saturday: 9.00-12.00
Sunday: 8.30 – 11.30
Price: adults 2.50 Maltese lira (5.82 euros)
Children: 1.00 Maltese lira(2.33 euros)
Students 2.00 Maltese lira (4.66 euros)

Heritage of Malta

This 45-minute show uses 44 projectors, superb sound effects and exhilarating performances, and illustrates the history of the Maltese Islands from the Neolithic to modern times.
Heritage Malta is available in 10 languages.

Location: Mediterranean Conference Centre, St Elmo Bastions, Mediterranean Street, Valletta, Malta
Visiting hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., every hour. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (October-June) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (July-September) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every hour.
Prices: Adults: MTL 3.00 / Children: MTL 1.75 / Students: MTL 2.25

Mdina underground dungeons

Located just inside the city's main gates, Mdina's Underground Dungeons features a series of life-size fiberglass tableaus depicting characters from Malta's history, both famous and infamous.

The exhibits paint vivid pictures of the suffering and cruelty endured, and life-size figures in period costume demonstrate how the tools, implements and paraphernalia commonly associated with this dungeon were used.
Sound and light effects create the impression of involvement in the exhibit figures.
Some particularly shocking torture scenes are not for the faint of heart or young children.

Location: St Publius Square, Mdina, Malta
Visiting hours: daily, from 9.30 to 16 hours
Prices: Adults: MTL 1.60 / Children: MTL 0.80 / Students: MTL 0.50

Mdina Heritage

Mdina Legacy is an audio-visual performance that traces the history of Malta's former capital, from its founding to the present day. Captivating paintings of dazzling brilliance provide a glimpse into Mdina's history and cultural past. Simultaneous commentary is available in Maltese, English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian and Japanese.

Location: Mesquita Square, 7, Mdina, Malta
Visiting hours: Monday – Friday: 10.30 – 16.00
Price: adults: 1.60 MTL / children: 0.80 MTL

Middle Ages

Set in the Palazzo Costanzo, an elegant baroque mansion built by the noble Costanzo family in the late 17th century, Middle Ages offers a medieval adventure through electronic wonders of light, sound and smell.

The pilgrimage to the 14th and 15th centuries begins at the beginning, showing builders erecting medieval palazzos. Characters such as the butcher, the plasterer and the sentry guarding the medieval walls are introduced to the audience.

Family life is illustrated through a carpenter's house, blacksmiths, lords, market traders on street corners, and more. Explanatory signs are available in English, French, German and Italian.
There is also a restaurant and a café.

Location: Palazzo Costanzo, Villegaignon Street, Mdina, Malta
Visiting hours: Monday - Saturday: from 9:30 to 21:30
Prices: adults: 1.25 Maltese liras / children: 0.60 Maltese liras

Shelters from the Second World War in Mdzhar

Discovered beneath the Il-Barri restaurant, the World War II shelter in Mgar is one of the largest underground structures of its kind in Malta, going down to a depth of 12 meters and extending 225 meters in length. Excavated entirely by hand, it has recently been restored and opened to the public.

Today, this refuge provides an opportunity to better understand what life the Maltese had to lead during the Second World War. Tourists can imagine what it was like to descend into the depths of the underground labyrinth and see with their own eyes the harsh reality of life in the shelter.

Tourists can also enter the silent stone chambers that served as home, temple and refuge to the Mgarr population during the ferocious enemy raids during the Second World War.

Sacred Island

Sacred Island is a 40-minute multimedia show that charts the history of religion in Malta. The show is performed in Maltese, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish and Russian.

Location: Dar l-Emigrant, Castille Square, Valletta, Malta
Price: 1.50 Maltese liras for adults; 1 Maltese lira for children/elderly.

Tales of the Silent City

In the foreground in “Tales of the Silent City,” presented in the form of living pictures, are the main events in the long history of the former capital of Malta right up to the present day.
Museum 1565 in Vittriose
This new Museum 1565 in Vittoriosa is the first of its kind: it displays life-size figures and tablets depicting scenes from the Great Siege of 1565.

Location: Palazzo Gatto Murina, Villegaignon Street, Mdina, Malta
Opening hours: daily, from 9:30 to 16:30
Prices: adults: 1.75 Maltese liras / children: 1.15 Maltese liras

Wartime legacy

"Wartime Legacy" is a 45-minute multimedia show about how Malta earned a unique award - the St. George Cross - for the heroic resistance of the civilian population during one of the most brutal blockades of the Second World War.

Location: The Embassy Shopping Complex, St Lucia Street, Valletta
Opening hours:
Prices: adults: 2.00 Maltese liras / children: 0.75 Maltese liras

Local crafts

Crafts have seen a revival here in the last few years. Not just because that's what artisans do interesting souvenirs, but also because of their great cultural value to the islands. Some crafts, such as knitting, basket weaving and lace, have a long history.

Other crafts, such as weaving and pottery, go back to prehistoric times. The Sleeping Lady, found in the Hypogeum, is a clay figurine made with exquisite craftsmanship. This figurine, a symbol of the extraordinary heritage of the people, is closely intertwined with the consciousness of their ethnic identity among the Maltese. In the temples of Tarshin, archaeologists also found fragments of red-dyed linen. These fabrics prove that the prehistoric islanders were skilled weavers.

The Arabs introduced cotton to Malta sometime around 870, as well as their weaving skills and dyes. Cotton production became one of the leading industries in rural areas, and remained so until the early 19th century. During the time of the Knights, Gozitan cotton linen was highly prized in continental Europe.
Weaving, embroidery and lace-making were encouraged in every possible way, often by the church. Life in Gozo and rural Malta was not so easy, and crafts became the main source of income for rural families. And with such skill were these textile products made in the 17th century that the Grand Masters more than once prohibited the wearing of embroidered and elegant products, considering them too frivolous and incompatible with the religious calling of the Order.

But what truly flourished under the knights was the jewelry craft. The most precious items produced in Malta are filigree and jewelry. Today, Maltese goldsmiths are thriving and their work is exported to all over the world. big cities Abroad.

Traditional crafts

Maltese jewelers have an excellent reputation throughout the world for the quality of their products and their craftsmanship. They work in both gold and silver. Choose from intricate silver filigree brooches, bracelets and earrings, or classic gold jewelry.

Traditional handmade glass is produced throughout the islands. Some factories in the craft villages of Malta and Gozo are open to tourists. Glassblowers' favorite objects are vases and figurines, sometimes with blue swirls reminiscent of the Mediterranean Sea. Pottery workshops produce such a huge variety of products that it is impossible to describe them, but among them there is something for every taste: from quite practical household items to decorative items. The factories in the craft villages of Malta and Gozo are open to the public and you can see the artisans at work.

Basket weaving and other products are local crafts with a practical purpose. Hasira, reed curtains for windows and doors that can protect from the scorching summer sun, are popular in Maltese homes. But there are many other, smaller items that you can take home from here.

If you're visiting Gozo at the height of summer, don't be surprised to see heavy knitted sweaters for sale all over the islands. Don't forget that winter is coming and stock up on both colorful and classic pure wool knitwear. White or cream-colored wool rugs are also very popular.

Gozo is also famous for its beautiful lace. Women here still sit on the doorsteps, working with bobbins. In recent years, this traditional craft has experienced a revival.
baskets

Basket weaving

Basket weaving is an ancient craft that developed to serve the needs of fishing, agriculture and household needs. The production of wicker furniture is also a thriving industry today; many factories export their products. Village markets are full of useful and entertaining items, from firewood baskets to decorative fishing baskets and sun hats.

Fabrics and knitted items

Since antiquity, the islands have been famous for the excellent quality of local fabrics. The Roman orator and senator Cicero mentions certain large quantities of Maltese fabrics that were stolen. He also claims that Malta "has become a factory for the production of woven women's clothing."

The cotton industry flourished in the early 19th century, then declined. Before the First World War, the islands produced coarse and fine cotton fabrics on traditional handlooms. Today, fabrics are produced here from both hand-spun and mechanical yarn.

The wool industry has remained small, but today Gozo produces very comfortable, heavy knitted garments and rugs. You will find wide choose wool and woven garments and accessories including skirts, handbags, ties and wall hangings.

Lace making

This craft was mastered by local residents in the mid-17th century, but for the next 200 years only a tiny part of Gozitan women practiced it. Genoese lacemakers were brought to Malta at the beginning of the 19th century by Lady Hamilton, Lord Nelson's mistress, in order to revive the local craft. Maltese lace is a direct descendant of Genoese lace, although here lace making has developed its own character traits, and often a Maltese cross is included in the pattern.

On bobbin lace, lace is woven from several threads, “ghazel” in Maltese, each of which is attached to an oblong bobbin or bobbin. The design is drawn on parchment paper and holes are poked into the paper where pins must be inserted to hold the threads in place during the lace making process. While working, parchment paper is placed on the pillow.

Priests also had a hand in encouraging and spreading lace making to Gozo in the 19th century. Very soon, lace making proved that it could justify itself, as the products began to be bought by the upper classes of society on the islands and abroad. Thanks to this, lace making, which began with a few families, spread and became a local industry throughout the island. Samples of Maltese lace were sent to the World Industrial Exhibition held in London in 1880.

The demand for lace increased, the art of lace making spread from mother to daughter, as well as to neighbors and friends. Very soon, lace making proved that it could justify itself, as the products began to be bought by the upper classes of society on the islands and abroad. The income generated from this has helped improve the standard of living for many families in Gozo's largely peasant society.

And today in Gozo, if you are lucky, you can see women sitting on the thresholds of their houses and weaving lace, just as Gozian women did in centuries past.

Maltese watch

In Malta there is a traditional production of very remarkable watches, unique designs, nothing like this can be found anywhere else except on the islands. The production itself is small, but has an interesting history. These watches were nicknamed the “Arlogg tal lira” watch, that is, a watch that costs one Maltese lira. Today you'll have to add a couple of numbers to that price. The production of these watches is labor-intensive, involving several stages, and the watch cases are skillfully painted and decorated with gilding.

Glass and pottery

Pottery production ranks among the oldest crafts in Malta. Many archaeological finds dating back to the Megalithic period are works of art in their own right, such as the most precious of them all, the Sleeping Lady found in the Hypogeum.
Today, pottery production creates things useful in everyday life and simply entertaining, household items and souvenirs, ranging from candlesticks, pendants, decorative tiles, to lamps and flower pots.

Glass is a relatively new industry, although glass has been produced on the islands since the time of the Phoenicians. All glass items are handcrafted by glassblowers, and many of the glass items today are original Maltese glass in vibrant Mediterranean colors. You can see how glass is blown in the craft villages of Malta and Gozo.

Silver and filigree work

Maltese silver is an important part of the national heritage and is sought after by collectors at all international auctions. This art, which flourished under the knights, is still practiced in small workshops scattered throughout the islands. The side streets of Valletta are lined with jewelery shops, one after another, selling intricate filigree work, as well as classic and modern gold and silver items.

With the arrival of the Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem in Malta, and the beginning of the flourishing of the Baroque style in the construction of churches, palaces and patrician houses, Maltese silversmithing rose and produced much of the finest tableware in Europe. The knights even introduced silverware into use in the Sacra Infermeria of the Knights Hospitaller in order to prevent the spread of infections.
You will find fine examples of antique Maltese silverware in museums, churches and private homes open to the general public.

Buying handicrafts

The Crafts Village at Ta'Ali is a place where you can see all the crafts, as well as the artisans at work. Many hotels and local tour operators organize tours that include a visit to Ta'Ali on the way to Mdina.

In Gozo there is a craft village called Ta" Dbigi, in San Laurents. Visit the folklore museum in Arba and you will see that Gozo's history is centered on wool, cotton, and agriculture. Small shops in Victoria and other places sell handicrafts and produce too.

Local crafts can also be found in gift shops throughout the islands. Please note that products authentically made in Malta bear the Malta Crafts Council logo.

If you're interested in jewellery, try exploring the back streets of Valletta. Jewelers are mainly concentrated on Santa Lucija Street, with a few larger ones on the main Republic Street.
Lace is sold everywhere in Gozo and Malta, especially in town and village markets.

Night life

The locals have a typically Mediterranean attitude towards life - that is, they try to celebrate and have fun as much as possible. The nightlife on the islands does not subside even during periods that are not too busy on the calendar: there are always dozens of clubs, excellent wine bars and first-class restaurants at your service that are worth checking out.

The cultural life here is vibrant and there is always something to see: the Malta Summer Arts Festival, the Valletta Baroque Festival, the Opera Festival, the Choir Festival, and the International Jazz Festival held in July.
Major concerts (Sting, Roger Waters, Bob Geldof, Elton John) are held throughout the summer, organized by private individuals, and attract crowds of tourists and locals.

The Maltese Islands have also become a hub for clubbing. World-famous disc jockeys (Paul Oakenfold, Eric Morillo, Magda, Tiesto, Van Hale) constantly appear on local stages on Saturdays and Sundays. Club life is in full swing all year round, and in some places any day of the week, from large clubs to quiet bars, where the crowd is occupied by excellent in-house disc jockeys, and entry is free. Much of the club life takes place in Paceville, located on the coast near St. Julian's, where clubs and bars abound.

Classical music is extremely popular on the islands, and organ concerts are regularly held in baroque churches. Symphony and recital concerts, as well as opera performances, are often held in stunning historical locations.
Orchestral music is also extremely popular on the islands. Every town and village has at least one orchestra club. Orchestral music is taken seriously in the islands and the parish festival is the highlight of the year for orchestral clubs.

A specific feature cultural life On the islands there are summer, very lively rural parish festivals (fests). Saints, fireworks, food and fun - this is not to be missed, try to get to at least one.

The theatrical life here is intense, and this type of art is represented very widely. The 18th-century Baroque National Theater is a wonderful venue for productions. Shakespeare under open air, staged in the Baroque gardens of the San Anton Palace in July, is one of many outstanding theatrical events. For entertainment and to bring joy to the children, go to the Christmas pantomime.

There are plenty of other evening activities - try your luck at the casino, go to the cinema (a blockbuster, or an arthouse film, or an updated version, or a film not in English), or follow the example of the Maltese and dine al fresco in one of the romantic palazzo, or in a noisy port restaurant.

Night time entertainment

On the islands, in literally every place visited by tourists, there is a whole selection of interesting nightlife establishments.
Activities on the islands are relatively inexpensive, and there are special areas that will appeal to those aged eighteen and over. Alcohol prices are significantly lower than anywhere else in Europe, and entry fees at most major entertainment venues are low and often free.

St. Julian's (it is the first in importance), Bugibba, Mellieha, and Marsaskala - this is where most of the nightclubs and bars are located. Here you can find restaurants of all types and types, and large clubs have settled here. The St. Julian's area is home to many five-star hotels, so tourists can listen to a concert in the hotel lobby, dine and dance under the hotel roof.

Part of St Julian's, the aptly christened Paceville town is a mecca for young clubbers, and consists largely of entertainment venues, with the highest concentration of restaurants, bars and clubs in all of Malta. This place is also very suitable for older adventurous travelers who enjoy pubs, wine bars, restaurants, rock clubs and jazz clubs. Most establishments are open until the morning.

Valletta, although a capital city, has only a limited choice in terms of entertainment, and only restaurants and bars are open in the evening.
Valletta is shown in all its splendor mainly during summer festivals arts, when it hosts art exhibitions and concerts, and among other things the famous Malta International Jazz Festival.

If you cross the strait to Gozo, then the tourist will find about the same choice of establishments as in Malta, a nice mixture of restaurants stretching along the fishing villages of Marsalforn and Xlendi. After dinner, you can spend the rest of the evening in wine bars or pubs. For dance lovers, Gozo has four discos that are considered among the best in Europe.

Opera season

The opera season in Malta is always very interesting and innovative, featuring a wide variety of international and local performers, and the repertoire will be a mixture

Theaters

Theatrical activity has always been intense here, and occupied an important and large place in the local cultural life. With a wide variety of international and local drama, ballet and music companies performing on the islands, life here is filled with a vibrant calendar of events.
There are very different stages here; Manoel National Theatre, Ravelin St James Centre, Mediterranean Conference Centre, Old University Building in Valletta, and the University of Malta at Tal-Qroqq. Gozo also has two theatres, both of which stage operas, which are extremely popular.
Since the weather on the islands is always wonderful, open-air performances of classical and modern concerts are very popular.

Cinemas

Malta is one of the first in Europe to release new films, ranging from blockbusters to arthouse cinema. There are plenty of excellent multiplex cinemas on the islands.
There is also a cinema at the Ravelin St James Creative Center in Valletta. Here the program gravitates more toward cinema, and in winter the season of arthouse cinema and updated versions of films in foreign languages ​​begins.

Going to cinemas is a very popular leisure activity. Which is not surprising, since the islands themselves are involved in film production. The Maltese archipelago, with its stunning historical sites and stunning landscapes, has long been used as a film location: among the most memorable are Midnight Express, and the Oscar-winning Gladiator, and U-571. More recently, blockbusters such as The Count of Monte Cristo, the epic Troy, The Da Vinci Code and Munich have also been filmed in Malta. Many famous costume dramas have also been filmed here, including the BBC's Byron and Daniel Deronda.

Casino

Every person wants to try their luck at gambling from time to time. And it’s best to arrange such an evening for yourself on vacation. Malta has some great casinos. Choose what suits your taste - an elegant colonial-style villa, an ultra-modern hotel complex, or a restored 17th century mansion on the embankment. In each of these places you will not be bored, and it doesn’t matter whether you decided to try your luck at roulette for the first time or not. As for dining options, the casino's restaurants offer a wide range of international cuisines and Mediterranean specialties. There are also bars and outdoor terraces where you can chat over a glass of wine or a cocktail.

Whether to vacation in Malta with children or not is not a clear-cut question.

Mainly depends on the purpose of your trip. If you are going to be on shore most of the time Mediterranean Sea(I mean, on the beach) and you want to take your child with you, then definitely yes.

In this case, you will need to carefully approach the choice of vacation spot and hotel. Because the There are not good sandy beaches all over Malta, then the south-eastern coast of the island (Marsaskala) and especially the north-western coast (Melliha, Qawra/Bugibba, Marfa) will be comfortable for accommodation with children.

Just in the northern part are the best sandy beaches of the island - Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay and Paradise Bay. All of these beaches, as well as San Tomas Bay in the south (at Marsaskala), have a gradual, gentle entrance to the sea. The beaches are clean, the sand is fine, there are water slides and pedalos. In general, everything you need for a holiday with children.

In the Qawra/Bugibba area, a little to the side on the road to Sliema, on the seashore there is a large aquapark. It has many interesting slides, there is even large swimming pool with an artificial wave. Of course, your child will also like the water park, and so will you. I can’t tell you the entrance prices and how to get there, since we didn’t visit the water park ourselves.

If you choose an area and a hotel with a rocky beach, then your child is unlikely to like such a vacation. Such beaches are uncomfortable, the child will only suffer.

Is it true, most Maltese hotels have good swimming pools(most often with sea water). The pools always have a children's area with shallow depth. This is not a separate shallow children's pool (as in Egypt or Turkey), but rather an area fenced off from the main pool, but quite large. So even without beaches, children will not be bored.

But as soon as you get bored of lazy time at the beach or pool and want to go sightseeing, children will almost certainly immediately become a burden. And if all these museums, megaliths, fortresses, etc. are interesting for adults, then for children it will not be a vacation, but a punishment. Children get tired quickly, and you will have to walk there a lot. Please take this into account.

Unless it will be interesting for children costume historical parade, held in Valletta. Takes place at Fort St. Elmo on Sundays. This is a truly brilliant action. Drums are beating, bugles are blowing, knights are marching, musketeers are firing muskets, cannons are firing. Really beautiful and educational. The children will simply be delighted!

Will it be interesting for children? festa- big question. Also, in principle, a colorful event. Folk festivals take place, an orchestra plays, people eat on benches, and in the evening there are stunning fireworks and fireworks displays. One drawback is that the fest starts late in the evening, goes slowly and lasts a very long time. As a rule, it ends after midnight. Therefore, although it is interesting, I think it is too late for children.

There are no other entertainments for children and attractions in Malta.

On a world map measuring 2 by 3 meters, the state of Malta occupies an area the size of the head of a pin. What can fit on these tiny islands in the Mediterranean?

Here's what: megalithic temples built 5 thousand years ago; knightly fortresses and palaces; museums with prehistoric fossils and modern instruments that explain the laws of physics; water and adventure parks; language schools for children and adults; restaurants with national cuisine, from where you can smell the breathtaking smell of rabbit stewed with wine and garlic...

Oh yes, we must also mention the beaches in small bays - family holiday in Malta most often they are devoted to excursions, but basking in the sun by the sea is also nice.

This is the main goal of a trip to Malta - a lot of excursions and a little bit of beach idleness. Our review is devoted to what else is interesting about holidays with children in Malta.

Where is Malta

Malta ( official name- Republic of Malta) - Island state in the Mediterranean Sea, 93 km from the island of Sicily and 288 km from the coast of Tunisia.

The state includes the islands of the Maltese archipelago, only three of which - Malta, Gozo and Comino - are inhabited by people. The area of ​​the Republic of Malta is 316 square meters. km, population - 429.344 thousand people. The capital of the state is Valletta.

To enter Malta, citizens of Russia and CIS countries need a Schengen visa. Citizens of the EU and a number of other countries enjoy visa-free entry.

Vacation with children

People come to Malta with children for various reasons. Some choose lively Sliema, where they work summer camps with studying in English. Some people choose Valletta, from where routes to all attractions open.

Someone wants to relax with their child on the sandy beaches of Mellieha. Which of these do you prefer? In Malta the question does not arise this way - here you can use everything at once.

The territory of Malta is so small that to travel around the country you do not need to look for accommodation in a new city every time. You can live in your favorite hotel and go on a new trip every day - to a nice beach, on an excursion or for a walk in the forest.

Holidays in Malta are most suitable for families with teenagers who are not averse to learning something new. There are so many things connected with this country: St. Paul visited here, the Order of the Hospitallers operated here, Napoleon even ruled here for some time. Check out the “What to see” section to find out how many interesting places there are in Malta.

Malta will also be a good holiday destination for younger children. Here they will find traditional entertainment (zoo, water park, aquarium) and original (the village of Popeye the sailor).

There are playgrounds in resort towns and on beaches, and in family hotels there are children's pools and clubs for young guests.

You can read about all the children's entertainment in the “What to do” section. You can come to Malta even with an infant. The “Where to Go” section will help you choose the right vacation spot.

When is the best time to go?

Tourists come to Malta all year round, but the vast majority of them choose to holiday in the high season in Malta, that is, the period from April to October.

Resorts experience the greatest load in summer and early autumn, that is, during beach season. At this time, the cost of flights and accommodation increases by 20-50% compared to prices in winter and early spring. Early booking helps you save.

The beginning of the swimming season in Malta coincides with the peak of the heat. Is it worth planning a vacation with your child at this time? Perhaps the idea of ​​sunbathing on rocky beaches and diving from cliffs into the sea may appeal to teenagers, but for the sake of beach holiday With a baby, you should choose a country with a gentle climate and more convenient beaches.

But if you don’t rush to the southern islands in the summer, a holiday with a baby in Malta will be successful. In April, May, the second half of September and early October, the weather here is warm, but not hot, and therefore children acclimatize easily.

This time is also great for going on excursions. When is the best time to go to Malta? We invite you to learn more about the weather in this country.

Weather and climate

If you find Malta on the map, you will find that it is located south of many Tunisian resorts. Should we be wary of the African heat? Not at all: the climate of Malta is very similar to the climate of the islands of Greece and the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. It has hot, dry summers and rainy but warm winters.

The holiday season in Malta opens at the end of spring, when the air warms up to +23-25° C. However, at this time you will have to limit yourself to sunbathing, since the sea water is too cold for swimming. But if you arrive at the opening of the season, you can not only lie on the beach, but also go on excursions before the sun gets too hot.

The heat intensifies already at the beginning of summer. In June, the air temperature rises to +28° C, and this causes the sea to quickly warm up.

June is a good time for a holiday in Malta: children will be able to swim in the sea, while the heat is not yet too annoying.

In July and August, the thermometer already shows +30-31° C in the morning, and in the afternoon sometimes rises to +35° C. At this time, it is best to go to the beach early in the morning or in the evening, and wait out the daytime heat in air-conditioned rooms hotels.

The best holiday in Malta with children starts in September. The weather at the beginning of autumn is very similar to June: the air temperature drops to +27-28° C, but the sea remains very warm. At the same time, in September, many tourists go home, and the beaches become quiet and peaceful.

You can sunbathe on the beaches of Malta even in October, since the air temperature does not drop below +24-25° C. But you need to be prepared for the fact that clear days will alternate with cloudy ones.

In October, autumn rains begin, sometimes a cool wind blows, and the sea becomes rough.

The rains intensify towards November and continue until mid-spring. Despite this, sunny days winter is not uncommon, and there is no reason to refuse excursions in Malta. Winter air temperatures stay at +10-15° C, and already in March the air warms up to +17-18° C. This is the time of flowering, when the rocky, barren-looking earth is covered with a green carpet.

Sea water temperature

In Malta there is a special opening date for the swimming season. This is St. George's Day, celebrated on April 23rd. The Maltese believe that on this day it is necessary to swim in the sea - and they do, although the water temperature does not exceed +16° C.

Despite the fact that the swimming season is considered officially open, there are few people who want to swim in the spring. In May, the sea temperature is only +18°C, and only by the beginning of summer the water warms up to +21°C.

In June, with the onset of hot days, the water in the sea becomes warmer day by day. Already at the end of the month, the water temperature in Malta rises to +24°C, and in July and August the water warms up to +26°C.

The sea remains almost as warm in September. Usually the temperature stays at +24-25°C until the end of September and +23°C until the end of October. Beach holidays in October are sometimes hindered by rain, but divers find the October weather quite suitable for diving.

Sea and beach

The coast of Malta is indented by bays, so the beaches here are small, accommodating several hundred, and sometimes only a few dozen people. The coastline is mostly rocky, and beaches are often built on natural rock platforms. But sometimes there are sandy beaches, natural and bulk, as well as sections of the coast covered with pebbles.

Sandy beaches are usually the best equipped. Entrance to them, like most beaches in Malta, is free, but for a fee you can use a sun lounger and parasol.

The advantage of sandy beaches is a gentle entrance to the water and shallow sea near the shore, which is convenient for swimming with children. The downside is that the beaches are overcrowded in high season.

Malta's longest sandy beach is located in Adira Bay near Mellieha. The island of Gozo also has a spacious coastline covered with sand - this is Ramla Bay.

There are sandy beaches in almost all resorts, as well as in deserted places, far from tourist spots. It is worth visiting several beaches to see the colorful sand: white in Mellieha, pink in Bugibba, orange-red in Ramla Bay on the island of Gozo.

Rocky and pebble beaches are often wild, which does not make them less popular. Some beaches of Sliema and Bugibba, located on the cliffs, have even earned the Blue Flag.

But it is inconvenient to relax in such places with small children: it’s hard to lie on the rocks, you have to go down steps into the water, the depth begins right at the shore. But with teenagers who are good swimmers, you can settle in one of the many secluded bays and dive into the water right from the rocks.

The peculiarity of a beach holiday in Malta is its remoteness best beaches from popular resorts. Leads to some beaches bus routes, but most often until the very picturesque bays can only be reached by car.

The most beautiful rocky beaches - Anchor Bay in the north-west of Malta, near Mellieha, St. Paul's Bay near Bugibba, Sliema seafront, Marsaskala near Valletta, Marsaxlokk on the southern tip of Malta and many others.

Just for the sake of relaxing on the most beautiful rocky beach, it’s worth getting out to the tiny island of Comino: the Blue Lagoon is a favorite place for connoisseurs of secluded beach holidays.

Nutrition

The all-inclusive system in Malta is not very common; the concepts of “breakfast only”, “half board” or “full board” are more often offered.

If you are planning independent holiday in Malta with children, you can opt for a room in an apart-hotel or an apartment. They are equipped with a kitchen, which means it will be convenient for you to prepare your usual food or heat up baby food.

All resorts have supermarkets and small grocery stores, as well as greengrocers, where vegetables are fresher than in large retail chains. Food for the youngest tourists is sold in supermarkets and pharmacies.

With a child who already eats from an adult table, you can visit restaurants serving national cuisine. Maltese cuisine is reminiscent of Italian and Greek, with many healthy dishes that are easy to digest.

Pizzerias are also very popular in Malta. Fidgety children will love a visit to the pastizzeria - a cafe where pastizzi pies with savory fillings are baked.

Summer camps and language centers

Not all children dream of studying during the holidays, but in language camps In Malta, learning is fun and interesting. Since most camps are located in resort regions Malta, English lessons alternate with relaxing on the beach and excursions.

Children of different ages can relax in the camps: primary schoolchildren, teenagers, even young people.

It should be noted that language centers in Malta are open all year round. Their popularity lies in their price, which is almost half that in other countries Western Europe. At the same time, many of those who studied in Malta are pleased that they were finally able to speak English.

Medical tourism and wellness

Malta is known for its clinics that accept foreigners for treatment. The two largest clinics are located in Sliema and Santa Venera. They specialize in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory, endocrine, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems.

In addition, the islands in the Mediterranean Sea are famous for their healing combination of natural factors. Climatic therapy is available to all holidaymakers, and if you are interested in specialized procedures, you can contact the thalassotherapy centers of St. Julian's and Attard.

Transport

Main view public transport in Malta - buses, comfortable, air-conditioned, although not always new. Most routes pass through Valletta, sometimes causing a journey that would take 20 minutes by car to take up to an hour.

The numbering of routes helps to understand the directions in which buses move: the letter X indicates express trains connecting resorts with the airport, numbers from 1 to 99 have routes going through the capital, numbers from 200 to 300 - those passing the capital, numbers with the letter N - night routes. routes.

Buses on the island of Gozo have numbers starting with 300. Several small city buses operate around Valletta.

Most buses run from 6:00 to 23:00 with intervals of 15-30 minutes. There are exact timetables at all stops. Daytime bus fares are €1.50 per day. low season and 2 euros - in high. Travel on night buses, which run from 23:00 to 6:00, costs 3 euros. The ticket is valid for 2 hours.

If you want to travel extensively in Malta, we recommend purchasing 7-day passes. The cost of a travel pass for an adult is 21 euros, travel tickets for children they cost 15 euros.

The most popular form of transport in Malta is ferries. They can be reached to the islands of Gozo and Comino, as well as to the ports of Sicily. A ferry ticket to Gozo costs 4.65 euros, and to Comino - 10 euros. The shortest ferry crossing is between Valleta and Sliema. Such a trip will cost 1.5 euros and take 15 minutes.

Taxi is a fairly expensive method of transportation. There are two taxi services on the islands: black cars have meters; white cars require you to negotiate the price with the driver. The average price of a trip is 1-1.40 per kilometer of travel and 3.30-3.50 euros per landing.

If you intend to use a car to get around Malta, please note that here Left side traffic.

You can book a car upon arrival or in advance via the Internet. There are several offices of car rental companies at the airport. Please note that the narrow streets of Maltese cities are inconvenient for travel by car and, moreover, are always clogged with local transport.

But for out-of-town trips, a car is very convenient, since you don’t have to travel from one city to another through Valletta.

Malta is often called the “toy country”. Needless to say, Malta is indeed very tiny - only 316 square kilometers of land in the middle of the huge Mediterranean Sea. Tours to Malta from Moscow are not only wonderful holiday on the beaches of the Mediterranean, but also an extensive excursion program. In 1530, Charles V gave Malta to the control of the Knights of St. John, and since then the concept of the “Knights of Malta” has appeared. from Moscow provide a unique opportunity to visit the Museum of the Knights of the Order of St. George, explore former palace Knights of Auberge Castille, see the gardens of Valletta. Last minute tours to Malta are in great demand among Russians. In order to purchase a tour to Malta, you must book a suitable option in advance. Last minute tours to Malta are a real opportunity to see amazing country knights, get acquainted with its rich culture, history and at the same time save quite a decent amount. Mysterious events of the past attract tourists from all over the world to Malta. The capital of Malta is Valletta. It was this city that Walter Scott called “the city of masters, which the masters themselves built.” Today Valletta is considered a special landmark of Malta, because this city was built in the 16th century. Malta's climate is warm and very healthy. Therefore, holidays with children in Malta have always been popular. There are never fogs or cold winds here. Even in summer it is not unbearably hot in Malta, nor cold in winter. The climate in Malta is very balanced. Holidays in Malta with children are also popular because every child dreams of seeing the land of knights. Tours to Malta from Moscow attract not only lovers of medieval architecture, but also speleologists. Xerri Grotto, Calypso Cave and Ninu Cave provide excellent speleological opportunities. Hotels in Malta offer their guests truly luxurious rooms. Malta has small, cozy hotels and modern five-star hotels. There are castle hotels that were built by the Knights of St. John. These hotels in Malta have been tastefully renovated to meet the highest European standards. Almost all hotels in Malta have their own private beaches. Start your journey across the European continent from Malta and, we dare to assure you, you will not regret it!