Malta: Sunshine, Seafront Strolls and Stylish Stays
We flew from London Stansted with Ryanair on an early morning flight on Saturday 11 June. The journey was very quick, taking under three hours, and the flight was completely full with no spare seats. I had not realised quite how popular Malta had become, but it really is ideal for a short sunshine break or even a city‑style escape.
On arrival at Malta Airport, passport control and immigration were very quick and efficient. It was our first flight since the lifting of Covid restrictions, and it felt fantastic not having to complete forms or show proof of vaccination. I had pre‑booked a shared transfer in the UK, so we simply collected our bags and headed out.
Check‑in at the hotel is usually around 3 pm, so we were in no rush, but we were pleasantly surprised to find our room was already available when we arrived at the InterContinental Malta in St Julian’s Bay, where we were staying for two nights. Our room, 1312 on the 13th floor, was lovely, with great views over the town and the sea. A small word of warning: this is a lively area, and you may hear music from nearby bars and clubs in the evenings.
With only two days to enjoy, we dropped our bags and set out to explore St Julian’s. It is a lively town, especially at night, with a strong bar and club scene, but it also has a shopping centre and small beaches to discover on a gentle afternoon stroll. The weather was warm but comfortable, helped by a pleasant sea breeze.
We treated ourselves to a Maltese bubble waffle, piled high with toppings such as Nutella, M&Ms, marshmallows and Kinder Bueno. At around 7.50 euros, it made for a very indulgent dessert and a fun holiday treat.
After an early start and a full day, we decided on an early night so we could make the most of the following day. The InterContinental is in a fantastic location, with shops, bars and restaurants right on the doorstep. The hotel also has its own private beach club area about a 10‑minute walk away, as well as outdoor and indoor pools. It was busy over the weekend, with a mix of families, groups and couples, and had a lively but friendly atmosphere. Breakfast was excellent, with a generous buffet selection and an egg station serving omelettes, pancakes and more. I would happily stay there again.
On Sunday we decided to explore a bit more of Malta on foot. We walked from our hotel in St Julian’s to Sliema along the coast, passing beautiful churches and waterfront restaurants and bars. We saw several buses along the route and got the sense that Sundays are very much family days in Malta, with locals out together enjoying the sunshine. The weather was glorious, topping 34°C, and we were very tempted to cool off in the sea.
When we reached Sliema, it was lovely to see the boats in the marina and browse the shops in the local shopping centre. One of our favourite areas was Spinola Bay, which had a great vibe with its mix of restaurants, bars and a small marina. It is a must‑visit spot in Malta. For nightlife, Paceville is the main party district, ideal if you are looking for clubs and late evenings.
That evening we had dinner in the St George’s Bay area, close to our hotel. Our chosen restaurant was reasonably priced for both food and drinks, and there are several options in the area. We both agreed that on a future trip we would like to try a traditional Maltese restaurant too.
On our final day, Monday, we had the pleasure of visiting Corinthia Palace Hotel for lunch with Louise, the Sales Director, who also gave us a tour. The hotel was impressive, with a real sense of elegance and calm. Lunch was excellent, with fresh, high‑quality produce and drinks to match. We were particularly taken with the idea of returning for their afternoon tea.
The hotel is undergoing a major refurbishment at the end of the season, and I can only imagine how stunning it will look once completed. It would be a fantastic choice for a pre‑ or post‑cruise stay, especially given its convenient location not far from Valletta. We would love to stay there on a future visit.
Sadly, after a wonderful two nights, it was time to head home. Our return flight, like the outbound, was fully booked. We left Malta feeling that we had only just scratched the surface and are already planning to come back, next time taking in more of the island and crossing over to Gozo as well.
A special thank you to Peter from the Malta Tourism Authority and Louise from Corinthia Palace Hotel for helping to make this short break so memorable.
