Where the magic happens in Malta

Malta rolls out the red carpet to luxury travellers with private yacht tours, Michelin-star restaurants, and private “only in Malta” experiences

What would a week of luxury in Malta look like?

Expect Michelin-star dining in majestic Mediterranean settings, private cruising off a stunning coastline, curated after-hour tours, sumptuous accommodation, high tea in a palazzo. Meet the artisans who make wine, cheese, olive oil and exquisite lace. Enjoy private gardens, picturesque fishing villages and awesome architecture.

Last year Malta attracted a record 3,563,618 visitors from more than 60 countries. Among them were 53,000 Australians who stayed for, on average, 10 days, seduced by the promise of 300 days of sunshine a year.

Peak season in Malta is June to October but Malta delivers year-round; from October to May, the weather is milder and the crowds fewer.

Malta is in the Mediterranean Sea directly south of Italy and north of Africa. It’s an archipelago of five islands — Malta, Gozo, Comino, and the uninhabited islets of Kemmunett and Filfla. The country has a population of 450,000. Its capital city is Valletta, with a population 5,201 the smallest capital in the European Union.

Each town in Malta has a discrete allure. Culture vultures make a beeline for Valletta, night owls prowl Saint Julian’s, sunseekers look for rays in Mellieħa, explorers enjoy Marsaxlokk, while serious shoppers hunt out souvenirs in Sliema.

Travel Malta like a local

Malta radiates a history vibe. Settled more than 7,000 years ago, Maltese society has been influenced by Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, French, and British.

Many Australians travel to Malta to reconnect with family. Australia is, after all, home to the largest Maltese diaspora. But there is an increasing appreciation of the island’s rich cultural heritage, Mediterranean lifestyle, scenery and historical heritage.

Check in to chic

Luxury travellers find many reasons to visit Malta. Waiting are five-star establishments, premium brand hotel favourites, cosy guesthouses, and chic boutique hotels.

Followin the footsteps of royalty in Valletta, known for its palaces, priceless Renaissance artwork and regal Baroque architecture. Hotel Phoenicia has a first-rate view of Valletta Harbour. Stars, socialites and the crowned heads of Europe have enjoyed its five-star embrace for more than 77 years.

Sandy beaches might be as rare as a blue moon in Malta but the ones it does have are especially beautiful. The hill town of Mellieħa Bay has a sandy scoop of a beach. It is also home to the Seabank Resort + Spa, which is family friendly and offers indoor and outdoor pools, wellness facilities, and several dining options.

Sliema, meanwhile, is a VIP retreat with designer shops and social lidos. The beach here is rocky, but five-star hotels do a fine line in Mediterranean views. Lively St Julian’s also offers luxurious hotels with rooftop swimming pools and bars.

When planning, check out Radisson Blue Resort and Spa, AX the Palace Malta, Hilton Malta, Hyatt Regency Malta, Rosselli AX Privilege, and ME Malta by Meliá.

Things to do in Malta? Where to start! There are festivals, music, dance, art exhibitions, ziplining, rock climbing, and curated tours. Last August, more than 2,000 Australians let their hair down on the dancefloor at the annual Glitch Festival.

Cycling in Gozo

World-class dining

Gastronomy is a big driver when it comes to visiting Malta. Enter foodie heaven with private market tours, top chefs and hands-on cooking classes.

Food and drink are the essence of Maltese culture. Whether it’s a quick snack, a Michelin-starred degustation, or a signature local cuisine, you won’t go hungry. Artisanal cheeses are a big drawcard here.

Malta is also lauded for its flavourful tomatoes, peaches, and blood oranges, and olives. Comino is known for its honey, beeswax and grapes; goats, sheep, and pigs are bred for the best tables.

The Michelin Guide launched in Malta five years ago. In the 2025 guide, 43 establishments are celebrated, including one restaurant with two Michelin stars (ION Harbour, Valletta) and six restaurants with one star: De Mondion (Mdina), Fernando Gastroteque (Sliema), Le GV (Sliema), Noni (Valletta), Rosami (St Julian’s), and Under Grain (Valletta).

Raising a glass

Viticulture has been busy positioning itself as a Maltese agri-leader. Slipping away to a winery for a taste of premium wines directly from the producers is a must for wine-lovers.

For years, the country relied on two grape varieties that would eventually be certified as indigenous, the red Ġellewża and white Girgentina. Today, Malta and Gozo have a dozen wineries producing the better known Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.

The small-batch nature of the diminutive country’s wine scene makes wine here highly prized. The fourth-generation winery, Delicata, in Paola, uses vines from land originally cultivated by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago.

Cultural treasures

Explore a rich culture with guided tours of Malta’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the City of Valletta, the Megalithic Temples of Malta, and Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, a subterranean complex of halls and burial chambers dating to circa 4000 BCE and showcasing Malta’s only prehistoric wall paintings.

Factor in spectacular medieval castles and cathedrals, as well as the ancient inland capital of Mdina, a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta which once served as the island’s capital.

Maltese culture derives from both Arab and Italian traditions. The Italian painter Caravaggio and the Maltese poet Dun Karm Psaila are considered major contributors to art and literature. In addition to unique Neolithic ruins, Malta contains important examples of the flourishing architectural school of the 17th and 18th centuries, essentially Classical with an overlay of Baroque.

Many of Malta’s cultural institutions are in Valletta, including the National Museum of Archaeology, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the War Museum, and the beautiful Baroque Manoel Theatre, built in 1731, one of the oldest working theatres in the world.

Cruise control

See Malta from the sea with a private yacht or cruiser charter. The Maltese archipelago has become a hub for luxury charters. There are several marinas to choose from including Msida Yacht Marina, Mgarr Harbour Marina, and Grand Harbour Marina Vittoriosa. Or ask your skipper to drop anchor in a secluded cove!

Leading yacht charter companies in Malta include Medisailing, Northrop & Johnson, Malta Charters, and A1 Boat Charters Malta. 

Takeaways

Yes, you will want mementos. Come home with hand-blown glass, Maltese lace, local jams and sauces, nougat, and signature filigree jewellery. Revisit your journal with a bottle of the lemon-laced digestive liqueur, Lumincetta. Evviva!

Start planning your luxury trip to Malta here