We are just back from a 10-day vacation to Malta with our daughters (aged 4 & 5) and here’s our review of the things we did whilst here that kept us all happy.
I will say that our girls love the water and, interestingly enough, museums, too – so our list may look different from what your kids will be keen to do. All kids are different, am I right?! So in this blog post, I’ve also highlighted some other fun Malta activities that we didn’t get the chance to do. But your kids may be keen to try them.
So, let’s get started…
Is Malta good for kids?
I would say that yes, Malta is ideal for families. It’s safe, it’s easy to get around (the public bus system here is fantastic), and the weather is great. Although at times it can get quite hot (it’s supposedly one of the hottest parts of Europe), but, because it’s a small island, you’re never too far away from the water.
My daughters’ favorite things to do here included Popeye’s Village and the Malta Aquarium. But, they are only 4 years and 5 years old – so, if you’re traveling with older kids, you may find they favor visiting the Blue Lagoon and/ or watching the cannons being fired in Valletta.
Our top tips for visiting Malta with kids:
⏱️ Get out and about early – i.e., 8 am or so, to beat the crowds and the mid-day heat.
👶 Many attractions are free for children aged 5 years and under, like St. Peter’s Monastery in Valletta and Mosta Dome, so this meant we saved a lot, as both our daughters are under this age.
👶 Use the buses – children under 4 years travel for free. And we found the buses to be clean, reliable, and not too packed (unless you’re traveling at peak times).
Our Favorite Things We Did in Malta With Our Kids
1. Popeye’s Village
The number one thing we wanted to do as a family in Malta was to visit Popeye’s Village, which, as you can probably guess, was the film set for the 1980 musical “Popeye,” starring Robin Williams. I love Robin Williams!
Interestingly, it was originally constructed as a temporary movie set – but thankfully, today it operates as a sort of theme park and open-air museum. On your day here, you can explore the colorful wooden buildings in Sweethaven Village, like the post office, Bluto’s House, Olive Oyl’s House, and Popeye’s Cabin. And take part in or just watch fun activities like the puppet show and live character performances, all while taking in the stunning sea views.
Down in Anchor Bay (attached to the park), you’ll find water inflatables (usually up from July), and you can go swimming in crystal-clear waters out to a pontoon – it was so refreshing for us to do this during an exceptionally hot June day.
There’s also a kids’ pool area with slides, a mini golf course, and other fun stuff near the exit. We spent a full day here before getting the local bus to Mellieha for some ice cream and coffee.
An adult ticket for Popeye’s Village costs 25 euros and 12 euros per child (aged 3 – 12). This is for peak season, so from June to September. Rates are slightly lower in the off-season.
2. National Aquarium of Malta
Located in the picturesque town of St. Paul’s Bay, this is another one of my must-visits for families visiting Malta. Although relatively small, the aquarium features a diverse array of marine life, from tropical fish to majestic sharks. My daughters loved looking at the touch pools (they weren’t brave enough to touch). And there was one very funny stingray who was eagerly awaiting to be fed (see photo) – it made us all laugh.
Tickets for the aquarium cost 17 euros per adult and 12 euros per child (under 12 years).
3. Blue Lagoon & Comino Boat Trip
For an unforgettable day trip as a family, take a boat excursion to the Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino. Known for its turquoise waters and breathtaking scenery, the Blue Lagoon is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The shallow waters make it safe for children, while older kids can explore the surrounding caves and coves.
This is the tour we did, and it cost us 35 euros per adult. It visits not only the Blue Lagoon and sea caves in Comino but also Gozo – you have some free time to explore Victoria the capital city of Gozo.
4. Mdina
The ancient city of Mdina, often referred to as “The Silent City,” is a fortified city with narrow, winding streets and medieval architecture. Once the capital of Malta, on our visit here, we felt as though we were transported back in time. My daughters loved exploring the bastions, which offer panoramic views of the island. And on our visit to the Knights of Malta Experience, they learned a lot about the history of the island (although there is a lot of waiting around with this one, so maybe not ideal with very young kids!)
We also checked out St. Peter’s Monastery. It was fascinating to see how the Benedictine nuns once lived.
And finally, while here, don’t miss a visit to the Mdina Dungeons, located underneath the city. The dungeons provide a glimpse into the darker aspects of the city’s past, with exhibits showing scenes from the medieval period. These displays include lifelike figures and sound effects that bring the history to life in a way that is both exciting and informative. Some sections look quite gruesome, though, and so I only recommend this for older children.
5. St Paul’s Catacombs
Located in Rabat, next to Mdina, these catacombs are an extensive network of underground burial sites that date back to the Roman period, primarily the 3rd to the 4th century AD. They served as the main burial complex in the region before Christianity became the dominant religion. The catacombs are named after St. Paul, who is said to have brought Christianity to Malta.
And my girls love wandering through it all! They were fascinated by the labyrinthine passages, which include a variety of tombs and burial chambers, some adorned with frescoes and intricate carvings.
6. Mosta Church (The church with the bomb)
Officially known as the Rotunda of Mosta or the Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, it has one of the largest unsupported domes in the world, with a diameter of approximately 37 meters (121 feet). The church’s design was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome and is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture.
Built between 1833 and 1860, it’s not only a church but also a symbol of resilience. During World War II, a German aerial bomb pierced the dome during a service but miraculously failed to explode, leaving the congregation unharmed – a story that has become part of the church’s legend! And you can even see the bomb in the church!
And just outside the church, you’ll find steps leading down to one of Malta’s numerous WWII air-raid shelters, carved from limestone. You can buy a combination ticket to explore both this shelter and the Dome. This particular tunnel system is quite small and is made up of just two tunnels on two levels.
Some sections are enhanced with simple mannequins and various artifacts, primarily everyday items and basic furnishings. One side room, set up as a bedroom, demonstrates the cramped yet surprisingly not uncomfortable living spaces where people took refuge during bombing raids.
7. Grandmaster’s Palace, Valletta
My daughters (aged 4 & 5) especially loved the Grandmaster’s Palace because it has a lovely courtyard with a fountain, and the Armory really impressed them (it’s huge!) – and houses a remarkable collection of weapons and armor!
The palace was built in the 16th century, when it served as the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. And it really is a great example of Maltese Baroque architecture, with its impressive halls adorned with intricate frescoes, tapestries, and suits of armor. Interestingly, today, it houses the Office of the President of Malta and the House of Representatives, but many parts of it are still open to the public as a museum, namely the many opulent State Rooms and the Armory.
We also got the Malta Fun Train sightseeing tour around Valletta – it drove past most of the main sights and was a great way to escape the heat. Our girls loved it – they were waving to everyone from the window!
8. The Saluting Battery, Valletta
This is Malta’s most famous live cannon experience. Located in the bastions directly beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, it offers sweeping views of the Grand Harbour. And the experience itself is certainly unique – you will watch uniformed gunners operate 16th-century cannons. There’s just one firing of the cannon – so make sure you’re paying attention, and before that, you can listen to a short military presentation about the history of this experience.
Cannons are fired daily at 12 pm and at 4 pm – so you could come here late afternoon instead if that suits you better. It was very hot at midday when we visited in early June, so the 4 pm show may suit you better if you’re not keen on the heat!
I will add that you can watch for free from the terrace of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, but I highly recommend paying the €3 entry fee per adult to stand at the battery level to get up close and hear the military presentation.
9. Bugibba Water Obstacle Course
There’s an inflatable obstacle course in the water in Bugibba, near Starbucks, that looked a lot of fun – but our girls were too young to go on (you need to be over 6 years). And also being a decent swimmer is a good idea, as you must swim out to it (about 50 meters) – they do provide life vests for anyone who may need one, though.
10. Splash & Fun Water Park
Splash & Fun Water Park is the biggest water park in Malta. This park features an array of thrilling attractions, slides, and pools suitable for all ages. We didn’t get to visit this time, as I think our girls are still a little young, but we have it earmarked for the next time around.
11. Have a beach day!
Golden Bay and Mellieħa Bay are two of the most family-friendly beaches on the island. Both offer shallow waters, making them ideal for young swimmers. And you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds at both.
Because we stayed in Bugibba, we went to the rocky beach near St Paul’s Bay most days, and my daughters loved collecting shells and sea glass in the different rock pools. Their older cousins also went swimming off the pontoon a few times.
12. Check out a playground
We went to two playgrounds during our time in Malta – the playground next to the aquarium is great, and there’s a small splash pad next to it and we also went to a smaller playground near our apartment in South Valletta.
Where We Stayed in Malta:
We booked a traditional Maltese apartment for our two-night stay in Valletta, and the space was a welcome change from our all-inclusive hotel room in Bugibba previously. The apartment was located on West Street, and it was beautifully done up while retaining its historic charm.
And for the rest of our time, we stayed at DB San Antonio in St Paul’s Bay – an all-inclusive resort with a couple of outdoor pools, different themed restaurants like a South American restaurant, an Indian restaurant (all included in the all-inclusive rate), a kids club, and more. I will add, though, that we found the family rooms here to be quite small.
Renting a Car in Malta:
We always use Discover Cars when we want to rent a car because you can search by ‘cheapest car rental rates’ and ‘most popular car rental deals’ – it’s so easy to use!
The most important thing you will need if renting a vehicle in Malta is a valid driver’s license. No company will allow you to do so without one.
And if you are traveling from a country outside the European Union, you might want to get an international driver’s license to make the rental process easier. Although many rental companies accept foreign driver’s licenses without it.
Drivers typically need to be at least 21 years old to rent a car in Malta, though some companies might require a minimum age of 25. Young drivers under 25 may incur a surcharge.
Each company has different terms and conditions, so you should be fully aware of them. Additionally, you will also need a valid credit card in your name. Rental companies will want to keep a credit card on file as a holding deposit.
If you have a debit card, you will be charged a holding fee. Please note that some companies do not accept a debit card.
Also, because renting a car in Malta is incredibly popular, you WILL NEED to book your rental car in advance. Our rental car company told us they sell out over the busy tourist season (which is from June to September).
Travel Insurance for Malta/ Europe:
At first glance, skipping travel insurance may seem like a great way to save some money. However, if you end up losing your luggage, having your flights cancelled, or getting sick – it is a decision you’ll probably regret. Thinking nothing will happen is definitely a mistake, and without travel insurance, it’s one that will end up costing you – big time.
✅ Our fix: Shop around for budget-friendly travel insurance based on your trip length and destination while paying attention to what it covers. We like to use Auras Travel Insurance for our trips!
Thanks for reading!
Tell me – what did you think of our guide to things to do in Malta with kids? Is there anywhere on the island we have missed? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.
While you’re here, why not check out some of my most popular family blog posts –
13 Best Things to Do in Lanzarote With Kids
Lake Garda With Kids: The Best Things To Do!
Madeira With Kids: The Best Things to Do
Mallorca With Kids: The Best Things to Do
Last Updated on June 11, 2026 by snaphappytravel