Malta with Kids: A Practical Guide for Families

I live in Malta with my family, so this isn’t a brochure version. It reflects what actually works — and what tends to be more challenging — when travelling here with children.

Planning a trip to Malta with kids and wondering how things function in practice? This article works as a parent-friendly hub. It covers transport around the island, accommodation choices, food, weather, and the real-life experience of travelling with a stroller. In each section, you’ll find a short overview and links to detailed guides where I go deeper.

Planning Daily Logistics with Children

When travelling around Malta with children, you have several options – public buses, car rental, taxis, or a private driver. The best choice depends mainly on your children’s age, your daily plans, and where you are staying.

For families with young children, renting a car is usually the most convenient option. It offers flexibility and allows you to adjust your daily rhythm to your children’s needs. Distances on the island are short, and most places can be reached within a single day. However, you need to be prepared for driving on the left and for local traffic, which can feel chaotic, especially during peak hours. According to Maltese regulations, children under 150 cm are required to use an appropriate child restraint.

An alternative to driving yourself is using taxis and ride-hailing services such as Bolt or Uber, which are suitable for shorter journeys. Keep in mind, though, that they do not normally provide child car seats – these need to be arranged in advance and cannot be assumed spontaneously.

An interesting option, especially for families with older children, seniors, or multi-generational groups, is hiring a private driver with a car for a few hours or a full day. This type of service allows you to plan your own route, stop whenever needed, and enjoy comfortable transport without the stress of driving or parking. The driver will collect you directly from your accommodation, wait at each stop, and adapt the pace to your needs. For some families, this is an ideal “sightseeing day” solution, combining multiple locations without constant relocation and logistical planning.

The most affordable transport option remains the public bus network, which covers the entire island. Buses are air-conditioned, low-floor, and allow boarding with a stroller. They run frequently on main routes, but during morning and afternoon rush hours they can be crowded and are often delayed due to traffic congestion.

Transport in Malta also includes ferries, particularly connections to Gozo and short crossings between Valletta, Sliema, and the Three Cities. For children, a boat ride is often a pleasant highlight of the day – just remember sun protection and sufficient fluids.

For a general introduction to the island, you can also use hop-on hop-off buses, which follow the main tourist routes. They are not ideal for everyday use, but they can serve as an easy introduction to Malta or a relaxed option during very hot days.

Choosing the Right Base for Your Stay

When choosing accommodation for a holiday with a toddler or preschooler, I find that the key factors are location, beach accessibility, safety, and practical facilities. If you are travelling with small children, staying somewhere that avoids long daily transfers, stairs, or complicated logistics will make a significant difference.

Resort-style hotels or apartments in quieter parts of the island, ideally near sandy beaches, tend to work best. Typical areas include Mellieħa, Buġibba/Qawra, and in the south Marsaskala or Birżebbuġa. These locations usually offer flatter promenades, better stroller accessibility, and a wider selection of family-oriented accommodation compared to the central districts.

Apartments with a kitchenette are often a very practical choice, especially if you prefer self-catering, need more space, or are managing children’s sleep schedules. From personal experience, I recommend reading reviews carefully – photos often look better than reality, and the label “family-friendly” does not automatically mean the property is truly safe for small children. Common issues include open staircases without railings, low balcony barriers, or the absence of a lift.

When booking, I personally always check for practical details that are not guaranteed in Malta:

• parking availability nearby (if you plan to rent a car)
• a washing machine (a major advantage for longer stays)
• a kitchenette
• and ideally confirmation of a baby cot or high chair

I generally do not recommend staying in nightlife centres such as Paceville, parts of St Julian’s, or the historic centre of Valletta. Evenings and nights can be noisy, parking is limited and often paid, and moving around with a stroller in narrow streets is not particularly comfortable. Although Paceville has the sandy St George’s Bay with a gentle entry into the sea, it is frequently busy and not always in ideal condition after a busy evening. After trying it, we personally preferred quieter beaches elsewhere on the island.

Eating Out and Everyday Practicalities

Eating out with children in Malta is generally straightforward. Restaurants commonly offer simple dishes that most children will eat without protest – typically pasta with tomato sauce, grilled chicken with chips, pizza, mini burgers, or fish fingers with potatoes. Many places also have a separate Kids’ Menu with smaller portions and simpler preparation.

High chairs are available in most restaurants, and staff are usually very welcoming to families. Maltese people generally like children, so do not hesitate to ask for baby food to be warmed, an extra plate to divide a portion, or a small adjustment to a dish – in most cases, they are happy to help. Baby formula, purées, and nappies are easily available in supermarkets, small convenience shops, and pharmacies across the island.

Changing facilities in public places and restaurants are somewhat limited. Many establishments are short on space, offer only basic toilets, and baby changing tables are not standard. I recommend carrying a foldable changing mat. I have sometimes changed a baby on my lap in a toilet cubicle, in a stroller, in the car, or on a bench in a park or along the promenade.

Regarding drinking water, it is advisable to carry sufficient bottled water for children. Tap water in Malta is safe, but it has a slightly salty taste due to desalination. Children often dislike the flavour, especially when it is warm. Bottled water, however, is inexpensive and widely available in every minimarket.

Do not forget sun protection. A high-SPF sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are essential even for a regular walk around town. At the sea, I recommend water shoes and a UV-protection swim shirt, as the summer sun is strong and sunburn can occur quickly.

Weather and Energy Levels Throughout the Year

Malta has a typical Mediterranean climate – hot summers, mild winters, and plenty of sunshine year-round. However, some periods are significantly more comfortable for families with young children.

Spring and Autumn: Comfortable and Manageable

In my view, the best times to travel with children are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October). Daytime temperatures range around 22–26°C, the sun is pleasant, and you can spend most of the day outdoors without extreme strain. In autumn, especially in September, the sea remains warm, making swimming comfortable even for children. These months also bring fewer tourists and a calmer atmosphere.

Summer: Heat and Slower Rhythm

July and August are very hot in Malta. Temperatures often exceed 33°C in the shade, humidity can be high, and the heat feels intense. If travelling with children in summer, it is important to adapt your daily schedule: plan activities early in the morning or in the evening and include a midday break at the hotel or by the pool. Hydration, hats, and sunscreen are essential. The advantage of summer is long daylight hours and the fact that all attractions are fully open – water parks, splash areas, and boat trips operate at full capacity.

Winter: Calm but Less Swim-Friendly

In winter (November to February), temperatures rarely drop below 15°C, but it is not suitable for swimming. Some outdoor attractions may have limited opening hours, but the island is very peaceful and well suited for sightseeing, walks, and excursions. The Christmas period has its own charm – nativity scenes, celebrations, and traditional events can be an interesting experience for children.

Places That Look Beautiful but Require Planning

Not every place that looks appealing in photos is suitable for families with small children. Malta has many beautiful but physically demanding or logistically complicated locations that may feel more stressful than enjoyable with a toddler or stroller.

Rocky Coastlines and Steep Beach Access

Much of Malta’s coastline consists of rocky platforms or stones with access to the water via ladders. Ideal for adults and confident swimmers, but problematic for small children.

• Għajn Tuffieħa – a stunning beach, but accessible only via a long staircase down the cliff. Carrying a stroller or a tired child back up after a full day in the sun can be physically demanding.
• St Peter’s Pool – beautiful for swimming, but access to deep water is by jumping from rocks or using a ladder. Not suitable for non-swimmers or younger children.
• Blue Lagoon – often involves sitting on sharp rocks, which are uncomfortable even for adults, let alone children. Access to the water is over rocks onto a stony shoreline, with sand only under the water. In peak season, it becomes extremely crowded, meaning you may spend most of your time ensuring all children remain within sight.

Historic and Underground Sites with Limited Accessibility

Some historic sites are not well adapted for small children – not only due to stairs and narrow spaces, but also because they require quiet and patience.

• Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
• Tarxien Temples
• St Paul’s Catacombs – with a stroller, these are practically unusable and may feel stressful for toddlers. For older children who enjoy mystery, however, they can be an interesting experience after a “calmer” walk around Mdina and Rabat.

These places are not “bad”. It is simply important to understand who they are suitable for and who they are not. With small children and a stroller, it is wiser to choose locations with easy access, shade, the option to leave at any time, and no need to climb stairs or rocks.

Final Thoughts: Setting Realistic Expectations

A holiday in Malta with young children can be wonderful if you approach it realistically and adapt it to your family’s needs. The island’s greatest advantage is simple logistics – distances are short, so even with a toddler you can combine a beach visit, an excursion, and a rest break in one day without feeling that you are constantly in transit. Malta offers pleasant weather, places with historical context, and activities children enjoy. Choosing the right location for your accommodation will significantly simplify transport, stroller use, and your overall daily routine.

Because I live in Malta with my family, I notice one more thing: people here are generally kind to children, often help with strollers, offer you a seat, or show patience in restaurants. At the same time, Malta is not a “perfectly child-designed” destination – pavements can be uneven, some beaches are beautiful but not ideal for toddlers, and summer heat can change the pace of the entire day. If you accept that you may need to improvise, take extra breaks, and reduce your schedule, your experience will be far smoother.

I wish you a calm family holiday with minimal stress and the feeling that you had things under control – even if that sometimes means planning less and simply being present. Most importantly, may you return home with good memories, not just photographs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malta with Kids