Entertainment
The long summer months make it possible for the Maltese and ex patriots alike to do much of their socializing outdoors. Dining al fresco in a bougainvillaea clad courtyard or chilling out over a glass of wine by the sea or perhaps listening to Jazz below the bastions of Valletta overlooking a floodlit Grand Harbour (July). Another popular past time is just strolling along the promenades, especially those in Sliema and St Julians, which are well served by small bars and restaurants to stop at along the way.
Visit Malta
Restaurants
There is a fantastic and growing selection of excellent restaurants in many parts of Malta, offering everything from local snack food such as pastizzi or ftira, to world class international cuisine. There is a particular emphasis on fresh fish, which is widely available and very good value. Maltese specialities such as Timpana, a pie made with macaroni, cheese, egg and mince, or Fenek, which is rabbit, are available alongside more Sicilian influenced dishes. In some of the larger resorts such as Valletta and Sliema, you will also find well known European chain restaurants such as Hard Rock Café and TGI Fridays. The restaurants in Malta tend to be excellent value and quality.
Restaurant Guide
Bars
Bugibba and Paceville are known as the main resorts for nightlife, mainly attracting a young crowd. For a more sedate pace, most towns and villages have smaller bars and cafes that serve as social places and are popular in both winter and summer months. The wines are good and inexpensive, and include Marsovin and Delicata.
Of special note are the bars and cafes on the promenades in Sliema, Ballutta bay, Spinola bay and Valletta.
Theatre and film
The baroque 18th Century Manoel theatre in Valetta offers a full calendar of comedies and classics by both local and international actors and performers. There are also the smaller Astra and Aurora theatres in Victoria. Malta is also fast becoming a film making location having been the location for The Spy Who Loved me, Gladiator and more recently, Troy. There are cinemas in Paceville, Marsaskala, Fgura, Hamrun and Victoria.
theatre
Festas and celebrations
Spring in the Maltese Islands ushers in the Festa season. These local festivities are a way of celebrating the patronage of a village saint in any particular locality. These Festas are an extremely colourful tradition and a visit to one is well worthwhile.
feasts
Sport and leisure
Diving
The warm clear waters and mild climate of Malta offers some of the best scuba diving opportunities in Europe & the mediteranean. There are a wide range of interesting and easily accessible dive sites, and Malta is well served with a large number of good diving schools. Everyone from beginners to advanced divers are catered for, and most schools offer courses that lead to a professional diving qualification.
go diving
Golf
Malta's superb climate coupled with a historic backdrop make a round of golf on the course at the Royal Malta Golf Club a special experience. Malta's passion for golf goes back some 120 years. The Club's name refers to the royal patronage the sport has received here over the years. The Duke of Edinburgh played here in the early 1950s while serving with the British navy.
Golf
Horse riding
The Maltese have historically had a close relationship with horses and you can see them out and about in many of the smaller areas. Horse drawn carriages are very popular in the tourist areas and are an unusual way of seeing the sights. Horse riding can be arranges through many of the major hotels and there are riding schools in Marsa, St Andrews and Ghan Tuffieha.
horse riding
Horse racing
Horse racing is one of Maltas most popular events, although not as Europeans would be used to. The popular practise of Trotting, where the jockey is in a two wheeled gig drawn by the horse, is the main order of the day. Betting is fast and furious, and the event is held at the racetrack in Marsa, every Sunday between October and May.
Sailing
All types of sailing are popular and accessible in Malta, and many yacht owners winter their vessels at one of the marinas there. The main marinas are in Msida, Mgarr and Paceville, and yachts are available to charter by day or week. Smaller dinghies and ribs are also available to the enthusiastic sailor.
Go sailing
Snorkelling
As well as many diving schools, there are also opportunities for snorkelling in Malta. Due to the exceptionally clear and warm waters, snorkelling is a popular activity for those who wish to experience some of the sea life without the full commitment of diving. Snorkelling equipment is available to hire or buy almost anywhere that has access to the sea, hotels, lidos and watersports centres.
Go snorkelling
Walking
As Malta, Gozo and Comino are all relatively small islands, walking is an enjoyable and easy way to see the sights. Many of the winding roads and coves will have small shrines and oddities to see along the way, and some of the coastline and beaches are only accessible by foot. There are several good walking guides available that detail short walks or longer hikes around any of the islands. Walking is often the best way to see the major towns as well, as the roads are often narrow and difficult to negotiate by car.
Walking guides
Water Polo
Highly popular in the summer, the National Water Polo Stadium in Marsascala is one of the places to catch important matches. Highly physical, tough and fast paced, a good water polo game is a spectator sport not to be missed.
waterpolo
Windsurfing
As with other water based sports, there are several good schools offering windsurfing classes and equipment for hire in Malta. Available all year round, it is an inexpensive and fun sport to take part in, and there are also two major competitions in May and September.
