SWIMMING, SHOPPING OR BOTH
Our location of St Julian’s, as well as neighbouring Sliema, perfectly marry easily accessible beaches with various nearby options for both shopping and dining. On opposite ends of St Julian’s you can find this convenience around St George’s Bay and Balluta Bay, both of which are sandy beaches. In very close proximity to The Point Shopping Mall in Sliema, there are numerous rocky swimming spots including Tigne and Exiles. In any case, we always recommend using the Which Beach website to guide you on where best to go based on your personal preferences.
Balluta Bay(credit: Nani Simova)
VISIT BOTH THE OLD AND NEW CAPITALS
Whilst Valletta is an obvious must-visit for any trip to the Maltese islands, we consider the older capital city of Mdina to be even more unmissable. You should definitely take the time to soak up centuries of history in both locations. From immersive museums and historic houses, to gorgeous gardens and stunning port views, both cities offer completely different atmospheres. Not to mention the countless restaurants, coffee shops and wine bars that you will find open on every corner.
Mdina(credit: Eva Darron)
EXPLORE THE MAGICAL THREE CITIES
As you move further down the island from Valletta, you will find another picturesque area known as The Three Cities consisting of Vittoriosa (or Birgu), Cospicua (or Bormla) and Senglea (or Isla). With architectural touches of both the medieval Mdina and more baroque Valletta, these three very closely-knit port localities are equally as rich in history and culture. We recommend starting with the many museums and churches in Birgu, followed by brunch or lunch on the waterfront. You can then walk up to Bormla in a matter of minutes, where you will find plenty of old charming streets and alleyways to admire alongside an afternoon coffee or spritz. Finally, cross the bridge to Isla and as it starts getting dark find a table by the water at one of the city’s several authentic fish restaurants. It’s also good to know that it is very easy to catch a ferry to the Three Cities from Valletta.
Birgu (credit: Fly Anywhere Couple)
DISCOVER TEMPLES OLDER THAN STONEHENGE
Our tiny Mediterranean island boasts an array of megalithic temples that date as far back as 5000 BC, almost 2000 years prior to Stonehenge in the UK. The oldest site is Għar Dalam (‘Cave of Darkness’) from the Neolithic period which contains the first recorded traces of humanity in Malta. Other noteworthy temples you should definitely visit if you are a history buff are Ħaġar Qim (‘Stone of Worship’), Gozo’s Ġgantija (‘Female Giant’) and the extremely unique underground Hypogeum in Tarxien. Since Heritage Malta is responsible for most of these sites, we advise you to visit their website for more information on bookings and special events.
Ġgantija Temples, Gozo(credit: Descubre Malta)
BOARD THE FERRY TO GOZO
In less than 45 minutes, you can travel via ferry from the northernmost point of Malta to the smaller sister island of Gozo. It’s worth dedicating at least one full day to this quaint and green destination. The stunningly medieval Citadel, bang in the middle of Gozo, should be at the top of your itinerary. You can then choose which of the many charming Gozitan villages to explore. You should also visit the Church of Miracles known as Ta’ Pinu, the seaside town of Xlendi and the iconic Dwejra Bay.
Ta’ Pinu Church, Gozo(credit: Mars Immigrant)
FIND TIME TO RELAX AT JULIANI
Sightseeing can be quite tiring, which is why you should make use of your stay at Hotel Juliani to relax as much as possible in between excursions. Our Level 9 rooftop pool is open all year round to hotel guests, and in summer it is open every evening till late offering Asian nibbles and drinks to the spellbinding night-lit view of Spinola Bay. We have an extremely relaxing spa complete with a sauna, and you can also enjoy room service from the comfort of your balcony. Additionally, we recommend enjoying our Cafe’s daily happy hour at 6pm, as well as live music entertainment every Wednesday and Friday evening at our Michelin-recommended restaurant ZEST.
Hotel Juliani(credit: Stavros Habakis)