Malta with kids, how I'd plan a family trip

Malta has three things that suit a family perfectly. Distances are short, the sea is never far away and there are children’s attractions with published prices. For British families there’s a bonus, the plugs are the same as at home. Visitmalta calls the islands a safe and tranquil setting for families, and I agree. What it takes is planning the trip so you don’t spend the day on a bus.

The four best-documented family days out

First, Popeye Village, the original set from the 1980 film, above Anchor Bay in Mellieħa. Prices change by season. From 1 October to 5 November 2026 it’s €18 for adults and €14 for children aged 3 to 12, dropping to €15 and €12.50 from 6 November.

Second, the Malta National Aquarium in Qawra. It has more than 50 tanks, is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day and is cheaper online, €16.90 for adults and €10.90 for children aged 4 to 12. Under-4s go free.

Third, Esplora, the science centre in Kalkara, with more than 200 hands-on exhibits and a planetarium. It costs €12 for adults and €10 for ages 3 to 15. Fourth, the Playmobil Fun Park at Ħal Far, with an outdoor pirate area and an air-conditioned indoor zone, at €5 for ages 1 to 12 and €3 from 12 up.

History that doesn’t bore them

Visitmalta highlights something I think works brilliantly with children, historical re-enactments with soldiers, knights, muskets and cannon. Heritage Malta’s autumn 2026 calendar has In Guardia at Fort St Elmo on several dates, among them 18 October, 25 October, 1 November, 15 November, 6 December and 13 December. Child entry to the fort, ages 6 to 11, is €5.50. More in my guide to Fort St Elmo.

If you’ll be visiting several museums, Heritage Malta sells a €130 family pass for two adults and two children aged 6 to 17, valid for 30 days and including the aquarium. Under-6s get into almost all its sites free, so with toddlers the pass is less worthwhile.

What isn’t suitable for little ones?

Two sites. Heritage Malta doesn’t admit children aged 1 to 5 to the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, and Underground Valletta doesn’t admit under-6s. If you’re travelling with a toddler, don’t book either thinking you’ll sort it out at the door. And although nobody bars them, I wouldn’t take a young or sensitive child into the Mdina Dungeons either, where the torture scenes in the dark suit teenagers better.

Beaches and safety

The Foreign Office says it without drama, people drown in the sea and in pools in Malta every year, and it asks you to always supervise children and keep small ones within arm’s reach. The MTA explains the flags on lifeguarded beaches. Green is calm, red is high danger, double red means no swimming and purple warns of jellyfish.

Spain’s foreign ministry adds that most beaches are rocky and that the sandy ones are concentrated in Malta’s north and on Gozo. With children, I’d head for the sand. The best are in my guide to the best beaches in Malta.

Getting around without overpaying

The bus is cheap for families. Under-4s ride free and the Explore Child card costs €7 for seven days for ages 4 to 10. On the Gozo ferry, a return for children aged 3 to 12 is €1.15 at the Gozo ticket office, while under-3s travel free on a €0 ticket. And the Sliema to Valletta ferry costs €1 for a child’s single by day, which to most kids feels like a proper cruise.