SLIEMA, St JULAN'S & PACEVILE

Connected by a lovely seafront promenade, with shimmering Mediterranean views, this collection of districts merge into one another, and are packed with shops, restaurants and bars. St Julian’s was once a pretty fishing village, but now five-star hotels and apartment complexes dominate its scenic bays. It adjoins the small nightlife enclave of Paceville, which springs to life at night after a couple of shots. This is also where many of Malta’s English-language schools are located. More exclusive-feeling Sliema has long been associated with the Maltese upper classes, and makes an enticingly peaceful base, just far enough from the action. Gracious townhouses sit along backstreets, while burgeoning apartment blocks line the seafront, which is blessed by rocky beaches and swimming spots.

• St Julian’s - Wine and dine alfresco at the cafes and restaurants lining the compact coves at Spinola Bay and Balluta Bay.

• Sliema Beach - Swim off this flat, rocky, and easily accessible beach, then relax with a gelato or aperitivo cocktail at oceanfront cafes.

• Sliema Waterfront - Join a boat trip and cruising right around Malta or spending a day exploring Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

• Portomaso - Push the boat out with a flash cocktail amid the super-yachts lining this marina.

• Paceville - Party in the pubs and clubs around Malta’s most popular and liveliest nightlife area.

NORTHERN MALTA

Sandy beaches, water sports, boat trips, birdwatching, horse-riding, and walks along the dramatic coastline – Malta’s north is a prime location for holiday fun. Beaches range from the wonderfully accessible Mellieħa Bay, a long stretch of white sand speckled by sunbeds, kiosks, and water sports, to the more remote Għajn Tuffieħa Bay, less crowded because of its steeply stepped approach. You can go off the beaten track at Selmun Bay, the wildest beach and a well-kept locals’ secret, or roam to discover splendid views from the cliffs at Ras il-Qammieħ, Malta’s westernmost point. It’s also the heartland of Malta’s farming community, and Merill Eco Tours’ rural culinary adventures demonstrate the north is definitely not only about sun and sand.

• Marfa Peninsula - Explore the dramatic underwater seascape and scuba-dive off this more rugged and remote part of Malta.

• Ras il-Qammieħ - Exult in vast coastal views from this wild headland.

• Għajn Tuffieħa Bay - Make the long climb down to near-empty sands on a quiet spring day.

• Malta National Aquarium - Enjoy the setting on the Qawra promenade and the region’s fabulous underwater inhabitants.

• Golden Bay - Take a speedboat trip across cobalt waters, launch from this lovely bay and take in the beautiful isle of Comino.

• Rural Malta - Discover the best of northern Malta’s hard-working farming community on a day trip with Merill Eco Tours.

CENTRAL MALTA

The perfect combination of beautiful historic centers with some of the island’s most spectacular scenery. This is where you can explore Mdina, Malta’s atmospheric ancient walled capital, perched on a hilltop with stupendous views over the hills and out to sea, visit remarkable medieval frescos in ancient catacombs and marvel at one of Europe’s largest church domes. Natural attractions include stark cliffs (the perfect place to watch a sunset) and a scenic bay ideal for swimming (if only you can find it).

• Mdina - Stroll deserted thoroughfares to discover the haunting silence of this walled city after dark.

• St Agatha’s Catacombs - Absorb the local vibe of Rabat before going underground to admire amazing frescoes.

• Dingli Cliffs - Negotiate new walking trails to take in views of the coast and the tiny island of Filfla.

• Mosta Dome - Question divine intervention while marveling at the unexploded bomb in this church with one of the world’s biggest domes.

• Fomm ir-Riħ - Chill out at this remote bay reached by a walking path.

SOUTHERN MALTA

Several of Malta’s most extraordinary historical sites lie in the less-visited southeast of the country, including its most breathtakingly located prehistoric temples (Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra), which date back more than 5000 years, and the Għar Dalam cave, full of fossilized remains of prehistoric animals. There’s splendid coastal scenery, too, boat trips to visit grottoes, and fabulous swimming spots off the tourist trail. It’s also the base of much of the country’s heavy industry, which means tourism is less developed here, though many locals head to the south to eat out at the weekend. Many people visit the fishing village of Marsaxlokk for its Sunday fish market, and to eat seafood at the small town’s many restaurants, which front a harbour full of bobbing, colourful boats. The nearby coastal port of Marsaskala is also very popular as a dining destination, especially on weekends.

• St Peter’s Pool - Negotiate the walking trails and take a giant leap of faith into the glittering royal-blue waters of this coastal gem.

• Blue Grotto - Take a mid-morning boat trip to marvel at this natural formation’s shimmering play of light and shadow.

• Għar Dalam Cave & Museum - Explore a mysterious underworld of prehistoric bones and ancient history.

• Marsaxlokk - Devour fresh seafood with a view of bobbing fishing boats.

• Marsaskala - Meet the friendly locals amid the weekend eating and drinking scene at this southern Maltese port.

GOZO

Gozo, called Għawdex (aow-desh) in Malti, is a gloriously pretty island, with what the 19th-century nonsense poet Edward Lear called a ‘pomskizillious and gromphibberous’ landscape. He coined the words to describe the island’s fairy-tale hillocks topped by enormous churches, its hidden, glittering coves, and its sculptured coastal cliffs.

For such a small island, Gozo packs in a wide variety of experiences and attractions. Travelling history fans shouldn’t miss the megalithic temples at Ġgantija, and the recently restored Il-Kastell fortress towering above Gozo’s compact capital of Victoria is one of Malta’s finest sights. Mountain biking, kayaking, and clifftop hiking are all opportunities for active visitors, while Gozo’s food and wine scene focus strongly on fresh local produce and briny-fresh seafood. While Malta can sometimes feel busy and crowded, sleepy and laid-back Gozo offers the perfect opportunity to breathe out and relax.

Gozo moves at a much slower pace than its bigger, busier neighbour. Although it is more than one-third the size of Malta, it has less than one-tenth of the population – only about 30,000 Gozitans live here (and they are Gozitans first, Maltese second). This is a lovely place to kick back, with sandy beaches, rocky coves, excellent scuba-diving and snorkelling, plus history in the form of megalithic temples and medieval citadels.

• San Blas Bay - Get red sand in your shorts at one of Gozo’s best swimming and snorkeling beaches.

• Comino - Take in the incredible 360-degree views from atop this tiny island.

• Dwejra - Admire a coastal moonscape and negotiate the Inland Sea by a fishing boat.

• Mġarr ix-Xini - Have a seafood lunch at this tiny bay, ideally having arrived by boat.

• Salt Pans - See the sun sparkle and waves crash at Gozo’s historic salt pans.

• Victoria (Rabat) - Explore the recently restored Il-Kastell citadel.

• Xlendi Walk - Negotiate this stunning coastal hike from Mġarr to Xlendi.

Getting to GOZO and move around:

• Gozo Channel runs the car and foot passenger ferry connecting Ċirkewwa on Malta with Mġarr on Gozo (every 45 minutes from 6 am to 10.30 pm, and roughly every 90 minutes overnight). Pay for your return ticket in Mġarr on the return trip, not on the way out

• Buses tend to run daily, about hourly, and most pass through Victoria. You can buy your ticket aboard the bus or at the ticket machines at the Victoria bus station (Triq Putirjal), which is close to the town center.

• If you want to see as much of the island as possible, then it makes sense to rent a car.

• Cycling is also a great option on Gozo as the roads are mostly quiet.