Date ideas in Malta

Mdina by night, Mdina

The Silent City empties after dark and the lamplit alleys look like a film set. Walk the bastions for the lights of half the island, then a drink at Fontanella. Free.

Palazzo Falson, a knight's townhouse, Mdina

A medieval palazzo stuffed with a collector's silver, paintings, weapons and clocks. The rooftop cafe is one of Mdina's best kept secrets for a coffee with a view.

Ferry to the Three Cities and wander, Birgu

Take the two euro ferry from Valletta to Birgu, wander the Collachio lanes, walk the marina round to Senglea's Gardjola gazebo and come back at golden hour.

Explore the Ċittadella, Victoria, Victoria

Gozo's fortified hilltop citadel with 360 degree views of the island, a cathedral, several small museums and a visitor centre in an old cistern. Free to walk the walls.

Fresh fish lunch in Marsaxlokk, Marsaxlokk

Painted luzzu boats, a waterfront of fish restaurants and lampuki in autumn. Tartarun and Ir-Rizzu are safe bets. Sunday is market day so book or go on a weekday.

Cake and views at Fontanella, Mdina, Mdina

The Fontanella Tea Garden sits on Mdina's bastions with enormous slices of chocolate cake and a view across half the island. Touristy, still worth it.

Cellar tour and tasting at Marsovin, Marsa

Malta's oldest winery runs tours of its 1919 cellars in Marsa with a tasting of local Ġellewża and Girgentina wines. Book ahead, small groups.

Vineyard tasting at Meridiana, Ta' Qali, Ta' Qali

A boutique estate on the old airfield beneath Mdina. Tour of the cellar, then tastings on the terrace looking at the vines. Book in advance, closed some days.

Estate wines at Ta' Betta, Girgenti, Siġġiewi

A small family estate on terraces in the Girgenti valley making serious reds. Tastings by appointment only, with the vineyard and Mdina as the backdrop.

Ġbejniet and wine at Ta' Rikardu, Victoria

A rustic house inside the Ċittadella serving its own sheep's cheese, sundried tomatoes, olives and wine on a platter. Great value lunch after walking the walls.

Farm tasting at Ta' Mena Estate, Gozo, Xagħra

Gozo's largest vineyard estate near Xagħra: a walk through the vines, then four wines with cheese, sausage and their own olive oil for about 16 euro. Book on Facebook.

Countryside dinner at Ta' Frenc, Xagħra

A 400 year old farmhouse between Xagħra and Marsalforn serving Gozitan produce and its own herbs. One of the islands' classic special occasion dinners.

Rooftop aperitivo over Valletta, Valletta

Several hotel rooftops serve cocktails with the domes and Grand Harbour as backdrop. Arrive for the last hour of light. Expect cocktails around 12 to 15 euro.

Aperitivo in Independence Square, Victoria, Victoria

It-Tokk square and the streets below the Ċittadella have cafes, wine bars and Gozitan bands on summer nights. Cheap, local and closes earlier than Malta.

Coffee with a view at Upper Barrakka, Valletta

The gardens cafe on the Valletta bastions looks over the Grand Harbour and Three Cities. Cheap coffee, shade, and the noon gun beneath you.

Sunrise at the Lower Barrakka Gardens, Valletta

A quieter garden at the tip of Valletta with a temple folly and the sun rising over the harbour mouth. Nobody there before 8am except runners.

Cafe hopping in Valletta, Valletta

Caffe Cordina under the arcades, Lot 61 for specialist coffee, tiny cafes up the side streets. Spend a morning doing three of them and a bookshop.

Picnic at Hastings Gardens, Valletta

The bastion gardens on Valletta's west side look over Marsamxett to Sliema. Take a ftira and a bottle and watch the sunset. Free, rarely crowded.

Evening stroll round Msida marina, Msida

The flat loop round Msida and Ta' Xbiex marinas past the yachts is where half the island walks after dinner. Gelato at the end, ferries lit up across the creek.

Wine tasting at Tal-Massar, Għarb, Għarb

A family winery in the Gozo countryside where the winemaker pours three wines and a dessert wine with cheese, salami and Gozitan bread. About two hours, €60 a head. Book ahead.

Wine in the cellar at Trabuxu, Valletta

A 400 year old vaulted cellar under Strait Street pouring Maltese and European wines with cheese and charcuterie. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm.

Dinner in the bastion at Rampila, Valletta

A restaurant built into St John's Cavalier by City Gate, with tables in a sixteenth century vault and on a terrace on the bastion. Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Dinner on the bastions at de Mondion, Mdina, Mdina

The Xara Palace's rooftop restaurant looks out over half of Malta from Mdina's walls and holds a Michelin star. Dinner Tuesday to Saturday, book well ahead.

Escape room at Can You Escape, Ta' Qali, Ta' Qali

Five 60 minute rooms in Ta' Qali: Mayan Temple, Junglemanji, Forbidden Castle, Behind Bars and Who Killed The Detective? For 2 to 8 players, from 22 euro a head and 37.50 for two. A 40 euro non refundable payment per room books it. Closed Thursdays. Lead booker 18 or over.

Sunrise paddleboard off Sliema, Sliema

Hire a board on the Sliema or St Julian's front and paddle round Manoel Island while the sea is glass. Sunrise sessions and SUP yoga run in summer.

Parasail over Mellieħa Bay, Mellieħa

Ten minutes of hanging over the bay with views to Gozo and Comino, from about 60 euro per person. Tandem flights available. Summer only, calm days.

Race each other at La Reve Karting, Ħal Far, Birżebbuġa

Malta's only full karting circuit, next to the Ħal Far drag strip. Arrive and drive, no licence needed, from €20 for ten minutes.

Axe throwing at Malta Archery, San Gwann

Four lanes of axe throwing plus archery and medieval throwing weapons. Minimum age 12. A fun one for two, sessions bookable online.

Board game night at Gugar, Valletta, Valletta

Gugar Hangout at 89A Republic Street has shelves of board games and a no phones vibe. Pick a game, order drinks and settle in.

Drive a Rolling Geek round the Three Cities, Birgu

Self drive talking electric buggies with GPS guides take you round Birgu, Senglea, Cospicua and Kalkara for 2.5 hours. Two per car, driver 21 plus with a licence.

Segway the Gozo coast, Nadur

Guided Segway rides along Gozo's east coast from Nadur or Qala, past the old bakery, Ħondoq and the Mixta cave. Two hours, no experience needed.

Guided quad tour of Gozo, Xewkija

Four hours with a local guide and up to 7 quads, past the Citadella, Ramla Bay, the salt pans and Dwejra. 99 euro a quad, 95 off season, no deposit. Meet at the Xewkija garage at 14:15.

Stand-up comedy night, Sliema

Wild Comedy Malta runs English language open mics and showcases around Sliema and Valletta, and the Eden and Manoel host touring names. Tickets from about 10 euro.

Arthouse film at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

Malta's only arthouse screen, inside St James Cavalier. Festival films, documentaries, NT Live and Met Opera streams. Cheap tickets, tiny cosy room.

Blockbuster night at Eden Cinemas, St Julian's

The big multiplex in Paceville with IMAX style screens and a bar. Tuesday deals. Follow with a game of bowling downstairs.

Open-air cinema under the stars, Valletta

Summer screenings on deckchairs at Għadira Bay, in the Grand Harbour during the APS festival and in Valletta's Cinema City. Bring a jumper for the sea breeze.

Fairyland Christmas village, Valletta, Valletta

Valletta's Christmas fair at the Triton Fountain and Floriana Granaries: ice rink, Ferris wheel, market huts and mulled wine from early December to early January.

Potter's wheel course, Rabat

THAT Workshop in Rabat, Bristow Potteries in Attard and ALKA at Ta' Qali run beginner wheel and hand building courses. Around 100 euro for a short course including firing.

Paint pottery at Villa Bologna, Attard

Two hour ceramic painting sessions in the historic Villa Bologna gardens in Attard, from age eight. Pick a piece, paint it, collect it glazed a week later.

Salsa and bachata beginners class, Sliema

La Bachata by Fab, Dance Revolution and Plus53 run beginner nights in Sliema most weekdays, followed by socials. Around 10 euro a class, no partner needed.

Archery lesson at Malta Archery, San Gwann

Beginner sessions on Malta Archery's outdoor range in San Gwann, 20 shooting lines with all equipment and coaching. Book online, about 20 euro. Good with a small group.

Escape game at X Cube, St Julian's, St Julian's

Digital escape rooms at The Eden: solve a murder at a mansion, crack a spy mission or get a sinking submarine back to the surface. Games run 15 to 60 minutes, up to six players.

Sip and paint for two, Sliema

Two hour guided painting sessions with a glass of wine, held at gardens and restaurants around Malta. No experience needed, €40 to €50 a head.

Sunset kayak at Ġnejna Bay, Mġarr

MC Adventure leads three hour paddles from Ġnejna along the cliffs and caves, finishing as the sun goes down. €40 a head with all the kit.

Malta Philharmonic Orchestra concert, Valletta

The national orchestra plays a full season at the Manoel, MCC and outdoor venues, often with big soloists for small ticket prices. Summer open air concerts are the best.

Valletta Baroque Festival in January, Valletta

Two weeks of baroque music in the churches, palaces and theatre of Valletta every January. Candlelit concerts in St John's and the Manoel. A reason to come in winter.

Mediterrane Film Festival in June, Valletta

Malta's international film festival brings premieres, talks and outdoor screenings to Valletta and Fort St Elmo each June. Some events are free.

Malta International Fireworks Festival, Valletta

Pyromusical displays over the Grand Harbour on several April nights, watched free from the Barrakka gardens and Three Cities bastions. 8.30pm starts, get there early.

Festival Mediterranea in Gozo, Victoria

Gozo's autumn culture festival around the Astra opera: concerts, talks, walks and food events across Victoria for a few weeks in October and November.

Spa day at the Kempinski, San Lawrenz, San Lawrenz

Day passes from about 25 euro give you the heated indoor pool, hammam, sauna and gym at Gozo's grandest hotel, with treatments extra. Book ahead, limited places.

Watch glassblowing at Mdina Glass, Ta' Qali

Watch the glassblowers work molten glass through big windows at the Mdina Glass workshop in Ta' Qali. Free, and the seconds shop is good for gifts.

Falcons up close at the Malta Falconry Centre, Siġġiewi

Malta's only falconry centre breeds peregrines and eagles and does flying displays and handling sessions on the outskirts of Siġġiewi. Mornings, Tuesday to Sunday.

Horse ride over Golden Bay, Mellieħa

Golden Bay Horse Riding takes beginners and riders on one hour trails above the beaches or a 90 minute sunset ride along the coast. About 30 euro, book ahead.

Two harbours cruise from Sliema, Sliema

A 90 minute cruise round Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour from the Sliema ferries, past the Three Cities forts and creeks. About 20 euro, best at golden hour.

Weekend in a Gozo farmhouse, Għarb

Rent a converted stone farmhouse with a pool in Għarb or Xagħra. Slow days, Ta' Frenc dinner, Ramla swims.

Camp overnight on Comino, Comino

The Tal-Ful campsite by Santa Marija Bay is free and needs no booking. Carry everything in, watch the stars with no light pollution and swim before the day boats arrive.

Stargazing at Dwejra, San Lawrenz

Dwejra on Gozo's west coast is a protected dark sky area and one of the few places in Malta where the Milky Way shows. Bring a blanket and pick a night with no moon.

Late jazz at Offbeat, Valletta, Valletta

A tiny bar on Merchants Street that books Malta's jazz players and visiting quartets, with jam sessions after the last set.

Watch glassblowing at Gozo Glass, Għarb

A family glass studio in Ta' Dbieġi crafts village near Għarb. Watch the glassblowers at the furnace, then browse the shop. Free, closed on Sundays.

Countryside horse ride at Gozo Stables, Qala, Qala

A family stable in Qala that takes beginners and riders out on guided rides through Gozo's eastern countryside. Book ahead.

Private sunset sail on the yacht Mowgli, Pietà

A 14 metre sailing yacht with a skipper, leaving Marina di Valletta in Pietà for the Grand Harbour, a swim in a quiet bay and the sunset. Nobody else is on board but your party.

Couples spa day with Carisma, St Julian's

Carisma runs the spas at the InterContinental, Hyatt Regency, Grand Hotel Excelsior and Ramla Bay Resort, among others. Couples packages start at €119 for a 30 minute treatment and three hours in the spa.

A night at Teatru Salesjan, Sliema, Sliema

A restored theatre in Sliema with a season of jazz, chamber opera, rock nights and comedy from autumn to spring.