Malta: where to stay and how to get there from Ireland

Malta for Irish families and couples: year-round direct flights from Dublin, summer flights from Shannon and Belfast, the best months and where to stay.

Why go

Malta is one of the easiest sun holidays for Irish travellers. English is an official language, the currency is the euro, and cars drive on the left. Most people find it very easy to get around.

The islands pack a lot into a small space. Valletta, the capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gozo, the smaller sister island, is a short ferry ride away. Malta suits couples who like history and food, and families who want sun without a long flight.

Getting there from Ireland

Aer Lingus and Ryanair fly direct from Dublin to Malta all year. Ryanair also flies from Shannon in summer. Jet2.com and Ryanair fly from Belfast International in summer. Cork, Knock and Kerry have no direct flights.

The flight from Dublin takes about 3 hours 40 minutes. Shannon and Belfast take about 3 hours 45 minutes.

The islands are small, so transfers from Malta International Airport are short by holiday standards.

When to go

Average daily highs at Luqa, near the airport:

April and May: 20°C to 24°C. Good for walking and sightseeing. The sea is still cool.
June to August: 29°C to 32°C. Hot and busy. The sea peaks at about 26°C in August.
September and October: 29°C falling to 25°C. Warm sea and fewer crowds.
November to March: 16°C to 21°C. Mild and fine for a city break, with the sea at its coolest, about 15°C to 16°C in February.

September and early October are often the best time for a beach week. The sea has had all summer to warm up.

Air temperatures come from the Malta climate table on Wikipedia, using 1991 to 2020 data for Luqa. Sea temperatures come from the same page.

Where to stay

Sliema and St Julian’s: busy seafront towns with hotels, restaurants and a ferry across to Valletta.
Valletta: small boutique hotels in the old capital, best for couples.
St Paul’s Bay and Bugibba: a large resort area in the north with lots of family hotels.
Gozo: quieter and greener, for a slower week away from the main island.

Good for

Families who want sun, English spoken everywhere and a short transfer.
Couples who want history, food and walkable towns.
Snorkelling and diving, with clear water around the coast.
A sun break in the off season, thanks to all year flights from Dublin.

Late deal tip

Look beyond hotels. Malta has lots of self-catering apartments, which can work out well for families staying a week or more. Check the location on the map, as some cheaper places are a bus ride from the sea.