Whisking a boisterous brood off on a summer holiday is a demanding task, and any parent who does this every summer deserves some serious respect! It is understandable that you will want to keep things simple and affordable, which is why I think that the thriving tourist resort of Buġibba is a great choice for families this year. This sunny resort on the north-east coast of Malta is cheap, cheerful and has a welcoming atmosphere. It forms a cluster of villages along with Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay, all of which share a lively 3.5km seaside promenade. As a popular tourist spot, it means that there are all kinds of terrific attractions that the little ones are sure to love whilst here.
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Buġibba Water Park
A water park is a great way to escape the heat whilst simultaneously tiring the kids out! The Buġibba Water Park is comprised of several areas that are suitable for different age groups, boasting all kinds of fun features, such as water loops, water cannons, water umbrellas and a bucket tower. Sessions last 20 minutes, and the kids are sure to love splashing around and cooling off here.
Malta National Aquarium
Show your kids the beautiful world found beneath the surface at the brilliant Malta National Aquarium Playground. This cool venue allows for stunning, unobstructed views of St. Paul’s Islands, where you can see all kinds of weird and wonderful creatures in their natural habitat. There are five zoned exhibits to check out:
Zone 1 – Malta’s Western Shoreline & Submarine, featuring Mediterranean species sicj as gilt-head sea bream, European sea bass and scorpion fish.
Zone 2 – Valletta Harbour, featuring local fish such as sea bream, mottled grouper and various others.
Zone 3 – Tropical Oceans, featuring marine life from the Indo-Pacific ocean, such as raccoon butterfly fish, porcupine puffer fish and angelfish.
Zone 4 – Roman Times, where you can explore replicas of ancient Roman remains, along with beautiful fish such as clownfish, cleaner shrimps and damselfish.
Zone 5 – Gozo & Comino, where you can see the great beauty of Malta’s neighbouring islands and a wide range of biodiversity in a marine-deep water tank and three freshwater tanks.
The aquarium also has a fun, nautical-themed playground with all kinds of colourful characters to discover.
Birdpark Malta
The bird park is a place that both kids and adults love, thanks to the huge range of birds (over 200 species!) and other animals that are on display. There are guided tours that take you around the grounds, which can be a great learning experience, whilst the fun feeding and interactive experiences can allow your little ones to get up close to a range of friendly and fascinating creatures.
Popeye Village
Located just a short drive away in Mellieha, this lively tourist attraction was the once the film set of the musical production Popeye (1980), but is now a fun-themed village. Prepare to be greeted by Popeye and his friends when you arrive, and then spend the day taking part in unique filming experiences and other fantastic Popeye-themed activities. Parents will enjoy the nostalgia of Popeye, whilst the kids will love the exciting activities that are available.
How to Get There
Travel is, understandably, one of the most stressful aspects when taking the family on holiday. Fortunately, it can be straightforward and affordable to reach Buġibba. You will want to fly from the UK directly to Malta Airport (MLA), which takes roughly three hours, with Thomas Cook and easyJet flying from London Gatwick and Ryanair flying from Stansted.
The last thing that you will want to do is try to hail a cab or queue for public transportation, which is why I recommend pre-booking a Shuttle Direct transfer. Your driver will be waiting at the airport and will take you directly to your hotel in around 30 minutes.
Where to Stay
Relax Inn Hotel: Located centrally in Buġibba and just a short stroll from the promenade, this family-run hotel features en suite rooms with balconies and air conditioning. There is a range of common rooms, along with a bar and restaurant, but its location means that it is easy to get out and explore each day. Previous guests have spoken highly of the location and friendly staff.
Sunstone Guest House: Just 400 yards from the promenade and town centre, the Sunstone Guest House has rooms with air conditioning, private bathrooms and satellite TVs. The highlight is the cool rooftop terrace with a BBQ, hot tub and great views of the sea. The helpful staff and cleanliness have been commented on by many previous guests.
Villa Zammitella: Located in the picturesque St. Paul’s Bay region, this charming hotel has large family rooms, a daily maid service, babysitting (for an additional charge) and a continental breakfast that’s available each morning.
About Shuttle Direct
Holidays can be stressful when you are taking the whole family along, but it is important that you are able to sit back and relax. Shuttle Direct is one Europe’s most popular transfer providers, and we can take the stress out of travel with our affordable, comfortable and safe transfer service between airports, hotels, train stations and anywhere else that you need to go. Use our simple online booking form today and leave the rest up to us!
