Qawra Holidays

Set on the east side of St Paul’s Bay – about 15 kilometres from Malta’s capital, Valletta – Qawra doesn’t shout too loud. It’s the kind of place where you can go from Brit pub to traditional restaurant without getting lost in the crowd. But then it’s hooked up with close neighbour Bugibba, a real firecracker of a resort that fizzes with bars and clubs. Between them, you’ve got your holiday pretty much covered.

You won’t find any sand along Qawra’s rocky coastline. Instead, what you get is flat rocks where you can lay down your towel. It’s fine to swim from here, and local watersports places do a brisk trade in banana boats and speedboat rides. Bugibba also backs things up with lidos – pool areas where you can rent sunloungers – and a dive school. If you really want some of the sandy stuff, though, there’s plenty at Malta’s largest beach, Mellehia Bay – it’s about a 20-minute drive away.

Half an hour’s drive gets you to the capital, Valletta. It’s in UNESCO’s portfolio, with Renaissance-era architecture that hasn’t been updated since 1798. The cathedral and Grand Master’s Palace are both must-sees, and there are 24 churches to take a pick from, too. The impressive Grand Harbour is also definitely worth a look.