St Julian's holidays

With food heavily influenced by Italy, particularly Sicily and local produce, Mediterranean flavours are plentiful. Starters tend to range from soups to bruschetta and risottos, while mains are heavily fish orientated and usually grilled with lemon or baked in wine. However, no matter how far you travel you can’t escape American fast food and New York Best is one of the most popular spots in St Julian’s for its juicy patties and ever-changing menu. For fine dining, Paranga is among the top five restaurants in the area and a Certificate of Excellence winner from TripAdvisor. Its main highlights are the pan-roasted prawns, grilled sea bass and for dessert the tiramisu. Local cuisine is best sampled from 1927 and for cheap eats, Moo’s Kebab Turkish Restaurant has excellent ratings. As for drinks, Cisk is a homegrown beer which is favoured by the locals and also gained the title as the World’s Best Lager back in 2007. Kinnie is a non-alcoholic option made with bitter oranges, some say it resembles a mix of Dr Pepper and ice tea.

Balluta Bay is one of the main sand spots and it’s man-made, which means you can sink your toes into its sun-soaked grains unlike many other of the rocky seafronts in Malta. Below the surface you have some top diving spots at your feet, in fact the water is so clear that you can see most of its coral reefs from above. St George’s Bay has a stand-out reputation, so it’s hardly surprising that it boasts a Blue Flag award for its pristine conditions. Although small in size, its dominating cliffs and watersport options are not to be sniffed at. There are also two lidos areas at Dragonara Point with natural seawater pools and plenty of sunbathing opportunities.

This resort may not be teeming with old-world landmarks like its neighbouring cities, but you won’t get bored either. Boasting an IMAX cinema, state-of-the-art 10-pin bowling alley and easy access to Mediterraneo Marine Park, it’s a great option for families.

Nightlife in Paceville: Just a short walk away the resort of Paceville awaits with its pumping music, karaoke bars and exclusive clubbing venues. Revellers will dance the night away (or day) in its many bars from dedicated wine spots to reggae establishments and jazz clubs, there’s a theme out there for all kinds of party-goers. Cork’s Irish Pub is popular among Brits and the Hard Rock Cafe Malta is famed for its events. The Jack of All Trades has a 5-star rating on Tripadvisor for its cheap cocktails, wide variety of beer and first-class service. If you fancy stepping it up a notch, you’ll stumble across a duo of casinos with flashing slot machines and roulette tables by the boatload.

Retail therapy in Sliema: St Julian’s already has a wealth of retailers to its name, but the real showstoppers are nestled away in its sister resort, Sliema. Known for its upmarket taste and high-end fashion, it’s been compared to London’s famous Oxford Street. Think Miss Selfridge, Gucci and Hugo Boss, plus some independent boutiques too. Get the exchange rate right and you’ll come home with a bargain or two.