Malta Hotels: Your Base in the Pearl of the Mediterranean

Despite its position, bang in the middle of the Mediterranean, as a holiday destination Malta is often overshadowed by larger neighbours such as Sicily and Sardinia, this is a shame, as the island is fascinating, culturally and visually. Malta hotels offer wonderful bases from which you can explore it. But in a land where visitors have left their mark for millennia, it can be hard to decide what to see in a limited time frame. Here are our top tips on what to see and do.

Ancient sites
A place that is sure to fascinate visitors young and old is the hypogeum - one of the most mysterious sites in Europe and the only Neolithic underground temple in the world. Dating to the Safleini phase of the island's history (some 3,000 years ago), the hypogeum's deep chambers are carved from the living rock and painted with geometric patterns. Due to the age and unique nature of the Hypogeum, visitor numbers are restricted and you might have to book some weeks ahead - most Malta hotels have information about tours. But the hypogeum is well worth the wait; grownups appreciate the antiquity, while children will love exploring these strange man-made caverns.

Beachside fun
Families will find that there's a lot to keep the kids occupied on the island. Many Malta hotels have lovely swimming pools but if you feel the call of the Med, there are some exquisite beaches. Around Malta, the sea is wonderfully clear so scuba diving and snorkelling is always fun. Or you can simply soak in the rays at Ghadira bay where you can rent beach umbrellas and loungers. Peckish? There are a range of cafes serving snacks, local and international. And, when the lounging around gets too much, rent a pedallo or pursue more active water sports. If you're near Malta's west coast, you will find that the beach at Golden Bay is made up of gorgeous translucent sand, and there are also some stunning vistas of the island to be enjoyed.

Animal friends
Of course, you want this to be a memorable holiday so if you'd like your kids to enjoy an experience they'll never forget, take them to the Malta Marine Park where they'll get the chance to swim with dolphins. Simply being in the water alongside these friendly creatures can be a life changing event. Afterwards there is the whole park to enjoy. Don't miss the antics of the sea lions.

A taste of Hollywood
Another attraction well worth a visit is Popeye's village where the 1980 Hollywood film was made. Today's children might not recall the antics of Robin Williams as the spinach-fuelled sailor but this won't stop them enjoying the original set, which now incorporates a theme and water-park with slides, rides and tours led by characters from the film like Popeye and Olive Oil.