Golden Bay, Għajn Tuffieħa & Malta's North Shore

Drop your bags, shake off the journey and get into holiday mode. Your base for the next two days puts you within easy reach of Malta's north-west coast — where the best beaches are.

Mellieħa Bay is Malta's longest sandy beach, and in the morning light its shallow, gradually deepening water is at its most inviting. Wade out, float on your back, and let the Mediterranean do the rest. The wide shoreline means you can always find a quieter patch to spread out on, even when it's busy.

Still in your flip-flops, head to Le Regatta Bistro by the Sea for a proper beachside lunch. The setting does the heavy lifting — sea views, salty air and a menu built for post-swim appetites.

A short drive from Mellieħa, Imġiebaħ is a small, sheltered cove that rewards the effort of finding it. The water is clear and calm, the crowd thinner, and the rocky surroundings give it a more dramatic character than the morning's big open beach. Bring a mask and see what's beneath the surface.

Head into Valletta as the evening cools and settle in at Guze Brasserie, a warm and characterful dining room in the old city. After a day in the water, this is the place to eat properly — unhurried, with good Maltese cooking and the quiet satisfaction of a long beach day behind you.

On Triq il-Mina il-Kbira.

Golden Bay earns its name at this hour — the low morning sun turns the sand a deep amber and the sea shifts between turquoise and deep blue. It's one of Malta's most photogenic beaches, so arrive early, claim your spot on the soft sand, and spend the first part of the morning simply swimming and letting the sun dry you off between dips.

Before lunch, swing through the Upper Barrakka Gardens on the city's southern bastions. The panoramic views of the Grand Harbour are some of the finest you'll find in Malta — all fortified walls, moored boats and shimmering water — a two-minute walk from the old town streets.

Radio Rooftop is made for days like this — an open-air terrace perched above the city with sea breezes and long views. Grab a table in the sun and take your time over lunch before the afternoon's beach return.

Għajn Tuffieħa sits just over the headland from Golden Bay but feels a world apart — no road reaches it directly, so you descend a long flight of steps to reach the rust-red clay cliffs and reddish-gold sand below. The effort keeps the crowds down. Swim in the open water, walk the cliff path, or simply lie back and watch the colour of the sea change as the sun moves west.

End the trip at ION Harbour By Simon Rogan, perched on St. Barbara Bastion with a straight view over the Grand Harbour. The cooking is precise and inventive, and the setting — golden evening light on the water, the old fortifications glowing amber — is an entirely fitting close to two days spent in and around the sea.

One last drink before the trip ends. Yard 32 in Valletta is the kind of gin bar that makes you slow down — a thoughtful list of spirits, small sharing plates, and the kind of easy evening atmosphere that's perfect for running through the best moments of the last two days.