24 hours in Malta this summer

Malta reveals itself through a slower summer rhythm, where sunlit landscapes, historic towns and Mediterranean calm come together with effortless elegance. From mornings spent exploring ancient streets and afternoons beside the sea to long dinners beneath the trees, the island invites a gentler pace shaped by warmth, culture and discovery.

Set within lush gardens in Attard, Corinthia Palace offers a five-star luxury retreat at the heart of the island. Elegant façades, tranquil outdoor spaces, Villa Corinthia and the Secret Garden create a refined setting from which to experience 24 hours in Malta this summer.

8am - Coffee to go at Josephine's and a morning at the Reflex Centre

Begin the morning with a coffee to go from Josephine’s, where specialty coffee, a lush garden setting and a thoughtful plant-based menu create a calm, easy rhythm to the start of the day. The atmosphere feels distinctly Maltese in summer - sun filtering through the trees, conversations unfolding slowly and the island still feels beautifully still.

From there, head to the Reflex Centre for a workout or Pilates session within a space designed for movement with intention. Whether easing into the morning or resetting after travel, the experience leaves you feeling balanced, energised and ready to explore the island.

9:30am - Breakfast at Villa Corinthia's Flower Room

Delight in seasonal produce and thoughtfully prepared dishes served in a setting that feels both elegant and quietly playful. Botanical wallpaper, curated artwork and soft morning light give the Flower Room the charm of a private Maltese villa, creating a relaxed and characterful start before a day spent moving between historic towns, hidden gardens and the island’s coastline.

11am - A stroll through San Anton

A short walk leads you to the San Anton Botanical Gardens, where mature trees, shaded pathways and resident wildlife – including cockatoos – create a natural pause. Sunlight filters through the canopy, softening the island’s energy and offering a gentle interlude that feels removed from the wider rhythm of Malta. The path from the hotel’s gardens into the public park creates a seamless, shaded corridor that eases you out of the property without feeling like a sharp transition.

Alternatively - 11am - A coastal escape by private yacht 

For a slower view of the island, Corinthia Palace can arrange a private yacht charter along Malta’s coastline. Champagne cocktails, Mediterranean lunches and hidden swimming coves turn the afternoon into something beautifully unstructured, where time moves only between open water, sun and sea breeze. From quiet anchor points to crystalline bays only reachable by boat, the experience captures the effortless glamour of summer in Malta at its most exclusive. Details coming soon...

12pm - A cultural excursion to St. John's Co-Cathedral 

For those drawn to culture, a visit to St. John’s Co‑Cathedral in Valletta brings you face to face with The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist by Caravaggio, a powerful work set within an equally striking interior. The cathedral’s gilded nave and intricate side chapels frame the painting in a way that feels almost theatrical, reminding you that Malta’s artistic heart beats beneath its sun‑bleached stone.

2pm - Combining art and cuisine in Valletta 

As lunch approaches, culture provides the perfect appetiser. Enjoy contemporary perspectives at spaces such as MUŻA (Malta’s national fine‑art gallery) and the Axis Gallery, each offering a more modern expression of the island’s creative identity.

Savour lunch at MUŻA Restaurant in the historic Auberge d’Italie, where Maltese‑inspired plates like fresh pasta and seafood shine. Steps away, Radici Malta delivers top‑rated Italian seafood with stellar pastas and fish, reinforcing Malta’s easy blend of Mediterranean and Italian influences.

3pm - Unwind at the Athenaeum Spa 

Returning to the hotel, the afternoon invites rest and restoration. At the Athenaeum Spa the pace softens once more. Time spent in the Vitality Suite or through a personalised treatment offers a sense of renewal, creating a moment that feels like a private wellness retreat in Malta. The transition from exploration to stillness is effortless, allowing you to reset before the evening begins.

Alternatively - 3pm - Riviera Bay

After returning to the hotel for a change of clothes, head toward Riviera Bay. Here, the shoreline provides a quieter, more natural escape with complimentary transfers courtesy of Corinthia. The stretch of sand and the Mediterranean blue offer a soft, unhurried contrast to the morning’s cultural intensity, letting you dip in and out of the water, read or simply lie in the sun while the island’s pace settles into a slower tempo.

Alternatively - 3pm - Afternoon tea at Villa Corinthia

Or perhaps the late afternoon unfolds slowly over afternoon tea at Villa Corinthia, where delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones and elegant pastries are served beneath the villa’s timeless interiors. Conversation stretches easily here between tea pours and soft sunlight, creating one of those quietly luxurious pauses that feels entirely in keeping with the slower rhythm of Malta.

6pm - Sunset at Secret Garden

As the light softens over Attard, the Secret Garden becomes the natural perch for sunset and pre-dinner drinks. The terrace, framed by an expansive pool and tree‑lined gardens, offers a relaxed vantage where the day’s coastal or cultural scenes replay in softer tones.

Whether lingering poolside or gathering closer to the lounge, the atmosphere feels relaxed, social and unmistakably Mediterranean. Veuve Clicquot cocktails and chilled Champagne arrive as conversations drift between tables and the gardens begin to glow in the evening warmth - an elegant transition into the night ahead.

7pm - Dinner at BAHIA

Dinner is served at BAHIA, where a Michelin‑selected tasting menu draws on Maltese heritage, Mediterranean seasonality and contemporary technique that feels both deeply rooted and inventive.

Each course unfolds with precision and restraint, celebrating the island’s coastline, local produce and culinary traditions through refined compositions that never lose their sense of place. Dishes such as braised rabbit with confit garlic and herbs reinterpret classic Maltese flavours, while the atmosphere remains intimate, calm and beautifully understated. 

9pm - An evening of exploration

The evening continues beyond the hotel, revealing Malta at its most lively and sociable. In nearby villages such as Balzan, Lija and Attard, terraces fill quickly, conversations spill into piazzas and locals gather late into the evening beneath glowing church façades and warm summer skies.

For a more contemporary pace, destinations such as Gianpula Village, UNO Malta or the Ta’ Qali Concert Grounds bring live music, open-air performances and late-night energy to the island’s summer scene. From elegant rooftop drinks to festival-style atmospheres, Malta moves effortlessly from relaxed Mediterranean evenings into vibrant nights that continue well past midnight.

11pm - Return to the comfort of your suite

Returning to Corinthia Palace, the transition back to calm feels immediate. Soft lighting, elegant interiors and garden-facing stillness create a setting that feels both private and deeply restful after a day spent exploring the island.

Within your suite, the atmosphere carries the same refinement that defines the hotel itself - timeless, intimate and gently removed from the pace of the outside world, while Malta’s sunlit landscapes and coastal rhythm linger softly in memory.

The next morning - Josephine's and a Maltese souvenir 

Morning begins once again at Josephine’s, where speciality coffee and fresh seasonal dishes offer one final slow moment beneath the trees before departure. Linger a little longer over a vibrant plant-based brunch, reflecting on a stay shaped by exploration, discovery and the slower rhythm of summer in Malta.

Nearby, Villa Bologna Pottery provides the opportunity to take a piece of Malta home - handcrafted ceramics that reflect the island’s artisanal heritage, sun-washed palette and enduring sense of character.