24 hours at St Georges Bay, Malta this summer

From the moment you arrive at Corinthia St George’s Bay, a luxury five-star hotel perched along Malta’s sparkling coastline, the island’s effortless summer rhythm begins to unfold around you.

As one of Malta’s most acclaimed seaside retreats, the hotel blends expansive sea views, thoughtful design and warm hospitality into a stay shaped by relaxation, discovery and long Mediterranean evenings. This is the perfect base from which to launch a 24-hour itinerary exploring the wonders of the island.

8am -  Breakfast at Fra Martino 

The day begins at Fra Martino, the hotel’s signature restaurant, where a generous Mediterranean breakfast sets an unhurried tone. The terrace frames the bay so the expanse of the sea is visible from the moment you sit down. 

The menu leans on fresh fruit, home‑made pastries, local cheeses and charcuterie, perfectly poached eggs and artisanal bread, all served with freshly squeezed juices.  

For those intent on keeping the meal light in preparation for their 24-hour itinerary, a stand‑out choice is the Maltese ftira, the island’s signature flatbread, offered here with seasonal toppings and a distinctly local touch that explores the subtle tastes and textures of this fascinating island.  

9am - A moment with the mediterranean on the terrace 

Before heading out, take a quiet half hour on the terrace with a pre-exploration cup of fine coffee. The morning light on the water here is one of those small, considered pleasures that St George’s Bay offers without effort. The bay stretches out in gentle ripples, with the promenade and the line of palm trees softening the boundary between land and sea.  

10am - Discovering the island 

It’s important to find your rhythm in Malta. The island invites exploration at a slower pace. In Mdina, the “Silent City”, narrow streets and honey‑coloured stone create stillness, while the occasional horse‑drawn carriages and distant church bells add to the city’s quiet charm.  

A warm pastizzi, picked up from a local bakery and savoured as you stroll, becomes a small, delicious distillation of Maltese life: simple and deeply rooted in the island’s traditions.  

After savouring this small indulgence pay a visit to Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, a preserved Norman‑era townhouse featuring a carefully curated collection of furniture, silver, art and personal objects from its last resident, Captain Olof Gollcher. 

12 noon - Indulge in the green spaces 

As you leave Valletta’s grand façades behind, pause for a moment at Hastings Gardens, an elevated park with shaded paths and sweeping views over the Grand Harbour. It is a quiet, green interlude that lets the layers of Maltese history settle before you make your way down to lunch at Beati Paoli.  

1pm - A leisurely lunch at Beati Paoli, Valletta 

Lunch is taken at Beati Paoli, tucked along St Paul’s Street in the heart of Valletta. The restaurant’s name nods to the underground fraternity associated with the city’s darker folklore, which the décor reflects through a blend of rustic charm and subtle theatricality, stone walls, soft lighting and furniture that feels both comfortable and intentional. 

The menu is rooted in Maltese and Italian tradition, with dishes like slow‑cooked stews, grilled fish, home‑made pasta and seasonal vegetables prepared with a clear respect for the ingredients.  

3pm - Afternoon tea at Le Café

Returning to Corinthia St George’s Bay, the afternoon slows once more at Le Café, where understated elegance and sweeping bay views create a natural pause before the evening ahead.

Fresh pastries, delicate cakes and expertly prepared coffee unfold beneath the soft movement of the lobby, while the light shifting across the water outside gives the space an atmosphere that feels both social and deeply relaxed.

4:30pm - Restoration at Apollo by Dee Spas 

The transition to evening begins at Apollo by Dee Spas, where the focus is on deep restoration courtesy of its thermal circuit of pools, sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy spaces. 

A highlight treatment is the Deep Sleep Massage – a full-body experience using warm oils, slow rhythmic massage and pressure-point work designed to release tension and improve rest. Another signature option is the Power of Asia ritual, which combines Thai stretching, reflexology and hot compress techniques for full-body renewal. 

7pm – Aperitivo at Pearl Lounge 

Ease into the evening with a brief return to the Pearl Lounge, where a crafted cocktail or glass of wine unfolds against soft lighting and the first hints of the bay’s twilight. It is a gentle, unhurried bridge between the quiet restoration of the spa and the seaside energy of dinner at Broadside Terrace. 

7pm - Dinner at Broadside Terrace 

Dinner is served at Broadside Terrace, a restaurant set along the edge of the bay that captures the essence of a Maltese summer evening. The terrace stretches towards the water, with tables arranged so that each guest has a view of the sea. 

The atmosphere is relaxed yet considered, with attentive, unrushed service and a menu designed for long, comfortable dining. An unmissable signature dish that defines the evening is seabream caught off the Maltese coast, simply grilled with rosemary and garlic and served with local olive‑oil‑drenched potatoes and a light garden salad, letting the sea air and the island’s ingredients share the stage. 

9pm - Cocktails at Henry J. Bean’s 

For those wishing to continue the evening, Henry J. Bean’s, a lively American bar and grill, offers a more sociable atmosphere. Named in memory of Fiji’s most famous coffee bean, the bar embraces a slightly theatrical, playful character, with dark wood, warm lighting and a long bar that invites conversation rather than small talk.  

Lean back and relax with a signature cocktail that captures the spirit of the space, Henry’s Espresso Martini, a silky blend of vodka, freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur and a touch of vanilla, served chilled and crowned with a delicate coffee bean garnish, is perfect for sipping as the night gathers momentum. 

 11pm - Return to your sea view suite 

Return to your sea view suite, where the Mediterranean provides a quietly spectacular backdrop. The generous windows frame the dark expanse of the sea and echo the soft glow of the hotel’s exterior, drawing the light and the horizon into the room. 

Your bed invites a slow descent into sleep, offering refined and elegant comfort that quietly frames your day of exploration. 

The next morning - a final breakfast at Fra Martino 

 Morning begins once more at Fra Martino, where the final breakfast is taken without hurry. Fresh seasonal fruit, house‑made pastries, local cheeses and charcuterie, perfectly poached eggs, and warm bread arrive alongside strong coffee and freshly squeezed juices. This final meal marks the closing chapter of the experience, bringing the exploration to a quiet, considered end.