Summer

Located a short drive from the coast, cooling off in the sea becomes part of daily life at Casa Bonavita in summer: swimming off the rocks with a picnic, snorkelling, or simply floating in clear water. Chartering a boat for the day, or overnight, opens up Comino, Gozo and the dramatic west coast. Malta offers some of the finest diving in the Mediterranean, with exceptional visibility and a remarkable collection of historic wrecks.

Village festas define summer weekends. Every parish celebrates its patron saint with brass bands, fireworks and street food. Żebbuġ remains one of our favourites, but each village has its own atmosphere and traditions.

You can travel to Gozo by fast ferry and we recommend a drink at Gleneagles bar in the harbour on your arrival, followed by lunch at Il-Kantra Lido, and then a swim in the creek. Water sports are widely available. Paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing and snorkelling are among our favourites.. Gozo’s capital, Victoria, is worth visiting - it has a spectacular church and a charming town square.

As the day cools and the sun lowers in the sky we encourage our guests to make their way to the island’s capital, Valletta. Balmy walks through its streets lead to lively bars and twinkling views of the grand harbour. Our concierge can recommend a list of excellent restaurants hidden in unsuspecting streets.

Dining outdoors is a highlight, particularly under the orange trees at Villa Bologna Restaurant, family owned and just a five-minute walk from Casa Bonavita. Here, guests can enjoy great Italian home cuisine.

Summer also brings major cultural events, including the Malta International Jazz Festival, open-air concerts, harbour celebrations and spectacular fireworks displays throughout the season. There is always something interesting happening on the island, and our concierge can point you in the right direction.