Malta’s malls are more than shops. Many now have play areas, cinemas, bowling and family restaurants, which makes them a good option when it is wet, windy or too hot outside. Here are some of the top, child-friendly shopping malls in Malta.
Quick comparison
| Mall | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | St Julian’s | Toddler to teen, all-day outing |
| Bay Street / The Eden | St Julian’s | Cinema, bowling, themed lunch, from toddler to teen |
| Centerparc | Qormi | Toddler and pre-teen play and lunch |
| Shoreline | Kalkara | Indoor engergy burner for older kids |
| Tigné Point | Sliema | Fine-weather outing by ferry from Valletta; open space and outdoor restaurants |
| Carob Tree (Spinola) | St Julian’s | Food court plus indoor kids’ park mainly for younger children |
Mercury Shopping District, St Julian’s
Getting there and parking
- Address: Mercury House, St George’s Road, St Julian’s STJ 3202
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: on-site car park (additional fees may apply)
Good for
All ages, from toddlers to teens.
Look out for
- Playtopia @ Planet Play: a romp-around play area where young children burn off energy while parents shop or have a coffee. It is also a popular birthday party venue.
- Planet Play: for older children, an indoor activity centre with trampoline zones, VR simulations, karting and bowling, plus an arcade.
- Museum of Illusions: an interactive visual and educational museum packed with optical illusions, mind-bending exhibits, light rooms, and interactive brain puzzles. Suitable for young toddlers to adults.
- Odyssey Malta: an immersive walk-through of Maltese history, applicable for older kids.
Where to eat
Families have immediate access to all the Mercury Towers food court and cafés, including Daytona Diner inside Planet Play.
Bay Street and The Eden area, St Julian’s / Paceville
Getting there and parking: Bay Street
- Address: Bay Street Shopping Complex, St George’s Bay, St Julian’s STJ 3311
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: Parking is free when you purchase from any Bay Street outlet. Ask the outlet how to validate your ticket.
Getting there and parking: The Eden
- Address: The Eden, Triq Santu Wistin, St Julian’s STJ 3310
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: It is paid parking. Reedemable parking tickets are not standard. Ask the outlet you are visiting if they offer this.
Good for
All ages, from toddlers to teens.
Look out for
- The Eden: A leisure complex offering a range of play areas for children of all ages, from a dedicated soft play area for toddlers and young children (ages 0–6) to entertainment zones for older kids, including bowling, duckpin, laser tag, an arcade, karaoke rooms, AR darts, digital escape rooms, and a cinema.
- Eden Cinemas: One of Malta’s largest cinema complexes, The Eden Cinemas offers a variety of films for all ages.
- Eden SuperBowl: Bowling alley suitable for younger children (3+ years on average) to teens and also adults. Family bundles can be bought.
- Multimaxx: A multi-level indoor family entertainment center at Level 4 Baystreet, featuring a futuristic, Star Wars-themed Laser Tag arena, Virtual Reality (VR 360°) simulators, interactive shooting ranges, and a full arcade with prize redemptions. Suitable for approx 4+ years and older.
Where to eat
Rainforest Cafe (Bay Street): a jungle-themed restaurant that children tend to love. It is also a party venue.
Bay Street and the surrounding area offers a large variety of food options.
Centerparc, Qormi
Getting there and parking
- Address: Centerparc Shopping Complex, Triq it-Tigrija, Qormi
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: Free on-site parking for shoppers.
Good for
Toddlers up to pre-teens.
Look out for
- Square Bistro-Pizzeria-Cafe: a family restaurant with a large play area at level -1. The area is designed for children of all ages, including a softball areas and ride-on rides for the younger children, and several arcade games for older children.
- Juniors toy store: found within Centerparc. Juniors usually hosts a Saturday play day at most of its outlets, so check with the store for the current schedule.
- Festacci: has an indoor play area suitable for older toddlers and young kids, and is also a popular party venue.
Where to eat
Square Bistro and Festacci are both good options. If you’re looking for something else, you can try the many different food outlets just outside and across the road from the Centerparc shopping mall.
Shoreline Mall, Kalkara
Getting there and parking
- Address: Shoreline Mall, Smart City, Kalkara
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: Vast, free public parking area within walking distance of the mall.
Good for
Toddlers up to teens.
Look out for
- Gravity: an entertainment venue inside the mall, with a trampoline park, arcade games, rock climbing and a free-fall activity.
- Gootopia Malta: Offers hands-on slime workshops and parties. The “Original Slime Workshop at Shoreline” is a one-hour activity for kids aged 3-14, where they can create their own slime by choosing colors, scents, and textures. Tickets must be booked online in advance.
- Outdoors on Nice Days: When the weather is fine, there’s plenty of open space for kids to ride their bikes or scooters. Grab a drink or snack from a nearby outdoor restaurant and relax while they burn off some energy.
- Combine it with: Esplora Interactive Science Centre, in Kalkara, and the Birgu waterfront nearby, for a full day out.
Where to eat
The Shoreline offers a number of in-house restaurants of a variety of cuisines, coffee and snack kiosks, accessible within the mall itself.
Tigné Point, Sliema
Getting there and parking
- Address: The Point Shopping Mall, Tigné Point, Sliema TP 01
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: an underground car park with around 1,000 spaces, entered from the Fortina side (first barrier on the left). This is a paid parking.
- Skip the car park: if you arrive by boat from Valletta, you don’t need to park at all.
Good for
All ages.
Look out for
While there isn’t a dedicated kids’ area here, Tigné Point makes a lovely, easy outing, especially in good weather.
- Arrive by boat: a short boat ride from Valletta turns the trip into a morning experience in its own right. Check the ferry schedule for the closest landing point.
- Outdoor restaurants: plenty of restaurants with outdoor seating, so parents can relax over a coffee or a meal while the children stay in sight.
- Space to run: a large, flat, open area, great for children to run around when the weather is nice.
Where to eat
Plenty of good options within or close to the mall itself. A short walk away you will also find many resturants and cafes, within the busy streets of Sliema.
Carob Tree, Spinola, St Julian’s
Getting there and parking
- Address: Carob Tree Food Court, Spinola Park, Triq Mikiel Ang Borg, St Julian’s SPK 1000 (first floor, next to the parish church)
- Map: Open in Google Maps
- Parking: Parking is free when you eat at Carob Tree. Keep your receipt so you can claim it, and ask at the food court how validation works.
Good for
Young children and an easy family lunch.
Look out for
The Kids Park Spinola: a soft-play indoor play area right at the food court. Entrance fees on Wednesdays are usually 50% off.
Where to eat
Carob Tree Food Court: plenty of choice for an indoor meal in a family-friendly environment.
Tips for mall days with kids
- Go early. Play areas are quieter in the morning, and weekends fill up fast in bad weather.
- Check age and height limits. Many play zones are for specific ages, so check before you travel.
- Ask about socks. Soft-play and trampoline areas usually require them. Pack a spare pair.
- Book your table in advance. Popular venues fill up fast. If you’ve set your sights on a place to eat, make sure you book a table a few days earlier. If possible, book a table close to the play area so that you can drink that cappuccino at ease.
- Check parking terms. Rates and validation rules change, so confirm at the mall’s information desk or website, and keep your receipts.
Browse more indoor ideas in our Indoor Playcentres and Rainy Day Activities categories.
For more ideas on days out, visit our Outing Guides.