What’s New in Malta for Visitors in 2021?

The latest, news, updates, events and openings from the Malta Tourism Authority

The Maltese archipelago, comprised of Malta, Gozo and Comino looks forward to welcoming British travellers back to its shores once travel restrictions allow. Travellers to Malta can immerse themselves in the islands’ rich history, burgeoning gastronomy scene and bask in the sunny climate. The islands have an exciting few months in store with a wealth of new restaurant, hotel and spa openings for travellers to enjoy when they can return.

‘Foundation’ filming wraps in Malta

‘Foundation’, a new Apple TV series has finished filming in Malta and is set to premiere later in 2021.  The new series based on the novels by Isaac Asimov, is about the journey of a group of exiled people who need to save mankind. The first season will comprise of ten episodes, and Apple has bought the rights for all eight seasons. Producer Michael Malone said that Malta’s picturesque views and seas were crucial to the production of the series. Filming began on the Maltese archipelago in mid-January, and primarily shot at the Malta Film Studios in Kalkara.

Malta Tourism Authority launches its Winery Trail

Home to an emerging wine scene, the Maltese archipelago has a number of wineries in both Malta and Gozo making the destinations perfect for a wine tasting getaway. With the first vines planted back in 1907, Malta’s wine encompasses an array of unique tastes and flavours, which will be pleasing to any wine connoisseur’s palate, and as you can’t purchase Maltese wine in the UK, a trip the Islands is the only way to sample it.

The Winery Trail, created to inspire wine enthusiasts, maps out the ultimate wine tasting break, highlighting where you can find all of Malta and Gozo’s vineyards.

Bahia pays homage to Maltese history with new menu

Bahia, one of Malta’s most exclusive restaurants, has launched a new menu concept called ‘History in the Making’, that pays homage to Malta’s extensive history. The menu represents eight of Malta’s most notable historical eras – Stone Age, Phoenician, Roman, Arab, Knights Hospitallers, French, British and Maltese Future. Head chef, Tyrone Mizzi, has curated the specially designed menu saying, “each of these ingredients became the inspiration to create a contemporary dish that represents the respective era.” Guests to Bahia can indulge in a nine-course degustation menu that allows them to travel through time, with dishes including local barley cooked in Melqart (a local red wine), a slow cooked saddle of rabbit, a date and orange purée and Imqaret mousse, inspired by the local date filled pastry.

Rainforest Café opens in Malta

Rainforest Café, the international jungle-themed restaurant chain is set to open in Malta in spring 2021. Perfect for families, café patrons eat in a tropical jungle, surrounded by waterfalls, rain showers, lightning storms, and wild animals. The extensive menu will offer contemporary favourites such as burgers, steaks, rack of ribs, pasta dishes and American style salads. Rainforest Café has 22 locations all over the world, and the new location in St Julian’s, Malta will be the 23rd global location.

Maltese Chef helps design robotic menu

Nicole Pisani, a Maltese chef based in London, has cooked up a menu with a difference. Pisani has been selected as one of the ten chefs to help design a menu that can be cooked by a fully robotic kitchen, developed by Moley Robotics. The Moley Kitchen uses motion-capture technology to interact with kitchen appliances and equipment with its cabinets, robotic arms and hands. While the kitchen is unlikely to become a household appliance any time soon, Pisani is excited about the concept particularly in relation to her role as the co-founder and executive chef for UK school meals charity, Chefs in School. She says she hopes the new technology will be able to one day help with the intensive work in a school kitchen, while also going ‘down a storm with children’.

New Embassy Valletta Hotel opens its doors

The recently opened 4* Embassy Valletta Hotel boasts 81 beautifully designed rooms with family suites and superior rooms with views of Marsamxett Harbour also available. Located in the iconic Strait Street, guests are in close proximity to Valletta’s cultural sites, while business travellers can make the most of the conference facilities. Breakfast is served on the hotel’s rooftop terrace where spectacular views of Valletta can be enjoyed, and the hotel’s heated rooftop infinity pool is open year round. The opening of the Embassy Valletta Hotel is the final stage in the complete renovation project of the historic Embassy building which now includes six boutique cinema theatres, a bookshop, Costa Coffee, bingo hall, hair salon and restaurant.

Mercure opens new urban hotel in St Julian’s

Mercure, one of Accor’s leading brands, has opened its first hotel in Malta, in the heart of St Julian’s. Boasting stunning views of Spinola Bay, the 4* hotel is perfect for travellers seeking modern comfort and a central base to explore the island. The hotel’s interior is inspired by local design which is featured on marble floors and on traditional lace within the rooms. Guests can stay in one of the hotel’s 113 rooms, enjoy the rooftop pool and sample local delicacies served in the hotel’s restaurant.

Phoenicia Malta opens Deep Nature Spa following a five-year renovation

Following a five-year renovation, the Phoenicia Malta has opened its new Deep Nature Spa. The spa is a haven of relaxation and self-care, using materials such as walnut timber, marble, and Maltese stone to give the spa a modern yet natural environment. Run by Deep Nature, the spa offers bespoke wellbeing treatments specially designed for the modern traveller, along with additional facilities including an indoor pool, state of the art fitness area, a salt room, sauna, steam room, and multi-jet showers.

Corinthia Palace Hotel launches new Athenaeum Spa

The new Athenaeum Spa at the Corinthia Palace Hotel has opened its doors following a yearlong renovation. A calming oasis in the middle of the lush Mediterranean gardens, the new spa offers a thermal Vitality Suite and pool, a sauna and steam room, a nail salon, seven treatment rooms, a relaxation lounge and terrace, an indoor swimming pool with a jacuzzi and a large outdoor pool. Designed with Malta’s rich culture and heritage in mind, the new spa incorporates Maltese aromatherapy traditions into its treatments.

Iniala Spa and Pool set to open in 2021

The Iniala Spa is set to open its doors in March 2021, following the opening of The Iniala Harbour House at the end of 2020. Set in the hotel’s historic vaults the new spa will feature double and single treatment rooms, a steam room, a sauna, a relaxation area, as well as a heated pool. Iniala’s therapists will be able to offer guests an array of advanced wellness therapies using leading industry brands and products, either at the spa or in the comfort of guest’s private suite.

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