Malta and Cyprus are two of the most popular year-round destinations for British travellers. Both speak English widely, drive on the left and enjoy long, sunny seasons. But they are very different islands. Malta is compact and packed with history, perfect for sightseeing. Cyprus is larger and warmer, with better beaches and big resort hotels.
Here is our honest comparison, with our best-rated hotels on each island.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Malta vs Cyprus head-to-head: weather, beaches, culture and flights
- The best hotels in Malta and Cyprus
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Phoenicia Malta The Leading Hotels of the World | Valletta, Malta and Gozo | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | No |
| Hyatt Centric Malta | St Julians, Malta and Gozo | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.8/5 | No |
| Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Malta Golden Sands | Mellieha, Malta and Gozo | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Amavi – MadeForTwo Hotels | Paphos Resort, Paphos | 5★ | Full Board Plus, Half Board Plus | 4.9/5 | No |
| Amathus Beach Hotel Limassol | Limassol (Paphos Airport), Paphos | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.8/5 | No |
| Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort | Peyia, Paphos | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Head-to-head
Weather: Cyprus is warmer, especially in spring and autumn; both are mild and sunny in winter. Beaches: Cyprus wins, with sandy beaches such as Nissi Bay and Fig Tree Bay; Malta’s best sand is in the north. Culture: Malta wins, with Valletta, Mdina and 7,000 years of history in a tiny space. Flights: Malta is about 3¼ hours, Cyprus about 4½. Getting around: Malta is small and easy; Cyprus is best explored by car.
Malta
Choose Malta for culture, city breaks and short flights.
The Phoenicia Malta The Leading Hotels of the World
- Valletta, Malta and Gozo
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Phoenicia is Valletta’s classic grand hotel, with an infinity pool and superb dining.
Best for: Classic luxury
Hyatt Centric Malta
- St Julians, Malta and Gozo
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Hyatt Centric Malta in St Julian’s has a rooftop pool and bar and a boutique spa, in the heart of the island’s dining and nightlife.
Best for: Couples who like to go out
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa Malta Golden Sands
- Mellieha, Malta and Gozo
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Radisson Blu Resort & Spa at Golden Sands has direct beach access and panoramic views.
Best for: Beach lovers in Malta
Cyprus
Choose Cyprus for warmth, beaches and resort hotels.
Amavi – MadeForTwo Hotels
- Paphos Resort, Paphos
- 5-star
- Full Board Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Amavi in Paphos is designed for adults, on a Blue Flag beach, with swim-up rooms and fantastic dining.
Best for: Couples
Amathus Beach Hotel Limassol
- Limassol (Paphos Airport), Paphos
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Amathus Beach Hotel in Limassol has a superb spa, a children’s pool with slides and a brilliant children’s club.
Best for: Families
Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort
- Peyia, Paphos
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Cap St Georges in Peyia has panoramic views, excellent facilities and superb dining.
Best for: Space and views
The verdict
Choose Malta for a short flight, history, food and a city-and-sea break. Choose Cyprus for warmer weather, better beaches and a classic resort holiday. Both are excellent from October to May, when much of the Mediterranean is cooler. Read our guides to the best hotels in Malta and where to stay in Cyprus.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 2785 hotels across Europe and beyond. To build this list we started with our best-rated hotels on each island, then read what our guests say: every hotel here scores highly on TripAdvisor. We picked no more than one or two per destination so you can compare places as well as hotels, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Malta or Cyprus warmer in winter?
Cyprus is usually a little warmer, though both are mild and sunny.
Which has better beaches, Malta or Cyprus?
Cyprus, with long sandy beaches in Ayia Napa, Protaras and around Paphos.
Which is better for sightseeing?
Malta, with Valletta, Mdina and the megalithic temples all close together.
How long are the flights?
About 3¼ hours to Malta and 4½ hours to Cyprus.
Find your Malta or Cyprus holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer which island suits you.
Keep planning
- Malta holidays
- Cyprus holidays
- Best hotels in Malta
- Where to stay in Cyprus
- Best winter-sun hotels under 5 hours
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
