Enjoyable Distractions
Well, with Malta being so small and cut off from other countries by the surrounding sea, most visitors to the island are pleasantly surprised by the varied entertainment concentrated in such small space.
Many Maltese are cinematic buffs and regularly attend any of the five main cinema complexes spread around the island of Malta, each showing the latest films on worldwide release. These cinema complexes are found to the North of Malta in Bugibba, to the South in Marsascala and in Fgura, in our capital city of Valletta, and in the entertainment hub of St Julians that also houses the most cinema screens under one roof on the Maltese islands. A cinematic theatre, showing a number of recent films, is also located in Rabat Gozo. Film choice is vast and showing times exhaustive.
The restaurateur business is also highly developed. Maltese love filling their stomachs with gourmet food, and the number of restaurants spread around the island is truly impressive. From restaurants specializing in Maltese, Italian, and Oriental foods, to all-round pizza, pasta, fish and meat catering services, from fast food places, to smart and elegant and high-priced establishments with impeccable services. Truly for all tastes and lifestyles. For lighter eating and heavier drinking, rustic and modern wine bars dot Malta, serving mouthwatering platters and typical Maltese bread and dips. Besides, pubs and drinking places are abundant, especially in the Maltese entertainment fulcrum of Paceville.
Malta has also experienced the rapid development of shopping business with the erection of shopping complexes, some of which offer all-day and late night shopping. Shopaholics will not be disappointed. Clothes, souvenirs, shoes, hairdressers, beauty salons, massage parlours, stationeries, bookshops, sport shops.
Paceville and Bugibba are also the locations that house the latest in discotheque and night club establishments that compete very well with well-known nightlife spots such as London and Ibiza.
Sports buffs, especially football and racing fans, are not disappointed as major games and races are played on big screens at various establishments. A number of different sports are also practiced in sports clubs and most visitors are certain to satisfy their exercise routines. Gym clubs are common in most villages and towns, and also within most high-level hotels and tourist complexes.
For those desiring alternative distractions: bowling alleys, bingo halls, tea rooms, paintball warring, musical, dramatic and comedic theatrical representations, Christmas pantomimes, summer season village festas, typical village historical reenactments (such as in Mdina, Birgu and Fort Rinella), White Nights in Valletta.