Pembroke City
Town in Malta with modern residential development
Pembroke began as a garrison town and now offers coastal promenades, family beaches and a compact marina. Visitors stay for watersports, seaside cafés and easy access to neighboring Sliema and Valletta.
Pembroke at a Glance#
Costs: USD 80-130 per day - affordable compared with Malta’s resort hotspots; everyday costs are moderate.
Safety: Very safe; family-friendly - very safe suburb with family neighborhoods and low crime rates.
Best Time: April to October - warm months for beach days and outdoor sports.
Why Visit Pembroke?#
A compact coastal town that combines quiet neighborhoods with quick access to Malta’s livelier hubs. Fort Pembroke and the Pembroke promenade add military history and sea-front walks, while a short hop brings you to Paceville and St. Julian’s nightlife. Visitors often appreciate the mix of family-friendly parks, seafront cafés and English-language cultural events, making Pembroke a practical base for those who want both calm days and easy evenings out.
Best Things to Do in Pembroke#
Pembroke Bucket List#
Fort Pembroke - 19th-century British fortifications and coastal batteries tucked into Pembroke’s headland.
Pembroke Park - Open green space popular with families, sports and community events.
Pembroke Promenade - Coastal path offering sea views and pleasant walks along the shoreline.
Pembroke Military Cemetery - Quiet, historic cemetery documenting Malta’s military past and Commonwealth burials.
Local cafés and bakeries - Neighborhood spots serving Maltese pastries, espresso and light lunches favored by locals.
Small coastal coves - Hidden rock pools and quiet swimming coves accessible from the local shoreline paths.
Valletta - Malta’s capital with museums, fortifications and waterfront cafés reachable by short drive.
Mellieħa and Golden Bay - Large northern beaches and sandy bays for swimming and coastal walks.
Best Time to Visit Pembroke#
Pembroke enjoys warm, Mediterranean weather; visit in spring or autumn for mild temperatures and fewer tourists. Summer brings heat and beach crowds, while winters are cooler and wetter.
December - February
12-16°C (54-61°F)
Mild, often rainy and quiet - good for strolling without crowds but limited beach time.
June - August
24-32°C (75-90°F)
Hot, sunny and lively - great for swimming, terraces and nightlife, though beaches get busy.
March - May, September - November
16-23°C (61-73°F)
Comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds - the sweet spot for sightseeing, walks and relaxed seaside cafés.
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 10°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (517 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (101 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Pembroke#
Pembroke (Malta) is reached via Malta International Airport (MLA) with onward travel by taxi, rental car or the public bus network. The town is a short drive from the airport and well connected by road.
Malta International Airport (MLA): The nearest airport for Pembroke is Malta International Airport (MLA) in Luqa. Pembroke (on the northwest coast of the main island) is a 20-35 minute drive from MLA depending on traffic; taxis and car rentals are available at the airport. Airport taxis to Pembroke typically take about 25-35 minutes.
(No other regional airports): All scheduled international flights arrive at MLA; onward travel around Malta is by road or bus.
Bus: Malta’s public buses link the airport and major hubs (Valletta, Bugibba) - from there you can catch a bus to Pembroke (routes often via St. Paul’s Bay / Bugibba). Journey times from MLA to Pembroke by bus are usually 45-70 minutes depending on connections; single fares are low (cash or Tallinja Card fares apply).
Taxi / Transfer: Airport taxis and private transfers go directly to Pembroke in 25-35 minutes and are the simplest option with luggage.
How to Get Around Pembroke#
Pembroke is easy to reach from MLA by taxi, bus or car. For short stays the bus is cheapest; for flexibility (especially outside peak hours) rent a car or take a taxi.
- Taxi (€20-€35) - Taxis from MLA to Pembroke are direct and take about 25-35 minutes depending on traffic. They’re the quickest option with luggage or if arriving late at night - confirm the fare or use an official airport taxi queue.
- Public bus (€2-€3 (single)) - Malta’s buses serve Pembroke via routes from Valletta, St. Paul’s Bay and Bugibba. Buses are cheap and frequent in high season but can be slower due to stops and transfers; expect 45-70 minutes from the airport with at least one change.
- Car hire (€30+/day) - Hiring a car gives freedom to visit nearby beaches and northern attractions; roads are short and well signposted. Parking in Pembroke is generally available but pay attention to local restrictions during events.
- Bicycle / e‑bike ((varies)) - Pembroke’s coastal promenade and nearby paths are popular for cycling. Hire shops in nearby towns offer bikes and e‑bikes - a great way to explore the waterfront and neighboring towns on a clear day.
- Walking - Pembroke is compact with a pleasant seafront promenade; walking is the best way to explore the waterfront, parks and cafes. Paths are flat and suitable for most walkers.
Where to Stay in Pembroke#
Pembroke / St. Julian’s - €25-70/night
Pembroke itself has few hotels; budget travellers usually stay in nearby St. Julian’s or Sliema where hostels and cheap rooms are common.
St. Julian’s budget rooms (booking) - Hostel and cheap rooms in Spinola/Paceville.
Sliema budget stays (booking) - Affordable guesthouses and apartments.
St. Julian’s / Pembroke - €90-220/night
Comfortable 3-4-star hotels close to Pembroke - mainly in St. Julian’s and nearby coastal areas offering good transport links and dining options.
Hilton Malta (St. Julian’s) - Waterfront hotel with pools and dining.
InterContinental Malta (St. Julian’s) - Large seafront hotel, restaurants and spa.
St. Julian’s / Sliema - €200-400+/night
Luxury stays are concentrated in St. Julian’s and Sliema - high-end hotels with waterfront locations, fine dining, and full-service spas. Pembroke lacks its own luxury hotels.
Hilton Malta - Premium seafront facilities and restaurants.
InterContinental Malta - High-end seafront rooms and spa amenities.
Where to Eat in Pembroke#
Small coastal town dining is relaxed: pizza, cafés and pubs serving easy Mediterranean meals and drinks beside the water.
- Pembroke waterfront cafés - Casual cafés and seaside terraces.
- Local pizzerias and bistros - Quick bites popular with locals and students.
- Bars and small pubs - Evening drinks and light plates.
A mix of casual international takeaways and cafés meets local tastes - convenient options for quick meals and coffee breaks.
- Takeaway hubs - Convenient international and local fast food.
- Casual international spots - Indian, Chinese and burger outlets.
- Coffee shops and brunch cafés - Light meals and pastries.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Pembroke’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Pembroke#
Shopping in Pembroke is limited to small convenience stores and a few cafés. Major shopping and nightlife options are a short bus ride away in St. Julian’s and Sliema.
Nightlife in Pembroke#
Pembroke’s nightlife is quiet and mainly local pubs and seaside restaurants. For clubs, lively bars and a broader evening scene, nearby St. Julian’s/Paceville is the main destination.