Property in Malta provides holidaymakers with the chance to enjoy a still-developing island nation that offers the tourism of Spain with the old-world charm of the capital city of Valetta.

So there are plenty of reasons to head to property in Malta for a holiday or extended vacation – but which part of the island suits your needs?

We look below at the three major areas to take into account – the beaches of the north, the tourist hotspots of the south and the capital city of Valetta on the eastern coast.

Property in Malta’s sandy north

Property in Malta’s northernmost region, facing across to the island of Gozo, is in the right place to find sandy beaches – including one infamous cove.

Mellieha was made famous as the set for the 1980 film Popeye, for which an entire village was constructed at nearby Anchor Bay.

For anyone who’s seen the movie, which starred Robin Williams as the spinach-eating strong-armed sailor, the Sweethaven set has to be a must-see and looks as fresh today as it did in the cinema.

It’s also open seven days a week, removing the risk of showing up only to find the gates are locked.

Anchor Bay is just one of the sandy coves that make the north of Malta an ideal place to head for some sunbathing opportunities, while the proximity to Gozo means there’s always the chance to take a trip across the water to the nearby island.

Property in Malta’s south

While property in Malta’s northern regions enjoys close proximity to many of the island’s sandiest beaches, the South is by no means without its places to laze in the sun. Try property in Qrendi or Zurrieq as a starting point.

The South is also less crowded for divers, with wrecks including HMS Southwold, Le Polynesien and the aircraft Blenheim Bomber to be seen beneath the waves.

Experience is required to reach the last of these, as the wreck is located some distance beneath the surface, but the excursion comes recommended by many of the divers who have already taken the plunge to see what remains of the bomber.

The wreck can be found off the coast of Delimara Point, beyond Marsaxlokk Bay near Marsascala– where Fort Delimara can also be seen, a 19th-century British fortification later used for pig farming before coming under the stewardship of Heritage Malta in 2005.

Property in Malta’s capital city Valetta

Property in Valetta, Malta’s capital city provides the chance to step back in time to a community that contains buildings originally constructed in the 1500s and which bear the hallmarks of the centuries since – including the scars of global conflict.

However, the remaining traces of World War II may not be offputting to many people, as it is the ancient nature of the city that adds to its appeal.

It was not until 1980 that the city was made a World Heritage site, ensuring that property in Malta’s capital – affectionately known as Il-Belt or ‘The City’ – remains standing for many more generations to come.

Within the walls of the city, a true old-town feel awaits explorers, with traffic restricted across the road network of Valetta.

In places these restrictions mean no traffic at all – while in some other areas the narrow streets simply would not permit most vehicles to pass. An average-height adult should be able to find at least one place where they can touch the buildings on both sides of the alley at once.

For anyone not looking for the traditional beach getaway, Valetta, with its proximity to the airport and good public transport links to the rest of the island, could be the ideal option.