‘I went to Malta’s SummerDaze Festival – but music wasn’t the only thing to rave about’

After a taste of SummerDaze, we think this event should be on every festival-goer’s radar.

Not only did the festival announce a seriously impressive lineup, boasting chart-topping singers alongside DJs ready to fill the dancefloor, but a week-long list of events situated in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries was also on the horizon. So, when we got the invite it was an offer we couldn’t refuse!

As soon as we landed we dumped our bags and took a stroll around the picturesque St Paul’s Bay. We sampled some of the town’s bougie beach clubs such as Cafe Del Mar and Beefbar, with vibes that could rival a shore-side location on the White Isle.

After soaking up some sun we headed over to Mdina to wander the streets and admire the ‘silent city’, a famous Game of Thrones filming hot spot.

The towering walls, labyrinth streets and gorgeous walkways transported us back in time before we stumbled across a lookout point for a glimpse at the sun setting over the town below. After taking a moment to channel our inner Khaleesi and gaze over the city, we made a beeline for a pre-party feast while passing a few horse-drawn carriages along the way.

After completing a lap of the city’s walls we sat down at Il-Bitha, a stunning restaurant situated inside an intimate courtyard lit with dim table lamps just a stone’s throw from the centre.

We ordered the crispy beef croquettes, melt-in-the-mouth prawn and scallop ravioli alongside some glasses of Provence rosé, which was certainly a highlight. To finish off the night we closed with the white chocolate cheesecake, which we are still thinking about to this day.

Our next stop was UNO Club for Meduza and James Hype’s ‘Our House’ event. The open-air venue was packed full of party-goers as everyone two-stepped the night away under the stage’s neon lights, while a few celebs also made an appearance on the dancefloor – Love Island star Ella Thomas was looking as glam as ever, while Jessie Wynter and Farmer Will looked totally loved up as they grabbed some drinks from the bar.

The next evening was SummerDaze’s biggest celebration of the week, but during the day we took a trip to Valletta to roam down the dreamy streets and explore the local eats. TikTok famous sandwich shop Grano was a standout – we ordered the truffle steak sandwich and Terra Mare, which was stuffed with a peppery-tuna mixture and went down a treat. We highly recommend making a pit stop if you’re in the area, followed by a scoop of coffee ice cream or strawberry sorbet (our favourites!) at Caffe Cordina.

Valletta certainly took the crown as the most beautiful stop with fairy-light-lit streets and eye-catching establishments to check out at every turn. Later on, we ventured out to Ta’ Qali along with over 35,000 other partygoers, excitedly awaiting knockout performances by headliners Sam Smith and Becky Hill, along with local Maltese artist Shaun Farrugia and BBC Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges.

Despite the heat we sang and danced our hearts out to Becky’s bangers and Sam’s smash hits all night long, and we were both blown away by how much love the crowd showed for Unholy singer Sam. Special shoutout to their on-stage looks, which have become a signature of the singer’s style as of late – we were mesmerised by a huge rainbow-ruffled coat, which was quickly swapped for a saucy ensemble complete with gloves and a top hat decorated with horns.

Another day of exploring led us to the nation’s best-rated shorelines as we trekked down to Riviera Beach (known locally as Ghajn Tuffieha) and the neighbouring Golden Bay. Our morning hike was the perfect way to unwind as the water lapped up to the shore, a perfect place for couples, families and groups of friends alike and an ideal spot to soak up the sun’s scorching summer rays.

The party wasn’t over for us just yet as we prepared to close our trip with a bang and return to UNO for one final hoorah. Sonny Fodera got the crowd pumping while drag icon Jodie Harsh sent fans wild with a series of club bangers.

Venturing backstage we brushed shoulders with dance music royalty and even nabbed a quick selfie with Sonny and the legend himself, Radio One’s Danny Howard. As we look back on our five-night stay, we can definitely say we made the most of every moment.

However, Malta has so much to offer – history, sun, beaches and more – that we still feel as though we’ve barely scratched the surface. One of the perks of SummerDaze (apart from the insane club nights) is that the event is located in such a beautiful and unique location.

Festival-goers are instantly engulfed in the culture, from eating local delicacies like pea pastizzis to taking in the breathtaking views from Valetta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens at night, you’ll never find a moment to be bored. Take it from us, SummerDaze is not one to miss so make sure you put it on your 2025 bucket list.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk