The Battle of Malta Autumn Edition has built its reputation on more than just poker. The festival at Casino Malta and the adjoining InterContinental Malta runs from October 27 to November 4 and brings together one of Europe’s most socially active poker events.
The Players Party is on November 1, and Casino Malta’s waterfront location puts you within walking distance of some of the best dining, nightlife, and beaches the island has to offer. If you’re bringing a partner who barely plays poker, or doesn’t play at all, Malta is a genuinely great place to base yourself for a week. And if you’re a player who needs a few hours away from the felt to reset, you won’t be short of options. Here’s how to make the most of the time away from the tables.
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Zero-effort options near Casino Malta
The Sliema promenade is a ten-minute walk from Casino Malta, a flat waterfront with nowhere to be. It works perfectly for a morning before a late start or to decompress between sessions. The sea is around 22°C in late October, depending on conditions, if you want to swim. Spinola Bay, immediately adjacent to the casino, is where you might end up for some quality dinners.
Sole by Tarragon for seafood, Lore & Fitch for steak with harbor views, Hugo’s Lounge for happy hour. For cocktails with a view, TwentyTwo at the top of Portomaso Tower is five minutes from the casino and worth it at least once. Saddles Bar on the bay does local pints when you just need to decompress. St. George’s Bay is a Blue Flag beach about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Casino Malta. Not the most dramatic beach on the island, but it’s right there.
Half-day options: Valletta, Mdina, The Three Cities
Valletta is the mandatory first stop for anyone who hasn’t been. The capital is 25 minutes by bus from St. Julian’s, or faster by Sliema ferry (€1.50 each way, every 30 minutes; about a 15- to 20-minute walk from Casino Malta). It’s under one square kilometer, so you can cover the main sights in a single, unhurried morning.
St. John’s Co-Cathedral (€15 adult; book online; without a booking, the queue wastes an hour) is one you don’t skip. The Baroque interior is among the most ornate in Europe, with Caravaggio paintings in the Oratory. Covered shoulders and knees required at the door.
The Grand Master’s Palace (€12 with audio guide) is worth it; the Upper Barrakka Gardens are free, and the Grand Harbour view is the best wide shot of the trip. Below them, the Saluting Battery (€6) fires at noon and 4 PM daily. Arrive 15 minutes early. For food in Valletta, Is-Suq tal-Belt market gives you a full overview of Maltese produce without a booking.
Dinner options at the top end include ION Harbour by Simon Rogan (two Michelin stars, book weeks ahead) and Ambrosia Maltese Bistronomy (check current hours) for traditional Maltese cuisine with French technique. Rubino, a Valletta institution, is the address for rabbit stew.
Mdina, the medieval walled city 13 kilometers inland, is 45 minutes by bus or about 20 minutes by Bolt. No cars, narrow limestone streets, far less visited than Valletta in late October. Walk in through Mdina Gate, hit Bastion Square for the views over the countryside, then Fontanella Tea Garden on the ramparts. Before heading back, cross into adjacent Rabat for pastizzi at Crystal Palace (also called Is-Serkin), a longtime local favorite. Check current opening hours before you go.
Visitors on day trips from St. Julian’s almost entirely skip the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua). A 7-minute ferry from Valletta or a traditional dgħajsa water taxi puts you in Birgu. Fort St. Angelo (€10, two hours with the audio guide) is the headline site. The Il-Gardjola lookout at Senglea Point is free and one of the best Grand Harbour angles most visitors never find. Stack this onto a Valletta morning. The logistics combine naturally via the short harbour ferry.
Full-day options: Gozo, Comino, Marsaxlokk
Gozo requires a full free day. Bus or taxi to Ċirkewwa (about 60 minutes), then the 25-minute car ferry as a foot passenger. Check current fares and the winter timetable (less frequent than summer) at Gozo Channel before you go. Leave on the first or second morning ferry to get seven or eight hours on the island.
The Ċitadel in Victoria is the skyline centerpiece. Ġgantija Temples (€10 adult, UNESCO World Heritage) are among the oldest freestanding monuments in the world, older than Stonehenge and the pyramids. Dwejra Bay is still worth visiting despite the Azure Window's 2017 collapse.
The Blue Hole and Inland Sea on Gozo are considered among the best dive sites in the Mediterranean, with late October offering comfortable water temperatures and generally clear conditions.
You can combine Comino and the Blue Lagoon with a Gozo trip or do them as a standalone boat tour from Malta. Late October means virtually no summer crowds, though weekend boat tours can still be busy. Check sea conditions before booking, as tours cancel in rough weather.
Marsaxlokk is best on a Sunday morning, and there is one Sunday in the festival window: November 1. The main market day brings produce, crafts, and local food alongside the harbour's fishing-boat atmosphere. Arrive by 9 or 10 AM before the harbour restaurants open for lunch around 11:30. Order aljotta (local fish soup) and whatever came in that morning. About 1h15 each way by bus, significantly faster by Bolt. If November 1 is a poker day, choose the Three Cities instead. They don't require a Sunday.
Night options: Three Palaces Festival, Halloween, Spinola Bay
The Three Palaces Festival (Oct 27 to Nov 1, tickets €10 to €50, festivals.mt) is the best reason to plan your evenings around something other than the casino bar. Classical, contemporary, and Maltese folk performances in heritage venues that don't exist in most cities. Three events stand out:
- Oct 29: ORA Singers — Golden Ages at St. John's Co-Cathedral. The standout event of the week. The building at full capacity during a live performance is something you can't replicate on a daytime visit. The concert includes access to the Caravaggio Wing.
- Oct 31: Soft Weapons (18+), multiple slots at 6 PM, 7:15 PM, 8:30 PM. Contemporary performance on Halloween night. Runs early enough to do both this and Paceville.
- Nov 1: Postcards from Malta — Jazz & Timpana! at Auberge d'Aragon. Live jazz paired with Timpana, the layered Maltese macaroni meat pie. An unusual and thematic way to spend All Saints' Day evening.
Halloween on October 30 to 31 is genuine in Paceville, not a token gesture. With thousands of poker players in town, expect the clubs within walking distance of Casino Malta to be busy. Confirm 2026 lineups and ticket links closer to the festival, as Halloween events are announced on a rolling basis. Check Gianpula's main room and the Paceville strip directly. In previous years, Gianpula hosted the larger production events; the St. Julian's venues handle the later crowd. Costumes are common at the larger Halloween parties, though not usually required.
For a quieter evening, the Spinola Bay restaurant strip is five minutes from the casino and offers options for every price point. TwentyTwo at Portomaso Tower for cocktails with a panoramic view. Saddles Bar on the bay for something cheap and low-key. Legligin wine bar in Valletta specializes in local Maltese wines if you want to make an evening of the ferry trip.
Book ahead: the things that sell out
Do these before you fly, or you'll pay more and possibly miss out entirely.
- Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni (€35). A 5,000-year-old underground burial complex with strictly limited daily capacity. Standard ticket at Heritage Malta; last-minute tickets are €50 and sell out, whereas you can book the €35 ticket now. Same-day admission to the Tarxien Temples is half price if you buy at the entrance.
- ORA Singers at St. John's Co-Cathedral, Oct 29 (Three Palaces Festival). From €10. The best single event of the week. festivals.mt
- ION Harbour by Simon Rogan, Valletta. Two Michelin stars. Book weeks ahead.
- Gozo ferry. No booking needed as a foot passenger, but check the winter timetable at Gozo Channel before planning the day.
- Halloween events, Oct 30 to 31. Confirm lineups and buy tickets once announced. The overlap with the poker festival means events fill fast.
What to eat this week specifically
Lampuki season runs September to December. Torta tal-lampuki, the traditional Maltese fish pie with dorado, walnuts, capers, olives and raisins, is in season during the festival. Order it at Caffè Cordina in Valletta and at any harbor-front restaurant in Marsaxlokk. From early November, bakeries and pastry shops begin carrying Għadam tal-Mejtin, almond-filled bone-shaped pastries made for All Saints' and All Souls' Days. This is exactly the right week to find them fresh.
The broader checklist: pastizzi (Crystal Palace in Rabat for the best on the island), ftira (Maltese flatbread sandwich, best from Nenu the Artisan Baker in Valletta), Stuffat tal-Fenek rabbit stew at Rubino, Ċisk lager, Kinnie bitter orange soda. Two St. Julian's restaurants featured in the 2026 Michelin Guide selection, Anima and Le Majoliche, are right there. No trip required.
Getting around on a poker schedule
The Tallinja visitor transport card covers unlimited buses; check whether your chosen pass includes the Sliema–Valletta ferry at publictransport.com.mt. It pays for itself quickly. Bolt is the main ride-hailing option in Malta; check Uber app availability before relying on it for late-night returns after elimination.
The Sliema ferry (€1.50, every 30 minutes, 15 to 20 minutes' walk from Casino Malta) makes Valletta faster than the bus. Rough taxi estimates by Bolt: Valletta €8 to €12, Mdina or Marsaxlokk €20 to €25. Confirm in the app before committing. Sunset is around 5 PM in early November, so day trips need to start by 9 to 10 AM. All Saints' Day, November 1, is not a public holiday in Malta. Restaurants, shops and attractions all operate normally.
2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition Schedule
Road to BOM (Oct. 23–26)
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 23 | 16:00 | €120 Afternoon White Knight NLH |
| 18:00 | €330 SUPER Double Bounty Day 1A | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| Oct 24 | 16:00 | €120 Afternoon White Knight NLH |
| 18:00 | €330 SUPER Double Bounty Day 1B | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| Oct 25 | 16:00 | €120 Afternoon White Knight NLH |
| 18:00 | SUPER Double Bounty Final Day | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| Oct 26 | 15:00 | €120 Afternoon White Knight NLH |
| 18:00 | Free Roll Road to Your Battle | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM |
Main Festival (Oct. 27 – Nov. 4)
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 27 | 17:00 | €70 Satellite One Shot to BOM |
| 19:00 | €450 Mystery Siege of Malta Day 1A | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| Oct 28 | 11:00 | €70 Satellite One Shot to BOM |
| 13:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1A | |
| 15:00 | €450 Mystery Siege of Malta Day 1B | |
| 16:00 | €330 Tag Team Event | |
| 17:00 | €330 Pot Limit Omaha | |
| 20:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1B | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| 22:00 | €130 Dark Knight NLH | |
| Oct 29 | 11:00 | €70 Satellite One Shot to BOM |
| 13:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1C | |
| 15:00 | €450 Mystery Siege of Malta Day 1C | |
| 17:00 | €300 Sviten by PLO Masters | |
| 18:00 | €170 Bounty Hunter Days Crazy Pineapple | |
| 20:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1D | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| 22:00 | €130 Dark Knight NLH | |
| Oct 30 | 11:00 | €70 Satellite One Shot to BOM |
| 11:30 | €450 Mystery Siege of Malta Day 1E | |
| 13:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1E | |
| 17:00 | €175 Pot Limit Omaha 4-5c Round Each | |
| 18:00 | €130 Dark Knight NLH | |
| 19:00 | Mystery Siege of Malta Day 2 Final | |
| 20:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1F | |
| 21:00 | €70 Satellite Accumulator to BOM | |
| Oct 31 | 11:00 | €70 Satellite One Shot to BOM |
| 13:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1G | |
| 15:00 | €330 Bounty Hunter Days Bounty | |
| 17:00 | €330 Pot Limit Omaha €5,000 GTD | |
| 20:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1H | |
| 21:00 | €70 NLH Satellite Accumulator to High Roller | |
| Nov 1 | 10:00 | €600 BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 1I |
| 11:00 | €130 NLH Satellite One Shot to High Roller | |
| 15:00 | €220 IPC Side Event NLH | |
| 17:00 | €470 PLO Masters Main Event | |
| 19:00 | €130 Dark Knight NLH | |
| 20:00 | BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 2 | |
| 21:00 | €1,100 High Roller €300,000 GTD Day 1 | |
| 22:00 | €70 NLH Satellite Accumulator to High Roller | |
| Nov 2 | 11:00 | €130 NLH Satellite One Shot to High Roller |
| 13:00 | BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 3 | |
| 14:00 | €1,100 High Roller €300,000 GTD Day 2 Final | |
| 15:00 | €240 Bounty €50,000 GTD Final Day | |
| 16:00 | €5,200 Mega Teddy High Roller | |
| 17:00 | €200 Ladies Event | |
| 18:00 | Beer Poker Event | |
| 20:00 | €2,000 No Filter High Roller | |
| Nov 3 | 14:00 | BOM €1,500,000 GTD Day 4 |
| 14:00 | Mega High Roller Final Table | |
| 15:00 | €150 IPC Turbo Deep Stack NLH | |
| 16:00 | €2,200 Casino Malta Royal High Roller | |
| 17:00 | €200 HORSE | |
| 18:00 | €240 PokerNews Open Event | |
| 22:00 | €130 Dark Knight NLH | |
| Nov 4 | 14:00 | BOM €1,500,000 GTD Final Table |
| 14:00 | €200 NETWIN NLH |
Battle of Malta Autumn Edition 2026: FAQ
Where is the Battle of Malta Autumn Edition 2026 held?
The Battle of Malta Autumn Edition 2026 is held at Casino Malta in St. Julian's, Malta, from October 27 to November 4, 2026. Casino Malta is located on Dragonara Road in the St. Julian's/Paceville area, within walking distance of multiple hotels, restaurants and the Sliema ferry terminal.
What is the Battle of Malta Main Event buy-in and guarantee?
The Battle of Malta Main Event has a €600 buy-in and a €1.5 million guarantee, the largest event of the festival. Nine Day 1 flights run from October 28 through November 1, with Day 2 on November 1, Day 3 on November 2, Day 4 on November 3, and the final table on November 4 at 2 PM.
What is there to do in Malta for non-poker players?
Malta is a genuinely strong destination for non-players. Valletta (UNESCO World Heritage capital, 25 minutes from St. Julian's) is the first stop, with St. John's Co-Cathedral, the Grand Master's Palace and the Grand Harbour views. Mdina, the medieval walled city, is 45 minutes inland. Gozo is a full-day island excursion. The Three Palaces Festival runs October 27 to November 1 with classical and contemporary performances in heritage venues. Halloween in Paceville (Oct 30 to 31) is a genuine local event. The sea is around 22°C in late October.
Is there a Battle of Malta player party?
The Battle of Malta player party is on November 1. Follow the Battle of Malta social channels and poker.pro for details closer to the event.
What is the best thing to do in Malta during the Battle of Malta festival?
For first-timers, Valletta is the mandatory half-day: St. John's Co-Cathedral (€15, book online), Upper Barrakka Gardens and the Grand Harbour. For repeat visitors, MICAS, Malta's first contemporary art museum that opened in October 2024, is the most significant new attraction on the island. For a specific week experience, the ORA Singers: Golden Ages concert at St. John's Co-Cathedral on October 29 (Three Palaces Festival) is the standout event and worth booking before you fly.
What food should you try at the Battle of Malta?
Late October is peak lampuki (dorado) season, and torta tal-lampuki, the traditional Maltese fish pie with walnuts, capers, olives and raisins, is only available September to December. Pastizzi (savory pastry parcels) are the quintessential Maltese snack; Crystal Palace in Rabat is considered the best version on the island. From November 1, bakeries carry Għadam tal-Mejtin, almond-filled bone-shaped pastries made for All Saints' Day, a seasonal treat specific to this exact window.
- Article originally produced at poker.pro.
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