A unique Mediterranean escape Sunny Side Festival 2026 has announced their First wave of artists, a cultured line up and many cutting-edge talents from across the house and techno spectrum. This intimate and cultured blend of electronic music unfolds on the beautiful island of Malta from 14-18th May 2026 with already announced names including Fumiya Tanaka, tINI, Raresh, O.Bee, Tomas Station, Doudou MD, Gianmarco Orsini, Garrett David (Live), Jen Cardini, Jennifer Loveless, Mathew Jonson (Live), Satoshi Tomiee(Live), and many more.
Beyond the festival’s musical allure, get ready to embrace Malta’s vibrant culture, indulge in delicious cuisine, and bask in the warm hospitality of the locals. SUNNY SIDE FESTIVAL offers not just a captivating musical experience but an unforgettable vacation set against the backdrop of this enchanting island. Check out the travel highlights below.
Stunning turquoise sea and sandy beaches
Malta is known for its beautiful blue sea with stunning beaches around the whole coast of the island. Golden Bay, Gnejna Bay, St. Peter’s pool, Ghadira are some of so many hidden spots where you can spend your day relaxing under the warm Mediterranean sun. The island is also studded with breathtaking diving spots, from shipwrecks like the “Um el faroud”, “HMS Maouri”, “Karwela” to underwater caves and rock formations including “Ghar Lapsi Cave”, “Blue Grotto” and the Santa Marija Caves in Comino.
Mouthwatering Mediterranean Cuisine
The island boasts a mix of various Mediterranean cuisines fused into delicious dishes. You can enjoy the mouthwatering dishes influenced by Italian, Greek, Spanish and French tastes, at many excellent restaurants all around the island. You can start the day with the typical Maltese delicacy “Pastizzi”, an affordable and delicious cheese or pea pastry cake. The island offers a rich array of fresh seafood caught locally and prepared in many ways. Top quality meat dishes are also part of the Maltese diet, from traditional plates like “Bragioli” and the grilled “Maltese sausage” to top quality imported cuts. There are also many vegetarian and vegan options served in many restaurants.
Rich History and Culture – oldest temples in the world
Malta has the second most historical places per square kilometer in the world, just after Rome. For centuries, various emperors from European to North African, were settling on this tiny island due to its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean. Malta boasts some of the oldest temples in the world, dating 8000 years back including “Ggantija” in Gozo, the “Hypogeum” in Hal Saflieni and “Hagar Qim” in Qrendi. “Ghar Dalam” is a cave formation consisting of a treasure trove of animal fossils and old human artifacts which inhabited Malta thousands of years ago. The island is also rich in Knight History, fortifications and palaces from the period of the Knights of St. John which culminated in the legendary great victory of Malta against the powerful Ottoman Empire.
Sister islands Gozo and Comino
The Maltese archipelago is made up of seven islands: Malta, Gozo, Comino, Filfla, Manoel island, Cominotto and St. Paul’s islands with Malta and Gozo being the only two islands which are populated. Apart from the main island of Malta, a must see are the islands of Gozo and Comino, a magical experience only 20 – minutes away from Malta by ferry. Gozo is Malta’s sister island with a population of 40,000 people, rich in history with medieval towns and villages dating back centuries including the Citadel in Victoria overlooking the whole island. The island is also studded with beautiful beaches like Ramla bay, San Blas and Mgarr ix-Xini. It is well known for its staple restaurants, which serve delicious fresh local produce and freshly caught seafood and fish. Between Malta and Gozo, there lies the 3rd biggest island in the archipelago, Comino, boasting the majestic Blue lagoon, the iconic beach which has put the Maltese islands on the map for best touristic Summer destinations due to its natural beauty. The island is serviced with food trucks and fast ferries but not habited, so catch a fast ferry, jump into the beautiful crystal blue sea and enjoy your day getting your tan ready for Sunny Side Festival!
