The Rolex Middle Sea Race 2025 lifts off at 11:00 on Saturday, 18 October 2025, with the fleet thundering out of Valletta’s Grand Harbour beneath the Saluting Battery and Upper Barrakka Gardens. It’s a 606‑nautical‑mile odyssey that runs anti‑clockwise around Sicily, through the Strait of Messina, past Stromboli, Favignana, Pantelleria and Lampedusa, before finishing back in Malta. Expect cannon fire, church bells and the kind of echoing cheers you only get when a natural amphitheatre meets centuries‑old bastions.
Rolex Middle Sea Race: The Highlights
Location: The start line bisects the Grand Harbour, from the Saluting Battery just below Upper Barrakka Gardens across to Fort St. Angelo in Birgu, making Valletta’s fortifications some of the best free vantage points on earth for yacht racing. Once the fleet clears the harbour mouth, it commits to the full Rolex Middle Sea Race course, a challenging lap of the central Mediterranean that has lured the world’s elite since 1968.
Dates: Registration runs Mon 13 – Thu 16 October 2025 (by appointment)
- The Yachting Malta Coastal Race is Wednesday 15 October (10:00)
- The Crew Party is Thursday 16 October (20:00)
- The Skippers’ Race & Weather Briefing is Friday 17 October (18:00)
- The race start is Saturday 18 October (11:00); and Prize‑Giving is Saturday 25 October (12:00). If you like to pair on‑shore events with on‑water drama, this is the window to block out.
Ticket access: There’s no grandstand required: the start is publicly viewable from Valletta’s bastions and the Three Cities. Popular spots include Upper and Lower Barrakka, St Elmo’s tip and the Birgu/Senglea ramparts, so arrive early for rail‑space. Live streams typically complement the on‑site action.
Luxury Hotels in Malta
1. Iniala Harbour House, Valletta
A sleek cluster of restored palazzi perched above St Barbara Bastion with sweeping Grand Harbour views, home to ION Harbour by Simon Rogan, Malta’s only two‑Michelin‑star restaurant. Spa downtime, an indoor pool and hushed, tailored service make this a discreet base within walking distance of Valletta’s galleries and theatres.
- Distance: ~8–9 km from MLA.
- Price per night: typically €440–€1,150+ (suite‑dependent).
- Standout features: panoramic bastion outlooks; tranquil Essensi Spa; destination dining at ION Harbour.
2. The Phoenicia Malta, Floriana/Valletta
A grande‑dame (and Leading Hotel) set just outside Valletta’s gates, wrapped in seven acres of gardens. Expect art‑deco touches, an infinity pool cantilevered by the city walls and polished, old‑school Maltese hospitality, moments from theatres, the Co‑Cathedral and the city’s café‑lined streets.
- Distance: ~8–9 km from MLA.
- Price per night: €280–€790+ across rooms and suites (higher for signatures).
- Standout features: heritage glamour; landscaped grounds; spa and an impressive city‑edge infinity pool.
3. Rosselli – AX Privilege, Valletta
A 17th‑century palazzo reimagined as a 25‑room hideaway with a rooftop pool and Under Grain, a one‑Michelin‑star restaurant. Interiors blend baroque bones with contemporary design, delivering that intimate, key‑to‑the‑city sensation on Merchant Street.
- Distance: ~8–10 km from MLA.
- Price per night: €230–€450+ outside peak dates.
- Standout features: Michelin dining at Under Grain; rooftop terrace; boutique scale in the historic core.
4. Cugó Gran Macina, Senglea (Three Cities)
Set within a 16th‑century harbour fortification, this 21‑suite boutique hotel looks across to Birgu and Valletta, with vaulted ceilings, a small rooftop pool and generous, loft‑style suites. Ideal if you want the start line on your doorstep but prefer a quieter, residential quarter.
- Distance: ~6–7 km from MLA
- Price per night: €270–€400+ depending on season and suite.
- Standout features: monumental heritage envelope; harbour‑view terraces; easy boat‑link access to Valletta.
Prices are indicative, per room per night, and fluctuate by date, category and availability. Always check the hotel’s official site for your exact stay.
Malta’s Must‑Visit Hotspots
Fine dining for race‑night dinners.
Book ION Harbour by Simon Rogan for a two‑star tasting menu with cinematic harbour views; secure seats well ahead of 18 October. For one‑star classics, Noni (modern Maltese), Under Grain (creative fine dining) and de Mondion (Mdina’s bastion‑top romance) are bankable tables; BAHIA at Corinthia Palace offers thoughtful tasting menus with a Maltese “villages” narrative.
Luxury shopping between briefings.
For international brands under one roof, The Point in Sliema is Malta’s premium mall, useful when you need last‑minute resort wear, eyewear or tech. In Valletta, Republic Street and side alleys reveal independent jewellers and ateliers to round out a race‑week wardrobe.
Unique experiences (insider picks).
Arrange a private yacht charter for an afternoon circuit of Grand Harbour and a sunset hop to the Three Cities, picture‑perfect for watching practice sails in style. Or step inland for a private tasting at Meridiana Wine Estate near Ta’ Qali, pairing local varietals with stories from Malta’s terroir.
Fly Private to the Rolex Middle Sea Race with AirX
For seamless travel, AirX, one of Europe’s leading charter airlines, operates a diversified fleet ranging from private flights for 12 to 100‑seat VIP journeys.
- Heavy jets like the Legacy 600 and Challenger 850 cover short‑to‑medium routes with ease, while VIP Airliners including the Lineage 1000 and Boeing BBJ are designed for intercontinental comfort.
- For larger groups, the Commercial VIP Airliner offers a 100‑seat, fully flat VIP layout – ideal for teams and sponsor delegations.
You’ll arrive at Malta International Airport (MLA) with access to a dedicated VIP terminal for swift, discreet transfers. Upon request, AirX can also coordinate ground arrangements through trusted partners.
If you’re planning to attend the Rolex Middle Sea Race, speak to our team about aircraft availability between 18–25 October and preferred slots. We’ll help map your route, deliver exceptional cabin service, and align your schedule with the race programme, so you arrive rested, unruffled and ready for the spectacle.
