Boost your tan and enjoy some festive cheer in this often overlooked EU gem. With the UK being battered by freezing temperatures, rain, and even snowfall in recent weeks, many of us are feeling a little vitamin D deficient.

If you’re considering jetting off post-Christmas for a dose of sunshine, culture, and affordable drinks – we’ve found just the spot.

Travel Supermarket has compared the price of a bottle of beer at beach bars across more than 20 popular destinations to find the cheapest – and the results may surprise you.

Corfu, Greece, and Algarve, Portugal, both came joint second to last, with a hefty price tag of £4.30 (only Dubai charged a higher price of £9.62).

Even the popular Canary Islands seemed to carry a premium, with a beer costing £3.01 in Gran Canaria, £2.71 in Fuerteventura, and £2.58 in both Lanzarote and Tenerife.

However, Malta was crowned the cheapest EU country – charging holidaymakers a mere £2.15 for a pint on the sand.

Just three hours from the UK, Malta is steeped in rich history – home to the late-Neolithic site of Ħaġar Qim and the walled city of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1980.

It also boasts 313 churches, including the famed St. John’s Co-Cathedral – which dates back to 1573, reports the Mirror.

Malta, with its picturesque settings perfect for beach relaxation, is a hot destination not just for cultural buffs but also for those looking to unwind.

With some return flights going for just £34.99 in January, travellers can bask in the tranquility of Malta’s beaches and admire some truly stunning garchitecture without breaking the bank.

And for an unforgettable experience, sail to Comino Island and witness the stunning Blue Lagoon— and no, it’s got nothing to do with Iceland’s most famous geothermal spa.

You may find the surroundings eerily familiar; that’s because Malta has served as a backdrop for numerous cinematic hits like Game of Thrones, Gladiator, Captain Phillips, and World War Z.

The Maltese tourist board raved: “With its deep blues seas, its lush, verdant countryside, and its ragged rocky terrain, it’s hardly surprising that Malta has played host to so many blockbuster film shoots!”.

Come dusk, Malta’s vibrant night scene shines with an array of options from high-stakes casinos, pulsating clubs, to annual music festivals. For an evening of sophistication and romance, Valletta boasts lavish cocktail bars and intimate wine lounges.

Partygoers will find their haven in St Julian’s, where a myriad of nightclubs awaits.

Even in December’s chill, the island maintains a comfortable daytime average of 17C, though nights invite a cozy cardigan or jumper. So pack for pleasure and dive into fun in Malta!