Summer has officially arrived in Malta, and for many locals and visitors that means sunshine, days at the beach, swimming and… ice-cream.

Malta has no shortage of gelaterias that each offer countless mouth-watering ice-cream flavours to help you cool off – here’s 10 of the best on the island.

1. Con Gusto (Bugibba)

Revered by many locals as serving simply the best ice-cream on the island, Con Gusto takes the top spot on our list for good reason. This Italian-style gelateria only uses the finest ingredients sourced from Italy to make its heavenly homemade ice-cream.

2. SottoZero (Bugibba/Sliema)

A close second place, SottoZero The Gelato Factory first opened its doors in Malta in 2006, serving the first traditional Italian Gelato on the island. Today the SottoZero team remains passionate about making the tastiest ice-cream, with dedicated ice-cream chefs regularly crafting innovative and exciting new flavours.

3. Riva Reno Gelato (Sliema/St Julian’s)

This one-of-a-kind gelateria was started by four friends (a manager in the car industry, a BBC journalist, a famous gelato maker from Bologna and a lawyer) who hoped to open the best Italian gelato lab ever. Now with ice-cream shops around the world, Riva Reno offers fresh, locally-made natural gelato in a dizzying number of mouth-watering flavours.

4. Dolci Peccati (Sliema)

This café, bistro and gelateria serves a variety of wholesome ice-creams and delicacies created following traditional Italian and Sicilian recipes. Situated on the edge of Balluta Bay, Dolci Peccati is also the ideal spot to pick up a fresh and delicious ice-cream to enjoy during a stroll along the wide seafront promenade between Sliema and St Julian’s.

5. Busy Bee (Msida)

Apart from being one of Malta’s favourite cafes, serving a range of homemade sweets and treats, Busy Bee is also a well-loved gelateria. Since 1933, Busy Bee has been renowned for serving the best traditional Maltese ice-cream, in a range of flavours and crafted from quality ingredients, and in 2011 opened the gelateria to focus on its famous ice-cream selection.

6. Amorino (Valletta)

This Italian gelato company was born in Paris and now has many international outlets, including in Malta’s capital city, Valletta. As well as its prime location, it is also well-known for its vast daily range that includes multiple vegan sorbet flavours.

7. L’Oasi del Gusto (St Julian’s)

This traditional Italian ice-cream parlour is set in a side street within the bustling Paceville area of St Julian’s. Beyond the extensive range of deliciously inventive ice-cream flavours, it is also an excellent cafeteria with a menu of homemade sweets and snacks.

8. Gelateria Dolce Latte (Marsascala)

Specialising in quality artisan products, Dolce Latte offers a healthy alternative, with all ice cream made with coconut oil, with no sugar added, and with a wide range of vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options. Apart from artisan gelato, Dolce Latte also produces crepes, Belgian waffles, Gelato shakes, smoothies and semifreddos.

9. Fior di Latte (Mdina)

Based atop the bastions of Malta’s old capital city of Mdina, Fior di Latte offers ‘ice-cream with a view’. Apart from breath-taking panoramic views of the island, this gelateria also offers sixteen delicious ice cream flavours made using the finest ingredients, as well as lactose-free and dairy-free options, fresh waffles, milkshakes and beverages.

10. Piazza Gelateria (Sliema)

Beyond the extensive range of traditional ice-cream flavours available, Piazza Gelateria is known for its more unusual flavours. The most popular of these flavours tend to be those inspired by Maltese speciality foods, so be sure to try ‘Hobz Tal-Malti’(Maltese bread), ‘Bajtar Tax-Xewk’ (prickly pear) or ‘Imqaret’ (fried pastry filled with dates).

Did your favourite Maltese ice cream shop make the list? Let us know in the comments below!