Top Things to Do in Malta
Do you know the Top Things to Do in Malta? Malta has been in my bucket list for a long time and in the Summer of 2019 I finally decided to visit it one week in August. I immediately felt in love with this beautiful country in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea formed by three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino.
I recommend to stay there one week. Malta has many places to explore, from beautiful pristine beaches and amazing natural landscapes, to ancient cities like Mdina and La Valetta, and many historical monuments.
There are several options to commute around the islands from bus, tours to boat trips, but I decided to rent a car. It was a good option to see what I wanted at my own pace. Just be ready to drive at the left side of the road and to face a lot of traffic, especially in high season.
In my blog post I will share with you my list of Top Things to in Malta to make the most of your time there.
Mdina
I started exploring Malta by visiting Mdina, also called The Silent City and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the ancient capital of the country and walking around its streets makes you feel back in time.
Mdina was also one of the movie sets of Game of Thrones (some scenes of Kings Landing), which makes it even more exciting for GoT fans.
Mdina is a fortified city dating back to medieval ages and Arab influence is quite visible. Enter the city passing by the impressive Mdina Gate built in the 18th century. Then walk around the labyrinthine narrow and quiet streets with sandstone buildings. Get lost there to find the most exquisite hidden details of Mdina, beautiful corners and doors leading to magnificent patios and courtyards.
There are many places that entertain you in Mdina for some hours like St Paul’s Cathedral, the Cathedral Museum or Mdina Dungeons.
Marsaxlokk
This typical fishing town in the southern part of Malta is a must visit place to discover the culture and traditions of Maltese people.
Walk around its picturesque harbour full of colourful boats called luzzus and don’t miss the opportunity to experience fresh fish or seafood in one of the many restaurants at the shores of the port.
Visit the distinctive Parish Church dominating the skyline of the village, and Fort Delimara, built by the Knights of Malta.
St. Peter’s Pool
Next to Marsaxlokk you will find one of the most famous touristic attractions of Malta, a natural pool with crystal clear waters within rocks and cliffs.
You can reach the sea jumping to the natural pools (you have to be careful if you are adventurous enough and decide to jump) or taking some stairs carved into the rocks.
It can be crowded in high season, but is definitely worth a visit.
Popeye Village
Located just off Mellieha Bay, this village was built in 1980 as a film set of Popeye movie and it became a touristic attraction in Malta. It is now a fun park with beach, water activities and picturesque wooden buildings.
I didn’t visit the park (some friends did visit and they loved to spend a day there) but I stopped by a cliff from where you have gorgeous views to the village from outside.
Comino and Blue Lagoon
Probably you already saw pictures of unbelievable pristine waters in Malta and beautiful beaches. It was most likely Blue Lagoon located in Comino, a very small island between Malta and Gozo that is a great day trip.
There are boat tours to Comino from different places in the islands or you can drive to Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta and take the ferry. The boat ride to get there is quite scenic and you will pass by impressive cliffs and caves.
The ferry takes you directly to the main spot in Comino, Blue Lagoon. The beauty of this place is impressive with light blue waters which makes it a natural paradise and it has one of the most amazing sea colours I’ve ever seen.
But be aware that is gets crowded in high season and it can be difficult to find a place to stay there enjoying the day, relaxing and sunbathing. I recommend you to go to Comino early in the morning in one of the first boats for a better experience.
There is another sandy beach at the other side of the island, Santa Maria Bay, that is not as famous as the Blue Lagoon but definitely less crowded, so I decided to try it. From Blue Lagoon you can walk there for around 30m or take a 5m jeep ride.
Heading to Santa Maria Bay was a great option and I had a great time swimming in its shallow and clear water. It was my favourite beach day in the whole week after all. From the beach you can take directly the ferry back to Malta.
Gozo
Gozo is the second largest island in the country and it is a great day trip from Malta. That was exactly what I did in an extremely warm August day but it was totally worth it for its authenticity and amazing natural landscapes. It is also a good option to spend a few days exploring it in case you have enough time.
To get to Gozo the easiest way is to take a less than 30m ferry in Cirkewwa Terminal and you can also take you car in the ferry.
Start your visit to Gozo by Victoria, also known as Rabat, the capital of the island. Walk around the centre enjoying the typical streets and squares with plenty of options for a traditional Maltese meal or for some souvenir shopping.
Then head to the Citadel, a fortified city in the highest area of Victoria that has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Walk around its narrow streets and climb onto the battlements for the best views of the island. Don’t miss the Citadel Cathedral located at the entrance of the fortress.
After exploring Victoria, drive around the countryside of the island through breathtaking roads to Ta Pinu Sanctuary, one of the 46 churches of Gozo and an architectural masterpiece from the twentieth century.
Continue your journey on your way to the Salt Pans in Xwejni, located in the north coast of the island and one my favourite places in Gozo.
This area is characterised by natural salt pans, some of them still being used to extract salt from the sea. The rocky formations and the breathtaking landscape makes it a must visit spot in the island.
End your journey in Gozo with a refreshing break in Ramla Bay and enjoy one of the best and most extensive beaches in Malta with orange coloured sands. It will be probably crowded, but it is a good option to relax after a busy day.
Finally, if you visit Gozo as a day trip, take the ferry back to Malta at the sunset and you will be rewarded by the beauty of the sun going down at the Mediterranean Sea.
St. Julian’s and Sliema
Located next to Valetta, Malta’s capital, St. Julian’s and Sliema are two beach areas with plenty of options of hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. They are a good choice to be based whilst visiting Malta. Both areas can be crowded and busy especially at night, as they are also famous for a vibrant nightlife.
I stayed in St. Julian’s next to St. George’s Bay with beautiful views to the sea and typical colourful fishing boats. This is a very nice area to walk by the bay at day and at nigh and it will take you only 10m to get to Sliema.
Valetta
I left the best to the end because no visit to Malta is complete without going to Valetta, its astonishing capital.
Even if it is considered one of the smallest capitals in the world (less than 1km square), it has so much to offer to visitors and a rich History to explore. Built in the 16th century by the Knights of St. John as a refuge to pilgrims and soldiers, it was the first planned city in Europe and it hosts more than 320 monuments at walking distance. Together with its impressive Grand Harbour, it is part of UNESCO World Heritage sites.
If you are not staying in Valetta the best way to get there is by ferry to see the impressive skyline of the city by the sea, characterised by the sandstone buildings and the many domes of the churches. Malta is known to have a different church for every day of the year and more than 25 are located in the capital. St. John’s Co Cathedral, probably the most famous one in Malta, also deserves a visit to admire its beautiful architecture inside and its collection of art.
When you arrive to Valetta start wandering around its streets to be embedded by the rich history, lifestyle and culture of this city and its people. There are also many options of restaurants and bars in the city centre where you can also stop for a delicious meal or a drink by day and by night. By night the city transforms itself and it gets a vivid and vibrant atmosphere so it is worth to stay there for dinner after your visit.
Don’t miss St. John’s Co Cathedral that I mentioned before and Fort St. Elmo, Valetta’s most important fort which had an important role to play to defend Maltese people during the Great Siege in 1565.
Walk around the City Walls from where you will have beautiful views to Sliema, the Three Cities and Valetta’s coastline. You can circumnavigate the city and have an overall understanding of Valletta.
One of may favourite spots in Valetta was The Upper Barrakka Gardens located at the highest point of the City Walls. Take some time to relax in the garden and have the most stunning views of the Harbour and the Three Cities. It is always beautiful, but it gets magical at sunset.
I also recommend to cross the canal and visit The Three Cities (Birgu, Singlea and Cospicua), three medieval fortified cities. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go there, but it is certainly in my bucket list for the next time in Malta.
To get some inspiration for other Mediterranean summer destinations, check my blog post Top 10 Things to Do in Mykonos.
