Top Things to Do and See While Traveling in Malta

One of my favorite countries for a shorter visit is Malta. Malta is a small country made up of three islands, located in the Mediterranean Sea between Africa and Italy. It’s a short flight from Italy and you can spend four or five days there and see a diverse range of cities, history, beaches and nature. It’s still a little unknown gem so there are fewer tourists than other places I have been.  Both Gladiator movies and the first season of Game of Thrones were filmed in Malta (Game of Thrones was also filmed in Croatia). Since Gladiator 2 was released Malta is gaining in popularity, so I recommend going soon and beating the crowds! Below you can read my top recommendations for things to see and not to miss while in Malta.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you book through these links. Thanks for your support!

City stop number one: Valletta

Valletta is the capital city of Malta and taking a walking tour is one of the best ways to explore the city. It’s a world UNESCO Heritage Site filled with shopping, beautiful architecture, interesting history and good food. The streets are lined with colorful buildings and cobblestone streets. I learned a lot from my walking tour. It was worth the money I spent.

Visit The Upper and Lower Barraka Gardens

The gardens have amazing views overlooking the harbor and at noon in the Upper Barrakka Gardens you can witness ceremonial cannon firings daily (Monday to Saturday) at the Saluting Battery which is a historic site overlooking the Grand Harbor. Along with its great views the gardens themselves are worth a stop.

Across the Sea: The Three Cities

Just a short ferry ride across the Grand Harbor from Valletta is the Three Cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. If you are looking for a more quiet scene to relax and enjoy your afternoon, this is a great place.

Grab a coffee, have lunch or just wander the streets. It is peaceful and picturesque. I had a nice leisurely stroll for mid-afternoon. It’s a great way to skip the crowds while still enjoying your time on the island. 

Island of Gozo

Gozo is a must see. I caught the hop-on hop-off bus to tour Gozo. It was a great way to see all of the island without renting a car. I went to St. Lawrence to see the cliffs and it was beautiful. Travel tip: Most tour companies end tours around 4:00 pm so plan ahead to see some of the sights before the afternoon. I witnessed some people who had missed their earlier transportation and were kind of stuck.

Visit the Charming Village of Marsaxlokk

On the south end of the island is a small fishing village. Its quaint, bright and colorful harbor is lined with decorative boats. It has amazing fresh seafood, in my opinion the best on the island. If you’re there on a Sunday it has the biggest fish market on the island. You can walk along the harbor and enjoy the weather or relax and soak in the sun while having dinner by the sea. It’s a great way to unwind and end the day with this must see city.

Stop by St. Peter’s Pool

While in Marsaxlokk don’t forget to take a quick swim in St. Pete’s pool. It’s a natural swimming  pool surrounded by a stone wall. It’s great to go for a quick dip to get cooled off.

Don’t Miss The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is a highlight for many tourists. Its crystal clear water is perfect for an afternoon on the beach or in the water (reminds me of Croatia and Greece) There are many boat and day tours worth exploring. I would dedicate at least a half day to see the lagoon.

Travel tip: go early as it fills up with tourists quickly. You want to secure a place to relax and enjoy while sunbathing. 

The Blue Grotto

The Blue Grotto is another little spot to stop and see on your way around the islands. It is only accessible by boat and it has amazing turquoise waters.

Take an Island tour

There are many tours that you can take to see Malta and its surrounding islands. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy the views from the water. Here is a link to check out some boat tours.

Your Malta questions answered:

What language do they speak in Malta?

They have two official languages, English and Maltese. I had no problem communicating with any of the locals and people were happy to help if I had questions or was a little lost. Getting lost happens frequently to me!

What is the currency in Malta?

In Malta they use the Euro. I mainly used my credit card, but it’s good to bring cash as well. You will need it for smaller purchases like shopping at the bazaars. It makes it much more convenient and hassle free. 

Is Malta safe?

Traveling as a female solo traveler, I felt very safe even after dusk.  There were always people out and about, locals and tourists.  It has a very low crime rate, but as in any country or city it’s good to remain alert while traveling.

What type of food does Malta have?

The food in Malta was a mix of cultures. European with an Italian focus. You can definitely see some North African  influence as well. You will find a lot of fresh seafood given it’s next to the sea. One snack I recommend is Pastizzi. It was tasty and sweet all in one. It’s a pastry stuffed with meat, cheese, peas and more. The closest thing I can think of it being related to was a pot-pie (if you all even know what that is!) It was unique and a must try.

The other dish I highly recommend is Fitra. It’s so special to Maltese culture that UNESCO has added the dish to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It’s bread, stuffed with just about anything you want. Typical are vegetables, meat or fish.

How can I get around Malta?

Malta has a good public transportation system, but to me the easiest way to get around is by car. Although it’s a smaller island, you can save time and get in all your must sees if you drive (here is a link for self-driving with an audio guide). You can see much of Malta by boat as well, but expect to have a more leisurely day as the boats have a slower speed. I took the ferry across to the three cities and it was easy and quick because of the distance. Touring around all the islands will take a bit longer.

When is the best time to go to Malta?

I went in May and it was perfect weather. Less crowded and the weather was warm, but not hot. Summer is a good time to go if you like to hang out by the beaches and relax. Early fall would also be nice as the tourist season starts winding down.

Where to stay in Malta?

Malta has a mix of hotels ranging from luxury to budget. As for location, I stayed in Slimea. It was convenient and easy to get around the rest of the island with its central location. My rule is normally if I can walk it in 30 minutes or less, then that’s my mode of transportation. I get in my exercise and see more of the city that way.

Is Malta worth a visit?

Absolutely. I enjoyed my time there and it’s a very unique country. For a shorter trip I’d say at least three days, but depending on your travel list four, for me, would be ideal.

If you’re looking for another island destination, I would recommend Croatia.😄

*Looking to go on vacation but don’t want to plan it yourself? Expedia can help you with all the details. Check it out below.

You May Also Like: