Budget | Antoniel Suites
Located in St Julian’s, Antoniel Suites offers an outdoor pool and is a short walk away from Balluta Bay Beach. The rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated in vibrant colours.
Are you travelling to the Mediterranean and looking for the best things to do in Malta? This small archipelago is brimming with Malta activities and sights that are sure to leave an impression.
With its golden beaches, quiet towns, and mix of architectural styles, it’s no wonder Malta is up there with holiday destinations like Mallorca. The guide below covers things to do and what to see in Malta for the ultimate holiday.
Disclosure: This trip was a paid collaboration with Visit Malta, however, all views and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links whereby I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps with the costs of running my website so I can keep my content free for you. Thanks as always for your support! See my disclosure policy here.
Places To Visit in Malta
To see all the best places in Malta allow at least five days for the trip. There’s so much variety on this tiny island, and it will take your breath away when we’re done exploring! It will also give you time to discover the other islands of Malta and Gozo. Of course, if you only have a couple of days it’s still possible to plan a great trip with this guide.
How to Get to Malta
The easiest way to get to Malta is by aeroplane. The national airline, Air Malta, connects to most major cities in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Our direct flight from London to Malta took three hours.
Click to check the latest flight prices to Malta
How to Get Around Malta
The public transport system in Malta is quite affordable and easy to navigate. Public buses service all major Malta attractions for around £2 per trip.
The Valetta Ferry Services runs regular trips between the major cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea from Valetta.
You can also take a traditional, hand-rowed water taxi, or dgħajsa, from the Grand Harbour for around £2.
Alternatively, you can rent a car. This will allow you to easily explore beyond the main tourist attractions and at your own pace.
Best Time to Visit Malta
The best time to visit Malta is before or after the summer season. The shoulder-season months of May, September, and October still have warm temperatures yet have much fewer crowds.
What to Do in Malta | Top Sights & Activities
Wondering what to see in Malta? There are so many exciting spots to admire, but here are some of my top picks for the best things to do in Malta.
Explore Valletta
This Unesco World Heritage site and capital city of Malta is less than a square kilometre in size. It is the smallest capital city in the European Union. Despite its size, it’s packed with exciting sights and plenty of incredible restaurants, cafés, and shops.
Be sure to stop by the marvellous Saint John’s Co-Cathedral. This site houses almost 400 tombs of the Grand Masters of the Order of Malta. It’s also the home of Caravaggio’s only signed artwork.
Other top attractions include the Manoel Theatre, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and Casa Rocca Piccola.
By sunset, head to the Valletta Waterfront and stroll along the promenade.
Valletta’s food scene is also incredible with its array of authentic restaurants offering traditional and contemporary Maltese flavours. If you fancy checking out the street food of Valletta with a local guide, check out this tour:
Book: Valletta Street Food & Culture Tour
Visit the Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens
The Barrakka Gardens consist of two portions. The lower garden is a 15-minute walk from the upper garden and is a bit less impressive. Yet it still provides spectacular views of the Grand Harbour.
The more popular Upper Barrakka Garden is the highest point in Valletta and offers incredible views of the Three Cities. This garden features impressive collonades, plaques, and notable statues. These include the statues of Winston Churchill and Les Gavroches.
Looking down from the upper garden, you’ll spot the Saluting Battery, which was once used to salute foreign vessels. The 8-cannon battery is still in operation and fires off daily at noon and 4 pm.
Explore Malta’s Historic Three Cities
The fortified cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua are a historic trio nestled in the heart of Malta’s historic centre. These towns are less frequented than the popular city of Valletta, which has helped them maintain an authentic feel.
You can learn more about the history of these harbourside towns at the Maritime Museum in Birgu. Birgu is also home to the Inquisitor’s Palace, Fort St. Angelo, and Malta at War Museum.
In Senglea, also known as L-Isla, you’ll find the Gardjola Gardens and a watch tower perched on the edge. In Cospicua (or Bormla), you’ll find an exquisite Parish Church with an impressive entryway—and an even more breathtaking interior.
Book: Birgu, Cospicua & Senglea Tour
Admire the Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Temples
The Ħaġar Qim & Mnajdra Archaeological Park sits on the southern coast of Malta. It hosts one of Malta’s UNESCO-listed megalithic temples, Ħaġar Qim—meaning ‘standing stones.’ This temple is one of the oldest in the world and dates back to between 3600 and 3200 BC, predating the pyramids.
This site, excavated in 1885, is said to have been a place of worship, as several statues were found during the excavation.
About 500 metres away from Ħaġar Qim, you’ll find the three Mnajdra temples. Each of these temples, dating back to around 3600 to 3000 BC, features a trefoil plan. This stands in contrast to Ħaġar Qim, where the internal oval chambers have no uniform plan.
Book: Hagar Qim Temples & Highlights
See The Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto is a group of seven sea caves on the southeastern coast. It is said to have gotten its name after a visiting British soldier compared the caves to the Grotta Azzura (blue grotto) in Capri.
With their stand-out 30-metre-high arch, visiting these caves is one of the top things to do in Malta. You can see these cliffs on a local boat tour, which usually departs from iz-Żurrieq.
The best time to visit the cliffs is in the morning. At this time, the sun falls perfectly on the white-sand bottom. This creates interesting reflections through the crystal clear waters and on the cave walls.
Book: Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto & Qrendi
Discover Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is situated in the southeastern part of Malta and is the largest fishing port on the island. It is a mere 6.5 kilometres from Malta International Airport. This makes it a great first stop for a fresh seafood lunch after your flight into Malta.
During the week, the traditional, brightly-coloured luzzu boats bring in fresh seafood to sell to local vendors and restaurants. There is also a Sunday fish market where fishers sell the day’s catch directly to the locals.
Stop by La Nostra Padrona or Principino Restaurant for some of the freshest seafood and views of the harbour.
Book: Marsaxlokk Market, Kalanka Bay
Visit the City of Mdina
Known as Malta’s silent city, Mdina sits atop a lush green hill and is the highest point on the island. This mediaeval town is home to around 250 people, and a limited amount of cars are allowed into the walled city.
The fortified city is a mere 0.9 km² in size and absolutely brimming with beauty. Mdina was initially inhabited by the Phoenicians around 700 BC, followed by the Romans and Normans. The multiple influences can be seen in the intricate Norman and Baroque entryways and town architecture.
Stop by the spectacular 17th-century St. Paul’s Cathedral before heading to the Cathedral Museum. This museum houses one of Europe’s most impressive collections of religious art, antiques, and documents.
You’ll also want to stop by Is-Serkin for the absolute best pastizzi (a popular stuffed pastry) in Malta. The Fontanella Tea Garden sells some of the best homemade cakes and offers sweeping views of the surrounding villages.
Book: Mdina City Walking Tour
Enjoy a Trip To The Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo
Other best things to see in Malta include the two islands, Comino and Gozo, that form part of the Malta archipelago.
Ferries to the neighbouring islands depart regularly from Ċirkewwa harbour. A ferry to Comino will take you to the spectacular Blue Lagoon, while a trip to Gozo ends at the Mġarr Harbour.
Gozo is much quieter and less industrialised than Malta. Walk about the tranquil streets sampling local foods and admiring the historic architecture. You can also take a guided Jeep tour to see all of Gozo’s top sights.
Book: Comini, Gozo Boat Ride
Enter Tal-Mixta Cave in Gozo
The Tal-Mixta cave in the village of Nadur is somewhat of a hidden treasure on Gozo island. You can reach it via a 40-minute walk from Ramla bay or by car travelling from Nadur. Once you reach this cave, which is said to have been home to Troglodytic people, you’ll be rewarded with mesmerising views.
The cave entrance frames a stunning view of the sandy Ramla l-Hamra bay and its lush verdant surroundings.
Have Fun at Popeye Village
One of the more quirky Malta things to do is to visit the Film Set of the 1980 Musical Production ‘Popeye’. The film featured famous actors like Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall at the beginning of their careers.
This little village was built on Malta’s anchor bay and never deconstructed after filming. Start your visit at the viewing point to get a proper view of the entire set. Then head down to wander through the curious village.
Relax At Golden Bay
One of the most popular and family-friendly beaches in Malta is Golden Bay. This long stretch of red sand is a blue flag-certified spot safe for swimming and other water activities. There are also plenty of kiosks and restaurants, and lifeguards monitor the beach during summer.
By late afternoon, the beach can get crowded as people arrive to admire the sunset and set up barbeques.
Wrapping UP: The Best Things to Do in Malta
Hopefully, this guide has inspired you to visit this idyllic Mediterranean country. Malta is rich in culture, history, and opportunities for adventure. So, whichever type of traveller you are, you’re sure to be impressed.
Have a look at my guide to exploring Seville and the Island of Tenerife for more exciting Mediterranean experiences.
PIN AND SAVE FOR LATER
Stay at Spa says:
Thanks for the great guide. Haven’t visited Malta in long time, but it’s a great place.