A country full of Old World architecture, dazzling natural sites, and of course, the sun and the sparkling sea, Malta is a tiny island located just below Italy in the Mediterranean.
As the 9th smallest country in the world, Malta has an area of 316 km² meaning it can fit into the Greater London five times!
Don’t let Malta’s size fool you, though. This is a magnificent country with an ample amount of things to do and see, no matter what you’re into. Its size is only beneficial to travelers as you can see the entire country in however many days you decide to allow yourself.
If you’re thinking about staying in a hostel (or not), I 110% recommend Hostel Malti. HostelWorld has awarded it as the “Best Hostel in Malta” four years in a row, and there’s a reason for that. It’s located in the lively area of St. Julians and close to Paceville, which is great if you’re planning to go out at night. Buses are very unreliable in Malta, so staying somewhere where you can walk to the clubs is the absolute best decision you can make.
Not only is the location great for any partiers out there, it’s also close to bus stops, grocery stores, restaurants and cafes, and so much more.
At Hostel Malti you’ll feel like you already have a Maltese family. The staff is so eager to help you make the best of your time and will give you an endless number of tips and itinerary ideas. Also, if you’re like me and are traveling solo, you will make so many friends at this hostel, you’ll forget you came alone. You’ll find travel buddies, people to go out partying with, and friends who are down to go swimming in the sea on sunny, but windy, day in January.
So after you’ve sorted out your accommodation, it’s time to decide what you’re actually going to do during your stay in Malta. Here are my recommendations.
Mdina
The medieval city of Mdina is known as the “Silent City” and is Malta’s original capital. This city will sweep you away with it’s Old World charm and tiny streets. Just wandering around this city itself is incredible. However, there are a number of museums and cathedrals to visit such as the Mdina Cathedral, the St. Paul’s Cathedral Museum, and the Palazzo Falson.
Fun fact for Game of Thrones lovers, the main bridge to Mdina also portrays the entrance to King’s Landing.
I’d also recommend you have lunch at the Fontanella Tea Garden. It’s seriously a must-do. Not only does it have great sandwiches, coffee, and cakes, Fontanella also offers amazing terrace views of Malta.
Valletta
Malta’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, is commonly referred to as an “open air museum.”
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It’s full of hilly, unique streets dotted with cafes, shops, and restaurants. Once again, there’s a number of museums and cathedrals to visit such as the St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the Lascaris War Rooms for history lovers, and the National War Museum (Fort St. Elmo). Walk around and admire the city and walk the waterfront as well.
The Three Cities
Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea make up Malta’s Three Cities. These cities offer a bit more of an authentic Maltese experience, while also boasting great views of Valletta from the other side of the sea. There’s picturesque harbors, museums, yachts, and so much more to see while in these cities.
Marsaxlokk
Taking you back in time, Marsaxlokk is a tiny fishing village filled with colorful luzzu boats and lined with palm trees. There’s also a nice restaurant called Terrone where you can stop in for food or even just coffees. It’s located right in front of the harbor so you can still continue to admire all the boats, don’t worry.
Further down in Marsaxlokk is St. Peter’s Pool, which is one of the natural swimming pools in Malta. It offers flat rocks around it and then spots where you can jump into the water or simply walk in. It’s a really cool place to just go and hangout.
Gozo
No matter how many days you’re in Malta, you HAVE to take the ferry over to Malta’s second biggest island Gozo! It’s breathtaking and has numerous natural sites to check out.
Visit Gozo’s capital Victoria and check out the quaint streets and magnificent churches. I visited St. Mary’s Cathedral during my stay and it had a unique and intriguing look to it both outside and in. You can even take the elevator to the terrace and scope out some excellent views of Victoria and Gozo.
Ok. So now ditch the cities and investigate all the beaches, bays, and natural beautifies Gozo has to offer.
Most importantly, you need to go to Dwejra Bay where the Azure Window is located. This is a magnificent natural landmark that you simply cannot miss during your time in Malta. Sit and stare at the remarkable scenery, climb some rocks, and find the best views and take it all in. Unfortunately, this gorgeous natural wonder has fallen into the Mediterranean Sea, so if you visit it today you’ll only seem the remnants of what was there.
Another site you can’t miss is located at Xlendi Bay. Maybe even stop here for lunch as it has seafront restaurants and cheap eats.
When you get to Xlendi Bay climb the stairs up to the cliffs on the right (you’ll feel the burn, but it’ll be worth it). This spot offers fantastic picturesque views of the bay. Once you’re to the top keep following the stares and you’ll run into rocky cliffs that you can’t help but climb on. Once you’ve pulled yourself from that spot follow the stairs even further and you’ll find a cave-like area with crystal clear water. Completely worth all the stair-climbing, I promise.
Ramla Bay is another must-see in Gozo. It’s the island’s largest sandy bay boasting reddish-gold tinted sand.
These are just my personal favorites from the time I spent in Malta. There are countless other amazing things to do in this unique country such as swimming in the Blue Lagoon in Comino, visiting ancient temples, the Blue Grotto, and much MUCH more.
As Malta boasts sunny days year round, no matter when find yourself in Malta, you’ll be able to enjoy all the things I’ve mentioned. I mean swimming in the Mediterranean sea in January might feel a little chilly, but hey, how often can you say you’ve gone swimming in the sea in winter? No often, so take advantage of it!
READ MORE: Top 10 Things to Do in Malta
5 Responses
This is world-class work, Christa–no pun intended. Wonderful writing, great photos!
Thank you so much. I’m glad to have you approval 🙂
Of course!:) Sorry for my delayed response. I’d be more than happy. I’ll check out your blog now!