This Mediterranean Island is a sun trap for most of the year, with a golden whirl of ancient temples, azure swimming areas, glitzy beach clubs, and tiny neighbouring isles. Malta’s closest neighbours are Sicily and Tunisia, and the island group is in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. What these surprising small islands lack in size, they make up for in natural beauty and an interesting 8,000-year history. Layers upon layers of influences from invading civilizations gave Malta its unique, sedimentary language and the culture we know and love today. Malta is renowned for being hot and sunny for more than 300 days out of the year.
Malta has more beaches than you can shake a stick at. It also has megalithic temples, which are some of the oldest buildings in the world, medieval Arabic fortifications, ornate Baroque cathedrals, and British red telephone boxes. Whatever the season, there is a ton lot see and do here.
Travel Limitations and Admission Prerequisites in Malta
Malta is now available to both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests, and there are no criteria to enter.
Best Time to Go to Malta
Malta is fun and happy all year long, but from May to October, when festa season officially starts (see “Best Things To Do”), you’ll find it to be especially happy. The island takes its Roman Catholic traditions very seriously, and the displays are grand enough that it’s also worth planning to be there for Easter or Christmas.
Be aware that the islands lie as far south as Algeria and that the summer months of July and August are extremely hot. Instead, aim for the cooler but still beach-friendly temperatures of late May and June or after the heat subsides in September and October. As an alternative, November through April is the finest time of year for hikers and history buffs to explore the historic sites and walk the gorgeous seaside paths.
The Best Vacation Spots in Valletta
The nation’s capital is a work of art. It is a city that completely surrounded by 16th-century bastions that go all the way around a peninsula and surround a grid of streets. It is a walking city with beautiful sandstone churches and streets made of marble. Most of the homes have box balconies that stick out from the building. Since Valletta named the European Capital of Culture in 2018, boutique hotels have popped up all throughout the city, and Valletta has become the centre of the island’s cultural scene, hosting year-round art exhibitions, film festivals, and music events.
Marsaxlokk
This small town on the south coast has a tiny harbour full of brightly coloured homes that welcome the brightly coloured Luzzu fishing boats. Some of the greatest restaurants on the island can be found in Marsaxlokk, a famous destination for foodies. One of these places is the family-run fish restaurant Tartarun, which is known for its excellent octopus. To work up an appetite, you could stroll through the village’s market and churches. Another option is to rent a boat and spend the day exploring the bay and the neighbouring rocky beaches, such as the well-known St. Peter’s Pool, which renowned for its pristine lagoon and azure waters.
Mdina
Since the Bronze Age, people have lived in this castle on top of a hill. It was built by the Phoenicians in the eighth century BC, and the Algerian Aghlabid dynasty gave it the name Medina. The beautiful streets of “The Silent City,” which is no longer the capital of Malta and is mostly made up of nunneries and monasteries, are not as quiet as they used to be. As a former Game of Thrones filming location, it is a favourite with tour groups. Off the beaten path, explore meandering lanes and side streets to see where they take you. Fontanella, a wall-mounted eatery known for its opulent chocolate cake, hopefully.
St. Julian’s, Sliema
The coves and promenades that make up the bays of Sliema and St. Julian’s are hidden by the curves and bends of Malta’s northern coastline. This further makes up the most expensive and posh part of the island. There are huge stores and condo buildings next to waterfront palaces from the time of the Sicilians. If you enjoy architecture, you shouldn’t miss the Balluta Buildings, an apartment complex from the 1920s that is the most outstanding example of Art Nouveau architecture on the island. There are many beach clubs nearby, and despite the lack of sand, it’s an excellent place to swim. If going to clubs isn’t your thing, check out the chic, tiny bar Hole in the Wall, where the owner and musician Ian books or performs his own live performances.
The Three Cities are located on the other side of the Grand Harbour from Valletta. The Knights of St. John have given each of them two names—Birgu (Vittoriosa), Bormla (Conspicua), and L-Isla—one native and one Italian (Senglea). The Three Cities, protected by large bastion walls, are commonly overlooked in favour of Valletta, the capital, even though they have similar architecture, beauty, and food but less crowded. In the meanwhile, Hammett’s Maina Restaurant in Senglea is one to make appointments for well in advance, as its shared plates are hugely popular. The Maritime Museum in Birgu is getting ready to reopen. It gives an overview of naval history that isn’t as well known.
Mgarr
This tiny farming community on the western tip of the main island is home to many top-notch dining establishments, a magnificent dome church, and lesser-known megalithic structures. It should not mistake with Mgarr in Gozo. Furthermore, the tranquil Gnejna beach is close by; it is located south of the well-liked Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha, but it is much less crowded. If you want a calm place to base yourself while renting a car, Mgarr is an excellent place to stay. In any case, check out the local cuisine at Bohini, Dine West, or United Restaurant, to mention a few. especially if you want to eat the rabbit dish known as Fenech, a Maltese specialty.
Lapsi Ghar
Most tourists visit Zurrieq to view the Blue Lagoon, but the local diving schools prefer this little bay on the south coast. There isn’t much room for lounging, but it’s one of the island’s best swimming sites. Lapsi View, a 1950s cafe, serves delicious Maltese cuisine, including ravioli and hob biz zejt (a tomato and caper sandwich). The 3,200-year-old Ar Qim temples, regarded as the best on the island, are also nearby.
Best Activities in Malta
Give Malta’s stone temples from the Megalithic era priority, whether you decide to see just one or all of them over the course of a week. Before the Gobekli Tepe temple in Turkey was built, these buildings were thought to be the oldest in the world for a long time. Further, the finest locations to start are sites like the expansive Hagar Qim site, the underground Hypogeum, or the Tarxien Temples, which were constructed between 3,600 BC and 2,500 BC.
Check to see whether there is a festa taking place over the weekend if you are on the island between April and October.
Take a boat to Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, if you have a day or two to spare. Both the swift new foot ferry from Valletta and the auto ferry from Cirkewwa dock in the Mgarr harbour on the island of Gozo. With unique swimming holes, top-notch dining options, and plenty of farmhouse lodging, Gozo has its own character. The feeling of isolation is ideal for a complete digital switch-off.
Travel Options in Malta
If you don’t want to rent a car, the municipal bus system in Malta offers an affordable, air-conditioned service with schedules available on Google Maps. Also, ferries run quickly, are beautiful, and are cheap between Valletta and Sliema and Valletta and the Three Cities.
Getting There
All of Europe’s low-cost airlines fly to Malta from UK hub airports more than once a day. British Airways and Air Malta both offer daily service to the island. Further, by vehicle or train, you may get to Malta without taking a flight thanks to Virtu Ferries’ four daily services that travel from Malta to Sicily in 90 minutes.
Saving Advice
Although accommodations are slightly less expensive during the off-season, Valletta is an expensive place to stay all year. The most cost-effective strategy is typically to base oneself outside of the capital.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malta
How is the Weather?
Malta experiences year-round high temperatures, sunshine, and humidity. Keep an eye on weather predictions for impending showers and pack a brolly because storms do occasionally come in from across the sea.
In Which Time Zone is it?
GMT+1
What Currency Do I Need?
Euros