Situated in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of Italy, Malta is an archipelago comprised of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Temples, fortresses, sandy beaches, cliffs, and jutted coves are what make this small island nation worth visiting, coupled with thrilling activities like scuba diving, snorkelling, and a long and fascinating history going back to the days before Christ. The landscape of Malta is covered with rocky coasts with cliffs made out of limestone and bays that preserve pristine waters. Jaunting to one of the many marinas around Malta will treat you to a sight of brightly coloured traditional crafts.

April to June is the best time to visit Malta, as the weather is quite pleasant during this time, avoiding the chills of winter and the crowds of the main summer season. Spring in Malta brings pleasant temperatures, blooming flowers, and fewer crowds compared to the summer months. April hosts various religious festivals and processions, such as Easter celebrations, offering a unique cultural experience. May and June offer ideal weather for outdoor activities, exploring historical sites, and enjoying the beautiful beaches.

Malta has a distinctive food culture thanks to its mild climate, proximity to fresh seafood from the Mediterranean, and mix of cultural influences, including Greek, Italian, French, and British. Food is reasonably priced and, if you make some friends on the islands, you’ll quickly discover that any occasion is a pretext for feasting.

Stuffatt tal-fenek, or Rabbit Stew, is considered the national dish of Malta, one that every proud Maltese person is fed practically from birth. Ftira is popular Maltese bread that is mostly used to make wholesome open sandwiches, one of the most loved Maltese foods. One of the popular fish-based foods in Maltese cuisine is Torta tal-Lampuki which involves a meaty white fish with vegetables & olives served as a shortcrust pastry pie. Aljotta is an authentic fish soup in Malta that is served with rice. Cheese is a key element in all Mediterranean cuisines, including Maltese cuisine. The common term used for cheese in Malta is ġbejna (cheeselet).

Shopping in Malta can be a great experience. There are shops or markets for everyone, from international brands to those selling Maltese items to take home as souvenirs or local food products. You will find retail stores and shopping centres across all major towns and cities in the island. Valletta has been Malta’s prime shopping hub for decades. Republic Street is a menagerie of local shops and high street brands, all competing for the consumer’s attention. This one km-long high street is bustling with busy crowds and a vivacious atmosphere all year round.

Malta has two official languages: English and Maltese. Italian is also widely spoken, as it is Malta’s near neighbour. Maltese is only spoken in Malta, so there’s no big push to learn it. However, Malta is the perfect place to learn Italian, if you want to add to your language skills. Italian is so widely spoken that it even used to be an official language.

1. VALLETTA

Valletta is probably not like any other capital city you may have visited in your life. With a population of approximately 6,000 people, Valletta is one of the smallest capital cities in the world.

Nevertheless, it has a lot to offer and even hosted the title of European Capital of Culture in 2018. Plus, the entire town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Europe.

Some of the best things to do in Valletta include visiting the stunning St. John’s Cathedral and other bastions in baroque architecture. Most of them were built in the 16th century and thus have a long and important history.

Valletta is also the largest harbor town on the island and if you want to get the best view of the Grand Harbour, head to The Upper and Lower Barrakka Gardens. From there, you can also spot the so-called Three Cities of Malta.

2. SLIEMA

The second place on the list is Sliema, a small beach town right opposite the peninsula where Valletta is located. Years back, Sliema was the place where the Maltese aristocracy lived. Nowadays it’s one of the main resort destinations where you can find tasty food, awesome bars, and many lovely boutiques. The city is also the perfect starting point for different kinds of tours around the island. Moreover, you can take the direct ferry connection to Valletta or simply enjoy a fantastic view of the capital city while taking a stroll along the promenade.

3. ST. JULIANS

There’s no other place in Malta where you can turn night into day better than in St. Julians. This resort town is known for having the best nightlife scene on the island. It’s also home to Malta’s tallest building – the Portomaso Tower.
There’s a club on the top floor of it where you can dance all night long while looking down at the town lights. Even if you’re not into partying, you should consider a visit to St. Julians. Large, flat rocks along the coastline are perfect sunbathing beds and a walk along the promenade offers beautiful views.

4. MDINA

To reach the next one of the best places to visit in Malta, leave the coastal area and head inland. There, built on a large hill, you’ll find the gorgeous town of Mdina.

The so-called “Silent City” is the best address to experience medieval Malta. The fact that no cars are allowed to enter this town makes the experience even more real and authentic.

Take a stroll through the narrow alleys, admire the old Carmelite Church and you’ll most likely forget what century we currently have. After enough exploration, head to Coogi’s for lunch or a good cup of coffee. The restaurant has a small rooftop terrace that offers breathtaking views of the island.

5. MARSAXLOKK

In the southern part of the island lays the idyllic fishing village Marsaxlokk. It’s most famous for its colourfully “eyed” painted boats called “Luzzus” that are tied side by side at the small harbour.

The place exists since the 9th century and was used by the Turkish fleet in 1565 during the Great Siege of Malta.

Besides fishing, the industry is another important part of life in the village and the island’s main power station is very close by.

6. HAGAR QIM & MNAJDRA

The island of Malta has many prehistoric sites but the most fascinating ones are the temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra. All of them are very well preserved and date back to 3000 BC. Not only the temples themselves are staggering, but their location right at the cliffs makes the place even more impressive.

Before you enter the temple complex, you learn everything about the ancient site at the visitor centre. There’s a short film about the history of the place and a very interesting, small exhibition revealing all the secrets of the temples.

7. BLUE GROTTO

Only a 20-minute walk from the temple, you can find another one of the best places to visit in Malta: the Blue Grotto.

The Blue Grotto is the name of seven sea caves in the southern part of Malta. In good weather conditions, visitors can take a boat tour to visit the caves and admire the beautiful colours of the underwater world.

Sometimes, sunrays mirror the seawater and create an unforgettable picture of different blue shades on the cave walls.

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