Thanks to the country being an archipelago, there are sure to be plenty of places to see and things to do in Malta. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta is a destination that is slowly becoming more and more visible to travellers; this comes as no surprise. With an idyllic combination of turquoise beaches and archaeological treasures, Malta is a destination for all ages.
Walk along the coastline while enjoying its breathtaking beaches, as well as visiting all three islands and discovering all their historical and cultural secrets. Don’t hesitate to visit its most important cities and villages, and also enjoy all the amazing natural landscapes. And if that wasn’t enough, Malta is the ideal place for water sports and activities. So what are you waiting for?
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Best cities to see in Malta
Valletta
One of the first destinations we recommend in Malta is Valletta, the island’s small capital. You’ll find some of the country’s most iconic monuments, as well as being lucky enough to see some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
First of all, make sure to visit the Barrakka Gardens, an impressive park where you can enjoy a large expanse of nature. It’s on top of a hill, so you can enjoy panoramic views of the rest of the city and the sea.
Secondly, don’t miss the impressive St John’s Cathedral in Valletta, probably the most important religious building in the city. Although it may not have the most beautiful facade, the real treasure is hidden inside.
Come and discover all the cultural, natural and architectural wonders hidden in this city in our post: What to do and see in Valletta Malta.
Sliema
Sliema is considered the most modern and cosmopolitan city on the island of Malta. Here you can enjoy not only a wide range of entertainment and culture, but also a wide variety of beautiful beaches.
First of all, one place you can’t miss is the beautiful Sliema Promenade. As well as being one of the most popular places in the city, it’s the ideal place to stroll and enjoy the sunset after a day of sightseeing.
Another thing to do in Sliema Malta is the beautiful Independence Garden. You can enjoy a large green area full of spots where you can have a picnic or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of nature.
To discover all the details about this city, check out our post: Things to do and see in Sliema Malta.
Mellieha
Especially popular for its strong historical and cultural value, Mellieha is one of the must-see cities in Malta. You can enjoy a wealth of sights, landmarks and activities at great prices.
We recommend starting your trip with a visit to the incredible Mellieha Bay, considered the most beautiful and longest beach in Malta. Here you will find stunning crystal clear waters, as well as a variety of water activities for a fun day out.
If you’re looking for historical sites, don’t miss the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha, an impressive parish church that will leave you fascinated by both its beautiful baroque facade and its interesting interior.
Discover all the places to visit in Mellieha by reading our post: Things to do and see in Mellieha Malta.
Mdina
As one of the most beautiful cities to visit in Malta, you can’t miss out on all the things to do and see in Mdina. Known especially for its medieval architecture, you will be enchanted by the pleasant atmosphere and character of the city.
To start your trip, we recommend visiting the Three Gates, one of the most symbolic features of the city of Mdina, since, being a medieval city, it still has the three gates of access to the old town.
Next, you can visit Palazzo Vilhena, an impressive palace belonging to the Maltese aristocracy. It now is home to the Malta Museum of Natural History, where you can enjoy an extensive collection of fossils of the island’s wildlife.
Don’t hesitate to visit the beautiful city of Mdina!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Charming places to see in Malta
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk is without a doubt one of the prettiest and most charming little villages in Malta. With an authentic feel, this small fishing village will make your trip a unique experience.
The first thing to see here is the beautiful Marsaxlokk Harbour, where you can not only enjoy a lovely walk along the water’s edge, but also see the iconic Luzzus, colourful little boats.
Another spot in Marsaxlokk that will leave you speechless is the impressive Church of Our Lady of Pompeii. This imposing religious building has an attractive reddish colour, as well as a large central clock and a spectacular size.
If you want to know more about this little village, read our post: Things to do and see in Marsaxlokk Malta.
Rabat
The small town of Rabat is one of the most historically and culturally important places to visit in Malta. If you are looking for a quiet destination where you can escape the crowds, this city is definitely the place for you.
First of all, we recommend visiting the impressive Dingli Cliffs, a short distance from Rabat and very easy to access. There you can enjoy spectacular views of the sea, as well as a short break in nature.
Another must-see in Rabat are the famous Catacombs of St Paul. These impressive underground galleries have up to 30 hypogea, and were once the hiding place of St Paul during a long shipwreck, hence the name.
Read on in our post on the things to do and see in Rabat Malta to discover all the wonders this beautiful city has to offer.
Popeye Village
If you’re looking for quirky places, you can’t miss a visit to the quaint seaside town of Popeye’s Village. As well as the unbeatable location, this small village is famous for having been the set of the Popeye film.
Start by taking a walk around the set of the film, a beautiful set with colourful houses where you can take endless photos and feel like you’re in the real Popeye film. When you’ve finished, don’t hesitate to enter the Popeye House Museum and enjoy an exhibition with different props, sets and even a souvenir shop.
At Popeye Village you can also do a whole host of activities, from playing mini-golf to enjoying a wine tasting, as well as taking a great boat trip around the bay. You can’t miss out on all the things to do in Popeye Village Malta!
Best beaches to see in Malta
Malta has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, especially known for their crystal clear waters, stunning scenery and, in some cases, their curious reddish sand. Find out which ones to visit by reading our post on the best beaches in Malta.
Paradise Bay Beach
Parasadise Bay Beach is located in the north of Malta and is one of the best serviced beaches in Malta. Here you can enjoy crystal clear waters, long sandy beaches and breathtaking views of the famous Gozo and Comino Islands. It also has a great hotel and numerous water activities, from kayaking to snorkelling and scuba diving. Don’t miss all the things to do in Paradise Bay Malta!
Gozo Island
The island of Gozo is Malta’s second largest island and although smaller in size, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do. You’ll find plenty of natural and wild landscapes to explore, as well as some of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Malta. And, of course, you can visit beautiful city of Victoria.
Golden Bay Beach
Golden Bay is without a doubt one of the most famous sandy beaches in Malta. Especially characterised by its beautiful reddish sand, this beach is ideal if you are looking for a place with all the necessary amenities while enjoying a great morning or afternoon in the sun. You’ll also have the opportunity to try out a range of water sports or stay at the amazing beachfront resort. To find out more about this place, read our post: Golden Bay Malta.
Blue Grotto
This impressive set of caves known as the Blue Grotto is one of the most hidden and acclaimed places to see in Malta. Inside you can visit up to six different caves where there is a unique visual spectacle: the rays of sunlight filtering into the cave reflect the blue of the sea on the cave walls. Once you have finished looking inside, you can go to its spectacular viewpoint and see the impressive arch that leads to the entrance of this place. Keep reading our post to discover all there is to see in Blue Grotto Malta.
Ramla Bay Beach
Ramla Bay Beach, better known as the “orange beach”, is a beautiful beach with reddish sand and clear, warm waters. It is considered one of the best beaches in Malta. Also, within walking distance you can find two of the most famous caves in the country: the Calypso Cave, and the Tal Mixta Cave, from which you can enjoy spectacular views over the beach. To find out more about Ramla Bay and what to do there, read our post: Ramla Bay Malta
Tips for a trip to Malta
- If you are European, you only need a national ID card to travel to Malta.
- Malta’s public transport is not always the best, so consider other options.
- The best cities to stay in are Valletta, Sliema and Mdina.
- It is important for you to be able to speak a bit of English in order to be able to communicate.
- Don’t forget that the plugs in Malta are three-pronged, so try to bring an adaptor.
- The currency in Malta is the Euro.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Malta
Malta is a destination that, due to being an island and having good temperatures, receives a large influx of travellers in summer. That is why we recommend you to travel to this country during spring or autumn if you want to avoid the crowds.
It is difficult to decide which is the best beach as this can be very subjective. Below is a list of what we consider to be the best:
– Golden Bay
– St. Peter’s Pool
– Paradise Bay
– Mellieha Bay
– Mgarr Ix-Xini Bay
It is important to note that prices are higher in Malta compared to Spain, but not excessively. Prices are approximately 1.28 times more than in Spain.
Public transport in Malta works reasonably well and is the cheapest way to get around the island. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the only means of transport are buses.
Although the bus is not super fast or frequent, it does offer fairly cheap fares. A ticket is valid for two hours to any destination and transfer, and costs €2 in summer and €1.50 in winter. The night fare is €3 and runs from 11pm onwards.
How to organise the places to see in Malta?
You can use this post as a reference and combine it with the options that the Passporter app suggests. There you will find a wide variety of ideas and inspiration on what to see and what to do in Malta. Thanks to the app you can put the spots in order of preference and organise your route around this beautiful country. If you don’t have the Passporter app yet, download it and start organising your next trips.
If you have doubts about how to get organised before leaving, or you don’t quite know how to plan your travel itinerary, read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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